What Jesus Did : John 17:13 - Our Source of Joy!
by Phil Ware
Our Source of Joy! - John 17:13
"I am coming to you now. But I pray these things while I am still in the world. I say these things so that these men can have the true happiness that I have. I want them to be completely happy." (ERV) Full TextKey Thought
Jesus is our source of joy! The apostle Paul said it this way, "Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon" (Philippians 4:4-5). From his birth to his resurrection and to his coming again to take us home, the Lord is our source of joy. He has shown us God's great love for us. He has taught us how to live victoriously in a hostile world. He will never forsake us or leave us. He has insured that death cannot sever us from his love. He has promised that he will return and bring us home with him. Jesus is our source of joy. Like the prophet Nehemiah reminded us so long ago, "The joy of the LORD is your strength!" (Ne. 8:10).
Today's Prayer
Father God, sovereign master of all Creation, thank you for giving me the one true source of joy that cannot be extinguished or exhausted. Your gift of Jesus has brought me hope, salvation, and JOY! Please receive my undying gratitude for a reason to rejoice even in earthly life's most painful moments. I pray in the name of Jesus, my source of joy. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
"I am coming to you now. But I pray these things while I am still in the world. I say these things so that these men can have the true happiness that I have. I want them to be completely happy. I have given them your teaching. And the world has hated them. The world hated these men, because they don't belong to the world, the same as I don't belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world. But I am asking that you keep them safe from the Evil One (the devil). They don't belong to the world, the same as I don't belong to the world. Make them ready for your service through your truth. Your teaching is truth. I have sent them into the world, the same as you sent me into the world. I am making myself ready to serve. I do this for them, so that they can truly be ready for your service. "I pray for these men. But I am also praying for all people that will believe in me because of the teaching of these men. Father, I pray that all people that believe in me can be one. You are in me and I am in you. I pray that these people can also be one in us, so that the world will believe that you sent me. I have given these people the glory that you gave me. I gave them this glory so that they can be one, the same as you and I are one. I will be in them, and you will be in me. So they will be completely one. Then the world will know that you sent me. And the world will know that you loved these people the same as you loved me. "Father, I want these people that you have given me to be with me in every place I am. I want them to see my glory. This is the glory you gave me because you loved me before the world was made. Father, you are the One who is good. The world does not know you, but I know you. And these people know that you sent me. I showed them what you are like. And again I will show them what you are like. Then they will have the same love that you have for me. And I will live in them."-- John 17:13-26 (ERV)
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