Joy that Overflows
As December unfolds and we journey deeper into Advent, we arrive at a beautiful milestone: the celebration of joy. Not the fleeting happiness that depends on circumstances, but a profound, soul-deep joy that flows from the very heart of God. This third week of Advent invites us to light the pink candle, the candle of joy, and to discover a truth that can transform even our darkest seasons: joy isn't found in a season; it's found in a Savior.
The Challenge of Joy
Let's be honest. Joy isn't always easy. While some people are surrounded by laughter and celebration during this time of year, others carry heavy burdens of pain, loss, or uncertainty. The Christmas season can amplify what's missing rather than what's present. For many, the cultural pressure to "be joyful" feels like an impossible demand.
But here's where the biblical understanding of joy becomes revolutionary: Joy is not dependent on what's happening around us. It is born out of what God is doing within us.
Joy doesn't come from circumstances. Joy doesn't come from a season. Joy comes from a Savior.
This distinction changes everything. It means joy is accessible even in hospital rooms, during waiting seasons, and in the midst of loss. It means we don't have to wait for everything to fall into place before we can experience the fullness of what God offers.
Joy Is Born Out of God's Presence
On that first Christmas night, shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks. These are just ordinary people doing ordinary work. They weren't in a palace. They weren't prepared for a miracle. Yet an angel appeared with these words: "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11).
The presence of God showed up right where they were and joy followed.
This is the pattern throughout Scripture. Psalm 16:11 declares, "In Your presence there is fullness of joy." Notice it doesn't say "in perfect circumstances" or "when all your problems are solved." **Joy doesn't come from perfect conditions; it comes from God's presence.
Consider Mary's response when she learned she would carry the Christ child. Her situation became more complicated, not easier. She faced uncertainty, potential rejection, and a future she couldn't fully understand. Yet she sang, "My spirit rejoices in God my Savior" (Luke 1:47). Her joy wasn't rooted in clarity. It was rooted in presence.
The shepherds experienced the same reality. Before they heard any good news, before they saw the Christ child, before anything changed in their social status, Scripture says "the glory of the Lord shone around them." They were surrounded by the presence of God. And the result? They were filled with great joy.
Joy is not the absence of problems; joy is the nearness of Jesus.
Joy Is Sustained by Abiding
Jesus made a remarkable statement in John 15:11: "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full." Notice what Jesus connects joy to. Not results, but relationship. Not outcomes, but abiding.
In the context of John 15, Jesus is teaching about remaining connected to Him like branches to a vine. The promise He gives to those who abide is not comfort, success, or ease. It is joy. Complete joy. Whole joy. Mature, resilient joy.
This tells us something crucial: Joy is not sustained by what happens around us. Joy is sustained by who we stay connected to.
The apostle Paul understood this deeply. From a prison cell where he was bound, restricted, uncertain about his future and he wrote these words: "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4). He didn't say "rejoice when things improve." He said "rejoice in the Lord."
Joy is not anchored to outcomes; it is anchored to Christ.
This kind of joy is intentional. It's practiced. It's chosen again and again in daily surrender. Biblical joy doesn't require us to fake happiness or deny pain. Instead, it's the quiet confidence that says:
"I don't understand, but I trust You."
"This hurts, but You are still good."
"This isn't what I hoped for, but I know Who holds me."
You don't have to wait for everything to fall into place to rejoice. When we remain in Christ meaning when we abide, when we stay rooted then His joy doesn't come and go. It remains.
Joy Is the Strength That Carries Us Through Struggle
When the Israelites returned from exile to rebuild Jerusalem, they weren't celebrating. They were exhausted. The walls were broken, the city was damaged, and the weight of past failure hung over them. As they heard God's Word read aloud, they began to weep, suddenly aware of how far they had fallen.
Into that moment came these powerful words: "Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10).
This wasn't a command to ignore pain. It was a reminder of where strength actually comes from. "The joy of the Lord" doesn't just mean our joy in God—it means God's joy over His people. Even with rubble at their feet, even with scars from exile, even with rebuilding still unfinished, God had not rejected them. That realization became their strength.
Joy doesn't erase the struggle, but it fuels perseverance. Joy doesn't cancel the weight, but it helps you carry it. Joy doesn't remove the battle, but it keeps you standing in it.
The world says, "Be happy when you win." The Gospel says, "Rejoice even when you wait."
The world says joy comes after the breakthrough. The Gospel says joy comes from belonging to God.
When you know who holds you, when you know who goes before you, when you know who rejoices over you because His joy becomes your strength. Not someday. Not after everything is fixed. But right now, in the middle of the struggle.
Joy Grows When We Say Yes
Throughout Scripture, joy is never separated from obedience. When God calls and we respond with a surrendered yes, joy follows not because the path is easy, but because it is aligned.
Jesus said, "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love... These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full" (John 15:10-11).
Joy follows obedience, not comfort.
Joy grows when our lives line up with God's purposes. Joy deepens when we stop resisting and start trusting. For some, the joy that's missing isn't because life is hard and it's because there's been wrestling with a calling God has already made clear.
Hope everyone has a blessed week,
Pastor Jay
The Challenge of Joy
Let's be honest. Joy isn't always easy. While some people are surrounded by laughter and celebration during this time of year, others carry heavy burdens of pain, loss, or uncertainty. The Christmas season can amplify what's missing rather than what's present. For many, the cultural pressure to "be joyful" feels like an impossible demand.
But here's where the biblical understanding of joy becomes revolutionary: Joy is not dependent on what's happening around us. It is born out of what God is doing within us.
Joy doesn't come from circumstances. Joy doesn't come from a season. Joy comes from a Savior.
This distinction changes everything. It means joy is accessible even in hospital rooms, during waiting seasons, and in the midst of loss. It means we don't have to wait for everything to fall into place before we can experience the fullness of what God offers.
Joy Is Born Out of God's Presence
On that first Christmas night, shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks. These are just ordinary people doing ordinary work. They weren't in a palace. They weren't prepared for a miracle. Yet an angel appeared with these words: "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11).
The presence of God showed up right where they were and joy followed.
This is the pattern throughout Scripture. Psalm 16:11 declares, "In Your presence there is fullness of joy." Notice it doesn't say "in perfect circumstances" or "when all your problems are solved." **Joy doesn't come from perfect conditions; it comes from God's presence.
Consider Mary's response when she learned she would carry the Christ child. Her situation became more complicated, not easier. She faced uncertainty, potential rejection, and a future she couldn't fully understand. Yet she sang, "My spirit rejoices in God my Savior" (Luke 1:47). Her joy wasn't rooted in clarity. It was rooted in presence.
The shepherds experienced the same reality. Before they heard any good news, before they saw the Christ child, before anything changed in their social status, Scripture says "the glory of the Lord shone around them." They were surrounded by the presence of God. And the result? They were filled with great joy.
Joy is not the absence of problems; joy is the nearness of Jesus.
Joy Is Sustained by Abiding
Jesus made a remarkable statement in John 15:11: "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full." Notice what Jesus connects joy to. Not results, but relationship. Not outcomes, but abiding.
In the context of John 15, Jesus is teaching about remaining connected to Him like branches to a vine. The promise He gives to those who abide is not comfort, success, or ease. It is joy. Complete joy. Whole joy. Mature, resilient joy.
This tells us something crucial: Joy is not sustained by what happens around us. Joy is sustained by who we stay connected to.
The apostle Paul understood this deeply. From a prison cell where he was bound, restricted, uncertain about his future and he wrote these words: "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4). He didn't say "rejoice when things improve." He said "rejoice in the Lord."
Joy is not anchored to outcomes; it is anchored to Christ.
This kind of joy is intentional. It's practiced. It's chosen again and again in daily surrender. Biblical joy doesn't require us to fake happiness or deny pain. Instead, it's the quiet confidence that says:
"I don't understand, but I trust You."
"This hurts, but You are still good."
"This isn't what I hoped for, but I know Who holds me."
You don't have to wait for everything to fall into place to rejoice. When we remain in Christ meaning when we abide, when we stay rooted then His joy doesn't come and go. It remains.
Joy Is the Strength That Carries Us Through Struggle
When the Israelites returned from exile to rebuild Jerusalem, they weren't celebrating. They were exhausted. The walls were broken, the city was damaged, and the weight of past failure hung over them. As they heard God's Word read aloud, they began to weep, suddenly aware of how far they had fallen.
Into that moment came these powerful words: "Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10).
This wasn't a command to ignore pain. It was a reminder of where strength actually comes from. "The joy of the Lord" doesn't just mean our joy in God—it means God's joy over His people. Even with rubble at their feet, even with scars from exile, even with rebuilding still unfinished, God had not rejected them. That realization became their strength.
Joy doesn't erase the struggle, but it fuels perseverance. Joy doesn't cancel the weight, but it helps you carry it. Joy doesn't remove the battle, but it keeps you standing in it.
The world says, "Be happy when you win." The Gospel says, "Rejoice even when you wait."
The world says joy comes after the breakthrough. The Gospel says joy comes from belonging to God.
When you know who holds you, when you know who goes before you, when you know who rejoices over you because His joy becomes your strength. Not someday. Not after everything is fixed. But right now, in the middle of the struggle.
Joy Grows When We Say Yes
Throughout Scripture, joy is never separated from obedience. When God calls and we respond with a surrendered yes, joy follows not because the path is easy, but because it is aligned.
Jesus said, "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love... These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full" (John 15:10-11).
Joy follows obedience, not comfort.
Joy grows when our lives line up with God's purposes. Joy deepens when we stop resisting and start trusting. For some, the joy that's missing isn't because life is hard and it's because there's been wrestling with a calling God has already made clear.
Hope everyone has a blessed week,
Pastor Jay
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