Welcome, welcome, my dear friends. Let’s start the month of September with joy!

This gives us joy today: The Lord Jesus said, “These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:11).

The Lord Jesus spoke about “My Joy” just hours before His terrible betrayal, horrific treatment at the mock trials, and His sacrificial death for us. Vividly this points to the fact that there is a great difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is the emotion we feel when situations and circumstances are pleasant. Joy is the fruit of the Holy Spirit grown in the heart and life of the follower of Christ. This “joy” is a gladness we experience in the midst of things not going the way we would have chosen.

In this broken world, we still can have joy. In the midst of trials and a change of our plans, we can still have joy. Oh friends, we open our Bibles, quiet ourselves and talk with our Father, and we intentionally bring Him and His Word back into our memory throughout the day. We walk with Him. The Lord Jesus wants to give you His joy. Go ahead! Ask Him for it.