“And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full” (1 John 1:4).

Marshall grew up in warm weather climates. He and his family could not believe it when the Lord clearly directed them to accept a very small pastorate in a rural county up in the very cold Northeast. Though Marshall loved the new church family, he knew it was going to be a struggle for him to adjust to the dropping temperatures of September. Listening to the weather forecast, he could not believe his ears. The meteorologist said, “The perfect set up for heavy lake effect snow will develop tomorrow, and I am expecting that some places could easily see a foot or more of snow. This is coming very early, and I’m afraid it will catch some folks by surprise.” Sitting at his table in the little parsonage kitchen, he could see that it was beginning to snow outside. Looking at his dear wife he said jokingly, “I surely wish I hadn’t preached about our joy being full on Wednesday night! Now I can’t complain about this snow!” How about you? How will your joy be expressed today?

For today: There is a big difference between happiness and joy. Happiness depends on things going the way I want them to go. Joy depends upon my relationship with our precious Lord Jesus.