TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 15:11
Read: John 15:9-11
Listen: John 15
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Christians practice spiritual disciplines in concert with the Holy Spirit to deepen our relationship with God and mold us into Jesus’s character. This month’s spiritual discipline is CELEBRATION. Celebration involves pausing to recognize who God is and what he’s done. It results from the Holy Spirit working through spiritual disciplines in our lives. Joy infuses our lives as we obey and follow Jesus, becoming more and more like him.
Celebration is at the heart of the way of Jesus. Angels celebrate his arrival, declaring “good news that will bring joy to everyone” (Luke 2:10). In the parable of the prodigal son, Jesus shows how God celebrates when lost people return to him (Luke 15:32). And near the end of his life, Jesus points to joy again. He says he taught and commanded his disciples to obey so they would have his joy and complete their joy (John 15:10-11). Obedience to Jesus brings joy.
Celebration is to infuse all spiritual practices. We should celebrate and be thankful for our restored relationship with God through Jesus. This attitude of celebration and gratitude should motivate our actions instead of feeling like a duty or burden. Pausing to celebrate God’s character, care and gifts honors him and grows us to become more like Christ. We can celebrate his character and care during everyday activities, major life events, and holidays such as Christmas.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Ask God to help you see how you can turn every day and special events into celebrations for his glory this month. If you find joy difficult now, ask the Holy Spirit to give you joy. Ask for his help to remember that “the joy of the Lord is our strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).
2023 SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
Join us all of 2023 developing a different spiritual practice each month. SPIRITUAL PRACTICES are intentional regular activities to deepen our relationship with God and mold us to be more like Jesus.
December is CELEBRATION. Keep track of our spiritual practices at beyondtheweekend.org/spiritualpractices.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
