PBPC Daily - Thursday, May 14

Good Morning and welcome to Thursday.

Joy is the appropriate response to God's good work in our lives, and the greatest thing that God has done for us is to give us His Son, Jesus, to be our Savior and Lord. Jesus' message in the gospels was that the kingdom of God is now available to all people through Him. The word gospel literally means "good news" - it carries within it the assumption that it is to be received with joy and celebration.

As followers of Jesus, we can be filled with joy because we have found eternal life in God's kingdom:

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field." - Matthew 13:44

As followers of Jesus, we can be filled with joy because Jesus has overcome the powers of sin and evil and even death itself:

⁵ But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. ⁷ Then go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.' This is my message for you." ⁸ So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. - Matthew 28:5-8

As followers of Jesus, we can be filled with joy because Jesus has promised to always be with us through the presence of the Holy Spirit:

And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. - Acts 13:52

The life of a follower of Jesus is intended to be a life of joy. Are you experiencing this joy? Remember what Jesus has done for you, and ask God to produce the good fruit of joy in your life, beginning today.

Have a blessed day,

Pastor Chris