Joy is in the celebration of all the ways God redeemed and restored His people in the sending of His Son into the world. During Advent, we remember and praise God for freely giving us joy through the work of Christ, and we receive His joy in remembering all Jesus has done to bring us back to God. In this week’s readings, we will look at some of the specific ways that Jesus came to bring us joy through His life, death, and resurrection.
The title of each day of reading this week completes the statement “Jesus brings…”
You reveal the path of life to me;
in your presence is abundant joy;
at your right hand are eternal pleasures.
—Psalm 16:11
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45 thoughts on "The Third Sunday of Advent: Joy"
Amen ❤️
Amen
Jesus brings hope. ❤️
Dear Gayle Craik, I just wanted to let you know that I saw your comment yesterday but couldn’t comment at the time. I can’t find it today. I pray for you every day. For healing, for hope, and for JOY! What a journey you are on and such a light of hope to so many. I am praying for your situation with your continued treatments and with your family (son) needs. I know how hard it is when your momma heart hurts. Joy, peace, and hope for you my friend during this Advent, the holiday season and beyone. ❤️
I need this week!
“In your presence is abundant joy”
I love that we are gifted joy!
Since I started back on my journey to get close to God I have felt peace and joy. I lost my dad 5 years ago and I have hated holidays; this year I feel filled with the Christmas spirit and joy.
Wow I am so happy to hear you are filled with joy and the Christmas spirit this year… what a beautiful representation of Gods healing hand ❤️
Happy Sunday ladies! Praying we all find some joy this week and throughout this advent season. Can’t believe it’s already day 15.
What a word I’m expecting and anticipating for God to bring so much joy and peace overflow and so much that it’s going to blow my mind and God peace cause this week was amazing and a lot but God peace and joy helped God is opening doors no man can close
Its Sunny!! AND Its Sunday!! Going to church service with my kiddos! I’m going to a brunch during my regular service, so I “get-to-go” with my kids to their service. While I had hoped they would of stayed where I raised them, this mom’s heart is filled with JOY that my children have made their relationship with JESUS their own. Plus I really love where they go and I have gained so new friends, and a few I already knew which makes my heart happy. God is good!
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GM My Wonderful, Beautiful She Friends!
I love the word JOY! I had never been a “word of the year” person until 2 years ago decided “JOY” would be my word. It came as quite the opposite of what I felt because physically my chronic back pain had taken a great decline without much reason, and I was hurting to move and walk and be in each day. It’s a tricky thing not to let physical pain, debilitating conditions and diagnosis take you down mentally as you struggle to cope. We put on a happy face when we must, but then are left feeling spent and tired, drained. Then it repeats daily that furthers the push of defeat. But God! Oh, But God! Who can give us joy in the midst of struggle? Who can give us something in our Spirit that stirs a deep sense of someone holding us and seeing us, despite our failing bodies? We know Jesus was a healer and sent to be the ultimate restorer! Without that hope, it would all seem for naught. I would just choose to stay in bed honestly, as many others would. But God gives us our daily bread when we ask, the lamp at our feet, step by step. When we are depleted he fills our cup. He gives us life, abundantly! When we seek his face, read his words, CHOOSE his love, grace and mercy, we are already healed! That gives us joy! It may not always look like it to those in my inner circle, yet it is there.
I am going to love basking in the readings this week and see how it is abundant in the scriptures and reveals it in a new way, so I am left with no contradictions! Nope, nothing is going to steal my Joy! The devil loves it when he can- but I’m taking it all back!! I say No! In Jesus’ powerful name! Joy to the world, and Joy to me!
And Joy to each of you, today, this week, and furthermore! If he said it, I believe it!
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will not let the righteous be shaken.” Psalm 55:22
Sweet Rhonda!! You put a “smile” on my face this morning!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful testimony! ❤️
We are struggling to figure out our next steps. We have been trying to figure it all out for weeks until finally last week we gave it back to the Lord. We have been granted overwhelming peace for whatever God brings next. Today’s verse spoke to my heart. There is joy in following His guidance and following the path He has made for me.
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Not simply joy, but abundant joy!
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So many verses come to mind, but especially this one -…”do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10
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Have a blessed day of worship today. For those who are care givers or unable to attend for health and various reasons – may He fill you with joy where ever you are, as you remember His presence with you. Prayers for you all. ❤️
Whoa Sharon! Same exact verse came to me today. I was sitting here feeling almost guilty that I have never experienced joy like I have with baby iris. Like maybe I didn’t truly understand how you could feel joyful in the midst of hard, and then that verse came to mind. The joy of the Lord is our strength. So thankful for the gift of joy this year. And every year before even though I just couldn’t see it yet.
This verse came alive to me a few years back when I was struggling to have joy! So thankful that He brings it to me again today! For I have been struggling for a season with finding joy. What a great reminder where to find fullness of joy. In His presence! Thank you Lord!
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Amen ♥️
Lord your presence brings so much joy and peace. Thank you for the encouragement to slow down enough to experience and appreciate your presence. May we practice being still today Shes so we can notice His presence more.
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Warren Wiersbe:
“This is a very personal hymn of joy that focuses on the goodness of the Lord. The personal pronoun “my” is used over a half a dozen times (my Lord, my inheritance, my heart, etc.). David’s joy (vv. 9, 11) is expressed in words like “delight” (v. 3), “pleasant” and “pleasure” (vv. 6, 11), and “glad” (v. 9). David finds his delight only in the Lord and confesses that everything good in his life has come from God.”
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MARI V – I thought of you as I read Wiersbe’s words so I just had to share! Hope it brings a smile to your face as it did mine! ❤
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“David finds his delight only in the Lord and confesses that everything good in his life has come from the LORD.” –
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May each of us find our delight (JOY) in the Lord and in His Presence and Promise and freely confess (share) our existence with others.
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Have a wonderful day of worship, shes, and for those who are homebound or caregivers, you are in my heart and prayers that you have a worship experience that will fill your heart with JOY either online or through a personal quiet time. Love you ladies!
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Amen ❤️
In God’d presence is abundant joy!
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Where 2 or more are gathered in His name, He is present.
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Celebrate the joy of gathering in church today. Experience His present joy
It is because of Jesus that we can know and experience the truest, most authentic and fullest forms of hope, peace, joy and love. What beautiful gifts, and too good to keep to ourselves. This immediately brings to mind my daughter, who right now is serving in missions in Costa Rica for 3 months and this upcoming week she and her team are going to be focusing on Bible distribution. Taking and sharing the Good News of great joy to those who do not know Him and its during this Christmas season – what an amazing opportunity and all the more meaningful and special as Christians all over the world celebrate the true reason and season of Advent and Christmas. But, I also can’t forget that there are people right where I am. People I see, know and interact with or even the stranger along the way that also need to know about Jesus and can not miss an opportunity to share and be an example of Jesus and the hope, peace, joy and love that is found in a life lived for Him.
Thank you, Lord and I praise you that you are the joy giver, the true hope, the great peace; that ou make our joy complete. I pray that you would help me (us) cast all else aside that distracts me from You as we move through this season of Advent, to seek you and abide in your presence and to embrace every opportunity to boldly proclaim and share the Good News of great joy and the life changing message of Jesus. For those in this SRT community of sisters that have circumstances, situations or struggles that are difficult, that are walking through heartache, grief, or may feel hopeless, and missing the peace and joy, I pray Father that you would draw them especially close. That there would be really practical, tangible ways that they can know the fullness of who You are, and the gift of Your Son at this time. Give us that fullness of your joy, Lord, in our own hearts and let it be a means to draw others in and to want to know You. Amen.
Amen to your beautifully worded prayer, Wendy and prayers for your daughter and her team and for those receiving Bibles- that they will treasure them and read them and share the gift with others. ❤
Amen!
AMEN!
And praying for your daughter and the team she’s on! What a JOY this must bring to your heart that your daughter is spreading the good news in Costa Rica.
Man, what a statement! Celebrating being redeemed. When we look at how little we deserved it! And He extended salvation! How beautiful is that for us!
Yes Lord, Your plans for me are good! I receive in Jesus name, Amen
I am grateful for waking up and having breath, and being able to choose Joy. This last week I was able to catch myself and feel the nudge when I would have a negative mindset. Sitting here this morning and closing my eyes feeling the presence of the Lord with me…is something I was longing for. Looking back over this past week I feel like I was more present with my kids. I appreciate all the work She Reads Truth puts in so all I have to do is open my heart and devotional and be present. So much more than just words on a page or an act of discipline. Though without the discipline, I struggled to show up, but so happy I am continuing.
Same here, Richelle! The SRT reading guides are such a Godsend. I find I have to set a specific time, but that’s about my only contribution as the daily Scripture and devotions or questions are right there at my fingertips.
And it’s extra special to be able to read how that day’s reading is impacting She’s all over the globe. God’s word truly is a living and active source to keep us close to Him. Looking forward to this week as we are reminded the many ways Jesus brings joy!
Yes, couldn’t agree more, AMEN!
Praise God for your obedience. In our obedience he takes those moments and multiplies them to increase our faithfulness. They do not go without Harvest.
Amen, RICHELLE. Before someone told me about SRT, I tried some other platforms (or whatever the term is) but found myself shaking my head many days and eventually looking for another study site. It’s been a good 7+years of focusing on God’s word daily.
So glad you’re here with us Richelle!
Amen