Complete Joy...Jesus' example

Down in My Heart Kind of Joy
Lesson 13
Complete Joy…Jesus’ example

Go back over Lesson 12 to refresh your memory. Now let’s look at two pictures of Jesus’ obedience—washing the disciples’ feet and the cross.

Read John 13:3-17. Look at verses 3-4 again.

Jesus knew who He was in His relationship with God. Then He obeyed even though it meant being a servant—washing the disciples’ feet. I have to be in God’s presence, be filled and content with His joy, and be comfortable with who I am in Him. Then I can confidently obey and serve others with humility.

Read Hebrews 12:2-3.

Joy is a reward for obedience, and for Jesus it was worth the cross! He is our perfect example. So all of this comes down to this…will I obey? One time I started paying attention to the verses that said something like “____ pleases God.” I had quite a list going, so I decided to organize them and group them together. I don’t know why I was surprised to see that it all fit into two categories: 1) Love God and 2) Love others. (Have we seen that before recently? Matthew 22:35-40) But most of all obey!

Read Ephesians 5:9-10, 15-17.

I can know who I am in my relationship with God. Now it is time to roll up my sleeves and be ready for whatever service He puts me in. When I seek God and His presence and instruction, I can ask Him what He wants me to do.

Psalm 40:4, 8. Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord, who have no confidence in the proud or in those who worship idols….I take joy in doing Your will, my God, for Your instructions are written on my heart. (NLT)

Want to know what God’s will is? Let His Word be written on your heart. Remember to keep on seeking, keep on knocking, keep on asking. He is not playing hard to get...He wants to be found!

Read Colossians 1:9. (That whole paragraph is rich!)

Ask Him—make this a Scripture prayer. I have this in my journal that I pray for myself and my family.

Heart question:
What was the last thing God told you to do? Did you do it?