Practical Joy

Thursday, September 17, 2026

Good morning, Lord

Father in Heaven, open my heart and mind, Holy Spirit. Fill my consciousness and complete Your joy in me as I take up my cross and follow...In Jesus' name…

Memory verse: 1 John 1:8–9

8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the 

truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and 

just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all 

unrighteousness.

Verse of the day: James 3:13 - “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”

Today’s reading: Proverbs 27-29 2 Corinthians 10 

Practical Joy

“Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Luke 12:32–34)

We have spoken of our ‘money bags’(Luke 12:33) as heart , soul, and mind. This is where Jesus told us that our love for God is in Matthew 22:37-40. We believe that with every step we take toward loving God more, we pack more into our ‘pouches’. This means that the more we treasure God in Christ, the more the joy of Jesus becomes complete in us.

God provides all we need(Romans 8:32) for our experience with Him to be as deep as we desire. Psalm 37:4 says God gives us the desires in our hearts. Righteous desires do not ‘naturally’ arise. God is the giver of all good and perfect gifts(James 1:17) so, the more we seek God, the more the Holy Spirit increases our Godly desires.

That little bit of curiosity you have can grow into a mountain of desire and a continuing harvest of joy in your soul and praise to God. Remember Psalm 90:14? “Satisfy us in the morning with Your steadfast love…”

Before anyone thinks this all sounds selfish, stop and hear this: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

God is most highly praised when we are most satisfied in Him-we cannot hold it in.

Do you see the practical part of this? No genuine believer in Jesus wants to enjoy Jesus alone. The joyful believer wants to spread this joy around to friends-as well as enemies-in sharing the gospel. It is hard to see an unhappy or joyless or angry heart and not want the joy of Christ in them. This means more glory to God.

Tell God where you are and ask Him what He longs to see in your life and then ask Him to change your heart to His will.

...because He loves you, He will do it…

Father in Heaven,

I want my joy to magnify Your name and Your kingdom and I want my desires to be Yours. Increase my desire for You today. Forgive my fear of letting go and allowing You to take me deeper. Lead me away from evil.

Father of discipline,

In Jesus name,

Amen