Pastor Stephen Dedman

And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.
I John 1:4

Are you full? The quick answer to that question may be yes since it’s the day after Thanksgiving. It’s easy to be full of turkey, dressing, potatoes, and pies on one of the biggest eating days of the year.

But are you full of joy? That is what matters the most. Being full of joy can bring so much encouragement to our lives.

God desires that we be full of joy. Our hearts should overflow with joy and love. God’s grace and mercy is enough to fill us with joy when we consider it.

The Apostle John encourages Christians to be full of joy. Joy is an essential element of our walk with the Lord. A daily dose of Jesus can increase our joy. Are you filling yourself with joy?

It’s easy to be filled with meanness and darkness. Just participate in the ways of the world and those things will occur naturally. But joy comes from being in the presence of the Lord.

I want to encourage you today to be filled with joy. If you are not filled with joy start by counting your blessings and be thankful to God for His salvation. Then you can start a process of being filled with joy.

If you are overflowing with joy today let it show. Let the world know that you are full of God’s love and grace and kindness. Take time today to smile at people and encourage them as well.

Pray

Lord, fill my heart with your love. Let me be filled with joy that is indescribable. Let my joy be contagious to others.

And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:20

We have so much to be thankful for today. And we must give thanks to God for everything. In everything and everyone there is something we can give thanks for.

The Apostle Paul encourages us to be thankful for everything, good and bad. Paul set the greatest example of how to be thankful even when his circumstances were not so favorable. His heart was full of joy and he knew it came from the Lord Jesus Christ.

A heart that is thankful overflows with joy. A heart that is not thankful is full of groaning and grumbling. The difference is in your heart’s condition.

God can make a difference in your life. If you are having a difficult time expressing gratitude just set your mind on praising God for all that He has done for you and you will see a difference. Hopefully you’re already praising and thanking God for who He is and what He has done for you.

Despite all the negative things that have happened in our lives we have so much to be thankful for. We have many people who we should be thankful for. We have many things that we should be thankful for. But most of all we serve a God who deserves our expression and devotion of gratitude.

Thanksgiving is more than just food, family and fellowship, it’s a way of life. Let God fill your heart with joy and let it overflow with praise and thanksgiving.

Pray

Lord, I thank You for everything. I praise You for everything. Most of all I thank You for showing me mercy and grace and giving me eternal life.

I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise Your name forever and ever. I will praise You every day; yes, I will praise You forever. Great is the Lord ! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure His greatness.
Psalms 145:1-3

As we reflect upon Thanksgiving Day, let’s do it with praise. Everyday is a good day to praise God. He is worthy of our praise!

As David writes this psalm or song, he is proclaiming that only God deserves his praise. And He deserves it everyday.

Do you pray? I am sure your answer is a quick “YES!” But let me ask you, “Do you praise God?” And if you do, how do you praise God?

David draws deep from within his heart the praise and worship that God is worthy of. He says in verse 3, “No one can measure His greatness.” That my friend is speaking from experience.

Is it easy for you to praise the Lord? Can you do it even when it’s not Sunday?

More importantly, can you praise the Lord even when things are not going your way? If God is worthy of praise He is worthy of praise all the time, even during difficult circumstances.

If you are having a difficult time praising the Lord right now, then start with exalting His name. Even the name of God has to be exalted. And exalting His name lifts Him up. It’s a great way to start.

Today, reflect upon the name of the Lord and how you can exalt Him and His greatness.

Pray

Lord, I lift Your name up and praise Your greatness. Nothing is compared to Your excellence. I praise You as Lord and King of my life.