Birth, engagement, and graduation announcements. You see these types of proclamations in the newspaper, posted on a social network, and receiving a personal announcement or invitation in the mail. When exciting things happen in people’s lives, they want share it with all to hear.
I actually received a graduation announcement from one of my nieces just yesterday. It’s exciting to hear about and to celebrate people’s accomplishments. (Congratulations, Ashley! I’m so proud of you!)
When I read the first four verses of First John, I could feel the enthusiasm in John’s writing. John had an announcement of his own his was bursting at the seams to tell. Read and feel the exhilaration coming off the page:
“From the very first day, we were there, taking it all in—we heard it with our own ears, saw it with our own eyes, verified it with our own hands. The Word of Life appeared right before our eyes; we saw it happen! And now we’re telling you in most sober prose that what we witnessed was, incredibly, this: The infinite Life of God himself took shape before us. We saw it, we heard it, and now we’re telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. Our motive for writing is simply this: We want you to enjoy this, too. Your joy will double our joy!” 1 John 1:1-4.
Okay, if my joy will double the joy that John is proclaiming, “Wow!”
You know what? I am living in a “Wow!” time. You are living in a “Wow!” time too if you are a Christian. God continues to amazes me. From the moment I wake up and get to witness the colors of the sunrise over the treetops, to the treasures He has me discover throughout my day, to the end of the day when my head hits the pillow and I’m talking to God when I go to sleep, I am amazed! “Wow!”
Do you have something good you want to share with someone? Mark 16:15 “Then Jesus said to them, “So wherever you go in the world, tell everyone the Good News.”
What is your motive behind it? Proverbs 16:2 “People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their motives.”
Can I tell you some Good News? This is the month that we celebrate the fulfillment of a promise. God promised to send a Savior, and He did. This is the month many people celebrate Christmas. But do we all celebrate it for the right reason. HE is The Reason for the season. This is the month that we remember the birth of our Savior. Happy Birthday Jesus. This could be the month you choose to accept Jesus into your heart. Have you done so yet? What are you waiting for? Go ahead and have your “joy doubled John’s joy”. This is the month you can commit to sharing the Good News with others through your words and actions. Let this month be a month of JOY!
What is my motive? Joy! Pure joy. I want you to have It. Proverbs 15:30, “Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.”
“We should be holy people eager to greet our Lord when He returns, ready at any moment for the trumpet’s call, people of optimism, busy in evangelism, hands to the plow, eyes on the prize.” ~ David Jeremiah
Blessings to you!
December 2
