Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Sacramental Life – Day 319 – 1 John 1:1-4 – Concerning The Word Of Life – Growing As Disciples
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. 1 John 1:1-4 (ESV)
Fullness Of Joy
That is what I have received from you. What have you received from me? I have received fullness of joy from you. What does that mean? How have you received fullness of joy from me? Before I came to know you, I was living a bruised and battered and broken life. I lived for my own comfort and pleasure. I followed my own advice. I listened to my own counsel. I was strong willed. I was independent. I was self-reliant. I went my own way. I did whatever I wanted, when I wanted. I was completely full of myself. My foolish, prideful, and sinful life brought me nothing but pain and suffering. One could say that I suffered for my many sins. There was no doubt about that. All my hopes and dreams and desires fell flat and amounted to nothing of lasting value. I bounced from one unproductive endeavor to another. I was miserable and without hope in the world. One day that all changed. How so? Surely you know, nothing is hidden from you. That is true. But I love hearing you tell your own story. Your word says that you are close to the broken hearted. It does. I am. I found that to be true. In my brokenness, I cried out to you. I asked you to show yourself to me. That cry was more like an angry shout. But you must have received it as a heartfelt legitimate prayer. I did. From that day forward you did begin to show yourself to me. No doubt, you tried to get my attention at many and in various ways before. That is true. But then at that time, you did have my attention. Yes, I did. It wasn’t long before I asked you to come into my life. I asked you to be my Savior and Lord. I turned away from my life of sin so that I could follow you with all my heart. I have been loving and following you since that day. Have I always loved you well or followed you perfectly? Not hardly. But you have continued to show yourself to me. You have allowed me to hear and see and feel you working in my life and in the world around me. Now, it is my joy to live my life with and for you. Now, it is my joy to come to know you more intimately as I live my life with and for you. Now, it is my joy to be your witness in the world. I have fullness of joy as I bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. That is what I meant when I said that I have fullness of joy. That is how I have received fullness of joy from you. I am living the life you have called me to live. I am walking through life with and for you. That is very good. Yes, it is. Thank you, Lord.
Lord, you are the word of life. Coming to know you has completely changed my life. You have helped me to hear and see and feel your activity in my life. Help me to come to know you intimately. Double my joy as I tell others about your kindness, mercy, and love. Amen
Key Question… How has the Lord touched your life in ways that have changed you forever?
Living It Out… Make yourself fully attentive to the Lord so you can hear and see and feel His activity in your life.
Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will have fullness of joy as you come to know the Lord more intimately.
Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are coming to know the Lord more intimately.
Prayer To Bless Others… May you come to know the Lord intimately so you can live in His fullness of joy.
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