Joy. Rejoice. Be joyful. A common concept in Christian circles. But what does real joy look like?
Is it simply a mood? Does it come and go depending on what’s going on? When things are chaotic or you’re in a difficult season, is joy fleeting? So often, we assume that joy is for those other people — the ones that look settled and pulled together. Or, maybe joy is for the newly married, the ones pursuing their dreams, or the people that don’t seem to have anything to worry about. Regardless, we often see people full of joy and feel a bit on envy.
Scripture does not talk about joy that way.
Biblical joy is not the same as happiness. Happiness rises and falls with circumstances. Joy is rooted in who God is and what He has done. It can sit alongside sadness. It can remain when the outcome is still unknown. It is not something we have to pursue. It is something we receive as we belong to Christ.
Volume 3 of Ensnared No More: Daily Moments of Discernment was written to explore the space between the joy we sing about and the joy we actually live.
Volume Three: Rejoice in the Lord
These are five short, relatable studies. You do not have to complete them in order. Each one is designed to standalone and be doable in real life: Scripture, context, a simple word study, honest reflection, and space to pray.
The five Moments:
- Count It All Joy — James 1:2-3
- Rejoice With Joy That Is Inexpressible — 1 Peter 1:8-9
- The Joy of the Lord Is Your Strength — Nehemiah 8:10
- In Your Presence There Is Fullness of Joy — Psalm 16:11
- May the God of Hope Fill You — Romans 15:13
They explore: joy in trial, joy without seeing, joy as strength after conviction, joy in God’s presence, and joy and peace that overflow into hope.
You will not find a call to pretend everything is fine. You will find joy among trials, inexpressible joy even while suffering, and fullness of joy in God’s presence. And, in the fifth study, Paul prays that the God of hope would fill His people. The source of joy is God. It has nothing to do with whether we’re happy in the moment.
How to use these studies
Each Moment is free to download on its own. An email is requested, but not required.
If you want the full volume in one place, the bundled edition is available on Gumroad. It includes all five studies, a bonus study on Habakkuk 3:17-19, a combined printable, verse cards, and a word study sheet. It is ideal for a small group study or a week when you want to focus on joy.
Download the free studies here:
Daily Moments of Discernment
Volume 3 bundle:
Rejoice in the Lord — Volume 3
These studies will take you deeper than a devotional, but don’t want to replace your Bible or your church. They are perfect companions — short enough for a busy week and deep enough to come away with real knowledge and growth.
We have a tagline, Safe in Christ, because we are all ensnared in the world around us, but with faith and using discernment, we are always Safe in Christ.
Joy in the Lord is not a personality trait. It is not the reward for being pulled together. It is the fruit that comes from knowing the God who fills His people.
Thank you for supporting this project and thank God for the inspiration to create and grow it.
Also, check out the 10 Must Read Books for Discernment
Leave a Reply