Three things God desires for us, among many others, are that we experience the fullness of Love, Joy, and Peace. These are exactly what God sent Jesus into this world to bring to us. John 3:16 says,  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son …” His coming was heralded at His birth by angels as “good tidings of great joy which will be to all people” (Luke 2:10) and in verse 13, “on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” True love is not just words; true love is expressed in actions preformed! So God’s love for us is demonstrated “in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). You see, there was not one sinless, righteous person alive on earth when Jesus came, so God’s love is expressed in the price He paid to redeem us! Now, having been given Love Joy, and Peace, we should be expressing it to others. I believe His commandment in John 13:34, “that you love one another; as I have loved you …” makes it possible for expression of love such as was not possible in the fallen state! Then in John 15:11, He said, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” In John 14:27, He said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you …” In commissioning the twelve for ministry Jesus gives us six words that apply to everything He gives to us, “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8). When people look at us do they see His love, joy, and peace, attracting them to Him, or do they sadly have to turn their head saying, “If that’s Christianity, I don’t need it?”

Love, Joy, Peace

-By Rose Hill

May you experience the Father’s love,

That He has sent you from above.

And as you see the suffering of your fellowmen,

May you take the Father’s love to them.

May you the Spirit’s joy receive,

As in the comforter you believe.

For He has come to help this hour,

And in your life give mighty power.

May you experience our Lord’s peace,

From strain and stress find great release.

Upon the Lord casting all your care,

For He does all things that are fair.

At this wonderful time and season,

May you really find a reason.

To praise your God for all He’s given,

And that someday you can go to heaven.

Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. used by permission.