I CAN TRAVEL THE ROAD OF JOY IF I CHOOSE TO…
LISTEN CAREFULLY TO GOD’S MESSAGE.
SHEPHERDS:
The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you—wonderful, joyous news for all people. Your savior is born today in David’s city. He is Christ the Lord. This is a sign for you: you will find a newborn baby wrapped snugly and lying in a manger.”
Luke 2:10-12 CEB
WISE MEN:
I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
Numbers 24:17 KJV
US:
Making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding.
Proverbs 2:2 ESV
2. ACT UPON GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS.
SHEPHERDS:
When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go right now to Bethlehem and see what’s happened. Let’s confirm what the Lord has revealed to us.” They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger.
Luke 2:15-16 CEB
WISE MEN:
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the territory of Judea during the rule of King Herod, magi came from the east to Jerusalem. They asked, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We’ve seen his star in the east, and we’ve come to honor him.”
Matthew 2:1-2 CEB
US:
I have obeyed my Father’s commands, and I remain in his love. In the same way, if you obey my commands, you will remain in my love. I have told you these things so that you can have the same joy I have and so that your joy will be the fullest possible joy.
John 15:10 -11 NCV
But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth].
James 1:22 AMP
3. GIVE OTHERS THE JOY I HAVE BEEN GIVEN.
SHEPHERDS:
When they saw this, they reported what they had been told about this child. Everyone who heard it was amazed at what the shepherds told them…The shepherds returned home, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. Everything happened just as they had been told.
Luke 2:17-20 CEB
WISE MEN:
They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
Matthew 2:5-6 ESV
US:
And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 13:48-49, 52 ESV
I CAN BE JOYFUL BECAUSE JESUS PROVED THAT…
I AM LOVED.
God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 NIV
2. I AM VALUABLE AND REDEEMABLE.
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
Romans 5:8-10 ESV
Let us look only to [keep our eyes on] Jesus, the One who began [Pioneer/Founder of; or Leader/Prince of] our faith and who makes it perfect [completes it]. He suffered death on [endured] the cross, accepting the shame as if it were nothing [ disregarding/despising the shame] because of the joy that God put before [lay ahead for] him. And now he is sitting at the right side [hand] of God’s throne.
Hebrews 12:2 EXB
3. I AM USEFUL.
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go & bear fruit and that your fruit should abide.
John 15:16 ESV