Daily Devotion for April 21, 2025

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read Philippians 4:4-7.

Throughout this week, our devotional passages will center around the joy and inspiration that are ours through Jesus Christ our Lord. In today’s passage, the Apostle Paul is telling his first audience in Philippi and us today that we are to rejoice always in Christ. There is so much about knowing and following Jesus Christ that should fill us with joy. It bothers me that the world so often thinks of Christians as harsh, unhappy, judgmental people who go through life denying ourselves of any pleasures or secretly indulging in sinful lives behind a facade of holiness. That is not at all the image of Jesus we see in the New Testament! 

People should see us, filled with joy even as we face trials and struggles in life. In fact, people should wonder what we are “on” and decide they want some of that for themselves! Paul tells us to live in the joy of Christ, offering our requests to God and receiving the peace of God that is beyond understanding. This is not making lemonade out of lemons…this is letting the joy of the Good News of Christ live in and through us.   

Personal Worship Option:

Try something today or tomorrow – give thanks to God through Christ for the love God showers upon you and let a big smile warm your face. Keep that smile going throughout the day. Let others see the joy of Christ in you, even if the day tries to take it away.