Podcasts about great joy

You were made for great joy...but what do you do when you don't feel particularly joyful?In this reflection on Psalm 47, John Ortberg explores a surprisingly practical answer: Do something joyful.Sing.Clap.Dance.Go outside.Listen to birds.Look into the face of someone you love.Maybe even skip.The Psalms weren't merely written to be read. They were meant to be sung.Drawing from William Law and the James-Lange theory of emotion, John explores the fascinating relationship between our bodies and our inner lives.We can't simply command ourselves to feel happy. Our emotions don't work that way.But we can choose our actions.And because our bodies and souls are deeply connected, the things we choose to do can help shape what's happening inside our hearts.So don't wait until you feel joyful to sing.Sometimes, singing helps lead us toward joy.This is your day.You can make this day a song.In this episode:Psalm 47 and the command to singWhy the Psalms were meant to be sungWilliam Law on singing the PsalmsThe relationship between body and emotionWhy “just choose to be happy” doesn't workThe James-Lange theory of emotionWhy the Psalms include dancing and other physical practicesHow our outward actions can shape our inward livesPractical ways to move toward joyMaking your day a songScriptures:Psalm 47 • Psalm 113:3#Psalm47 #JohnOrtberg #Joy #Psalms #Worship #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Prayer #Happiness

https://cdn.enduringword.com/audio/devotional/Devotional08132026.mp3 The post Great Joy from Seeds Already Sown – Acts 8:5-8 – August 13, 2026 appeared first on Enduring Word.

Isaiah 65:17-25 Introduction Esther's study question from ‘Screwtape Letters' study What is the benefit of focussing on the future? It's a good question because Bible encourages us to look to the future Today's passage can help us answer that question a little As often happens in prophecy some things…

 Fear seems to be incompatible with joy!  Yet “fear” in the Bible often means a feeling of complete awe, being overwhelmed with feelings of astonishment at some event.  Now, how can you experience this – and have joy at the same time?  The answer is seen when you really put your minds to imagining the situation described in our Matthew reading (Ch. 28) today.  “Toward the dawn … Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb (of Jesus)” [v.1]       They (and it seems from the other Gospels that there was at least one other woman) got up in the middle of the night; their object was to embalm the body of their Lord, (Mark 16 v.1) their last opportunity to do so before it began to decompose. They probably did not know that Nicodemus had brought “a mixture of myrrh and aloes” [John 19 v.39] when they put the body into the tomb.          They get to the tomb and to their awe an angel is there and says to them, “Do not be afraid for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.  He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.  Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead … so they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy” [Matt.28 v.5-8]  Can we enter into their feelings at least a little? Jesus met them “and they came up and took hold of his feet and worshipped him.” [v.9] The risen Lord is now their Lord in an even greater sense.  The women were the first to really believe – they had been among the women watching the crucifixion from a distance [ch. 27 v.55,56], they had been the ones willing to get up in the middle of the night, dress and with flickering burning “torches” wend their way to the garden in which was his tomb (John 19 v.41) and the dawn was just breaking as they arrived.    Our world is in deep spiritual darkness, but the dawn must be near. Are we awake and ready for our time “of fear and great joy”?  The inexpressible drama of the return of our Lord from heaven will totally confound the minds of everyone!  They cannot even begin to comprehend the nature of the experience of the time of trouble about to come.  It will be greater than anything ever seen on earth before!  At that time God's angels gather will his elect! (Matt. 24 v.31)  Dare you not believe?  What agonies of mind will all others experience.  Let us read and meditate on God's word as often as we can  “encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” [Heb 10 v.25]

7/13/2026 | This day's featured sermon on SermonAudio: Title: PowerClip: Great Joy in that City Subtitle: Kinetic Type Sermon Clips Speaker: Martyn Lloyd-Jones Broadcaster: SermonAudio Classics Event: Sermon Clip Date: 3/20/2014 Bible: Acts 8:8 Length: 1 min.

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Proverbs 23

28 Sivan: 3 Tammuz. Chapter 33.04: Rejoicing in G-d's Great Joy in Creating a Unified Home.​A journey into the deepest teachings of the Torah and their application to our personal, emotional and psychological lives.The Tanya Applied radio show is broadcast every Saturday night, 10–10:30PM ET onWSNR 620 AM – Metro NY areaWJPR 1640 AM — Highland Park and Edison, NJOnline: www.talklinenetwork.comBy phone: Listen Line: 641-741-0389Many of us may be familiar with some of the central ideas in Tanya – including the battle of the two souls; what defines man and makes us tick; how we can control our temptations; how we can become more loving; what we can do to curb and harness our vices, like anger, jealousy, and depression; the formula for growth; how we can develop a healthy relationship with G-d; and why we are here. In this 30-minute program, you will learn how these ideas can be applied to your life today. You will discover secrets to a successful life that will transform you and your relationships.Rabbi Simon Jacobson is the best-selling author of Toward a Meaningful Life, and he is the creator of the acclaimed and popular MyLife: Chassidus Applied series, which has empowered and transformed hundreds of thousands through Torah and Chassidus.Now, Rabbi Jacobson brings his vast scholarship and years of experience to Tanya. Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for this exhilarating journey into your psyche and soul. You will come away with life-changing practical guidance and direction, addressing all the issues and challenges you face in life.For more info: www.chassidusapplied.com/tanyaMusic by Zalman Goldstein • www.ChabadMusic.coms of the Torah and their application to our personal, emotional and psychological lives.A journey into the deepest teachings of the Torah and their application to our personal, emotional and psychological lives.

 Ecclesiastes 11:1-8, Pastor Ben Killerlain

Book of Acts - Acts 8:4-17: What does it look like when there's “great joy in the city”? Have you taken a look at the city we live in and the people around us? Would you characterize it as a joyful city? Are we joy-filled people? In our text this week, Acts 8:4-17, something happens in a city in Samaria that leads to great joy in the city. Come find out what needs to happen that would lead to such transformed lives, in us and our city. Join us in person and online at 9 or 11am. Bring a friend!

Chapter 33.03: Faith and Unity: G d's Great Joy in Transforming the Dark World into a Divine Home​A journey into the deepest teachings of the Torah and their application to our personal, emotional and psychological lives.The Tanya Applied radio show is broadcast every Saturday night, 10–10:30PM ET onWSNR 620 AM – Metro NY areaWJPR 1640 AM — Highland Park and Edison, NJOnline: www.talklinenetwork.comBy phone: Listen Line: 641-741-0389Many of us may be familiar with some of the central ideas in Tanya – including the battle of the two souls; what defines man and makes us tick; how we can control our temptations; how we can become more loving; what we can do to curb and harness our vices, like anger, jealousy, and depression; the formula for growth; how we can develop a healthy relationship with G-d; and why we are here. In this 30-minute program, you will learn how these ideas can be applied to your life today. You will discover secrets to a successful life that will transform you and your relationships.Rabbi Simon Jacobson is the best-selling author of Toward a Meaningful Life, and he is the creator of the acclaimed and popular MyLife: Chassidus Applied series, which has empowered and transformed hundreds of thousands through Torah and Chassidus.Now, Rabbi Jacobson brings his vast scholarship and years of experience to Tanya. Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for this exhilarating journey into your psyche and soul. You will come away with life-changing practical guidance and direction, addressing all the issues and challenges you face in life.For more info: www.chassidusapplied.com/tanyaMusic by Zalman Goldstein • www.ChabadMusic.coms of the Torah and their application to our personal, emotional and psychological lives.A journey into the deepest teachings of the Torah and their application to our personal, emotional and psychological lives.

Dennis is join via Zoom by Linus O'Brien to discuss his new documentary Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror, a joyful and inspiring recounting of the journey of the cultural juggernaut that is The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Linus's father Richard O'Brien created the original show and played Riff Raff both on stage and in the movie and watching father and son interact in the film and try to make sense of what Rocky means to the world is fascinating, funny and quite moving. Linus talks about getting the whole gang back together to talk about the movie (pretty much everyone's still alive but Meat Loaf), the undeniable star quality of Tim Curry as Frank-N-Furter, Susan Sarandon wise and wonderful sound bytes and why he thinks the film never really courted much controversy, even though its themes of sexual and gender liberation are right there front and center. Other topics include: the emotional reactions he's gotten from fans and shadowcast members, the movie theater owner in Portland who played the movie every Friday night during the pandemic so its record as the longest-running movie wouldn't end, his favorite moments in the film, the one souvenir from the movie his father kept from Rocky and what it's like to have the name Linus (Spoiler alert: he loves it).

In Luke chapter 1 verse 34 the angel Gabriel answers Mary's question as to how she a virgin could bear a baby since although she was betrothed she was not yet married and had no husband.The author of Hebrews chapter 13 verse 4 the author reminds us 'let marriage be held in honor among all and the marriage bed undefiled for God will judge immorality and adultery'. This was Mary's attitude towards marriage just as Joseph's was found in Matthew chapter 1. Dr. Mitchell looks at the scriptures dealing with the birth of Jesus in Matthew chapter 1 concerning Joseph as well. Now here in Luke 1 verse 38 we see Mary's faith in what God had said would take place and she waited for his fulfillment.Then the Lord is gracious to give Mary an encouraging confirmation of His words found in Verses 39 through 45.Well let's join Dr Mitchell here in Luke chapter 1 verse 34 on the Unchanging Word Bible Broadcast.

Chapter 33.02: Great Joy in Building a Home for G-dA journey into the deepest teachings of the Torah and their application to our personal, emotional and psychological lives.The Tanya Applied radio show is broadcast every Saturday night, 10–10:30PM ET onWSNR 620 AM – Metro NY areaWJPR 1640 AM — Highland Park and Edison, NJOnline: www.talklinenetwork.comBy phone: Listen Line: 641-741-0389Many of us may be familiar with some of the central ideas in Tanya – including the battle of the two souls; what defines man and makes us tick; how we can control our temptations; how we can become more loving; what we can do to curb and harness our vices, like anger, jealousy, and depression; the formula for growth; how we can develop a healthy relationship with G-d; and why we are here. In this 30-minute program, you will learn how these ideas can be applied to your life today. You will discover secrets to a successful life that will transform you and your relationships.Rabbi Simon Jacobson is the best-selling author of Toward a Meaningful Life, and he is the creator of the acclaimed and popular MyLife: Chassidus Applied series, which has empowered and transformed hundreds of thousands through Torah and Chassidus.Now, Rabbi Jacobson brings his vast scholarship and years of experience to Tanya. Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for this exhilarating journey into your psyche and soul. You will come away with life-changing practical guidance and direction, addressing all the issues and challenges you face in life.For more info: www.chassidusapplied.com/tanyaMusic by Zalman Goldstein • www.ChabadMusic.coms of the Torah and their application to our personal, emotional and psychological lives.A journey into the deepest teachings of the Torah and their application to our personal, emotional and psychological lives.

God's promised salvation, always intended for Jews and Gentiles, has been accomplished through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection and must be proclaimed to all people.

2-STWC 05-24-2026AM - Series: Abundant Life in Christ - Title: Blameless and with Great Joy - Scripture: II Corinthians 5:6-11

The sermon centers on the Bema Seat of Christ as a transformative reality that shapes the believer's present life, not as a source of dread but as a dynamic atmosphere of joy, humility, and reverent fear. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 5, it emphasizes that while believers will stand before Christ to be judged for their works—receiving rewards or suffering loss—this judgment is not for salvation but for glorification, where Christ's grace ensures joy even amid evaluation. The preacher illustrates this atmosphere through historical Christian figures and biblical passages, showing how the anticipation of the Bema Seat cultivates courage, confidence, and a holy longing to please God, while also fostering humility in recognizing that only Christ discerns true motives. Far from being a moment of terror, the Bema Seat is portrayed as a place of intimate communion where joy and reverence coexist, reflecting the believer's deep union with Christ, who is both judge and savior. Ultimately, living in this atmosphere is not about fear or performance, but about abiding in Christ's presence, where abundant life is lived now through the lens of eternity.

It's the small things!

(Acts 8:5-8) From this study, we learn to: (1) tell the lost of Jesus, (2) both speak and show the gospel, and (3) depend on divine power — expecting God to move, even amid spiritual opposition and warfare. We are to love people where we are, finding our Jerusalem and sharing the gospel locally, being doers and not just hearers of the Word. This way, we can bring great joy to our city. Learn how to share your faith with others with the FREE resources available at: https://enjoyingthejourney.org/resources/witness/   (10098260424) Join Scott Pauley's study through Scripture this year. Find resources for every book of the Bible by Dr. Pauley and Enjoying the Journey at enjoyingthejourney.org/journey-through-scripture/. Whether you're a new believer or have walked with the Lord for years, you'll find thousands of free devotionals, Bible studies, audio series, and Scripture tools designed to strengthen your faith, deepen your understanding of the Bible, and help you stay rooted in the Word of God. Explore now at EnjoyingTheJourney.org. Extend the Work Enjoying the Journey provides every resource for free worldwide. If you would like to help extend this Bible teaching, you may give at enjoyingthejourney.org/donations/

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God’s will for you – and provision – is Great Joy! The post Great Joy appeared first on Woodland Hills Community Church.

Tanya Applied: Yud Alef Nissan: Chapter 31.09: The Great Joy of the Divine Soul Being Freed from ExileA journey into the deepest teachings of the Torah and their application to our personal, emotional and psychological lives.The Tanya Applied radio show is broadcast every Saturday night, 10–10:30PM ET onWSNR 620 AM – Metro NY areaWJPR 1640 AM — Highland Park and Edison, NJOnline: www.talklinenetwork.comBy phone: Listen Line: 641-741-0389Many of us may be familiar with some of the central ideas in Tanya – including the battle of the two souls; what defines man and makes us tick; how we can control our temptations; how we can become more loving; what we can do to curb and harness our vices, like anger, jealousy, and depression; the formula for growth; how we can develop a healthy relationship with G-d; and why we are here. In this 30-minute program, you will learn how these ideas can be applied to your life today. You will discover secrets to a successful life that will transform you and your relationships.Rabbi Simon Jacobson is the best-selling author of Toward a Meaningful Life, and he is the creator of the acclaimed and popular MyLife: Chassidus Applied series, which has empowered and transformed hundreds of thousands through Torah and Chassidus.Now, Rabbi Jacobson brings his vast scholarship and years of experience to Tanya. Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for this exhilarating journey into your psyche and soul. You will come away with life-changing practical guidance and direction, addressing all the issues and challenges you face in life.For more info: www.chassidusapplied.com/tanyaMusic by Zalman Goldstein • www.ChabadMusic.coms of the Torah and their application to our personal, emotional and psychological lives.A journey into the deepest teachings of the Torah and their application to our personal, emotional and psychological lives.

Tanya Applied: Yud Alef Nissan: Chapter 31.07: Great Joy Following Aggressive Accountability​A journey into the deepest teachings of the Torah and their application to our personal, emotional and psychological lives.The Tanya Applied radio show is broadcast every Saturday night, 10–10:30PM ET onWSNR 620 AM – Metro NY areaWJPR 1640 AM — Highland Park and Edison, NJOnline: www.talklinenetwork.comBy phone: Listen Line: 641-741-0389Many of us may be familiar with some of the central ideas in Tanya – including the battle of the two souls; what defines man and makes us tick; how we can control our temptations; how we can become more loving; what we can do to curb and harness our vices, like anger, jealousy, and depression; the formula for growth; how we can develop a healthy relationship with G-d; and why we are here. In this 30-minute program, you will learn how these ideas can be applied to your life today. You will discover secrets to a successful life that will transform you and your relationships.Rabbi Simon Jacobson is the best-selling author of Toward a Meaningful Life, and he is the creator of the acclaimed and popular MyLife: Chassidus Applied series, which has empowered and transformed hundreds of thousands through Torah and Chassidus.Now, Rabbi Jacobson brings his vast scholarship and years of experience to Tanya. Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for this exhilarating journey into your psyche and soul. You will come away with life-changing practical guidance and direction, addressing all the issues and challenges you face in life.For more info: www.chassidusapplied.com/tanyaMusic by Zalman Goldstein • www.ChabadMusic.coms of the Torah and their application to our personal, emotional and psychological lives.A journey into the deepest teachings of the Torah and their application to our personal, emotional and psychological lives.

Rev. Matt Tuggle

Rev. Matt Tuggle

Readings: Jeremiah 31:1-6 | Acts 10:34-43 | Matthew 28:1-10 | Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24. Preached for Easter Sunday (2026-04-05).

First Community Church, 04.05.26 Dr. Rev. Glen Miles- Sermon, With Fear and Great Joy by First Community Church

The Great Joy | John by Christ Covenant

Verse by verse study through the book of Acts Chapter Eight and Verse Eight

Acts 2:42-47A Gospel Movement: Good News of Great Joy for All PeoplePastor John KingFebruary 8, 2026

This week, Terrence's message centers on Luke 1 and the theme of the wrestle of joy and obedience, using Mary's story as a model for faithful discipleship. God meets people where they are, anticipates their weaknesses, and invites them beyond themselves for the sake of His redemptive work. Obedience is not about personal strength but dependence on God. As we follow Him, obedience leads to deeper trust, endurance, and peace rooted in God's faithfulness. We are encouraged to say yes to God's invitations, trust His promises, and take the next faithful step forward.

Welcome back to the Motion Church Podcast! Today we're wrapping up our series called “The Great Joy Heist.” As Pastor shares in the message, “I believe that joy is a treasure. I believe that it is a valuable, valuable thing.” This series has reminded us that while life can sometimes distract, discourage, and even try to rob us of joy, God invites us to return to the source. As you'll hear today, “The joy of the Lord is not based on circumstance… it's based on truth.” And as we step into a new year together, Pastor also reminds us that clarity matters for who we are and where we're headed: “You've got to know who you are. If you don't know who you are, you're setting yourself up for trouble.” So lean in today as we talk about guarding our hearts, protecting our joy, and walking in the fullness of God's purpose. Let's jump into Week 3 of The Great Joy Heist.

Merry Christmas from Media Gratiae. In this special episode, Jordan and John conclude their series on meditating on the incarnation of Jesus. They explore what it means that Christ took on our flesh without sin, how the incarnation shapes our reconciliation with the Father, and much more. Of particular focus is a practical application that has been especially meaningful to Jordan: how the incarnation of Jesus equips us to wage war against and mortify our own sin. Christ is the only human to fully experience the weight of temptation, yet He never yielded. He endured to the very end, glorifying the Father fully. We pray that this episode, along with the linked Scriptural meditations and the series as a whole, nourishes your soul this Christmas season and strengthens you in the year to come 25 Meditations on the Incarnation: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/pages/advent-meditations Good Tiding of Great Joy by Charles Spurgeon https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotionalsdaily-readings/good-tidings-of-great-joy/ Jordan recommends this Christmas Devotional: https://grace-ebooks.com/library/J. C. Philpot/JCP On The Sacred Humanity of The Blessed Redeemer.pdf Christ Our Treasure: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/products/christ-our-treasure-enjoying-the-preeminence-of-jesus-in-the-local-church-dvd-streaming 00:00 – Welcome & Overview 01:00 – Incarnation in Life 03:30 – Fighting Sin Through Christ 06:00 – Christ Our Example 10:00 – Beholding and Being Transformed 13:30 – God's Humility 17:00 – Identifying with Sinners 20:30 – God Takes Our Name 24:00 – Stooping to Save 27:30 – Historical Hope 30:00 – Emmanuel: God With Us

As we celebrate another Christmas on this side of eternity, we want to halt the news in its tracks (since there are never good tidings nor great joy most weeks) and talk about Isaiah, David’s throne, and some of the lighter things that make the holidays joyful. It’s always bittersweet, Christmas – because the chains we have that tie us to this planet mean we suffer hurt, loss and difficulty all through the year. But at the same time that sweet-sour paradigm allows us to rejoice and carry on because on the other side is hope. For those who aren’t drawn into the study of last days, we need to ask ourselves why, because we can’t get to the hope part quite yet. Jesus IS our hope, and while the things of God seem far away at times, He is ever near. He will return. We look at Isaiah 9 which is loaded with familiar Christmas verses, but what are the deeper aspects? Unto us. A Child is born. Children are born every day in the flesh. Oh wait – a Son is given! Humanity, and divinity in one verse. We also talk Christmas carols, full of doctrine; the promise of a Messiah on David’s throne despite a curse in the lineage, and who exactly were those Magi? A fun hour of chat about holiday Spirit and letting God use us however that might look right now.

Luke 2:8-18

The incarnation is one of the most familiar doctrines in Christianity—and yet one of the most overlooked. This week, Dr. John Snyder is joined again by Jordan Thomas to slow down, look closely, and recover the awe that Scripture invites us to feel as we consider the eternal Son taking on human flesh. Last week they walked through key biblical passages on the incarnation. This week they turn to the profound reflections of Isaac Ambrose in his classic work “Looking Unto Jesus.” The book can be difficult to find today, but we've linked an ebook edition and a print-on-demand copy in the show notes. You can also monitor the Reformation Heritage Books website and sign up for updates when it comes back into print. Ambrose is deeply helpful here because he lifts our eyes to the person of Christ Himself—and to all the benefits that flow from Him into the life of every believer. As we move through this Advent season and fix our hearts on the incarnate Christ, we pray that this episode—and the timeless insights of Isaac Ambrose—will strengthen your faith and warm your soul. Show Notes: 25 Meditations on the Incarnation: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/pages/advent-meditations Isaac Ambrose Looking Unto Jesus ebook: https://www.monergism.com/looking-unto-jesus-book-1-ebook physical: https://www.amazon.com/Looking-Unto-Jesus-Everlasting-Gospel/dp/1166391787 Good Tiding of Great Joy by Charles Spurgeon https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotionalsdaily-readings/good-tidings-of-great-joy/ Jordan recommends this Christmas Devotional: https://grace-ebooks.com/library/J. C. Philpot/JCP On The Sacred Humanity of The Blessed Redeemer.pdf Christ Our Treasure: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/products/christ-our-treasure-enjoying-the-preeminence-of-jesus-in-the-local-church-dvd-streaming

Welcome to the audio podcast of VIA Church. VIA exists to build a community that is captivated by the love of Jesus and living in His truth. No matter your age, background, ideology or future, we welcome you to experience Jesus through VIA! Visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.via.church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more information.

25 Meditations on the Incarnation: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/pages/advent-meditations   This week, Dr. John Snyder is joined by Jordan Thomas, a familiar voice to longtime Media Gratiae listeners. Jordan contributes to the Behold Your God study series, is the author of Christ Our Treasure: Enjoying the Preeminence of Jesus in the Local Church, and has appeared on the podcast several times. In this episode, Jordan and John explore the mystery of the incarnation of Christ. To guide your reflections this Christmas season, Jordan has chosen 25 Scripture passages for meditation. We pray both the podcast and passages serve as helpful resources for you. The passages Jordan has selected are available as a free Media Gratiae Online course. The link is below.   Show Notes: 25 Meditations on the Incarnation: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/pages/advent-meditations Good Tiding of Great Joy by Charles Spurgeon https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotionalsdaily-readings/good-tidings-of-great-joy/ Jordan recommends this Christmas Devotional: https://grace-ebooks.com/library/J. C. Philpot/JCP On The Sacred Humanity of The Blessed Redeemer.pdf Christ Our Treasure: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/products/christ-our-treasure-enjoying-the-preeminence-of-jesus-in-the-local-church-dvd-streaming

Today's episode explores the announcement of the Messiah! We follow angels as they reveal the heavenly plan of the Savior's birth. Follow along as we're introduced to fascinating characters and a host of men and women with incredibly integrity. You won't want to miss this one! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“But the angel reassured them. ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.’” (Luke 2:10–12 NLT) As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, we need to recognize that the season inspires different feelings in different people—and that not all those feelings are pleasant. That was certainly true of the very first Christmas. When the angel delivered his heavenly announcement to the shepherds, he started with the words, “Don’t be afraid!” But the shepherds, along with all of Israel, lived in frightening times. They were under the reign of King Herod, who was a murderous tyrant. Their land was under Roman occupation. There was a pervasive dread about the future. Would Rome ever leave? Would the people of Israel ever be free? Would the Messiah ever come? And when the good news finally came, that the long-awaited Messiah had arrived, it was delivered by an angel: first one, and then a vast host of others. The angel’s greeting of “Don’t be afraid!” was easier said than done, even though it was followed by “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people” (Luke 2:10 NLT). Angels are awe-inspiring—and fear-inspiring—beings. Obviously, the shepherds had never seen anything like them. So, their first reaction was fear. But the angels wanted them to focus on their message and not their appearance. Christmas is cause for joy, not fear. Joy not just for a single day, but for a lifetime, for those who trust in the One who came to save us. The apostle Paul wrote, “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4 NLT). Many people today find it difficult to have joy because we’re surrounded by such sadness. With all the conflict, tragedies, and problems in the world, how can we have good tidings of great joy? The answer is this: “The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” (Luke 2:11 NLT). No matter what happens in life, remember this: You have a Savior. As a Christian, you have been saved from death. You have been saved from eternal punishment and Hell. You have the hope that when you die, you’ll go straight to Heaven. That’s the most important thing about the Christian life. There is a Heaven waiting for you. The fear, sadness, and pain of this world are temporary. Three decades after His birth in the manger, Jesus said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NLT). Reflection question: How can you find joy when you’re surrounded by sadness, anger, and disillusionment? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.