Do words have the power to change us?

In Jesus’ farewell discourse before the cross, he made many faith-stretching, heart-swelling, life-changing promises.

“I’m going to prepare a place for you.”

“I will come back and take you with me.  That way we will always be together.”

“No one comes to the Father unless he goes through me.”

“I will do whatever you ask in my name so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.”

“I will ask the Father to send the Holy Spirit to help you and remain with you forever.”

“I will not leave you as orphans.”

“The gift I leave with you is peace.”

“Remain in me…  you will be able to bear an abundant crop of fruit.”

“I have told you these things so that you may experience the joy that is mine.   I want you to be filled with joy.”

“Since they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.”

“But when the Spirit comes, He will guide you into a fuller understanding of the truth.”

“You will be filled with sorrow, but suddenly your sorrow will be transformed to joy.”

“…for a time you will be in distress.  But later I will see you, and your heart will respond with such joy that no one will ever be able to take it from you.”

When I meditate on Jesus’ words, simple yet profound, my heart is filled with a level of peace and joy that can only be described as…  HOPE!

Knowing the resurrected Christ is the only thing in this world that can bring this kind of transforming, unstoppable experience of joy.   The more I center my affections on Him, the more His joy becomes my present reality.

Father, I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection… today and every day!