Love with joy by the will of God

Romans 15:32 so that I may come to you in joy by the will of God and find refreshing rest in your company. We joyfully love with Jesus by the will of God. Paul’s prayer was that it was God’s will to rescue him from his enemies and prosper his way to Rome. I want to encourage you today with this wonderful truth. When you purpose to love with Jesus, He will fill you with His joy. Jesus promised His disciples that if they would love one another as He had loved them by abiding in Him, that His joy would be in them and that their joy would be made full (John 15:11). Paul’s vision in coming to visit the Roman church was that he would come in joy. That’s my prayer as well as I go into my day. I will be “coming” to many people throughout my day, and I pray that they will see the joy of the Lord in my life. I have found if I am abiding in Christ and in tune with Jesus’ purpose to love whoever He puts in my path, there’s a joy in my heart. I think you’ll find the same delight if you will purpose to live to love with Jesus. You can also have confidence that you are in the will of God as you journey with Jesus. Paul was also expectant that he would be well received by the church. He looked forward to a time of refreshment in their midst before continuing his journey to Spain. This also should encourage us to be the kind of brother or sister in Christ that others find refreshment. Fellowship centered on the love of God in Christ is always refreshing. Do you have such an expectation when you think about being with your brothers and sisters in Christ? And even more important, do your brothers and sisters in Christ know that you love them? Do they look forward to being with you because they are refreshed by the presence and love of Christ? May we receive this encouragement today by the will of God and the love of the Spirit.