Topic: The Greatest Joy of Our Father  [Church of God Mission International] Above Only Daily Devotional 15 August 2021

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Above Only Daily Devotional

By: Archbishop M E Benson Idahosa

SUNDAY AUGUST 15

The Greatest Joy of Our Father

Matthew 17:4-5 ( NIV ), Romans 8:29 ( NLT ), 3 John 1:4 (TPT )

Peter said…, “… If you wish, I will put up three shelters —one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them , and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”*For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son, so that His Son would be firstborn among many brothers and sisters. * It is the greatest joy of my life to hear that my children are consistently living their lives in the ways of truth!

The purpose of all creation is to bring joy and pleasure to God. “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things , and for thy pleasure they are and we’re created” ( Revelation 4:11 ). When Peter wanted to build three tabernacles for Jesus, Moses and Elijah, God clearly indicated the nature of His greatest joy: Jesus. The greatest way we can bring joy to God’s heart is to be like Jesus. That is why God wants all of our focus and attention to be on Jesus. God the Father is not just pleased by Jesus, He is well pleased. In the New Living Translation, Matthew 17:5b confirms, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to Him.”

The reason God made us His children is so that we will be like His Son, Jesus. He wants to have many children like Jesus. Being in Christ brings God great joy but being like Christ brings Him the greatest joy. There is joy in Heaven when a person accepts the life of Christ, but this joy reaches it peak when such a person is discipled into the life of Christ and begins to manifest that life.

This is why Apostle Paul passionately wanted to know Christ ( Philippians 3:8-10 ) and this is why he preached Christ and laboured for Christ to be formed in believers ( Galatians 4:19 ). The Bible says, “He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.” ( Colossians 1:28 NIV ). The greatest joy of parents is seeing their children becoming everything they desire for them to be. Jesus is everything God the Father desires for us to be. Now that we have His life in us , God the Father wants us to grow up and be like Christ in all areas of our lives ( Ephesians 4:15 ).

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I thank You for making me a member of your family, just like Jesus is. Help me to grow and be more like Jesus every day.

Bible In One Year Reading Plan
Nehemiah 9:22-10:39, 1 Corinthians 9:19 -10:13, Psalm 34:1-10 & Proverbs 21:13.