Wednesday, September 3, 2025
New Testament Reading Plan: 1 Corinthians 3
Several years ago, one of the major airlines comped me a first class seat because my flight was overbooked. Before coach had finished boarding, I was enjoying a delicious meal and drinks. Wow - the flight attendants really wait on you hand and foot! Even with the hefty $$$ price tag, I’d still highly recommend trying first class at least once.
So, what if you discovered you could find even more incredible opportunities for joy … for free … any time? Only Jesus offers a first class ticket to real contentment.
The truth is when we have a personal relationship with Jesus, we become rooted in him. We abide in him, and he in us. As our faith grows, we remain joyful in him, even during difficult times (John 15:9-11).
It’s easy to think we will find joy by taking our own path, identifying with our career, work, or marriage. We can fall into the tendency of accepting that this life stinks and resign ourselves to experiencing joy after we die and go to heaven. We’ve all experienced difficult times … and will again throughout this life. We must remember that unshakeable joy rests on a foundation of peace.
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, 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.”
When we abide in God we begin to experience eternal living! This is the joy of having new life now! Joy isn’t some future reality when we are rooted in Jesus. What a tedious and fruitless life it can become even for Christians who have their salvation. We can easily become rooted in who we think we should be, which inherently robs us of our joy (John 15:5-6).
Ultimately, we must remain confident in our identity in Christ. It’s easy to do when things are going our way, but how do we hold up during the storms that are sure to come? Confidence is not the absence of doubt, but knowing where you’re rooted when doubt creeps in. What can we do?
This is the perfect time to take a new step of obedience - knowing that unshakeable joy comes from new life now.
The thing is, we have new life. We just need to live in it.
There’s no extra charge to fly first class!
Questions:
When do you find it most challenging to let God be the vine?
How do you pivot when your confidence is shaken?
Next Steps:
Write down 2-3 ways you have been called/nudged to abide.
Next time you feel shaky, uncertain, or restless in your faith, dive into one of these on your list.
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father - our Lord, Creator, and King - thank you for the precious gift of a new life now! Thank you for how your Holy Spirit nudges me into the obedience that brings a foundation of peace and unshakeable joy. Let your light shine through me as I go out and share the incredible news of your Son, my Lord, Jesus. Amen.
Series Theme Verse:
Psalm 16:11
You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.
This post was written by Nick Thomas, a Findlay attendee, and a regular contributor to the Daily LivingItOut.