Tuesday, September 2, 2025

New Testament Reading Plan: 1 Corinthians 2

Have you ever met someone who just radiates joy? You know, the people whose kindness and joy are contagious. The ones who remain positive and faithful, even during hardships. 

Through conversations, I have found they often have one thing in common - they are fully rooted in Christ. And because they are firmly planted in Jesus, they are no longer slaves to the things of this world or their negative emotions. 

True, unshakeable joy only comes from the true source of light – Jesus. He is the one who offers a joy that is unwavering and can weather any storm. We can all share in this unshakeable joy with Jesus through the new life he offers us. 

Once we become Christ followers – through faith not our own works – Christ’s light shines through us and we want our behavior and actions to glorify him. That is the fruit of the Spirit. By fulfilling God’s will, we follow his path, the only way to find a life that is full and complete.

John 15:5, John 15:7-8 
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing…. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.”

In this passage, Jesus tells us to remain in him at all times. Like the branches growing from the vine, we are connected to the source of unshakeable joy if we hold onto Christ. We are his true disciples when we place our joy and faith in God’s hands and align our will with his. The result is a heart that seeks what he wants. 

Staying rooted in Jesus is about staying close to his heart, learning from Scripture, listening to promptings from the Holy Spirit, and trusting him. As verses like Romans 8:28 assure us, even though life will not always be perfect, we can rest knowing that God is working out all things for the good of those who love him as he carries out his plan for our lives. 

Let us never forget the only true, unshakeable joy we experience is through the Lord himself!

Questions:
Who is someone you have met that radiates unshakeable joy?

What spiritual fruit is God producing in your life?

Next Steps:
Join a Group this fall semester to connect with a community of like-minded Christ followers who place their joy and trust in Jesus Christ.

Attend GrowthTrack to find out where you can use the fruit that God is producing in your life to help serve others.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for offering me the true, unshakeable joy that can only be found through Jesus. Help me to remain in you, and remind me that you will remain in me, even when things get difficult. Develop in me the true joy that can only come from you, and help me use it to inspire others and draw them nearer to you. In Jesus’ name, 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 Isabelle Billnitzer, a Perrysburg attendee and regular contributor to the Daily LivingItOut.