Joy Illustrations
2073 illustrations evoking joy
Grace Shown in Community - Anabaptist (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Early Anabaptists challenged: if we're saved by grace, what does that look like? They pointed to the verses following: "created for good works." Grace saves; grace transforms; grace creates a new comm
Cultivated Through Liturgy - Anglican (Galatians 5:22-23)
Anglican spirituality emphasizes formation through liturgy. The weekly rhythms of prayer, confession, communion, and blessing cultivate the Spirit's fruit over time. Thomas Cranmer designed the Book o
God's Personal Plan for You - Baptist (Jeremiah 29:11)
A teenager wrote Jeremiah 29:11 on her mirror, praying it every day. She didn't know where life would lead—college, career, relationships all uncertain. Twenty years later, she looks back and sees a p
Joy Unspeakable - Black Church (Galatians 5:22-23)
The Black Church knows joy that defies circumstances—what one hymn calls "joy unspeakable and full of glory." How could enslaved people sing? How could sharecroppers shout? The joy of Galatians 5:22 i
The Missionary's One Verse - Missional (John 3:16)
When missionary John Paton arrived in the New Hebrides in the 1850s, the indigenous language had no word for "believe" or "trust." For years, he searched for how to translate John 3:16. One day, exhau
The Fire That Couldn't Stop Worship - Pentecostal (Romans 8:28)
In 2019, a church in Louisiana was burned down by an arsonist. The congregation gathered in the ashes the next Sunday—and worshipped anyway. Within months, their story had spread; donations poured in.
Hudson Taylor's Impossible Mission - Missional (Philippians 4:13)
When Hudson Taylor felt called to inland China in the 1850s, everyone said it was impossible. No Western missionaries had penetrated the interior; the dangers were extreme. Taylor's health was frail;
All Authority Already Given - Reformed (Matthew 28:18-20)
When a new president takes office, the transfer of power happens at a specific moment. Before inauguration, they have no authority; after, they have all of it. Jesus' statement is even more sweeping:
Cyril and Methodius: Apostles to the Slavs - Orthodox (Matthew 28:18-20)
In the 9th century, brothers Cyril and Methodius were sent to evangelize the Slavic peoples. They didn't just preach—they created an alphabet (Cyrillic) so the Slavs could read Scripture in their own
Fanny Crosby's Blindness - Baptist (Romans 8:28)
Fanny Crosby lost her sight at six weeks old due to a doctor's mistake. She could have spent her life in bitterness. Instead, she wrote over 8,000 hymns—"Blessed Assurance," "To God Be the Glory," "Pa
The Azusa Street Love - Pentecostal (John 3:16)
When the Azusa Street Revival erupted in 1906 Los Angeles, reporters came to mock. What they found shocked them: Black and white worshippers together, men and women leading side by side, rich and poor
The Cost and Joy of Discipleship - Biblical Insight
The devotional emphasizes the call to discipleship as a daily choice to prioritize God's will over personal desires. It highlights the paradox of losing worldly gains for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ, ultimately leading to peace, purpose, and joy in participating in His kingdom. The message encourages believers to engage with the world while upholding distinct values of simplicity, forgiveness, and service.
The Cost and Joy of Discipleship - Story
The devotional emphasizes the daily commitment required to follow Jesus, which involves self-denial and prioritizing God's will over personal desires. It highlights the paradox of losing worldly gains for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ, ultimately leading to peace, purpose, and joy in participating in His kingdom.
The Cost and Joy of Discipleship - Prayer
This devotional emphasizes the call to discipleship through self-denial and daily commitment to follow Jesus. It highlights the paradox of losing worldly gains for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ, ultimately leading to peace, purpose, and joy in participating in His kingdom.
Daily Ascension
Dear Heavenly Father, As I reflect on Ascension in my life today, I am reminded of your wisdom found in Romans 12:2. Help me to see this area of my life through your eyes and respond with the love and grace you have shown me. Guide me to be a light in the darkness, bringing hope and healing wherever I encounter Ascension. May my actions reflect your character and draw others closer to you. In Jesus' name, Amen. Take a moment today to consider how God might be calling you to engage with Ascen...
Contemplating Judgment
Dear Heavenly Father, As I reflect on Judgment in my life today, I am reminded of your wisdom found in Philippians 4:6-7. Help me to see this area of my life through your eyes and respond with the love and grace you have shown me. Guide me to be a light in the darkness, bringing hope and healing wherever I encounter Judgment. May my actions reflect your character and draw others closer to you. In Jesus' name, Amen. Take a moment today to consider how God might be calling you to engage with J...
Prayerful Redemption
Dear Heavenly Father, As I reflect on Redemption in my life today, I am reminded of your wisdom found in Ephesians 6:10-18. Help me to see this area of my life through your eyes and respond with the love and grace you have shown me. Guide me to be a light in the darkness, bringing hope and healing wherever I encounter Redemption. May my actions reflect your character and draw others closer to you. In Jesus' name, Amen. Take a moment today to consider how God might be calling you to engage wi...
Daily A Better Political Imagination
Dear God of Love and Justice, As I reflect on A Better Political Imagination in my life today, I am reminded of your wisdom found in Leviticus 19:34. Help me to see this area of my life through your eyes of love and respond with the compassion and justice you have shown me. Guide me to be a light in the darkness, bringing hope and healing wherever I encounter A Better Political Imagination. May my actions reflect your character of love and work for the transformation of our world into your kin...
Prayerful Work
Dear Heavenly Father, As I reflect on Work in my life today, I am reminded of your wisdom found in Hebrews 11:1. Help me to see this area of my life through your eyes and respond with the love and grace you have shown me. Guide me to be a light in the darkness, bringing hope and healing wherever I encounter Work. May my actions reflect your character and draw others closer to you. In Jesus' name, Amen. Take a moment today to consider how God might be calling you to engage with Work in a way ...
Daily Dismantling Tyrannical Leadership
Dear God of Love and Justice, As I reflect on Dismantling Tyrannical Leadership in my life today, I am reminded of your wisdom found in Philippians 2:5-8. Help me to see this area of my life through your eyes of love and respond with the compassion and justice you have shown me. Guide me to be a light in the darkness, bringing hope and healing wherever I encounter Dismantling Tyrannical Leadership. May my actions reflect your character of love and work for the transformation of our world into ...
Contemplating Leading Toward Peace
Dear God of Love and Justice, As I reflect on Leading Toward Peace in my life today, I am reminded of your wisdom found in 2 Corinthians 8:13-15. Help me to see this area of my life through your eyes of love and respond with the compassion and justice you have shown me. Guide me to be a light in the darkness, bringing hope and healing wherever I encounter Leading Toward Peace. May my actions reflect your character of love and work for the transformation of our world into your kingdom of justic...
Contemplating We are Imago Dei
Dear God of Love and Justice, As I reflect on We are Imago Dei in my life today, I am reminded of your wisdom found in Mark 10:42-45. Help me to see this area of my life through your eyes of love and respond with the compassion and justice you have shown me. Guide me to be a light in the darkness, bringing hope and healing wherever I encounter We are Imago Dei. May my actions reflect your character of love and work for the transformation of our world into your kingdom of justice and peace. In...
Prayerful Mental Health and Spirituality
Dear God of Love and Justice, As I reflect on Mental Health and Spirituality in my life today, I am reminded of your wisdom found in Isaiah 1:17. Help me to see this area of my life through your eyes of love and respond with the compassion and justice you have shown me. Guide me to be a light in the darkness, bringing hope and healing wherever I encounter Mental Health and Spirituality. May my actions reflect your character of love and work for the transformation of our world into your kingdom...
Contemplating God
Dear Heavenly Father, As I reflect on God in my life today, I am reminded of your wisdom found in Galatians 3:28. Help me to see this area of my life through your eyes and respond with the love and grace you have shown me. Guide me to be a light in the darkness, bringing hope and healing wherever I encounter God. May my actions reflect your character and draw others closer to you. In Jesus' name, Amen. Take a moment today to consider how God might be calling you to engage with God in a way t...