Joy Illustrations
2073 illustrations evoking joy
Lesslie Newbigin on Mission and Truth - Missional (John 14:6)
"The claim that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life is not arrogance but witness. Missionaries don't impose; they share what they have found to be true. We cannot offer Christ apologetically; He
St. Maximus the Confessor on Theotic Transformation - Orthodox (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
"The inner person is being deified—this is daily theosis. While the body participates in Christ's death, the soul participates in His resurrection. The eternal weight of glory is full union with God.
St. Gregory of Nyssa on Infinite Tasting - Orthodox (Psalm 34:8)
"Taste and see—but the tasting is infinite! God's goodness has no end; we taste forever without exhausting. This is epektasis: eternal progress into infinite divine goodness. Each taste reveals more t
Metropolitan Kallistos Ware on Grace and Synergy - Orthodox (Ephesians 2:8-9)
"Salvation is God's gift—entirely, completely. Yet Orthodoxy speaks of synergy: not that we add to grace, but that grace transforms us into participants. We are saved by grace through faith—faith that
N.T. Wright on New Creation Completed - Anglican (Revelation 21:4)
"The new creation begun in resurrection is completed: heaven and earth joined, tears ended, death destroyed. This is not escape FROM creation but its RENEWAL. God dwells with humanity in a remade worl
Dietrich Bonhoeffer on Work as Discipleship - Christocentric (Colossians 3:23-24)
"Work 'as unto the Lord'—the Lord Christ. Not a concept but a Person; not a principle but a Master. Discipleship extends to the workplace; following Jesus includes following Him into Monday's labor. C
Bill Johnson on God's Goodness in Everything - Charismatic (Romans 8:28)
"God is always good, and He's always working. Romans 8:28 doesn't mean God causes evil; it means He redeems everything the enemy meant for harm. Our job is to believe His goodness even when we can't s
Charles Spurgeon on Abiding and Fruitfulness - Traditional (John 15:5)
"Apart from Me you can do nothing—the branch cannot bear fruit by itself. Abiding is the secret: staying connected, drawing life from the Vine. Our activity without His life produces nothing eternal.
Pope Benedict XVI on Gift of Eternal Life - Catholic (Romans 6:23)
"The gift of God is eternal life—not merely endless existence but participation in divine life. Through baptism we die to sin's wages; through Eucharist we receive life's gift. The sacraments mediate
T.D. Jakes on Free Gift - Pentecostal (Romans 6:23)
"You can't EARN eternal life—it's a GIFT! Sin pays wages; you work for death! But GOD gives FREELY! You don't deserve it; you can't afford it; but He GIVES it! In Christ Jesus—LIFE! Not wages, not pay
John Wesley on Christ as Universal Access - Wesleyan (John 14:6)
"Christ is the Way—but this way is open to all. He is the Truth—and this truth can be known by any seeking heart. He is the Life—offered freely to whosoever will. The exclusivity of Christ is the incl
Bill Johnson on Glory Overflow - Charismatic (Ephesians 3:20-21)
"The POWER at work within you is RESURRECTION POWER! The same Spirit that raised Christ! Ask for healing; expect MIRACLES! Dream of breakthrough; receive REVIVAL! God is the God of IMMEASURABLY MORE!
John Piper on Mercies Motivating Sacrifice - Reformed (Romans 12:1-2)
"'By the mercies of God'—our sacrifice is response to grace, not effort to earn it. Because of God's mercies (Romans 1-11), therefore present yourselves (Romans 12). The indicative grounds the imperat
R.C. Sproul on Sola Gratia - Reformed (Ephesians 2:8-9)
"Sola gratia—grace alone. Not grace plus works, not grace plus merit, not grace plus anything. Even the faith by which we receive grace is itself a gift: 'and that not of yourselves.' From first to la
Martin Luther on Grace vs. Works - Lutheran (Ephesians 2:8-9)
"Here is the thunderbolt against all works-righteousness! 'Not of works, lest anyone should boast.' The law demands; grace gives. The law kills; grace makes alive. We are beggars before God, receiving
Martin Luther on Wisdom Without Reproach - Lutheran (James 1:5)
"God gives without reproach—He does not shame the ignorant for being ignorant! This is grace: the wise God stoops to give wisdom to fools. When I am confused, I do not pretend wisdom; I ask. God recei
St. Maximus the Confessor on Divine Wisdom - Orthodox (James 1:5)
"Wisdom is participation in divine life—theosis includes the mind. As we grow in union with God, wisdom increases. Prayer for wisdom is prayer for deeper participation in the Logos. God gives generous
Charles Spurgeon on Simple Obedience - Traditional (Micah 6:8)
"What does the Lord require? Not complex rituals but simple obedience: do justice, love mercy, walk humbly. This is religion distilled: right action (justice), right heart (mercy), right posture (humi
Martin Luther on Station and Calling - Lutheran (Colossians 3:23-24)
"The milkmaid and the preacher both have callings from God. Work in your station as unto the Lord—this IS your worship on Monday. God hides Himself in ordinary callings; through your work, He cares fo
St. Basil the Great on Work and Theosis - Orthodox (Colossians 3:23-24)
"Work offered to God becomes means of theosis—participation in divine life. The worker who labors for Christ shares in Christ's creative work. Whatever you do becomes sacramental when done prayerfully
St. Seraphim of Sarov on Joy in God - Orthodox (Psalm 37:4)
"Acquire the Spirit of peace, and thousands around you will be saved. Delight in God is the fruit of the Spirit—divine joy, uncreated energy. Through hesychasm, through the Jesus Prayer, through the L
St. John Chrysostom on Inexhaustible Mercy - Orthodox (Lamentations 3:22-23)
"His mercies never cease—they are inexhaustible, flowing from the infinite God. Each morning's mercy is fresh from the eternal spring. In the Divine Liturgy, we sing 'Lord, have mercy' repeatedly beca
Howard Thurman on Word for the Journey - Black Church (Psalm 119:105)
"The enslaved people found light in Scripture—the story of Exodus, the songs of hope, the promises of liberation. The Word was lamp for dark nights of bondage, lighting the path toward freedom. Script
Smith Wigglesworth on Spirit-Renewed Strength - Pentecostal (Isaiah 40:31)
"Wait on God and receive FRESH power! The Holy Spirit renews our strength—not the same old energy but NEW strength from on high! Mount up with wings like eagles—that's supernatural flight! Expect the