Being single can come with all kinds of emotions. Some days feel okay. I mean, you’re managing things well, staying productive, and maybe even enjoying the space to grow on your own. Other days may feel quiet, slow, or uncertain. Maybe you thought you’d be in a different place by now—career-wise, financially, emotionally, or in your relationships. Maybe you’re wondering when life will finally start making sense.
And when things feel delayed or unclear, joy can feel distant. Not because you’re ungrateful, but because your reality looks different from what you hoped for or expected.
That’s where this verse speaks clearly.
John 15:11 — “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”(NIV)
Jesus said these words to His disciples to remind them that joy wasn’t meant to come from their circumstances but from being connected to Him. He says His joy can be in you, and that it can be complete. Not halfway. Not temporary. But full.
This isn’t about forcing yourself to feel happy or pretending you don’t care about the things you still want. It’s about learning to stay close to God and letting Him be your source of peace and strength in the middle of it all.
The truth is, expectations can quietly steal your joy. You might not even realize it’s happening. You expected to be at that “Place”. You expected something to have happened by now. And when those things don’t happen, it can feel like you’re falling behind. But joy isn’t found in finally reaching the next goal. It’s found in knowing that God is present and involved in your life, even when you can’t see how everything will work out.
Your life isn’t on pause. This season matters. It’s not wasted time. God knows where you are, and He’s still leading you. You don’t have to wait until everything comes together before you allow yourself to experience joy. Jesus offers it now, and He offers it fully.
In the world of Christian service, it’s easy to celebrate spiritual gifts like preaching, singing, prophesying, healing, and teaching. These gifts are beautiful, powerful, and God-given. But there’s something even more important in God’s eyes: the fruits of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…” These are not glamorous abilities we show off on platforms. They are quiet proofs of maturity. They reflect who we are, not just what we can do.
You can be a firebrand preacher and still be proud. You can sing like angels and still lack patience. You can prophesy accurately and still treat people with contempt. Sadly, we sometimes place more value on being “gifted” than being Christlike.
God desires our character before charisma. The gifts draw men, but it is the fruit that keeps them. You may attract a spouse, an audience, or an opportunity with your talent, but only fruit will sustain relationships, influence, and favor.
The Bible warns in Matthew 7:16, “By their fruit you will recognize them.” Not their gifting, not their title, but their fruit. This means our love, humility, gentleness, and faithfulness are what truly matter to God.
In your walk with God, aim to bear fruit before chasing platforms. Let people say, “She is kind,” “He’s gentle,” not just “Wow, they’re anointed!” Because when gifts fade or slow down, character will still stand tall.
So, let’s seek to be fruitful first, and then let the gifts flow. Meanwhile, a life rooted in the Spirit will naturally grow into both.
Top 56 Valuable Lessons from the 56-Year Marriage of Joyce and Dave Meyer
Joyce and Dave Meyer have been married for over 56 years. In their Video, Talk It Out, they share candidly about the highs and lows of their journey together. Joyce notes early on in their 5-date courtship, they didn’t truly know each other. Yet through divine intervention, they found themselves bonded for life.
Based on this conversation with celebrated life coach and bestselling author Joyce Meyer and her husband Dave, here are some invaluable insights on how to build a strong, God-honoring marriage.
1. Joyce and Dave Meyer discuss the ups and downs of their early marriage and how their thinking has changed over the years.
2. Dave knew marriage was forever so he never thought about changing Joyce or leaving if things didn’t improve.
3. They had to learn about each other through experiences and God helped Dave deal with difficult situations. Over decades, Joyce and Dave Meyer learned to accept each other fully as God designed.
4. Dave applies relevant scriptures like Ephesians 5:28 to situations rather than dwelling on problems.
5. Joyce explains she came from a difficult childhood which manifested in erratic, emotionally volatile behaviors in their first years of marriage. She recalls giving Dave the silent treatment for weeks at a time when upset.
6. Dave remained steadfast, understanding where Joyce’s hurt originated while navigating ups and downs to learn about her. He displayed remarkable strength and commitment to their vows.
Common Mistakes in Marriage.
7. Trying to change your spouse instead of letting them be who they are. Realizing their unique qualities complement one another affirms God’s plan for oneness in marriage.
8. Joyce acknowledges trying to change Dave was misguided since transformation must come from within.
9. From the start, Dave viewed marriage as permanent, avoiding the “threat” mindset some have of changing or divorcing a spouse.
10. Focusing on what’s wrong with your spouse instead of what’s right is a common mistake.
11. Thinking you have to be happy for your spouse to be happy instead of each being responsible for their own happiness.
Handling Differences of Opinion.
12. It’s normal to have different opinions and likes in a marriage.
13. Compromise by allowing each person to decorate their own space.
14. It’s okay to disagree as long as you don’t think your spouse is wrong for having a different view.
15. Joyce recommends couples make a side-by-side list of each other’s positive and negative traits. For her and Dave, the good vastly outweighed the bad. By shifting mental focus to a spouse’s virtues, small flaws seem insignificant.
Dealing with Financial Disagreements.
16. Joyce and Dave Meyer advised that you talk through finances and goals before marriage to avoid surprises.
17. Needs can change over time so revisit financial agreements.
18. Understand each other’s perspectives and fears around money.
Dave’s Experience with Saving Money as a Youth.
19. Dave shares how he learned the value of saving money from a young age. He explains how at 16 years old, he saved one thousand dollars cutting grass and selling items to buy his first car.
20. Dave emphasizes the importance of prioritizing spending money on important goals.
Accepting Each Other as God Made Us.
21. Joyce and Dave Meyer are different. Dave is more logical while Joyce processes things verbally.
22. One frequent source of disagreement between spouses is having differing communication styles.
23. Joyce mentioned how she likes to verbally process situations by talking through all the angles, while Dave prefers a more direct, logical approach. It’s not that either way is wrong, but recognizing these distinctions is important. They’ve realized God made them this way and focusing on each other’s strengths has helped.
24. When Joyce was unhappy, Dave modeled finding joy regardless through stable faith.
25. As Christians, we are not to let others dictate our moods but lead by example. Joyce was inspired to mirror Dave’s contentment.
26. Misunderstandings often arise when partners don’t understand each other’s methods of thinking and reasoning through problems.
27. Surrender fully to God’s design for oneness. Appreciate differences as completing each other.
28. Apply biblical solutions in tough times, not human reasoning. Prioritize your spouse’s well-being through humility, patience, and consistent prayer.
We will continue with Part 2 of Top 56 Valuable Lessons from the 56-Year Marriage of Joyce and Dave Meyer tomorrow.
Joy is a serious business of heaven, so says Rev, Mark Hankins
As I was meditating on the phrase, the Holy Spirit whispered in my spirit,
“If joy is the serious business of heaven, then sorrow must be the serious business of hell!
Don’t Let The Devil Steal Your Joy
Sorrow, perpetual guilt, depression, despondency, and regrets are the tools of hell to create a loophole, entry point, and landing place for the cohorts of hell
The devil cannot just access your life, finances, family and so on, with a loophole Such loopholes are created when you lose your joy!
Later today, I will post a message on joy you need to listen to!
SINGLES -One Thing You Need To Know As A Single Continued from yesterday.
4. God’s word is the source of joy
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. –John 15:11 (KJV)
Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. –John 16:24 (KJV)
When you find yourself in situations that do not look like what God promised you, do not get depressed about it or start some pity-party, rather get into God’s word and search out every scripture that handles that particular situation.
As you begin to meditate on those scriptures and use them to pray, you find strength coming to you and the joy of God welling up on your inside!
This joy, as it wells up, rejuvenates you and gets you refreshed. All of a sudden, you start seeing clearer, that it is not about the issues, but about the God, your father who loves you so much and had already given you the victory!
Now, your trust in Him as you express it further moves God to action on your behalf. You think you are long overdue for marriage with suitor not in sight? Don’t get depressed my sister, resort to praise and let the joy of the Holy Ghost fill your heart. You will come to see that your marriage eventually will not be late; it will be the latest in town!
I come against the spirit of heaviness over your life. I come against the spirits behind despondency and suicidal tendencies. I shatter your power now!
Don’t give up on God, because you are at the verge of greatness in your life! God is coming through for you sooner than you expect.
I pray for every reader this morning, God will surround you with his mercy. Your eyes will be opened to see the reality of the kingdom of God that it is not in meat and drink only but in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost! One Thing You Need To Know As A Single
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY My joy is full, and so I attract the favour of God and man.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Father, I ask in the name of Jesus that you give me the grace to praise and thank you at all times.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY I bless GOD every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise. –Psalms 34:1 (MSG)
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Choose a convenient hour during the day to just praise God and do that daily.
