One of the best ways to experience more JOY & CHEER is to develop and grow in your relationship (connection) with Jesus.  Jesus said when we stay vitally connected to Him (read John 15) the results are amazing.  In fact, He said: I have told you these things so that you can have the same joy I have and so that your joy will be the fullest possible joy.  John 15:11 NCV

As we began our series Christmas Cheer, we talked about a simple PATH that will help build your relationship (connection) with Jesus and increase your JOY/CHEER.

PRAY – Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks.  And God’s peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7 NCV

APPLY – But the truly happy people are those who carefully study God’s perfect law that makes people free, and they continue to study it. They do not forget what they heard, but they obey what God’s teaching says. Those who do this will be made happy.  James 1:25 NCV

THANKSGIVING –  Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. Psalm 100:4 NASB

HELP – For you, my brothers, were called to freedom; only do not let your freedom become an opportunity for the sinful nature (worldliness, selfishness), but through love serve and seek the best for one another.  Galatians 5:13 Amp

The Underlying Principle:   ³⁶ “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” ³⁷ Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’⁴⁰ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”  Matthew 22:36-40 NLT