Monday, February 1, 2010

How To Find Joy In Modern Times

It is hard to find joy now days. We have problems on all sides, our wealth is shrinking, our quality of life is corroding, our relationships are becoming shallow, and there is war everywhere.

“Rejoice in the Lord you who are righteous. And praise his holy name.” Psalm 97:12, NIV.

A COMMAND
The Bible commands us to be joyful. When the apostle Paul was in prison facing execution he wrote of joy. The apostles sang in chains in prison dungeons. Legends tell of early Christians singing as they were martyred.

IN THE LORD
In the world we have little to celebrate but in the Lord we have everything to rejoice in.

• We have a Loving Savior who died on the cross for our sins.
• We have the hope of eternal salvation.
• We have many blessings beyond count.
• We have a calling and purpose.
• We are loved unconditionally.
• We are forgiven of the most heinous atrocities, (sins).
• We have communion with our Father and Creator.
• We have the fellowship of His family.
• We have the victory of the resurrection.
• We have the gift of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us.
• And this is only the beginning.

IF WE DON'T
Not to rejoice is an insult to all that God has given us and done for us, and is a denial of God’s blessings.

POWER OF JOY
Joy is a weapon of the Church. Joy accompanied almost every movement and revival. Joy attracts the lost. Joy sets Christians apart. Joy and worship are linked together; and our daily prayer and devotional experience should be punctuated by exclamations of joy.

THE SOURCE OF JOY
Without the Lord you can’t experience true joy. Come to Jesus and accepted what he did for you on the cross. He loves you and died to pay for your sins, he took the punishment for your actions. He is risen in power and victory over sin and death and offers to us new life if we respond to him and come. Invite him into your life and receive the gift of salvation and the righteousness he gives and you will begin to experience a new life of joy.

DECIDE TO BE JOYFUL
Let us resolve to fulfill the command to rejoice. We may not feel joyful but we must obey the command to rejoice anyway.

© Adron 2/1/10