FULL OF JOY
The Christian life that is joyless is a discredit to God and a disgrace to itself. -Babcock
1 John 1:4, And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
Several years ago, while on a mission’s trip, I heard of a story how a woman would walk 8 miles just to come to church. She would get to the church late each week but she still came. She would often hang around all day for the second service. Why did she sacrifice so much; because she wanted to hear more about Jesus! She knew hearing about Him would make her joy full!
Friend, are you neglecting the House of God? Don’t you think it’s important? Why sacrifice so little when God has given so much?
Black said, “I have found that there is a tremendous joy in giving. It is a very important part of the joy of living.” Joy in giving of our time, talents, and treasures! Don’t forsake time with the Lord friend! You will never become who God wants you to be until you follow His will for your life!
ARE YOU CONTENT?
Enjoy your own life without comparing it with that of another.
Hebrews 13:5-Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Isn’t it amazing, grown adults are still fighting over who has the biggest and best stuff! It would seem that by the time one graduates college, falls in love, and gets married that they would be over their petty little games. But no-- their toys are just more expensive now. Instead of a new-to-you truck, you got to have a brand new one. You ain’t settled with the cottage below, you have to have that mansion on the hilltop -- NOW!
Being content is a life lesson that I am sure all of us can improve on. Our culture in America promotes a discontentment from the time we are born until the time we die. Kids in the checkout line at Walmart-- “Have to have a piece of gum”. Women see a sale on shoes—“Have to have a new pair”. Men are not satisfied with the woman God gave them—“Have to have someone new”. So how do we overcome the temptations that this world offers? The same way Jesus did- with the Word! Three times Jesus said to the devil, “It is written...” I believe that’s the only way we will overcome temptations as well!
JUST A “LITTLE” MORE
You say, "If I had a little more, I should be very satisfied." You make a mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled. –Spurgeon
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Philippians 4:11
There is absolutely nothing wrong with trying to improve your situation in life. There is nothing wrong with getting an education, getting training, or even moving up the corporate ladder to improve your finances. But in a world that attempts to persuade us that we need more of this or that, God says, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Timothy 6:6 So what do we do?
Pray, asking God to give you wisdom and direction.
Go through the open doors and stop when the door closes.
Be patient and wait on the Lord, having faith He will bring to pass what is best for you in this life!
WHY DO YOU DOUBT?
The very word murmur, how simple it is, made up to two infantile sounds- mur mur. No sense in it, no wit in it, no thought in it. It is the cry rather of a brute than of a man. Murmur-just a double groan. – Spurgeon
Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. John 6:43
Jesus was explaining to the Jews who He was yet they didn’t believe. They went even further, they murmured amongst themselves against Him. They tried to explain Him away,
They said He was just another boy: “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph…”
They said He was not the Son of God: “… whose father and mother we know?”
They said he was not sent from Heaven: “… how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?”
When you hear about what the Bible says who Jesus is, what do you think? Do you doubt He is who He says He is? Do you doubt He is the Son of God? Do you doubt He was sent from Heaven? Your response will determine where you will spend eternity. Are you prepared to live or perish with your response?
GRASS IS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE…REALLY?
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Philippians 4:11
In the instant gratification society we live in there is a break down on every corner. People change jobs like they change sheets on their bed…once a year. They change their marriages like they change houses…once every fifteen years. And change churches like they change cars...once every five years. This society promotes these changes by emphasizing the grass is always greener on the other side. The problem with that is it’s a lie!
There is a cure for discontentment….repentance! Most of the time, we do not need to change our job, our church, or our spouse. What we need to change is us! Consider what Paul told Timothy; “But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6”
TO SERVE OR NOT TO SERVE, THIS IS AN EASY ANSWER…
The same people who can deny others everything are famous for refusing themselves nothing. -Hunt
Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. Ephesians 6:5-8
Many have forgotten the acronym for JOY they learned when they first got saved. It goes; J- SERVE JESUS, O- SERVE OTHERS, Y- SERVE SELF…that’s the way you spell JOY.
Of course we should serve! We serve the Lord with gladness! We serve others better than we serve ourselves! And last but not least we serve ourselves. When we serve ourselves we are investing in another day to serve the Lord and others! So friend…in your latest Facebook post…who did you serve?