FACING THE NEW DAY

Each year is made up of days to help us get through that year.

Psalm 145:2, Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.

Most everyone dreads Mondays, the first day of the work week. But let me take a moment to remind you that even on a Monday we can praise the Lord. We can praise Him for life. We can praise Him for salvation. We can praise Him for another opportunity to be a witness for Him.

As you face this new day, this Monday, pray that the Lord would give you an opportunity to share your faith with someone! At the end of the year, you may just look back and see someone you have won to the Lord! What a year that would make because of that one single day!

SWEET MEMORIES

When saving for old age, be sure to put away a few pleasant thoughts. -Anonymous

Exodus 17:14, And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.

Just the other day I was talking to a friend who was on vacation with his family. He was asking about different areas and I was suggesting for him to go here or there. The last thing I told him was, go make memories. My Aunt said it differently; she said, “We’re going to make Happy Tracks!”

The Lord told Moses to write the events down in a Book and tell it again and again. Why did the Lord want that done? So that no one would ever forget Who He is and what He did and can do for them.

Hey friend, go make some sweet memories but never forget what the Lord has done for you!

WIPE TEARS AWAY

Tears reveal what lips can never do.

Psalm 126:5, They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

I once told a friend, “Don’t ever apologize for your tears; your tears reveal something about your heart that nothing else can reveal.” Friend, God gave us tears to inform the rest of the world how much we care about what we are talking about. Sure, some can fake a tear in a minute, but those fake tears are soon discovered while the real tear mean something to those who see them.

Friend, when is the last time you wept over a lost soul? When is the last time you had to change the pillow case because it was dripping from a night of sobbing? When is the last time God wiped away the tears and return the joy of your salvation? He is an expert at wiping tears away! He said in Psalm 30:5, “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”

MAKE SOMEONE SMILE TODAY

           A Christian should be a lamp, and not a damp.  He should cheer and enlighten his brethren, and never act as a wet blanket to their zeal. -Spurgeon

Proverbs 17:22, A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

            There is a lot of heartache in the world today. Sickness, unemployment, death, pain, unjust suffering, it gets to be overwhelming sometimes! Many days, we can echo David in Psalm 69:3, “I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.”

            This is why I attempt to make people smile throughout my day. To make someone smile gives me a joy in my own heart. Passing joy on to others should be one of our goals each day. When we do that, we are showing others the love of God that is in us.

            Will you go out today with the goal in mind of seeing someone smile because of something you said? The greatest smile is when we see someone come to know the Lord! In their rejoicing they share the love of God with the ones whom God has given them to reach!

JESUS CAN DO MORE

           Low expectations of our Saviour means little faith.

Ephesians 3:20-21, Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

            We have lost the proper view of our Saviour. Once we held Him as the One who could do anything. Now, I believe we have lost the proper view of who He is and what He is capable of. Friend, Jesus is the One who held the sick, blind, lame, and dumb. He is the One who raise the dead. He is the One who has fixed marriages, dried up drunkards, and set those in the sins of addiction free!

            Whatever your limits are on the Saviour… He can do more! Have faith that He is bigger, stronger, and mightier than any of your problems! Just let Him work in and through your life and you will begin to see just how BIG, STRONG, AND MIGHTY He truly is!

TRUE JOY

Happiness is neither within us only, or without us; it is the union of ourselves with God. -Pascal

1 Peter 1:8, Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

            Many seek to find joy in things. Some pursue joy in their job. Some chase joy in friends. Some hunt for joy in bedroom partners. All the while true joy is found when we trust Jesus Christ with our heart in salvation and then following Him every day of our life.

            Following Him means to seek Him in decision making, not our friends or family. Following Him means to go to Him in prayer. Following Him means to follow His Word. Following Him means seek Him in every aspect of life. Anything less, leads us to temporal happiness that will need to be filled with what this world has to offer.

            Want true joy that leads to a full life content with God’s blessings? Trust Him in what you’re going through today!

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!

YOUR JOY

The Christian life that is joyless is a discredit to God and a disgrace to itself. -Babcock

Nehemiah 8:10, “… the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

The Christmas Holidays are a time that can be a struggle for some. Love ones that have gone on to be with the Lord this past year will not be at the dinner table. Friends that use to come over have shunned you and moved on to other friends. This year especially has been a difficult year with Covid19, election, hurricane, earthquakes, fires out west, and a multitude of other issues have risen to rob us of our joy.

 But friend, you are in control of your joy! You have to lay it down to be defeated! Paul and Silas sang while in jail. Job would not curse God and die. While facing the Cross Jesus said, “…nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”

Rejoice; Child of God! The Saviour has come! He saved your soul! He made you whole! He’s coming back like He said He would! Don’t forget it! Don’t fret over current circumstances! He is coming to redeem His own!

BE IN CHRIST

Jesus Christ is light to the eye, honey to the taste, music to the ear, joy to the heart. -Spurgeon

2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

My brother-in-law and I have a funny song we sing after we get finished eating a meal. Sung to the hymn, “I hear my Saviour Calling”, we sing, “I hear my recliner calling.” It’s a joke that we have been singing for years to put a smile on one another’s face and others when they hear. You know how it is after Sunday lunch, you eat and then you want to go stretch out and take a nap. Getting in that recliner is the first step to that rest that you so eagerly desire.

            Friend, if you’re going to get any rest in this life you better be in Christ. Jesus gives light in the dark times of this life. Jesus is the one that can make the bitterness of life better. Jesus is the one that can give you a song in the midst of trouble. Jesus is the one that brings joy unspeakable and full of glory! Do you know Him as your Saviour? Are you in Christ?

WHAT, NO JOY?

If you have no joy in your religion, there's a leak in your Christianity somewhere. -Sunday

Habakkuk 3:17-18, Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

All throughout the Bible we have instances where God’s people were in some pretty bad predicaments. They faced giants, fiery furnaces, lions, depression, sickness, and much more. Yet, in these very peculiar places we find them in, we also find them praising God! How in the world did they do it? They did it knowing who the God of their circumstances was! They chose to rejoice instead of being ruined by their situation!

            How will you finish out the week; praising God or complaining the weekend away?

Real Joy

            It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness. -Spurgeon

Nehemiah 8:10, Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

            Nehemiah reminded the people that there is joy in serving the Living God. It is also a reminder for you and I to remember the peace we have in the Lord. For us to remember the contentment we have in the Lord. For us to remember there is joy in knowing we are not going to hell! There is abundant joy in knowing I’m going to Heaven when I die!

            How about you friend? Do you have that contentment? Do you have that joy? Do you have that abundant joy? If not, you can and it can happen right now! Repent and trust Jesus Christ as Saviour!

THE JOY OF THE LORD

            The joy of the Lord will arm us against the assaults of our spiritual enemies, and put our mouths out of taste for those pleasures with which the tempter baits his hooks. –Henry

My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. Proverbs 1:10

            I don’t know about you but when I was growing up, I walked the straight and narrow when I was at home. You see, I had a fear of my Dad, the good type of fear that caused me to walk that straight line. It was a type of fear that caused me to respect my Dad and because I did—there was joy in my hinder parts! However, you let me hit that bus and go to school, I was a handful!

            I have noticed in my Christian walk, it’s kind of the same way. The closer my walk with the Lord, the straighter I walk and I have joy in my life that money cannot buy! If your joy isn’t where it used to be maybe it’s time for you to get right with the Lord. Seek His face and turn from the wicked and sinful things you have been doing. Before long, the taste of sinful pleasures will dry up and your joy will be complete in Him!

PEACE IS SPELLED JESUS

There is no peace where God is not at!

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14

So many people are searching for Nirvana, an awakening, tranquility, or some other type of inner peace that only a relationship with Jesus brings. Sure people may travel to distant lands and find a sense of happiness. They may buy large homes that will bring contentment until they have to clean it. They may even have a job that pays large amounts of money and it will buy happiness until the money runs out. But true peace only comes when Jesus is on the throne of your heart!

When Jesus came to Earth as a babe, the Word of God says, peace was on Earth! If you want true, everlasting peace— repent of your sin and trust Jesus as your Saviour! Let Him in your life! Let Him have His way! If He isn’t in your life—you do not have true peace!

BE RESTED

Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.  –Ovid

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Psalm 37:7

Do you ever have those times when you think, “When am I going to get a break?” I do. A few minutes away goes a long way when we are so busy. Taking the kids to soccer practice and games, running to doctor appointments, and yard work keeps our plates full and our bodies wore out. However, when we have those few minutes to rest, they are priceless!

Child of God, if you have been busy doing the Lord’s work and are feeling wore out, exhausted, or overwhelmed, take a rest. Take a break before you break. Come apart from the Work God has called you to before you come apart! When you get that second wind get back in the ring and get back into the battle for the souls God has given you!

BE JOYFUL

            If you have no joy in your religion, there's a leak in your Christianity somewhere. –Sunday

Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 1 Peter 1:8

                        A joyful spirit in some Christian’s life is missing. I don’t know why! We have a lot to be joyful for! God has saved us. He gave us His Spirit. He gave us His Word. He has Heaven prepared for us. He has given us everything we need to have a joyful life!

            Child of God, quit fretting over life. Cast your burden upon Him and be joyful, for He careth for you!

READY SET IGNITE!

            Nothing will ignite your passion for ministry and your joy in the Lord more than using your divine enabling for His glory.—Paul Chappell

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:10

            Oh that everyone that walks through the door today would get a grasp on this thought of serving in their church! If more than the ten percent would get active in every church in the world, revival would come and we would see a multitude of souls saved for God’s glory and man’s good!

            How about you? How are you serving in your church? Are you being faithful opening up avenues of other service? Have you talked to your Pastor about areas of need? Don’t just sit there! GET UP, GET READY, and ignite the passion of service by GOING to Sunday School and then church today!

SERVING WITH A SMILE

            If you don’t have a smile while you are serving the Lord—you’re missing out on the reason to serve in the first place.

Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Psalm 100:2

            Have you ever been in a place that you lost the smile in your service? You begin to serve out of obligation rather than joy? You lose the desire to see souls changed for eternity? If you ever get to that point, stop, get alone with the Lord, and let Him have His way! Let Him search your heart and get to the root of the issue. Maybe it is sin in your camp. Maybe you have a problem with another Christian. Maybe someone hurt your feelings. Maybe God didn’t answer a prayer the way you wanted.

            Whatever the reason is that you have lost your joy, follow David’s lead in Psalm 51:12 when He said, “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.”

WHAT KEEPS YOU FROM ATTENDING CHURCH?

            Unless there are people who are responding to the love of God as revealed in Christ and who are worshipping Him, the Church is not very important. –Blake

So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Revelation 3:16

            One of the barometers of your love of the Lord is your attendance to the House of God. I realize some people cannot be at the services due to health issues, occupations requiring them to work, or a missed day here or there for vacations or family events but when you make excuses missing Wednesday or Sunday services week after week… there is a heart problem.

            Heart problems must be taken care of Biblically. If there is an issue with the way you get to church—ask for a ride. Don’t let pride keep you from worshipping the Saviour. If you’re sick, be responsible and let the pastor or someone know so they can pray for you during the service. If there is a problem between you and another church member or the Pastor, go to them and work it out like Christians should. If Satan has robbed you of your joy of attending church—GO ANYWAY! God will bless you and give you something to keep on keeping on!

A HUGE HOPE

            Satan would tempt us to despair; but good hope keeps us trusting in God and rejoicing in him. –Henry

Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Acts 1:11

            When I start to think about when Jesus saved my wretched life I am reminded He’s coming back! I don’t know about you but that gives me hope! Not just a little empty promise like when Dad said he was going to take me fishing but huge hope like when Mom said she was going to cooking supper!

            We have a huge hope in Jesus return… are you ready for it?

FRIENDS—YOU NEED AT LEAST ONE

            Friendship is one of the sweetest joys of life. Many might have failed beneath the bitterness of their trial had they not found a friend. –Spurgeon

A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17

            A true friend will not only be there for you in the greatest times of your life, they will also be there for you when you face the darkest times as well. They will instruct you when the way seems unclear. They will listen when no one else will. A true friend will tell you what you don’t want to hear. Everyone needs at least one real friend and the Bible says, “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly:”