Good morning,
Growing up in church and with Godly parents is a great heritage, and now that I’m a husband, father of two teenagers I thank God for it. Now, I didn’t always feel that way while I was growing up “in it” though. From my faith in Jesus Christ and my obedience to the Word, it wasn’t only the job for the Holy Spirit to guide and convict me but my mother and father as well (they took their jobs seriously).
Now, looking back, I can say I was blessed by watching their obedience to Gods Word, the love and faith that they had for God and for the joy that was always in my parents home in all situations.
Unfortunately, it took me several years after leaving my parents home to make all those “things” priority in my own home.
At age 29 after a near death experience and 3 weeks in ICU, I had time to reflect on my life. I told God that His Word was the final Word for me in all situations for the rest of my life. For all of us, at some point our relationship with Jesus Christ can’t be about how it was with mom and dad. I don’t get to claim credit for knowing Jesus just because my parents do.
From that moment I decided no matter what happened I would walk in love - that wasn’t natural for me. But, because God’s word says “faith worketh by love” and “without faith it was impossible to please God” - I knew what I had to do.
Those 2 things changed my life - love and faith. But, I noticed that even when I was walking by faith and love I wasn’t always joyful. Has that ever happened to you? Does your joy go up and down from one “thing” to the next “thing” letting a person(s) or situation be responsible for stealing or filling up your joy?
God gave me a much needed spiritual spanking, He told me stop walking by faith and love alone and leave joy sitting all by itself. Without joy, even though I had victories in my life I wasn’t able to sustain victories and they would quickly fade away.
Joy is what gives you the strength (Nehemiah 8:10) to hold steady when the circumstances get rough. Joy gives you the ability to laugh in the devil’s face when he starts trying to knock you off your faith. Joy will give you the staying power that will make you triumph again and again.
Philippians 4:4 King James Version (KJV)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
Make it your goal to rejoice in the Lord always! Let the Joy of the Lord be your strength.
Your Servant,
Pastor Grant
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