what we have seen and heard we also proclaim to you, so that you too may have fellowship [as partners] with us. And indeed our fellowship [which is a distinguishing mark of born-again believers] is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things to you so that our joy [in seeing you included] may be made complete [by having you share in the joy of salvation].
1 JOHN 1:3-4 AMP
Happy Saturday! It’s a beautiful day in northwest Florida, and I’m delighted to find joy in resting in the beauty of God’s world after a very busy week. Sometimes when we take time off from work, we are overloaded before and after the break. That’s where I have been this week. So, I’m resting with The Good Book today and singing “I’ve got the Joy, Joy, Joy, joy down in my heart”.
As Christians we are charged with the Great Commission to spread the Gospel. Have you ever encountered problems with this? One of the excuses I hear from many people is that they don’t want to give up the fun in their lives to become a Christian. So, as Christians we should make worship and fellowship joyful and fun. I’m not saying be irreverent to God, but rather look for ways to bring joy into being a Christian.
How many times have we said “I have to go to church to . . .”? What we should be saying is “I’m so excited and can hardly wait to go to church to . . .”. How we say things affects how we feel about doing those things too. Is it a chore or a blessing? Do you tithe because you think you have to, or because you love God? Do you study your Bible because you must, or because you want to understand and learn more? Sometimes how we say things sucks the joy right out.
How we do things can be a joy killer too. Do you jump up and clean your house and mow the yard singing, or is it drudgery? Do you skip into your workplace in the morning with happiness, or with the look of gloom? Everything we do should be done to the best of our ability with a song in our heart. If you are having trouble finding joy, turn on some praise music. You’ll be surprised how quickly your mood will change.
Trust me when I say, there is always someone watching and listening. If you are complaining, or if you are unhappy all the time, why would someone want to be a Christian like you?
Have a joyful Saturday! God bless you.
