Over the last week or so, Rachel and I have been enjoying a holiday in the heart of the Lincolnshire Wolds.
Nestled in a beautiful and relaxed atmosphere in an area covered with trees and shrubs – and surrounded by wildlife – a tasteful Norwegian log cabin provides an ideal place to unwind.
It’s from this location that we share this weeks E-word.
Here goes:-
Joy Depends On Jesus:
It’s interesting how some folks figure that true feelings of happiness depend on their friends, the things that surround them, their overall conditions in life, everything that happens to them and so on.
Yet consider this, happiness depends on happenings, but joy depends on Jesus.
That’s right, joy doesn’t depend on the friends in our lives, even though we may think-the-world-of them.
And joy doesn’t depend on the assets we “might” stash away, or whatever is happening at this present point in time. Nah!
Joy comes from the INSIDE.
Joy is discovered when we begin to have confidence in God.
And we can experience joy when we know that God is in control.
As a matter of fact, Paul the apostle summed it up – when imprisoned and enchained in a foreign city – writing to the followers of Jesus in Philippi, he wrote, “And that’s about it friends, be glad in God!”1.
He also placed a couple of pointers in the spotlight – which can change simple happiness into deep feelings of permanent joy.
Before anything else, day after day, receive and experience the amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, deep, deep within yourselves.2.
Because of grace – we don’t have to influence God’s love.
In truth, we don’t have to influence His approval or favour either.
There’s no need to compel anyone into action by using one’s charm!
God makes available His love, with no strings attached – and we can gleefully live in that grace – without missing a day, every day, day in, day out, 24/7.
What a message! There’s no need to try and think we deserve it only by our efforts or actions.
There’s no need to analyse it or give payment for it. God loves us, no matter what!
Yes! Even when we think we’ve messed up, we can experience God’s favour and the revelation of His grace, regardless of our OUTWARD conditions.
In the second instance, we should centre our attention on what’s really important.
For-sure, there are some trivial things that can rock our boat, and rob us of our joy, but only if we let them.
This is what Jesus taught, “Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or – worse! – stolen by burglars.
Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars.
It’s obvious, isn’t it?
The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.”3.
Friends, Jesus wasn’t big on the warehouse business!
He didn’t pile-up stuff and hide it away for future use!
He was no hoarder!
But rather, He shared things, gave them away, gave to the poor and needy, and used what He had to bless and encourage others.
Now listen, every worldly treasure we have is liable to deteriorate.
Every one of our treasures, except our personal relationship with God and those who love Him, exists for a limited time only.
So why do we waste so much time buying into things that will not keep or make us happy??
Jesus encourages us with loud shouts – to buy into what is permanent, round-the-clock, and forever.
As we do, nothing, and no-one can rob us of the assurance we have in Jesus.4.
Come on!!
Let’s give careful consideration to this. As we tightly embrace grace and centre our attention on the things that are really important, our lives will be renewed and strengthened with joy.
And that’s about it friends, be glad in God!
Okay? Okay!
1 Philippians 3:1
2 Philippians 4:23
3 Matthew 6:19-21
4 Philippians 3:12-14