How to be Happy When You're Not #fromSunday
Hey Everyone :-) Great time in God this last Sunday with our online service. Missed it? Click here.
Things that stood out to me are:
#1. The enemy is out to steal our joy. (But he’s losing!) This was brought up in the Zoom Room after the service (Join us next time!) and it rings so true. Sure, there are restrictions on our socializing this season, and many other inconveniences and trials, but be aware that on a deeper level you have an enemy that is prowling about looking for some joy to steal!
#2. Our “togetherness” is increasing! Let’s keep this up during these new AB Health Mandates. Keep engaging online, keep showing up to our live fb sessions and zooms, keep texting and picking up the phone and calling people. Remember: What happened somewhat naturally before in our relationship building as a church, now requires us to be intentional at it. We're doing so great! Let's keep it up :-)
Check out this list of one-anothers in the NT. Amazing! Let’s get busy!
#3. Our church stands with believers all across Canada and all around the world. Remember that in our praying, in our influencing of society, in the difference we make we are part of a mighty throng! Keep this in mind when the enemy wants you to feel small and insignificant. Church, the enemy is scared spitless that you learn who you truly are! But we are learning!!!
So, here’s to a joy-filled week everyone. May your homes and the work of your hands be abundantly blessed.
R&M
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Fuel For Your Week
In our look at Joy we've seen so far that it is God’s Divine Gift to us (John 15-17 ….three times promised!), and that it can be the Divine Motivation in our lives (Heb. 12:2-3)
We can walk increasingly in this Joy, by setting up the following in our lives:
Reminders of what’s been given: These are pointers that we set up in our lives to direct us towards the awareness of God and what He's done for us. It brings JOY!
Anchors of faith: These are decisions to delight in God's faithfulness to specific promises to us from the Word. It brings joy-filled endurance!
I like to think that these “Reminders” and these “Anchors of faith” bring us two kinds of Joy:
Umbrella Joy - This is the immense joy we have as believers in our restored relationship with our Father. Never let the enemy steal it - It belongs to you! We get to bask in this source of joy which brings endurance to our souls because everything we ever hoped for is ultimately fulfilled in Him!
How to experience this joy:
Acknowledge your search for life - our hearts were meant to hunger and thirst for Him, and to be fulfilled by Him
Receive Him as your life - decide to receive HIs work on your behalf. Make it personal. Anchor your hope in Him! Do this EVERY DAY!
Allow the joy of this to fill you increasingly - Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you more and more with the revelation of what the Father’s love means.
Specific Joy - This is the joy we have as believers in the Goodness that comes to us as God’s kids through the promises He’s given us. Always have something from the Word you’re believing God for, a problem you’re relying on Him to solve, or a brokenness you’re seeking healing for.
How to experience this joy
Define the problem - what desire is unresolved, or what difficulty are you facing?
Find the related promise in the Word - here’s some help with this
Ask God for the promise - say a prayer and receive what you need by faith
Agree in faith you have received it. Thank Him
Wait to see it in your life; stay in faith!
Journal this process out. Spend time before the Father asking for the revelation of HIs Goodness you need for your journey. Let these days be filled with joy for you! Amen!