Journey to the Cross
It all begins with an idea.
Jesus’s prediction came true. Before the rooster crowed, Peter denied Jesus three times. When Peter realized what he had done, he wept bitterly. Why would Peter deny he knew Jesus? What was he afraid of? We will never know Peter’s fear. What we do know is that Jesus forgave Peter and then used Peter, the rock, as the foundation for His church (Matthew 16:18).
What do you say when asked if you know Jesus? Are you afraid of being judged by others, or do you seize every opportunity to share the good news? What fear do you have when it is time to speak up? Have you ever missed an opportunity to share the gospel and then felt regret?
Now is a time for Christians to share the hope of Jesus Christ. During this time of fear of the unknown, economic instability, and fear of war, we need to be the lamps, the lights that represent the body of Christ. “No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light” (Luke 11: 33 NKJV). We cannot be afraid of being judged or of not having all the answers. Jesus has called us to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, minds and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12: 29-31). These are the first two great commandments. We show others the love of Jesus when we serve them by putting their needs before ours.
We have an opportunity during to love others to a new life in Jesus Christ. How will you show love to others today? How can you set your fears aside? There are many opportunities without putting yourself at risk. Pray and Jesus will show you the way.
Is Joy a Choice?
It all begins with an idea.
Do you use the words “happy” and “joyful” interchangeably? Could there be a difference between being “happy” and being “full of joy?” I suggest to you there is a difference. What makes you happy? Some people say that working at the right job makes them happy. Others say that marrying the right person makes them happy. If having the right job or the right marriage makes you happy, why aren’t you happy 100% of the time? Statistics show that 60% of people in the U.S. will experience depression as the result of a minor setback or major crisis. Yet I know individuals that are “joyful” even when they face major adversity. Why?
There are myths that surround happiness. Some people “look for happiness” through intentional activities – buying a new car, taking a vacation. Others believe that if their circumstances would change, they would be happy. Some even believe you are born happy or you aren’t. For those individuals, happiness is expressed on the outside. How is joy different? Joy manifests on the inside and is tied to something that can’t be taken away. God is our only source of joy. When you choose joy, regardless of your circumstances, you are deciding that God knows your future and will use everything that happens to you for good. Nehemiah 8:10 says, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Psalm 2:12 encourages us to take refuge in God for we will have joy. Psalm 19:8, “The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart.” “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness” (Galatians 5:22). Kay Warren eloquently said, “Joy is taking the internal to the eternal, to expression on the external.”
It is not easy to be joyful when our conditions are not the best. But joy is a choice. How you choose to move through your circumstances determines your state of mind. This is not to say that we are not sad or distressed when a loved one passes, or we get ill, or lose our job; but we don’t allow ourselves to lose our inner joy, which maintains our hope in a blessed future for God is our strength and our shield. When we trust in Him, and have faith and obedience to Him, He helps us, and our hearts are filled with joy (Psalm 28:7). Paul is an example of living a joyful life, even when he was in prison. In Philippians 2:17 he says, “But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy.”
So the next time you are disappointed or sad, be with that natural emotion. But do not let your circumstance deprive you of your inner joy that leads to a life of hope and peace. Pray for strength and guidance from the Holy Spirit, and you will find what you need.
I have told you this so that my joy may be in
you and that your joy may be complete.
John 15:11