Proverbs 17:22 - "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Lord, free us from an anxious, discouraged spirit that would weigh us down today. Keep a brooding spirit of despondency far from us that always looks at the dark side. Deliver us from a discontented, unbelieving sadness that … Continue reading A Joyful Heart is Good Medicine
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True and Lasting Happiness
The Word of God cuts through the fog of Satan's lies and shows me where true and lasting happiness is to be found. And so the Word helps me stop trusting in the potential of sin to make me happy, and instead leads me to trust in God's promise of infinite, lasting joy. Psalm 16:11 … Continue reading True and Lasting Happiness
A Treasured Prayer from My Grandfather-in-Law
Years ago, my grandfather-in-law, Pete Austin, gave me this prayer/poem from Henry van Dyke that he cherished and memorized. I came across it today in my studies. It encouraged and challenged my heart again and I hope it will do the same for you: "These are the gifts I ask Of thee, Spirit serene: Strength … Continue reading A Treasured Prayer from My Grandfather-in-Law
Anoint Us with Your Gladness
Oh that the Lord might anoint us with His gladness. As we face the modern world with all its trouble and turmoil and with all its difficulties and sadness, nothing is more important than that we who call ourselves Christian, and who claim the Name of Christ, should be representing our faith in such a … Continue reading Anoint Us with Your Gladness
The Power of a Joyful Pastor
Phillip Brooks, an Episcopalian rector in Boston over 100 years ago, and author of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" wrote this about how pastors are to serve Christ's church. His main thesis here can be extrapolated to any job: I think, again, that it is essential to the preacher's success that he should thoroughly enjoy his work. … Continue reading The Power of a Joyful Pastor
Confessing Our Lack of Joy
Almighty God, our Everlasting Father, we acknowledge that for our joy you have sent us a Comforter - the Holy Spirit. You have multiplied your promises to us. You have shown us the future happiness that awaits us in heaven. You have given us a living fountain to cleanse us from sin.But we have so … Continue reading Confessing Our Lack of Joy
Reflections to Cultivate Joy for Your Journey
Life need not be easy to be joyful. Joy is not the absence of trouble but the presence of Christ. - William Van der Hoven The surest mark of a Christian is not faith, or even love, but joy. - Sam Shoemaker When I think upon my God, my heart is so full of joy … Continue reading Reflections to Cultivate Joy for Your Journey
The Cross Overcomes All the Enemies of Joy
“Here in the cross is where every enemy of joy is overcome: Divine wrath, as he becomes a curse for us; Real guilt, as he becomes forgiveness for us; Lawbreaking, as he becomes righteousness for us; Estrangement from God, as he becomes reconciliation for us; Slavery to Satan, as he becomes redemption for us; Bondage … Continue reading The Cross Overcomes All the Enemies of Joy
God’s Answer to Despair
A weekly, personal worship guide on "God's Answer to the Menacing Giant Despair" from Isaiah 9:1-7. God's Answer to the Menacing Giant Despair
A New-Born King: The Irony – Matthew 2:1-12
Have you ever lived in a city where it was difficult to become an insider? No matter how hard you tried, you always felt excluded and on the fringe. Our experience in church can oftentimes be the same. Have you ever attended a church where you felt like you didn’t measure up and no matter … Continue reading A New-Born King: The Irony – Matthew 2:1-12
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