Having Joy in a World that is Falling Apart

The circumstances of life have a way of robbing us of joy. Disappointment, frustration, and loss can suck the very life from us; however, Jesus’s birth reminds us that, no matter how hard life is, we don’t have to go through it alone. God has come to us full of grace and truth, and that should bring us joy. We can trust that Jesus’s presence with us will reveal the truth about our lives and at the same time offer us the grace to see things change. 

Let our joy be contagious to those around us. 

John 1:4-5 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. 

Do you take Jesus with you everywhere? If you do, you have the Joy of the Lord with you! 

Psalms 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.  

I want Joy all the time so I must always be in his presence! 

Let Joy lead you this month as there are so many that need Jesus and need to experience that Joy you have. 

Let Jesus and the Holy Spirit give you an overwhelming amount of Joy. Let him be your Joyful song! 

Luke 1 Mary Visits Elizabeth 

39 A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town 40 where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. 43 Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? 44 When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. 45 You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” 

When we go to someone’s house do they feel the presence of the Lord upon us? 

Do they leap for Joy? Do they get filled with the Holy Spirit upon our greeting them? 

This whole world is falling apart. There are hurts and pain and suffering that happen all the time. There are injustices and evil allowed into our public schools. There are people wanting to be the opposite sex and claiming they are. There are schoolteachers who push for children to get sex changes and try and hide it from their parents. There are men claiming to be a woman to gain records in women’s sports. 

Lots of people feel they are all alone in this world. There are kids whose parents abandon them. There are fathers that walk out on their families because it's too hard. There are lives filled with drugs, alcohol, and pornography.  

The one we all need to look for is God. God's word is the truth and the answer to every situation we have in life. God is always available to listen. 

He said he will never leave you or forsake you. If God is for us who can be against us? 

Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit and Joy comes from him. The fruits of the Spirit are Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and self-control. 

We are in charge of having self-control and showing and sharing the fruits he has given. Are you being the Joyful light God has called you to be?  

Are you giving everything you can to help each other be that light and that influence you can be to others? 

To help someone you don’t have to be perfect. To help someone you just have to be ready and willing and able to help. If you only have one good thing to give, then give it. If you only have one scripture or loving word to say, then share it. It’s the little acts of loving kindness that most are missing out on in their life. Go forth this Christmas season and spread Joy around and share the Love of God with everyone you encounter. 

Psalm 5:11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. 

Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. 

Psalm 19:8 The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 

Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. 

Joy is something we should be overflowing in daily as Christians. Show others what the presence of God is like and bring Joy to all this Christmas. Let God’s word, his guidebook to our life, direct our thoughts and actions.  

With a Joyful Heart I will sing! God Bless you all and keep searching in God's word and let him fill you with JOY! 

                                   

Springfield Campus Pastor Kent Furch