First Baptist Church, Harrisonville, Missouri
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| Joy for Living |
Have you caught yourself thinking or saying, "I would be happy if...?"
"I'd be happy if my bills were paid... if I had a better job... better health... a better husband... a
new house or car... an exciting vacation..."
Our list of "if onlys" is endless whenever we base our happiness on ourselves or our
circumstances.
The Bible teaches that true joy comes from being in right relationship with God. When we're
right with God, we possess an inner strength that enables us to face every situation in life
with joy. We possess an inner peace that cannot be affected by the difficulties of life.
King David recognized this long ago when he wrote, "Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take
refuge. I said to the Lord, 'You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing' ...You have
made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence..." (Psalm
16:1,2,11).
What's the secret to true joy?
The Apostle Paul discovered lasting joy in his relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
He wrote, "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well
fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who
gives me strength" (Philippians 4:12b-13).
Placing our faith in Jesus Christ and surrendering our lives to His control places us in right
relationship with God. We're no longer struggling against God and experiencing all the
difficulties and heartache that come with our struggling. We're no longer desiring things that
cannot satisfy or give us lasting joy. We're no longer blaming others for our circumstances;
instead, we're trusting Jesus Christ to meet our needs and give us His joy for living.
Do you need joy for everyday living? Have the pressures and difficulties of life weighed you
down until you can barely make it from one day to the next? Stop trying to live life through
your own strength and resources. Give your burdens to Jesus as you choose to make Him
the Lord of your life.
Joy is real
Jesus declared, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10).
You were not created to merely exist but to flourish as Christ's resurrection life fills you.
Christ's joy is greater than the difficulties you are facing. His joy is more real than your
momentary happiness or lingering depression. Christ's joy is real because it flows from the
powerful presence of His life literally filling us to the point of overflowing!
Joy is a choice
You have a choice. You can choose to experience the joy of living as a fully devoted follower
of Jesus Christ, or you can choose to continue to wallow in your unhappiness and despair.
However complicated your life might seem, the choice before you is really this clear and
simple.
The Apostle Paul had many reasons to live a joyless and defeated life. He was despised,
beaten, persecuted, imprisoned, and eventually martyred. Yet late in his life he could write,
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4)
If you would like to know more about how you can choose to have true joy through a
personal relationship with Jesus Christ, click here. We hope you'll take the time to honestly
evaluate your spiritual condition. Without faith in Christ, true joy is impossible.
Don't leave this page without it!
Do you remember the old American Express commercial that urged viewers not to leave home
without one of their cards? We can say this about joy. Please don't leave this page without
it! It's so much nearer than you imagine.
We hope you'll contact us if you have questions that are not answered on this web site. Just
send us an email under the main menu heading on our home page titled, "contact us." We'll
respond as soon as we can with specific biblical answers to your questions.
"I'd be happy if my bills were paid... if I had a better job... better health... a better husband... a
new house or car... an exciting vacation..."
Our list of "if onlys" is endless whenever we base our happiness on ourselves or our
circumstances.
The Bible teaches that true joy comes from being in right relationship with God. When we're
right with God, we possess an inner strength that enables us to face every situation in life
with joy. We possess an inner peace that cannot be affected by the difficulties of life.
King David recognized this long ago when he wrote, "Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take
refuge. I said to the Lord, 'You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing' ...You have
made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence..." (Psalm
16:1,2,11).
What's the secret to true joy?
The Apostle Paul discovered lasting joy in his relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
He wrote, "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well
fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who
gives me strength" (Philippians 4:12b-13).
Placing our faith in Jesus Christ and surrendering our lives to His control places us in right
relationship with God. We're no longer struggling against God and experiencing all the
difficulties and heartache that come with our struggling. We're no longer desiring things that
cannot satisfy or give us lasting joy. We're no longer blaming others for our circumstances;
instead, we're trusting Jesus Christ to meet our needs and give us His joy for living.
Do you need joy for everyday living? Have the pressures and difficulties of life weighed you
down until you can barely make it from one day to the next? Stop trying to live life through
your own strength and resources. Give your burdens to Jesus as you choose to make Him
the Lord of your life.
Joy is real
Jesus declared, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10).
You were not created to merely exist but to flourish as Christ's resurrection life fills you.
Christ's joy is greater than the difficulties you are facing. His joy is more real than your
momentary happiness or lingering depression. Christ's joy is real because it flows from the
powerful presence of His life literally filling us to the point of overflowing!
Joy is a choice
You have a choice. You can choose to experience the joy of living as a fully devoted follower
of Jesus Christ, or you can choose to continue to wallow in your unhappiness and despair.
However complicated your life might seem, the choice before you is really this clear and
simple.
The Apostle Paul had many reasons to live a joyless and defeated life. He was despised,
beaten, persecuted, imprisoned, and eventually martyred. Yet late in his life he could write,
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4)
If you would like to know more about how you can choose to have true joy through a
personal relationship with Jesus Christ, click here. We hope you'll take the time to honestly
evaluate your spiritual condition. Without faith in Christ, true joy is impossible.
Don't leave this page without it!
Do you remember the old American Express commercial that urged viewers not to leave home
without one of their cards? We can say this about joy. Please don't leave this page without
it! It's so much nearer than you imagine.
We hope you'll contact us if you have questions that are not answered on this web site. Just
send us an email under the main menu heading on our home page titled, "contact us." We'll
respond as soon as we can with specific biblical answers to your questions.
| First Baptist Church 504 W. Wall Harrisonville MO 64701 (816) 380-3733 hvlfbcsec@hotmail.com |
