Faith Builders- Real Joy

“Joy can be real only if people look upon their life as a service, and have a definite object in life outside themselves and their personal happiness”

This morning in church, I looked over the congregation as my husband and I led worship and realized that all of these people face different yet universal challenges on a daily basis. They have all come here, at this moment, to be brought to worship before their Savior. Leading them there every Sunday is such a joy.

Real Joy is the expression on someones face when you minister to them. Its the smile of a person who walks away from your presence feeling uplifted and encouraged. Its the tears of comfort your words provide at the darkest moments of somoenes life. Its the every day, in and out expression of service that we as Christians are called to offer.

This season it is easy to get wrapped up in the worlds definition of Joy. Our children are growing up in a world where Joy is measured by dollar signs. It saddens me that most families no longer do community service together, yet we wonder why our childrens generation is so self indulged. Christ’s definition of Joy has nothing to do with monetary items, His joy is measured by Ministry; Ministry to those who crave to be shown another way. People we pass on a daily basis and rarely make eye contact with. They are the people we can share our joy with; The people we are commanded to share HIS joy with.

This week I encourage you to focus on the Joy you bring to the lives around you. Whether it be your children, your husbands or the lady at the grocery store who just looks like her world is falling down around her. I encourage you to take a moment and reflect on the gifts the Lord has blessed you with, gifts that He intended you to use for His glory and to also bring joy into the lives around you.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.-Romans 15:13

Discussion: How do you display the joy and peace that Christ has filled you with? How do you use the gifts that He has trusted you with to heap joy on those around you?

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