This past Sunday I attended a church where a friend of mine is the pastor. His sermon was right-on and resonated with me, personally. One of the things he shared was how it saddens him when people say "I have lost my joy!" Pastor Randy, (Bible Baptist Church-Jefferson CIty, Mo.), then said the following, "I have not learned alot about joy from theologians, however, I have been reminded of many things I have forgotten and taken for granted by new converts!" I LOVE THAT! New believers are always filled with such joy and passion about Jesus. They finally have peace and comfort within them because of the Holy Spirit. They know they can rest now, assuredly, because their sins have been removed by the blood of Christ and are no more. Great reason to be filled with joy. But the more mature we become in our faith we seem to forget that miracle and joy of our salvation. We tend to learn more theology (which is good and which is needed) but we forget the source of our joy.
Many times when we begin something in this life, there is much fan-fare and applause, but it is when we finish something that many times we will find less accolades, and we realize we stand alone. When a person proclaims Christ to be his/her Savior and is baptized into the Kingdom, we clap and praise and encourage them to move forward in their faith. Then there comes a time in that journey that the "believer" realizes it is still difficult to live life in this fallen world. All the problems have not gone away. People still hurt people and disappointments still come. They feel they have lost their "joy". But they haven't, they simply have discovered that Satan is still out there and the battle is still raging. The joy and the peace and power of Christ is still in them through the Holy Spirit. So what truly has occurred is we have discovered a more determined enemy, and forgotten our all-loving, all-powerful God!
Today my "to-do-list" contains some difficult tasks, things that have been a burden on my heart. But...I will continue to keep walking and singing and move forward with joy (even though the fibromyalgia keep
...s the moving part a little slower then I would like. LOL) Being a christian does not mean we don't have struggles, or are never disappointed, or even sad. But it does mean that we have a great hope and passion for Jesus Christ, who makes ALL things possible! So speak truth today and allow the love of God to wash over all of you! ♥
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Pastor Randy Dignon airs "The Listening Heart" on The Christian Television Network (CTN) and on KNLJ-TV in Jefferson City, Mo.
Pastor Randy Dignon and family.
