Happiness vs. Joy--Republished from 2016

Happiness and joy. Two great ideas that go great together. But are they only available together? Happiness is something that has to do with circumstance. If our circumstances are favorable, then we are happy. Joy, on the other hand, has more to do with position. We are joyful because of who we are and who we are becoming in Christ. So let's explore this further...

HAPPINESS
Happiness is an emotion that is derived from things that are pleasant to us. When people remember you on your birthday it makes you happy (or maybe it doesn't...I guess that would depend on your view of aging). When people tell you you've done a good job on a project or an endeavor, it makes you happy. But the problem with happiness, is that it is always (ALWAYS) dependent on external circumstances. It depends on what people say or do to you or for you. It depends on your mood, other people's moods, etc. Basically, it is out of your control.

JOY
Joy, on the other hand, is that which is present no matter what. It is a constant, something that we either choose to be or not be. Joy is not defined in the circumstances of our lives, but rather in the state of our hearts. Paul was joyful, even in the midst of a prison cell, or house arrest. It wasn't a pleasant place to be and I'm sure at times he wasn't happy. But he knew how to be joyful even in the midst of such circumstances.

Do we? Do we know how to be joyful people even when we are crying because a good friend passed away? Do we know how to be joyful people even when we have just lost our job? Do we know how to be joyful people even though we've been gossiped about, lied to, cheated on, or betrayed? No matter the circumstances, Christ followers are to be people of joy. I hope that I exude joy, even when I feel tired and irritable. I hope that you can, too!

We'll see you on Sunday!

Ascent Week 23

Psalm 126

When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion,
   we were like men who dreamed.
Our mouths were filled with laughter,
   our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
   "The LORD has done great things for them."
The LORD has done great things for us,
   and we are filled with joy.

Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
   like the streams in the Negev.
Those who sow in tears
   will reap with songs of joy.
He who goes out weeping,
   carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
   carrying sheaves with him.

Down in My Heart

I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart!

   Where?

Down in my heart!

   Where?

Down in my heart!

This popular children’s worship song is most likely known to most (if not all) of us. We used to sing it when we were kids and most of the time we may not have even stopped to think about the words we were singing, but rather thinking about how loud we could shout, “WHERE?!”

But when we think about these words, and the meaning behind them, we should take pause and think about what we are singing. We are singing about the Joy of the Lord! We sing that we have the joy of the Lord in our hearts…deep down inside. But here’s the problem: most of us live as if the joy, joy, joy, joy was down in the gutter, not in our hearts. We sulk, we worry, we pine, we fret, and we are anxious, nervous and just plain grumpy at times. God’s word commands us in Philippians 4:6 to not be anxious about ANYTHING. And yes, friends, it is a command.

So what are you doing today to make joy a part of your life? Are you listening to the voices of the world that are telling you to fear, fret and freeze? Or are you listening to the voice of Jesus saying, “I’m here, I will always be here, and I will never leave you.”

Please understand that I know we live in a world of perilous times. We are surrounded by sin on every side and there is little to nothing we feel we can do about it. But to listen to those voices that tell us to take worry as our own and hold it tight is to miss the really joy and blessing that God has for our lives.

So choose today to be joyful. And you will see amazing things happen.

And we’ll see you on Sunday!

Rejoicing in Circumstances

It has been said that our circumstances do not define who we are. I believe that is true because in no way can the things that happen to us make us who and what we are. Our reaction to them is what does that. And so we come to the reminder of our first challenge of the week.

What circumstance do you find yourself in this day? Are you unemployed or facing a downsizing situation at work? Are you in a relationship that is abusive or just not going where you think it should? Do you have an addiction that you just can't seem to get control over? May I remind you today that these things do not define who you are, but your reaction to them will define who you are.

So today, choose to rejoice in your circumstance, whether good or bad. Choose today to be the man, woman, young person that God has called you to be. Choose to obey God's Word rather than follow after human logic. Choose to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ our Lord rather than the footsteps of men and women who have taken shortcuts to get where they are.

Rejoice...no matter where God has placed you today, rejoice. Thank Him today, because in your circumstance, you can find joy...if you choose to see it.

Please feel free to comment below or ask a question. And we'll see you Sunday!

Through the Fire

This week we will be looking at James chapter 1, verses 2-8. I want us today to look at what it means to have your faith "tested" as James puts it. The idea that I think James is referencing is that of refining of precious metals like gold or silver. When gold or silver is discovered one of the first things that happens is that it will be tested; that is, it is put through fire to see just how pure it is. As it melts down those things within the silver or gold that are not silver or gold will rise to the surface and then be skimmed off the top. Then it is allowed to cool down again and the metal is now more pure than before.

This process is done over and over again for the purposes of getting the gold or silver as close to "pure" as it possibly can be. The fire purges the things that are not precious and keeps that which is.

God does that with us when it comes to trials. We face the fire of difficulty, sickness, persecution, a wayward loved one, and we want to run from it. But friend, may I encourage you to do as James instructs us here...be joyful because you know that this pressure, this fire, is taking out of you things that God never intended to be there. He is bringing you closer to "pure" than you were when you started, and that's an awesome thing!

Read through James 1:2-8 one more time today and then thank God for the things in your life that are purging sin and impurity from your life.

Feel free to comment below or leave a question, and we will look forward to seeing you on Sunday!