Pastor Steve Mazey, from Hills Church at Ferntree Gully, shared about joy at Empower Christian Church on Sunday 8 August 2010.
Joy and happiness are such important parts of being Christians. God wants to bring joy into our lives and show that to others. In 2 Corinthians 5:20, we learn how we are His ambassadors who represent Christ.
In Psalm 84, we read an experiential psalm that was for the descendants of Korah. He had been mentioned in the rebellion of Numbers 16. And yet, despite the family's rebellion, God had something still for them. They were shown mercy, though undeserving, just like us.
To find joy, find yourself in the house of God. The Psalmist had a longing for the house and presence of God. What is your attitude to the place of God?
• SECURE HOME: In His presence, you are accepted and valued. Even the lowly-valued swallow, mentioned in Psalm 84:3, builds a home in God's place. It may be a fragile home anywhere else, but secure near and in Him.
• NATURAL FLOW: Joy and praise naturally flow from your mouth in God's presence.
• REFRESHING: There is a valley mentioned in Psalm 84, where weeping and hurt exist. The people in that place make a pilgrimage, and the weeping place becomes transformed into refreshing. It happens when we exchange our strength for His.
Make the choice today to exchange your strength for His.
Trust Him to bring you out of the place you may be in. You will come out stronger for it.
As the Psalmist tells us, there is joy for those who trust in God.
God has great plans in store for you. Trust Him.
You have reason for joy because you are accepted in the presence of God.
Image source: By Paul Lee, linked from Heartlight, http://www.heartlight.org
Joy and happiness are such important parts of being Christians. God wants to bring joy into our lives and show that to others. In 2 Corinthians 5:20, we learn how we are His ambassadors who represent Christ.
In Psalm 84, we read an experiential psalm that was for the descendants of Korah. He had been mentioned in the rebellion of Numbers 16. And yet, despite the family's rebellion, God had something still for them. They were shown mercy, though undeserving, just like us.
To find joy, find yourself in the house of God. The Psalmist had a longing for the house and presence of God. What is your attitude to the place of God?
• SECURE HOME: In His presence, you are accepted and valued. Even the lowly-valued swallow, mentioned in Psalm 84:3, builds a home in God's place. It may be a fragile home anywhere else, but secure near and in Him.
• NATURAL FLOW: Joy and praise naturally flow from your mouth in God's presence.
• REFRESHING: There is a valley mentioned in Psalm 84, where weeping and hurt exist. The people in that place make a pilgrimage, and the weeping place becomes transformed into refreshing. It happens when we exchange our strength for His.
Make the choice today to exchange your strength for His.
Trust Him to bring you out of the place you may be in. You will come out stronger for it.
As the Psalmist tells us, there is joy for those who trust in God.
God has great plans in store for you. Trust Him.
You have reason for joy because you are accepted in the presence of God.
Image source: By Paul Lee, linked from Heartlight, http://www.heartlight.org
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