If you've been following along, you've seen what authentic joy is and the foundation that it comes from. But what does it look like in our everyday lives? How do we live our lives in such a way that others can't help but see our joy and faith?
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:7-10
True authentic joy is infectious. People can spot someone who has true passion, true care, and true desire to be doing what they're doing. This goes from the girl waiting on you at the fast food restaurant to the boy bagging your groceries. If they are joyful in what they're doing, you can tell it because real joy is set apart.
True joy does not ebb and flow with the environment around us. It doesn't matter if your team won, your new car got a dent in it, or your favorite show got cancelled. True joy goes beyond the trivial things that make us "happy" to the point that we are joyful in what God has given us - nothing else is needed.
The people in Thessalonica saw that the church members here were now different. They had become the example, just like we are today. If you go to church, nonbelievers will likely assume that you are a Christian. What kind of example are you setting? How do you respond when someone makes you mad? How do respond to boycotts and politics? How to respond to things and people you don't agree with? Do you maintain faith in legal system? Do you still have hope for our country? And most of all, do you respond to all of this with love for people? The Thessalonians were people of joy which was built on their faith, hope, and love.
Maybe you're like me and you've failed at times in setting the right example. What do we do now? We fess up when we've been wrong and we start doing things right by pursuing joy through obedience.
1. "Remember what you deserve. We are not entitled to better things; we're entitle to hell. If we want to cultivate joy in life, we need to remember that, through grace, God is not giving us what we are truly entitled to." We all talk about how we want to work hard and get what we deserve, but truth is, sometimes we really don't want what's coming to us. Remember God's grace and share it with others.
2. "Remember what you have. We can get so caught up in covetousness that we don't have any room for joy. In those moments, we should reflect on what we truly have. God has held nothing back from us as His children." We tend to think too materially sometimes we thinking this way so get outside your material possessions for a minute here - do you have health, friends, family...how about salvation? God held nothing back, He has given us everything we need!
3. "Remember what was paid. The blood of Jesus was shed on our behalf." My dad, the used car salesman, always told me that something is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. But what does that really mean? If a house appraises for $100,000, but no one is willing to pay over $75,000; then it's really worth $75,000. An item's worth is most accurately determined by the one buying it. So let that sink in, you are worth more than you can imagine. God felt that you were worth the life of His Son. Do not sit there and feel worthless. Maybe somebody doesn't love you, maybe that job wasn't right one, maybe that organization dropped you, you are worth more to the One who bought you for a price!
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:7-10
True authentic joy is infectious. People can spot someone who has true passion, true care, and true desire to be doing what they're doing. This goes from the girl waiting on you at the fast food restaurant to the boy bagging your groceries. If they are joyful in what they're doing, you can tell it because real joy is set apart.
True joy does not ebb and flow with the environment around us. It doesn't matter if your team won, your new car got a dent in it, or your favorite show got cancelled. True joy goes beyond the trivial things that make us "happy" to the point that we are joyful in what God has given us - nothing else is needed.
The people in Thessalonica saw that the church members here were now different. They had become the example, just like we are today. If you go to church, nonbelievers will likely assume that you are a Christian. What kind of example are you setting? How do you respond when someone makes you mad? How do respond to boycotts and politics? How to respond to things and people you don't agree with? Do you maintain faith in legal system? Do you still have hope for our country? And most of all, do you respond to all of this with love for people? The Thessalonians were people of joy which was built on their faith, hope, and love.
Maybe you're like me and you've failed at times in setting the right example. What do we do now? We fess up when we've been wrong and we start doing things right by pursuing joy through obedience.
1. "Remember what you deserve. We are not entitled to better things; we're entitle to hell. If we want to cultivate joy in life, we need to remember that, through grace, God is not giving us what we are truly entitled to." We all talk about how we want to work hard and get what we deserve, but truth is, sometimes we really don't want what's coming to us. Remember God's grace and share it with others.
2. "Remember what you have. We can get so caught up in covetousness that we don't have any room for joy. In those moments, we should reflect on what we truly have. God has held nothing back from us as His children." We tend to think too materially sometimes we thinking this way so get outside your material possessions for a minute here - do you have health, friends, family...how about salvation? God held nothing back, He has given us everything we need!
3. "Remember what was paid. The blood of Jesus was shed on our behalf." My dad, the used car salesman, always told me that something is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. But what does that really mean? If a house appraises for $100,000, but no one is willing to pay over $75,000; then it's really worth $75,000. An item's worth is most accurately determined by the one buying it. So let that sink in, you are worth more than you can imagine. God felt that you were worth the life of His Son. Do not sit there and feel worthless. Maybe somebody doesn't love you, maybe that job wasn't right one, maybe that organization dropped you, you are worth more to the One who bought you for a price!
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