Posts Tagged ‘joy’
Joyful Devotion
by George Slover “For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold…
Read MoreBe of Good Cheer
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Be-of-Good-Cheer.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Philippians 4:4-13 I. It is easy to look at the bad side of things A. Some people seem to only see the bad side of things 1. No matter what happens, it has a dark side 2. These people seem to be only grumpy and miserable 3. Their only pleasure seems to be…
Read MoreBlessed in What He Does
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Blessed-in-What-He-Does.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: James 1:21-25 I. Sin is the breaking of law – I John 3:4 A. Sin is universally found in mankind – Romans 5:12 B. Thus, we cannot be surprised that rebellion (going against authority) is also widespread C. Obedience then is submitting to authority. It is subjecting your will to the will…
Read MoreHow can trials be counted as joy?
Question: I struggle with the idea of being joyful during trials. I know James said, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4),…
Read MoreSmile a While
by Jefferson David Tant Among the many things Jamaica is known for are the many little song ditties. In working there for over 30 years, my wife and I have come to learn and enjoy them. One that we enjoy and that is often sung after the closing prayer of a church service is “Smile…
Read MoreHold to God’s Unchanging Hand
by Jefferson David Tant In many of our songbooks, there is a song by the title of this article, and the words were written by Jennie Wilson. The song’s first stanza says, Time is filled with swift transition Naught of earth unmoved can stand Build your hopes on things eternal, Hold to God’s unchanging hand.…
Read MoreThe Joy of Obedience
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/JoyOfObedience.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. I Peter 1:3-9 A. Despite the persecutions Christians faced in the first century, there was joy. B. A great joy, an inexpressible joy knowing that their souls were saved. II. Some are puzzled by this A. How can people be happy while being concerned with keeping a bunch of commandments? B. If you have to…
Read MoreIs entertainment the devil’s substitute for joy?
Question: I recently listened to a sermon where the preacher said, if I remember correctly, “Entertainment is the devil’s substitute for joy. The more joy you have in the Lord the less entertainment you need.” Is that so? Before becoming a Christian, I had these habits of reading and consuming culture for selfish reasons, now…
Read MoreHow to be Happy
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/HowToBeHappy.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Philippians 4:1-7 I. Are you happy? Truly happy? A. For many people the answer is “I would be happy, if …” 1. If something changed, then I could be happy. 2. Sometimes the change is something simple. “Once I lose another ten pounds, I’ll be happy.” 3. But too often the demand is…
Read MoreWhat can I do to find joy in Christ?
Question: Hi, I’m a young, desperate man (I am 15 years old). In my country most people are Catholic. I hold Protestant views and even though my father visits the Catholic service, I go to the Protestant service on Sunday. Since I have been saved last fall, there is a lot of struggle going on…
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