Always Joyful | Nov 22, 2024 | Sign Language

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Luke 11:9-13 Romans 5:1-11 Psalm 136
November 24, 2024
Pastor Dave Bolte
Have you ever been in a situation where you're taking pictures and you've been smiling so long that you start to feel it in your face?!! It's like the “smile muscles” all start to ache at the same time! If you are not sure what I'm talking about, then just try this: smile and keep on smiling through the whole sermon!!
We usually associate a smile with happiness. Smiling is a natural thing that seems easy at first, but it is harder than it sounds. Researchers have identified 18 different kinds of smiles; using many of your facial muscles. For most people, after you smile continually for a while, you will start to feel all those muscles!
Doesn't that describe the nature of happiness? You just can't keep it going on and on forever. Like a smile, happiness only lasts for a short time: “happiness” is based on what “happens” in your life. As soon as your circumstances change, your happiness can be taken away! HAPPINESS is dependent on your circumstances. JOY, on the other hand, is dependent on God.
Joy is the gladness, contentment, cheerfulness, and delight that comes from knowing and trusting God in all things. Joy lifts you up and over your circumstances, so you can focus on God and His promises.
That is why you can be Joyful even in the midst of difficulties;
and that is why Joy goes way beyond a smile and happiness.
A smile may last a few minutes,
happiness may last a few days,
but Joy is meant to last a lifetime.
Joy is one of the Fruit of the Holy Spirit that God works in and through you as you grow and mature in the faith. It is not something that you have to work at, or muster up within yourself. It is not “positive thinking.” Joy is not a command someone tells you to perform3! Joy is not a work that you do; but a gift that the Holy Spirit gives through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ!
Joy is trusting God at all times and through all things!
Joy is knowing that you belong to the Lord and live under His care!
Joy is believing your sins are forgiven and that you have peace with God!
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him Romans 15:13
The joy of the Lord is your strength! Nehemiah 8:10
Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice! Philippians 4:4
Joy is the gladness, contentment, cheerfulness, and delight that comes from knowing and trusting God in all things.
Joy lifts you up and over your circumstances, so you can focus on God and His promises.
That is why you can be Joyful even in the midst of difficulties;
and that is why Joy goes way beyond a smile and happiness.
A smile may last a few minutes, happiness may last a few days, but Joy is meant to last a lifetime.
Joy is one of the Fruit of the Holy Spirit that God works in and through
you as you grow and mature in the faith. It is not something that you have
to work at, or muster up within yourself. It is not “positive thinking.” Joy is not a command someone tells you to perform! Joy is not a work that you do; but a gift that the Holy Spirit gives through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ!
Joy is trusting God at all times and through all things!
Joy is knowing that you belong to the Lord and live under His care!
Joy is believing your sins are forgiven and that you have peace with God!
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him Romans 15:13
The joy of the Lord is your strength! Nehemiah 8:10
Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice! Philippians 4:4