Living With Joy

This time of year, we hear a lot about having Joy. Some may say the Holiday season produces much joy in them. Others may disagree with that statement. The Bible gives a unique picture of Joy we may not commonly think about.  The Zondervan topical Bible defines biblical Joy as, “"the emotion excited by expectation or acquisition of good.” However, James tells suffering Christians to have Joy even in trials, or bad circumstances James 1:2. If joy is the emotion exited by the expectation or acquisition of good, how can one have joy in bad situations?

The Greek word commonly used for Joy is Chara which means, “joy, delight, or gladness.” It is closesly related to the Greek words for grace (charis) and gift (charisma). Then, joy can be thought as the response to the gift of God which is Grace. 

When we receive gifts, we vary our reaction based on how we value the gift. Our assessment of worth may be made on monetary value, sentimental value or based on who's giving us the gift. However we value, if we find a gift worth a lot, we react in accordance. The same can be said about how we react to the gift God has given us in Christ. The more worth we see, the more joy we express!

Considering the gift that God has given us in Jesus, Joy should be the response we have regardless of the circumstances. In other words, our attitude should be in direct response to God’s gift and not the circumstance. Joy is therefore a choice we must make even when bad things happen to us. How can I have joy in a difficult time? We have joy by, not responding to the situation or circumstance, rather responding to the grace we have in Christ!  The choice should be easier knowing the blessings we have in Christ. I want to encourage us all to live a life of joy no matter what circumstances we face!

Blessings,

Jeremy  

Three Logical Steps to Effective Evangelism!

As Christians, we have responsibility in reaching the lost of this world. No matter our line of work, marital status, age, gender, etc. If we are Christians, we have a part in the great commission to spread the Gospel. Evangelism can be intimidating, and may cause feelings of being unprepared and inadequate in our efforts. In his letter to the Colossians, Paul gives a three-fold approach to evangelism which helps lessen the intimidation factor (Colossians 4:2-6).  

The first step of evangelism we all need to be involved in is Prayer. Paul tells the Christians at Colossae, “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.” The prayers Paul requests have two parts; prayer for open doors, and prayers that He will be able to walk through those doors. We need to be praying for opportunities of evangelism, but we cannot forget our awareness and ability to take advantage of those openings.

Paul’s next step for evangelism deals with our conduct. He says, “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.” How we act around non-Christians is crucial in our efficiency in reaching them with the Gospel. The loudest sermon a person can preach is done with actions. Jesus tells of the importance of actions in the Sermon on the Mount when he says to practice good works so that men may glorify God (Matthew 5:16). Oftentimes, the way we conduct ourselves opens doors to spiritual conversation.

 Finally, after we have prayed for open doors and conducted ourselves with wisdom, Paul says to look at our speech. “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” In our efforts to share the Gospel with people, we have to be willing to speak the truth to them. We must connect the lost of this world with the one who can save them from their sins. Peter tells us to be prepared to give a defense in 1 Peter. 3:15 saying: “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence." Both Peter and Paul speak of how we need to have gentleness and grace In our defense. Think in terms of how Jesus spoke to lost people throughout his ministry.

The process Paul gives seems a natural and logical approach to evangelism. Once we have spent time and effort in prayer for open doors, waited with awareness for opportunities, and methodically planned our actions and conduct with wisdom, Sharing the hope we have in Christ seems to be the logical progression.  We all have a part in the evangelism of the world. No matter who we are, we can pray for opportunities, conduct ourselves with wisdom and speak the truth with grace.

Blessings,

Jeremy 

Focus and Press on!

It always saddens me when the Olympics come to an end. Over the last two weeks I have watched the Olympics every evening. I enjoy seeing the greatest athletes compete against one another on the biggest stage. I will watch any event, even the ones I have no clue what is going on! More so, I delight in the stories of athletes who have overcome various difficulties in life to reach the top. Athletes come from many backgrounds with various obstacles. Some have overcome injuries, unfortunate circumstances, poverty etc. Yet others have overcome struggles they brought on themselves by making bad choices or following poor advice. When asked how they succeeded, most give a similar response, FOCUS and press on!

 As Christians, we will face various struggles and obstacles in our lives as well. These have potential to hinder us from pressing on if we let them. It is no wonder, Paul and the Hebrew writer both compare the Christian’s life to sporting events and challenge us with the same message, Focus and Press on.

The Hebrew writer urges Christians to, “lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2). Unfortunately even as Christians, we will continue to struggle with sin. We must keep our focus in the direction of Christ.

In a comparable way, Paul encourages the Philippians saying: “But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,  I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13b-14). In our life there will be situations and circumstances that threaten our forward progress. We need to choose, as Paul did, to let go of the past and press on toward the future.

In our walk with God, we will face hurdles. Some may come as a result of circumstances beyond our control, others will come from choices we make. Whatever the cause, Let us take the advice of Paul and the Hebrew writer by maintaining our focus on Christ and always pressing forward toward the goal!

Blessings,

Jeremy 

You can't follow from the front!

Not too long ago, our family went to a waterpark. After having a snack, we headed back to our spot. Knowing the best route, I told the family to follow me. In response to his excitement, my son kept jumping out ahead. Every time we came to a turn, he guessed the wrong path resulting in me correcting him. Finally, after several turns I said to him, “Buddy, you can’t follow if you are in front!” As those words left my mouth, I was immediately reminded of similar words from Jesus. 

First, in Matthew 16:24 Jesus says, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” Second, in Matthew 19:30 Jesus says, “But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.” Jesus is informing us, we cannot follow from in front. Being a true follower requires a lowering of self. In the same way my son could not see the correct way to go, when 
we put our wants and desires above Christ, we will be blinded from seeing the example Christ has given us.

It is impossible to follow Christ if we put ourselves in front of him. We have to deny ourselves so we can properly see andfollow the example that He’s given us. As we are witnessing, humility is not a popular concept in the world. Humility creates much difficulty. From a worldly perspective, it is unpopular to lower ourselves. Though there is often difficulty that comes while following Jesus, the rewards are amazing!

Blessings,

Jeremy

What does your image say about you?

Why does everyone feel the need to decipher which parent a baby looks like? When our daughter was a  baby, every couple of weeks people flopped their opinion. One week someone joked saying: "she's lucky dad, looks just like her mom." Sure enough, two weeks later her luck shifted, as everyone would say, "she's a spittin image of dad!" For the life of us, we could not figure out why people went back and forth so frequently. Until, one day it dawned on me. Babies go through stages of "chunky" and "thin". During her thin stages everyone insisted she looked just like mama and just like me in her chubby stage.

What does your image say about you?  When people look at you, what do they see? More importantly who do they see? We talk about and resemble the things we are most interested in. Do you know the people who love golf or are diehard supporters of a sport's team? How do you know them? They talk about it, they wear the clothes, and they participate in those activities. Who or what do your resemble?

As Christians, the bible tells us who we are supposed to resemble. We must look like christ. John says this in 1 John 2:6 "The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked." When people see us they should see Christ. Jesus began his ministry encouraging people to be the light of the world (Matthew 5:16).

Does your life resemble Christ? When people see us, do they see Christ or something else? Is Christ resembled in our speech? How about in our actions? Most importantly, do our attitudes reflect the attitudes Christ displayed in his ministry? 

To be honest, I don't care who my children look like physically, as long as their spiritual lives resemble their savior.  We must take a deep look inward and ask, do I resemble Christ in my life? 

Blessings,
Jeremy