Being Joyful in 2009
Message by Dave Byron
Christians should be the most joyful people on the face of this planet. Yet, sadly, there are many who have lost the joy of the Lord. Here are three of many ways to increase your joy in the Lord that we see in scripture as well as being demonstrated by the Blacked Capped Chickadee.
First, we must give thanks unto the Lord I Thess. 5:18. Take some time right now to thank someone. What response do people have when you thank them? What happens to you. Both of you become more joyful and happy. Giving thanks has a way of lifting up both the thanked and the thankful. We should be able to give thanks no matter what the circumstances. If you go out into a storm and listen, you will hear the Chickadees singing their song. It does not matter the storm.
We must also work as a team to bring honor and glory to God Psalms 133;1. The Chickadee is very polite and helpful to each other. They even wait turns to eat. They sing their songs of encouragement no matter what. They also have a defense mechanism that confuses predators and keeps them all safer. When they spot a predator approaching, they will all make a sound in unison making it hard for any one to be singled out. We must not only sound the alarm to warn each other of pitfalls but we must give of ourselves to lift each other up. This is the way that God has designed us. None of us is as strong or as
wise as all of us.
Then, we must encourage each other by doing something special for each other Romans 14:19. It is so nice to get something or to have someone go out of their way to help us. You enjoy it so just think how others enjoy it. Do something for someone today. Catch someone off guard today with kindness.
Satan does not want us to be happy, however. So, we need to remember a couple of things. We need to remember that all things come from the hands of God Philippians 4:19. Everything that happens to us is ultimately for His good Romans 8:28. Every circumstance is to build Christ-like character in us. Also, difficulties can teach us God’s way Psalms 119:71. Lastly, the only thing we have control over in this life is our attitude. Choose wisely.