“For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.””
(Zephaniah 3:17, NLT)
(Zephaniah 3:17, NLT)
I don’t think many people really understand God’s love for them. I’ve seen people in worship who had tears that flowed non-stop at the thought of past mistakes. I’ve seen children who were afraid to be alone in the sanctuary, because of a fear of God’s power or judgment. While looking over the congregation, there have been those who hid in the back of the church, not wishing to be seen worshiping our Lord. I’ve seen people who refused communion, because they felt themselves forever unworthy of grace. Don’t let yourself ever get too far away from the loving arms of your God.
God is excited about having YOU in HIS fold. God desires to speak with you in prayer. Our God wants you to rejoice when in HIS sanctuary, feel blessed in HIS midst, to enjoy singing hymns, and to celebrate HIS presence in your life. When you are in a relationship with God, you should not always be found in with a scowl or a mean look, with angry thoughts and a jealous demeanor. If you are right with God, joy should be a part of your day. Spiritual happiness should be in your thoughts constantly. God’s grace should warm your heart. God’s voice should calm you, not cause fear.
Max Lucado wrote the following words: “God is for you. Too tired to continue? He’ll carry you. Too discouraged to fight? He’s picking you up. God is for you. God is for you. Had he a calendar, your birthday would be circled. If he drove a car, your name would be on his bumper. If there’s a tree in heaven, he’s carved your name in the bark” (P. 367, Grace for the Moment). Do you not realize how much God desires your presence in His day, your voice in a prayer, your place at His table?
Jeff was a child with disabilities. He couldn’t walk, run, or play in a “normal” fashion because of his physical limitations. For years, he watched from the stands while his big brother played baseball. He enjoyed the game and all the cheering. His mother knew that he greatly desired to play baseball like others his age.
After a few years of watching from the sidelines, Jeff was old enough to play on a special Little League for youth with disabilities. When he received his uniform, he couldn't wait to get home to put it on. When he raced out from his bedroom, fully suited up, he announced to his mother, "Mom, now I'm a real boy!" She didn’t have the heart to tell him again that he had always been a beautiful boy. She didn’t want to wreck his moment. He was so happy! (Charlene Mattson, “Focus on the Family”, April 1993, p. 13)
There are many Christians who think like Jeff. They somehow feel less than wonderful in the eyes of God. They might not think they are “good enough” for God. They may not think they are valuable to God’s plan. Their hearts usually are filled with remorse and regret. Their minds are often full of self-doubt, insecurity, or self-hatred. To be a true Christian, one must get past a negative view of one’s self. You must see yourself from God’s perspective. Before you accepted Christ, you may have made some big mistakes or been hard to live with. However, once you made a commitment to God and started living like it, God has rejoiced greatly in your change. You are precious to God. Your life is seriously important to our Lord. When you are right with God, there is no need for self-deprecation and self-loathing. Jesus died for you! Will you please respond with joy for that great gift?
I’ve been in worship services that sounded more like funerals than celebrations of loving joy. I’ve heard people in churches who were more adept at heaping criticism than imparting spiritual joy. You must be different. A love in Christ should shine upon your face, fill your heart, and make your soul leap for joy (remember how John the Baptist leaped in his mother’s womb at the news of Jesus’ impending birth? (Luke 1:41))!
This month take the time to let joy sink into that soul of yours. Let go of any negativity when in God’s presence. Allow yourself to feel God’s love and joy. God didn’t call you to be in His fold for you to be miserable all the time. When you make things right with God, there should be an ever-present joy in you. Don’t allow that beautiful, warm, heavenly joy to disappear from your days. Jesus’ life and death are worth more than that!
God is excited about having YOU in HIS fold. God desires to speak with you in prayer. Our God wants you to rejoice when in HIS sanctuary, feel blessed in HIS midst, to enjoy singing hymns, and to celebrate HIS presence in your life. When you are in a relationship with God, you should not always be found in with a scowl or a mean look, with angry thoughts and a jealous demeanor. If you are right with God, joy should be a part of your day. Spiritual happiness should be in your thoughts constantly. God’s grace should warm your heart. God’s voice should calm you, not cause fear.
Max Lucado wrote the following words: “God is for you. Too tired to continue? He’ll carry you. Too discouraged to fight? He’s picking you up. God is for you. God is for you. Had he a calendar, your birthday would be circled. If he drove a car, your name would be on his bumper. If there’s a tree in heaven, he’s carved your name in the bark” (P. 367, Grace for the Moment). Do you not realize how much God desires your presence in His day, your voice in a prayer, your place at His table?
Jeff was a child with disabilities. He couldn’t walk, run, or play in a “normal” fashion because of his physical limitations. For years, he watched from the stands while his big brother played baseball. He enjoyed the game and all the cheering. His mother knew that he greatly desired to play baseball like others his age.
After a few years of watching from the sidelines, Jeff was old enough to play on a special Little League for youth with disabilities. When he received his uniform, he couldn't wait to get home to put it on. When he raced out from his bedroom, fully suited up, he announced to his mother, "Mom, now I'm a real boy!" She didn’t have the heart to tell him again that he had always been a beautiful boy. She didn’t want to wreck his moment. He was so happy! (Charlene Mattson, “Focus on the Family”, April 1993, p. 13)
There are many Christians who think like Jeff. They somehow feel less than wonderful in the eyes of God. They might not think they are “good enough” for God. They may not think they are valuable to God’s plan. Their hearts usually are filled with remorse and regret. Their minds are often full of self-doubt, insecurity, or self-hatred. To be a true Christian, one must get past a negative view of one’s self. You must see yourself from God’s perspective. Before you accepted Christ, you may have made some big mistakes or been hard to live with. However, once you made a commitment to God and started living like it, God has rejoiced greatly in your change. You are precious to God. Your life is seriously important to our Lord. When you are right with God, there is no need for self-deprecation and self-loathing. Jesus died for you! Will you please respond with joy for that great gift?
I’ve been in worship services that sounded more like funerals than celebrations of loving joy. I’ve heard people in churches who were more adept at heaping criticism than imparting spiritual joy. You must be different. A love in Christ should shine upon your face, fill your heart, and make your soul leap for joy (remember how John the Baptist leaped in his mother’s womb at the news of Jesus’ impending birth? (Luke 1:41))!
This month take the time to let joy sink into that soul of yours. Let go of any negativity when in God’s presence. Allow yourself to feel God’s love and joy. God didn’t call you to be in His fold for you to be miserable all the time. When you make things right with God, there should be an ever-present joy in you. Don’t allow that beautiful, warm, heavenly joy to disappear from your days. Jesus’ life and death are worth more than that!