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Joyful in the Lord

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Ive often talked with people who feel dragged down by lifes disappointments. These people seem to have lost the purpose and vision for their lives. Do you feel the same way? When we lose the vision of how God wants to use us, we lose joy. And without joy, we cant bless others in the Lord. So, how do you recover a joy thats lost and cant be found?

Let me tell you about the famous servant of God, George Mueller. Mueller was a pastor and evangelist in England in the 1800s. He and his wife started an orphanage that cared for thousands of homeless boys and girls. Mueller wrote a lot about being happy. Do you know what his secret to happiness was? Time with Jesus!

“My first duty in the morning,” he wrote, “is to be happy in the Lord. If Im happy in the Lord, I can face anything during the day.” To be happy in the Lord, he spent time each and every morning on his knees reading the Scripture and praying.

Jesus Himself said if we remain in him our “joy will be complete.” The more time we get to know Jesus, the happier we become. And we begin to realize Gods plan and purpose for our lives – which is reaching our world for Jesus Christ!

What’s Done for Christ will Last

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My wife Pat often quotes the saying, “Only one life twill soon be past. Only whats done for Christ will last.” I like that. Our lives will fly by faster than we expect. The apostle Paul reminds us of that when he says “you are a mist that appears for a while and then vanishes.” So what are we doing to make a difference for eternity?

Ive met many believers who reflect the outward signs of committed Christians. Theyre involved in their churches. They love the Bible. Still, they seem to be stalled in their Christian walk. Theyre not growing in their faith, theyre not joyful and theyre not filled with the Holy Spirit.

Its so sad because theyre passing up opportunities to share their faith! So, how do we followers of Christ re-kindle the passion that first brought us to Him?

The answer is to get back to the basics. Re-surrender and welcome Christ back into your heart. Pray and worship. Read and meditate on your Bible. Share your faith with someone who needs to know Jesus. As you watch the Lord work, youll discover a new enthusiasm for the things of God.

Is it Time to Re-Surrender?

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Some years ago I was visiting a church where a successful Christian businessman was telling his story to the congregation. “As a young man,” he said, “I answered an altar call to follow Christ and I surrendered all. I accepted Christ into my life and gave Him everything!” From somewhere in the back of the church a voice rang out – “I dare you to do it again!”

Many of us, when we were young, surrendered all to the Lord. It seemed easy to do when all we owned was a few pairs of jeans and a beat up car. Maybe thats why God often uses young people – because young men and women are more willing to give everything to the Lord.

Today, listen to Gods voice: is He challenging you once again to surrender all to Him? Dont hold back! Hebrews 3:15 says, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”

I pray that you will hear Gods call to re-surrender and re-commit your lives to His service. Once you do, youll experience a renewal of your spiritual passion that will strengthen you as you reach out to others with the Good News. When you surrender yourself 100% to proclaiming the way of salvation, God can use you in a big way.

Re-Surrender Can bring Lifestyle Changes

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Scripture teaches us that the Christian life is a lifestyle saturated with God Himself. Our youngest son Andrew didnt discover the joy of a God-filled life until he was a grown man. But now Andrews an evangelist and shares his story around the world. He found hope and redemption when he finally surrendered his heart to Christ.

The apostle Paul prayed to the Ephesians that “God may strengthen you with power through His spirit…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts… that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Imagine how different your life would be if you were completely and totally filled with God Himself.

If you were completely filled with God, no area of your life would be untouched. You would love God so deeply. You would care so much more about your brothers and sisters in Christ. And you would have a passion to reach out to lost souls. The more we know the Lord, the more He becomes central in our lives and we become more and more like Jesus.

Nothing is more exciting than living a life thats filled with the Holy Spirit! Today, spend serious time with God and re-welcome Him back into your heart.

You’re Not on Your Own

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The great missionary and evangelist Stanley Jones wrote that most Christians will need to re-surrender their lives to God to protect them, as he said, “from the inroads of the world.”

My recommitment occurred in my early twenties when I was a seminary student. I had given my life to Christ when I was twelve, but over the next ten years had fallen into behaviors that were far from Christ-like. I felt like a hypocrite. Then one day, Major Ian Thomas spoke at our chapel service.

Major Thomas told the story of Moses and the burning bush. Even though the bush was just a bunch of dried up sticks, Moses knew that God was in it. It hit me that I was like that bush.

I was like a useless bunch of dried up sticks, unless God filled me. Thomas closed by reading Galatians 2:20 where Paul says “I have been crucified in Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” I realized then that I was trying to live in my own power instead of Gods indwelling, resurrection power.

When you understand that Christ lives in you, its not what you can do for God, but what God will do in and through you. Youre not on your own, especially when you share your faith. So, ask the Lord for opportunities, and then boldly share the faith you possess.