Month: August 2019

Restore the Joy

R. Mangold

Restore Joy_Serminutes

There was a time you enjoyed your relationship with the Lord. You allowed His presence to daily envelope you. It was never a drudgery or a chore. You enjoyed and even guarded your sacred time with Him. You didn’t constantly look at your watch or phone. You tuned out all distractions. And, cares? Well, you took them all to the one who could actually do something about them.

But, lately you’ve grown distant. It’s become difficult to manage a few quiet moments in your day, and your end of the prayer line has fallen silent more days than you care to admit. Could it be you’ve somehow misplaced your joy? Could it be that you’ve allowed what was a pleasure to become a burden?

God wired us to be fruitful and multiply, but He also wired us for a Sabbath. A time when we ceased our work and rested. For Christians this rest is our ceasing from the works of the flesh, but have we allowed one form of work to displace the other, thus robbing us of our joy and fulfillment? So busy about our “Father’s Business” that we seldom spend time with the Father?

Mary and Martha were 2 sisters who hosted a luncheon in honor of Jesus. But, while Martha was preoccupied with the entertainment of the affair, her seemingly distant sister Mary was found at the feet of Christ. When Martha challenged Christ on this, He stated that Mary had made the better choice choosing to spend time with Him.

There will always be duties and obligations, work and chores to do, but never allow time with the one who loves you the most to become a chore. Choose to be joyful. Reward yourself and your weary spirit time with the source of all sustained joy, Jesus. The joy of the Lord is your strength. This joy is indescribable and full of Glory. This joy can’t be taken away, but it can be forfeited. So guard it, protect it, and nurture it. I pray for your joy in the Lord today and every day.

 

“Serminutes” – Sermon in a Minute.  One Minute Inspirational Sermonettes, Devotionals, and Sermon Ideas for Busy Christians, Pastors, Teachers, and Bible Students!  Visit our ABOUT PAGE  for details on what exactly that is. Thank you for visiting today! May the Lord richly bless you.  ~ RD Mangold

Sustained Joy

R. Mangold

Sustained Joy-Serminutes

“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” John‬ ‭15:11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Remember when it used to make you smile when you thought about Him? Remember how you used to wake up in the morning excited to spend time with Him? He was never an intrusion. He spoke; you would listen. His words brought such peace to your soul…such joy.

No, ladies, I’m not talking about your husband or boyfriend, and men, I’m not talking about just any ordinary man. I’m talking about Jesus. The one who said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John‬ ‭15:13‬ ‭KJV‬‬)
Then, Jesus turns around and calls us his friends.

There were many things Jesus wanted to ensure we had before His imminent departure from this world. One of them was joy. Not just momentary and fleeting joy, but joy everlasting. Sustained joy.

We try to measure joy based upon some euphoric emotional state. Again, fleeting at best. Jesus intended for His brand of joy to remain and to be full. Regardless of circumstances or situations, we can have HIS joy! Not the world’s counterfeit joy that comes with hangovers, extra pounds on the scales, and a looming mountain of credit card debt.

Christ’s joy remains true, consistent, and steady. It doesn’t fluctuate with the Dow. It doesn’t slope on Monday, and peak the closer you get to the weekend. This is “full” joy. Not doled out in small doses with carefully measured thimbles. This joy is from above and anything that’s from above is pure, uncut, untarnished, and powerfully potent.

Are you missing that kind of joy? I know a guy! A man who gives lasting joy when drugs, booze, sex, and everything else leaves you empty and often in worse shape.

The Lord’s joy fills us up!

What’s your life lacking today? Bet it’s joy!

“Serminutes” – Sermon in a Minute.  One Minute Inspirational Sermonettes, Devotionals, and Sermon Ideas for Busy Christians, Pastors, Teachers, and Bible Students!  Visit our ABOUT PAGE  for details on what exactly that is. Thank you for visiting today! May the Lord richly bless you.  ~ RD Mangold