Killers of joy…… ungratefulness
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
(1 Thessalonians: 5: 16-18 NKJV)
*Let’s always be grateful unto God for He has blessed us with a new day and His blessings are many.
*Let’s be grateful to one another for we are glorifying His blessings.
*Let not the evil forces come on the way to kill the joy in us what the Lord has given through His blessings.
Killers of Joy ………sinfulness
But the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
(Galatians 5: 22 & 23 NKJV)
*There is no law followed for these virtues. *They are unconditional and every one has these characteristics.
But the works of the flesh are:-
adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, all idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; (Galatians 5: 19 to 21 NKJV)
are the killers of joy.
*David became the victim of adultery and was restored.
*All the unrighteousness kings of the Old Testament became the victims of self righteousness.
*Aaron became the victim of idolatry and so on so forth.
Though Jesus Christ died for our sins, we have cleanse ourselves with His mighty blood.
Let’s not allow the killers of joy into our lives that the God has given.
Let’s uphold the Fruit of the Spirit and follow the righteous in our lives which is pleasant at the sight of God.
Killer of joy…….. discontented heart
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV)
*Lusting after material riches is the root of all kinds of evils.
*Some people have strayed their faith in their greediness.
*One who believes in God can be contented in all situations even in poverty or in distress.
*God says, I will never leave you nor forsake you.
*Israelites were grumbling through out the journey in the wilderness, even though God heard their cries and sent Moses to rescue them from slavery in the land of Egypt.
*Jesus was sleeping in the boat while there was storm in the sea.
*The storm didn’t wake him up, but the cries of the disciples woke Jesus up.
*God hears our prayers and answers in His way at the right time.
*So let’s be still and know that He is God.
God’s Grace
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
(2 Corinthians 12: 9 NKJV)
*Noah found grace in eyes of the Lord because he was the only righteous person during his time when the world was full of corruption and sin.
*As a result God made his family alone to escape from the great floods by preparing an ark.
*Mary, the mother of Jesus was the chosen one to be conceived by the power of Holy Spirit to bring forth the King of glory into this world to save us from sins.
*It is the fulfillment of the Lord who has spoken through the prophet saying, “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” (Matthew 1: 23 NKJV)
*There are many other biblical characters who are saved by His grace because they were obedient, faithful and not being conformed to the world.
*Let’s always walk with faith in God and receive His grace which is sufficient for us.
God’s Mercy
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne;
Mercy and truth go before Your face.
(Psalm 89: 14 NKJV)
*Elijah proclaimed a draught in Israel.
*The Lord said to him, “Arise and go to Zarephath ……. I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.”
*She was a poverty stricken woman who had nothing other than a handful of flour and a little oil.
*But the Lord blessed her in abundance through prophet Elijah till He sent rain on earth.
*The widow was contentedly looking after the prophet and was feeding her household with the God given provision.
*God was merciful unto her during the period of draught.
*Again the Lord is merciful to revive the life of the same widow’s son who was seriously ill and had no breath, through Elijah. (1 Kings 17: 8 – 24 NKJV)
*Two blind men followed Jesus saying, “Have mercy on us.”
*They hadn’t seen Jesus, but had known the mercy of Jesus, the son of David.
*Their faith in Jesus healed them and made them whole.
*Usually we see and hear about people and then know them.
*But, the blind men knew Jesus already and only then they saw Him.
*Is it wonderful?
(Matthew 9: 27 – 31 NKJV)
*His mercies are many!
Glory be to God
0
0
0
0
0
0