Full of Joy!
Happiness is based on circumstances. Joy is based on Christ.
When missionaries in the northern part of Alaska were trying to translate the Bible for the Eskimos, they had some difficulty. When you go to translate the Bible in any culture, there’s always a difficulty translating some words that are foreign to that culture. For example, there was no word in the Eskimo language for joy. They had, like, 200 words for snow and, like, 300 words for ice. But they had not one word for joy.
So, the translators looked around and they saw the happiest, most joyful moment in that Eskimo village was in the evening when they fed their sled dogs. They’d go out with the food, and the dogs would yelp and jump and wag their tails and get all excited. And so, they pulled the word for joy out of that experience: “wagging their tails.”
So, when you translate the Bible passage where it says, “After the resurrection, when the disciples saw Jesus alive, they were full of joy,” for the Eskimos, it would read, “When the disciples saw Jesus alive, they wagged their tails!” Full of joy! (John 20:20)
Our tails ought to be wagging every day because we know that Jesus Christ is alive! He is risen! He is triumphant! He is victorious! And He promised to share His victory with us!
Would you make this your prayer?
Ain’t No Grave! Happy Easter
Let’s get right to it. I want to take you to one of the most dramatic moments in human history. They place the dead body of Jesus in the tomb and roll an enormous rock over the entrance.
Then they stand back, look at their work, and say, “Well, that’s that. It’s finished. Ain’t no way He comes back from that.”
But early on Sunday morning, just before sunrise, the earth rumbles and the stone explodes outward. A light brighter than the sunrise shines from inside that open tomb. And what happens next is mind-blowing … Jesus steps out.
Now, what do you think He said? I can’t prove it. But I bet I know what He was thinking … “Ain’t no grave gonna hold my body down. They said, Ain’t no way! But I say, Ain’t no grave!”
Forgiveness Prayer
Lord Jesus, when people were at their worst, You were at Your best. That’s how I want to be. So, I’m going to start right now. My heart is open to your influence.
And now, let me ask you this: Is there a damaged relationship? What you’re going to do today is, you’re going to own it. It may have been the other person’s fault. Yeah, so what? It’s time for you to do what’s right. It’s time for you to take responsibility for your side of the relationship, clean up your side of the street.
Right now, think of that person and say, “Lord, I ask to You to bless that person. I pray for Your best for them. I pray for their happiness.” …. Pray that in your heart.
Now, ask God to take your heart and make it soft. When you have a hard time forgiving that person, think about how much you have been forgiven. And then, by faith, even though you may not feel an ounce of forgiveness inside of you, tell God you forgive. Tell Him you choose to forgive.
And, ask God to show you what your part is, what He wants you to do. Maybe a phone call, an e-mail; maybe even an apology. Ask Him what He wants you to do, then commit to doing it.
And here’s what you’ll see. Your prayer, your attempt at reconciliation, you doing the right thing – it may or may not change them. But it will change you.
Lord, we pray it all in the Name of Jesus, whose courage and wisdom inspires us, whose spirit and love lives within us, Amen.
Worry
• Food.
• Fitness.
• Fashion.
• Future.
Peace of Mind
That’s good news if your thoughts are healthy. But that’s bad news if your thoughts are not healthy. So let me give you an exercise for building healthy thoughts. If you want to find your missing peace, let’s start here. Every time you have a negative thought, say these words: “I matter to God and His plan for me is good.”
Perfect peace. Not occasional peace. Not circumstantial peace. Not momentary peace when you feel good in the moment. Perfect peace.
It’s Never Too Late
Remember the story of the first Christmas? There was no room at the inn. In other words, the innkeeper missed out on the first Christmas. Picture it! Mary and Joseph show up at the door. It’s after midnight. Mary’s in her third Trimester. Joseph knocks on the door. (Knock.)
Generous People Round Up
We don’t hold back – we round up!
In Your Anger
That’s why the Bible says you’ve got to be really, really careful when it comes to anger. Because if you hold onto that anger, what you’re actually doing is giving the devil a foothold in your life.
Seeds
You Are Amazing
If you’re going to recognize your value, you have to see yourself as amazing, as wonderful!
I read that the football jersey Tom Brady wore during Superbowl LI is worth $500,000. Wait a minute! I can go on Amazon and buy the same exact jersey for $139. Same size, same cut, same color! What’s the difference? Who it belongs to! Only one belongs to Tom Brady. That makes it valuable.
The Bible says you belong to God. You may feel average. You may think you look ordinary and there’s nothing special about you. But because of Who you belong to, that makes you extremely valuable.
My challenge to you today is this: Don’t let anybody make you feel inferior. Don’t let your own thoughts push you down. Put your shoulders back. Stand tall. You belong to God.
So, guess what? You have nothing to prove.
Just be who you are. Be … amazing!
If you do this, I am here to tell you right now …
You will become the masterpiece that God designed you to be.