Let your joy be found in God
Ken Lawrence | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 7 years, 10 months AGO
You may ask how we can talk about the joy of living with the economic, political, and social struggles going on in our country right now.
As human beings we have the right to choose whether we will follow the counsel of the world system around us, or believe and follow the living God according to His Word, the Bible.
John 10:10 says, “The thief does not come except to steal, kill, and destroy. (Jesus said), I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.”
From this scripture, we can see the nature and direction that we have when we follow after the devil, who sees himself as the god of this world.
Jesus is life personified, and gives us joy, peace, and the love of life.
He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father but by Me.”
Jesus wants us to enjoy abundant life. This is defined as super abundance, excessive, overflowing, surplus, over and above, and more than enough. If you live like that, some of your friends may think of you as a fanatic.
I enjoy being fanatically happy, having fanatical peace, and experiencing the God-given favor that is available to all who ask.
In times of great uncertainty, the Lord wants us to experience true security and stability.
This comes, not from having our material needs satisfied alone, but from personal relationship through faith in Jesus, who supernaturally supplies all our needs in good times or bad.
Don’t worry! Be happy! Let your happiness be found through the One who loved you enough to die for you.
Ken Lawrence is the pastor at River of Life Church. He can be reached at sandpointriver@gmail.com.
ARTICLES BY KEN LAWRENCE
Thank you, believers
A tremendous thank you for all of your involvement this past year as we (Christians) have labored together to proclaim the Kingdom of God in North Idaho. We serve a mighty God, who is good to us all the time. As we enter the new year 2018, we face a changing world, causing fear for some and for many a time of great hope. The Lord continues to bless us and do great things in the lives of people in our region. We have been called to proclaim renewal, revival, and transformation in our areas of influence. We want to rely more and more on the finished work of Christ on the cross and the indwelling power of Holy Spirit to prepare us for continued ministry. We continue to be amazed at the cross-section of people who come through Bonner County and are touched by the word and ministry available in our area. We encourage you to support solid local churches and ministries as well as missionaries, evangelists, etc. who are literally touching the world and speaking directly into our community through conferences and events.
The power of the resurrection
As I was reading the 24th chapter of Luke to prepare my remarks for this column, I decided to change the order of the verses for emphasis. Beginning at the last half of verse 6 from the NLT, we read “remember what He told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man (a title Jesus used for himself) must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified.” This is In reference to the death of Christ that many Christians around the world are remembering today. This year the Jewish people are celebrating Passover, beginning at sundown tonight. This is a foreshadowing of the blood of Jesus delivering believers from death into life.
Thinking about forgiveness
Nations rage, political leaders rage, drivers rage, spouses rage, and all involved are deeply hurt in this process.