Joy to God

 

    How can you bring joy to God while finding joy in life for yourself?  It was never meant to be an either or situation.  We should find joy, peace, and rest while honoring God.  We bring the King joy by trusting and following Him.  It is okay to have questions and wonder why certain things are the way they are, but you still have to put your faith into Jesus and follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit to honor and bring joy to God.

    Sunday is meant the be the day of joy.  Attending church should not be a chore, a checklist item, or something you dread.  God understands if you don't go because you need true rest as long as you still invest into Him and do not make it a habit.  

    To bring joy to God is to live your life holy.  That means you live in this messed up world, but you do not lose your focus on your relationship with Him.  The world makes things confusing, but God simplifies things.  The hard part is sometimes the battle within yourself to come to agreement with God.  It is a personal battle that you have to work out with Him alone.

    When you go through your spiritual battles shows the world where you stand.  If you keep battling the same thing over and over, then it means you may be having some small victories, but you are not learning what God is trying to teach you.  If you emerge from it and it never comes back, then it reveals that you did as God asked and given the control over to Him  This type of submission brings Him joy from your life.

    One of God's greatest gifts is the gift of free will.  He will never make you do anything.  He will never force you to follow Him.  However, if you choose to abandon Him to pursue the world all about you, then you can't blame Him for the consequences.

    Jesus suffered and died in the most horrific way for you, me, and every soul living or dead.  He did this to make having a relationship with God easier.  He submitted to God's will because He is a part of God.  When Jesus resurrected, it changed everything.  It opened up the opportunity for eternal joy for God and you.  True joy comes from bringing God joy.

Psalm 16:9-11, Matthew 21:18-22, Philippians 4:1-5, & James 1:2-4