The Bible is clear in its instructions to give a tenth of our income to God, but why? What's the point?
Being in debt is "normal", but is it wise? We'll look at 7 scriptures to help understand why getting out of debt is so important.
The children singing the Christmas classic "Go Tell It on the Mountain" during the 2009 Christmas program
The children singing a christmas song from the 2009 Christmas program.
The children singing the Christmas classic "Away in the Manger".
In the book Great Expectations the main character Pip realizes that his feelings of entitlement to a better life are only hurting those who love him the most. Every year we resolve to be better people, yet it feels like we fall far short year after year. How do we evaluate our expectations for our lives?
Luke 2 tells us that Jesus would be a joy to the whole earth. This is where joy is found--a relationship with a God who came to be one of us. This truth fully embraced should create in our hearts a true joy that is expressed each day--like kids on Christmas morning every day.
The fruit of God?s Spirit in our lives is Love, Joy, Peace? These are the things that God produces in us. It is genuine and real. It?s not forced or contrived. Joy is the product of living in right relationship with an incredible loving God.
Erwin McManus wrote, ?There may be nothing more compelling or contagious than a person who is enjoying his life.? As a follower of Jesus, we should be enjoying our lives ? living them to the fullest. We should be laughing, exploring, creating, loving, and even failing, spectacularly and regularly. Let?s try a smile ? I don?t think your face will crack.
What are some of the reasons that we find joy so elusive? Why is it that it takes a lot more energy to be joyful than to be cranky? What are some of the joy killers for most people and what needs to change? We?ll start with a look at Nehemiah 8:10 ? ?The joy of the Lord is my strength.?