#950 Joyfulness – Source of Our Joy

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Joy is a quality of spirit that characterizes each of us as Christians, the source of which is the Holy Spirit.  It is identified as one of the “fruit of the Spirit,” habits that the Holy Spirit produces in Christians.  The opposite of the visible expressions of lusts that are the “works of the flesh,”[1] the “fruit of the Spirit” is produced by the invisible power of the Holy Spirit in those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as personal Savior.  Likewise, the “fruit of the Spirit” is part of the character of God that is reproduced in His children, us as Christians.  Just as joy marked the fellowship of Christians in New Testament times,[2] the joy that is within us as Christians should be manifest in our fellowship with fellow Christians today as we live and walk in the Spirit.

As a Christian, be certain that you are manifesting joy in your life, not only to demonstrate to the world your salvation but also in your fellowship with fellow believers!

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance:  against such there is no law.  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:22-23, 25)

May God Richly Bless You Today

[1] Galatians 5:19-21

[2] I John 1:4; II John 12

#930 Giving Thanks – For Christian Friends

First published November 21, 2012

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Throughout our lives God places Christian individuals in our pathway, many for purposes known only by Him.  One may be to lead us to the Lord, while another may be to provide us guidance in the Christian maturing process.  These individuals may come, go, and never have further or continuing impact; however, we are especially blessed by God when He provides Christian people who become close friends with us throughout our life journey.  As members of the body of Christ, we are all loved by Christ and should share that godly love as we fellowship with one another; Paul did so by always giving thanks to God for his Christian friends, further addressing fellow believers with the special term of affection, “beloved.”  As we take time to give thanks to the Lord for the blessing He has given us of Christian friends, this may also be a great time to let our friends know we feel blessed to have them in our life.

Have you stopped to give thanks to the Lord for your Christian friends?

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy.”  (Philippians 1:3-4)

May God Richly Bless You Today

#586 Christian Brothers and Sisters – Sharing Possessions

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

One of the characterizations of Christian brothers and sisters is the fellowship they have with one another.  A part of fellowship is encouragement, and a part of encouragement is sharing with one another.  The Bible recounts a number of different things Christians shared such as possessions, food, lodging, God’s Word, and other blessings, and they gladly shared with each other as they did so in service for the Lord.  Christians were taught and had full realization that all of their possessions belonged to the Lord; therefore, they looked upon them lightly, ready to share with fellow Christians whenever and wherever there was a need.  An example is if they had two tunics or coats, they were ready to give one to a needy Christian as they could only wear one at a time.  What a difference in today’s world.  Often we are willing to give to a clothes closet or to needy Christians a piece of clothing only if it is well worn.  Could there possibly be less needy Christians if we would be willing to follow the example of New Testament Christians by sharing a portion of our clothing that God has so generously provided for us?

 

Take time today to provide some nice, clean clothing to a church clothes closet!

 

“He answereth and saith unto them, ‘He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.’”   (Luke 3:11)

 

May God Richly Bless You Today