4 October 2009
Sunday Service with Pastor John Cairns

Joy. Joy doesnt simply refer to our physical and emotional well-being. In fact, JOY is a spiritual force. Joy is the expression of our faith. If faith is a dynamite, joy is the fuse.

What can joy do for us?
Joy can help us stay away from legalism when we're serving God.
Joy helps us stay strong in the midst of trials and times of testing (like exams!).
Joy gets us out of times of dryness.

Joy can be from the exterior. But that true and eternal joy that gives us strength for each day is a result of the deeper inner relationship with Christ. It is built on who He is, not what He does. It is a fruit of the Spirit - an emotional, physical and spiritual tool.

10 Things that steals our joy
1. Resentment
2. Bitterness
3. Anger
4. Unforgiveness
5. Fear
6. Disobedience in the Word of God
7. Wrong focus (on self and circumstances)
8. Sickness
9. Weariness
10. Discouragement

Keys to maintaining your joy (:
1. Bring them(the above) all to the Lord and let Him deal with it.
2. Focus on the Lord, not on your circumstances
3. Meditate on the Word of God
4. Be a true worshipper
A true worshipper is one that worships on Sunday and every other day in all things at all times despite the problems and against all common sense - wow.

Last but not least..

Guard your life with joy, and guard your joy with your life.

all the best to one and all for the upcoming exams! :D
may the joy of the Lord be with you even in the examination hall! (:

Labels: lifegroup