Romans 12:11 - NLT - "Serve the Lord enthusiastically."
Life can become very routine, boring, humdrum, and wear us down. How many feel that way during this long winter. Think about being inside so much, or a job that becomes monotonous, a relationship that maybe has become humdrum. This same thing can happen in our spiritual walk, when we take our relationship with the Lord as routine or just going through the motions.
Enthusiasm comes from a Greek word which means: "Inspired by God." How can life become humdrum when God is inspiring us? So instead of going around complaining, put a smile on your face and begin to change our attitude!
Sheldon Vanauken said - "The best argument for Christianity is Christians: their joy, thier certainty, their completeness. But the strongest argument against Christianity is also Christians. When they are sad, sour, self-righteous and smug. when they are narrow and repressive, Christianity dies a thousand deaths." Think about that for a minute.
We should be the most enthusiastic people in the world, because we have abundant life now and a great future with the Lord!
I will be away for the next week, so I pray that God will bless you with His great joy!
Excellent subject. "The joy of the Lord is our strength". Have a great vacation, I'm sure you are very enthusiastic about going.
ReplyDeleteIt is great that we are blessed to know Jesus and that in itself is awesome, and something to celebrate, but life is not a bed or roses by any means. I think if we don't let out what troubles our hearts, it will eat us and cause our emotional self to waste away. For some life is awesome and that is great, but for others life is a huge pain, escpecially when you have to go it alone. Venting helps even if it is to a blog like this where no one really can help you. I guess I need to count blessings more and not focus on the stuff that causes me to cry a lot. I will miss pastor so much, because I always look forward to listening to his sermon on Sunday.
ReplyDeletePastor of all the jobs I can think about I think being a Pastor is one of if not the hardest job there is. So many times people dump their problems on you and always expect you to understand or have that word of knowledge that will make everything right again. There are so many times when Pastors have problems of their own yet they are still there for those who need them. Even through sickness or headaches. Thank you Pastor For all that you do enjoy your vacation. God Bless.
ReplyDeleteOne Rose to the Rescue!
ReplyDelete"Don't grieve that your roses have thorns.
Rejoice instead that your thorns have roses!"
Jesus is OUR Rose, the Rose of Sharon! Jesus is THE Life! This earthly life may not be a bed of roses, but Heaven's Rose is ALWAYS with us! We are NEVER ALONE! We have a "Jesus Rose" in our hearts...Jesus within, OUR HOPE OF GLORY, is ALIVE! We can and must REST in the Rose of Heaven! Feel His gentle hands, like Rose Petals, caressing your face and saying "I love you!" Stop and smell the Rose of Sharon! Let HIM kiss your nose! Jesus is Heaven's Aromatherapy, scent of God! His Love is in the heir! He has shed His Love ABROAD in OUR hearts by the Holy Spirit!
I will miss you so much pastor, you deserve a vacation, but church is different when you are gone. You work so hard at feeding us God's word among the other stuff you do. Have a blessed vacation.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I shouldn't place my comments anymore, because it seems like I am a hinderance to others. I have nothing really excentric to say, so I should say nothing at all. All I know is I am suffering emotionally right now, thats all. Not everyone is happy!
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ReplyDeleteThough I don't know the reason for your emotional suffering, I do know how it feels and I empathize greatly. I could be very bitter over many things that have happened to me, but am not, thanks to the Holy Spirit and people who encouraged and prayed for me. Please, receive the encouragement and comfort God wants to give you through His Word and through imperfect people like myself. Joy DID come in the morning even though the night seemed very long for me at times, but know that as you spend time with Jesus and in God's Word, that through it all, whatever you're going through, Jesus will prove to be your very best friend. Everyone else will let you down at one time or another, but He won't. I'll be praying for you Sherry Ann. If you would like to talk or get together for coffee some time I'd love to. My name and number is in the South Attleboro Assembly of God directory. May God bless your heart with His peace.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a church directory, I have been at the church for several years, but I have never became a member of the church. I would like to have a friend because i don't have one.
ReplyDeleteI will see if I can email you through your profile on here, and give you my information.
Thank You
Delores,
ReplyDeleteheres my email tangerpooh@yahoo.com
The members of Christ's Body have much to learn about loving one another. That includes me. I'm so glad that I can love Jesus because He first loved me. He truly is a Friend that sticks closer than a brother. May Christ in your heart and Christ in my heart join our hearts in true friendship. After all we are sisters in the Lord and daughters of the King. (Check your e-mail!)
ReplyDeleteI've updated my profile to include my e-mail address.
ReplyDeleteSherry Ann if posting comments on here helps you or makes you feel better I doubt that Pastor will mind. There are times when we all feel pain,and having an outlet always helps. remember people don't have to know the particulars of your problems to pray for you.I think those who read Pastors Blog are praying for you.Even if you are sad continue going to Church and draw near to the one who knows you and loves you most. he is there you know him I can tell by what you write. His name is Jesus,and he knows more about you then you know yourself.You don't have to strive to be happy,we are not all happy but we are all called by Him by name.God Bless.
ReplyDeleteI thank you Wolf for your encouragement, I just feel so alone, and all I want is the storm to pass, and have stability again. Thats all, I really think that people don't understand when a christian gets sad, they think because you know the Lord you should have everything together, but that is not true. I am born againa nd spirit filled, but sometimes a relationship with Jesus doesn't change the trap called life. I been working hard to find a job, and waiting on God. That's all I can do. Also I been praying for someone to help, and be a friend too, I don't really have any friends that I spend time with. It helps to write about the pain, even for a little while.
ReplyDeleteDelores I have not recieved an email, maybe try again, I sent you one though.
ReplyDeleteThank you