A Life Full of Light and Joy!
(Prov 13:9 AMP) The life of the godly is full of light and joy, but the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.
This morning we continue our series In this verse Solomon contrasts the light and joy that characterize the life of the believer, with the darkness that characterizes the
IN Romans 15:13, Paul said, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” This was part of Paul’s closing prayer for the believers in Rome. He prayed that they would be filled with all joy and peace, while they believed God and journeyed through life, and that their joy and peace would come from the overflowing power of the Holy Spirit Himself! This is powerful stuff.
As believers, we are called to be light and love, not darkness and hatred. When people see us they should see God’s joy permeating through us, they should see and excitement for life emanating from our pores. After speaking to us they should know that they have come in contact with a human that is full of God Himself!
In Nehemiah chapter 8 the people gathered together to hear the Word of God. Ezra the priest (and scribe) stood above the people, behind a pulpit, and read the Word of God to them. Not only that, he broke the Word down so that they could understand it (that’s what I attempt to do). Afterwards Nehemiah, the Governor, stood before the people and said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength” (8:10).
That says it all. As believers, the joy of the Lord should be our strength. We should be so full of God’s Spirit that His joy becomes and internal and everlasting well that feeds our soul.
I recently went to a conference. This is an annual conference where many of the professionals from my field come together to share ideas, provide updates on projects, and etc. One of the major draws of a conference like this is the social networking aspect of it. I got to meet some client that I had never met face to face but talk to on the phone daily , catching up with old friends, and etc., I thought about a book I am had to . I have actually been meaning to read this book for a while. I read a book a while back by Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People.” Let me share an observation from the book I found interesting:
“Dealing with people is probably the biggest problem you face, especially if you are in business. Yes, and that is also true if you are a housewife, architect, or engineer. Research made a few years ago under the auspices of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teachers uncovered a most important significant fact; a fact later confirmed by additional studies made at the Carnegie Institute of Technology.
These investigations revealed that even in such technical lines as engineering, about 15% of one’s financial success is due to one’s technical knowledge and about 85% is due to skill in human engineering, to personality, and to the ability to lead people.” Wow
So what does this mean to you ? Two things:
1) It means that as a believer, you should be full and continually filled with God’s joy, life and energy. This will draw people and provide an opportunity for you to share God’s goodness with them.
2) It means that if you become the light that God desires for you to be, you will be more successful in life. You don’t want to be the dark, drab, and dismal person that no one wants to speak to (and there are quite a few of these at this conference), these people don’t go far in God or in their profession.
Father, I thank You for Your Joy and Peace. I enter this day with the excitement that comes from Your Joy and the serenity that comes from Your peace. The Joy of the Lord is my strength; therefore, I am ready for this day. I face this day – and every challenge it may bring – with a smile on my face, a song in my heart, a spring in my step and a zest for life that cannot be interrupted! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
(Prov 13:9 AMP) The life of the godly is full of light and joy, but the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.
This morning we continue our series In this verse Solomon contrasts the light and joy that characterize the life of the believer, with the darkness that characterizes the
IN Romans 15:13, Paul said, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” This was part of Paul’s closing prayer for the believers in Rome. He prayed that they would be filled with all joy and peace, while they believed God and journeyed through life, and that their joy and peace would come from the overflowing power of the Holy Spirit Himself! This is powerful stuff.
As believers, we are called to be light and love, not darkness and hatred. When people see us they should see God’s joy permeating through us, they should see and excitement for life emanating from our pores. After speaking to us they should know that they have come in contact with a human that is full of God Himself!
In Nehemiah chapter 8 the people gathered together to hear the Word of God. Ezra the priest (and scribe) stood above the people, behind a pulpit, and read the Word of God to them. Not only that, he broke the Word down so that they could understand it (that’s what I attempt to do). Afterwards Nehemiah, the Governor, stood before the people and said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength” (8:10).
That says it all. As believers, the joy of the Lord should be our strength. We should be so full of God’s Spirit that His joy becomes and internal and everlasting well that feeds our soul.
I recently went to a conference. This is an annual conference where many of the professionals from my field come together to share ideas, provide updates on projects, and etc. One of the major draws of a conference like this is the social networking aspect of it. I got to meet some client that I had never met face to face but talk to on the phone daily , catching up with old friends, and etc., I thought about a book I am had to . I have actually been meaning to read this book for a while. I read a book a while back by Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People.” Let me share an observation from the book I found interesting:
“Dealing with people is probably the biggest problem you face, especially if you are in business. Yes, and that is also true if you are a housewife, architect, or engineer. Research made a few years ago under the auspices of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teachers uncovered a most important significant fact; a fact later confirmed by additional studies made at the Carnegie Institute of Technology.
These investigations revealed that even in such technical lines as engineering, about 15% of one’s financial success is due to one’s technical knowledge and about 85% is due to skill in human engineering, to personality, and to the ability to lead people.” Wow
So what does this mean to you ? Two things:
1) It means that as a believer, you should be full and continually filled with God’s joy, life and energy. This will draw people and provide an opportunity for you to share God’s goodness with them.
2) It means that if you become the light that God desires for you to be, you will be more successful in life. You don’t want to be the dark, drab, and dismal person that no one wants to speak to (and there are quite a few of these at this conference), these people don’t go far in God or in their profession.
Father, I thank You for Your Joy and Peace. I enter this day with the excitement that comes from Your Joy and the serenity that comes from Your peace. The Joy of the Lord is my strength; therefore, I am ready for this day. I face this day – and every challenge it may bring – with a smile on my face, a song in my heart, a spring in my step and a zest for life that cannot be interrupted! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
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