December 13, 2009
Today’s Message: “The Entrance of Joy”
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Psalm 32:1 “Happy is the man whose transgression is forgiven and whose sin is covered.”
The Luke 2 Angel proclaimed : “Good Tidings of Great Joy”
Luke 2:6-14 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
The Savior of the world brings good news of great joy for all people
Circumstances contribute to joy, but they do not control joy
Reasons to be joyful:
You are personally significant to God
You have the promise
You have been pardoned
You have an invitation to participate
A wise man once said, “Friends double our joy and divide our grief.”
Great joy is God’s gift to you. Don’t leave it unopened.
You can hear this sermon on our podcast at www.harlanfirstaog.org
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Showing posts with label Joy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joy. Show all posts
Monday, December 14, 2009
Friday, September 19, 2008
A Smiling God
In my devotional time this morning I read a quote from R.A.Torrey that reminded me of a key truth:
“All that God is and…has is at the disposal of prayer. Prayer can do anything that God can do.”
As I read the scriptures, I find that God takes joy in His children praying the same as a parent delighting in the words of a toddler. There is a special sense of well-being that we feel when we feel the warmth of His smile when we pray inside the bounds of His will. It is then that we move from praying for others out of a sense of duty and begin to learn that true intercession is a privilege and can be fun. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that when we come to God we need to believe that He is and that he is a rewarder of diligent seekers. This makes prayer an adventure that draws me into God’s presence. It is an awesome feeling to know that God cares about the same things I am praying about. Praying for others needs to become second nature rather than a rare occurrence. Your prayers can move the heart of God. Wouldn’t it be a shame to ignore that opportunity?
“All that God is and…has is at the disposal of prayer. Prayer can do anything that God can do.”
As I read the scriptures, I find that God takes joy in His children praying the same as a parent delighting in the words of a toddler. There is a special sense of well-being that we feel when we feel the warmth of His smile when we pray inside the bounds of His will. It is then that we move from praying for others out of a sense of duty and begin to learn that true intercession is a privilege and can be fun. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that when we come to God we need to believe that He is and that he is a rewarder of diligent seekers. This makes prayer an adventure that draws me into God’s presence. It is an awesome feeling to know that God cares about the same things I am praying about. Praying for others needs to become second nature rather than a rare occurrence. Your prayers can move the heart of God. Wouldn’t it be a shame to ignore that opportunity?
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