THE LIFE OF JOY

The bible records many stories about the lives of Christians.  Throughout their journey of belief, they have encountered dangers, tortures, beating and even life threatening situations.  But during these difficulties, they never gave up hope and never lost their heart of joy and thanksgiving.  Today, in the life of materialism, many believers through their daily lives and behaviors still demonstrate the joy of being with Jesus.  In today’s life of troubles and worries, how can they still have such strong faith and genuine heart of joy?  They can, because they understand the teaching of God: “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say, Rejoice”  “Rejoice evermore… for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."” (Phil 4:4; 1 Thess 5:16-18).  For they understand how to “rely upon God”, they can receive many blessings, and thus, always live in thanksgiving and joy.

1.      Rejoice for we have been predestinated unto the adoption by Jesus Christ and for all the sins are washed away by the blood of Jesus.

“ …. Even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world… predestine us in love to be His sons through Jesus Christ…. In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished up us.”  (Eph1:4-8).  “God saved us and called us with a holy calling, not in virtue of our works but in virtue of His own purpose and the grace which He gave us in Christ Jesus ages ago.” (2 Tim 1:9).  “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God not because of works, lest any an should boast.” (Eph 2:8-9).  “Come to Him, to that living stone, rejected by men, but in God’s sight chosen and precious; and like living stone to be yourselves built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”  (1 Pet 2: 4-5).  Out of billions of people, we have been chosen by God without paying any price, but through the great love of God.  Therefore, we could suddenly change from a sinful man to be the son of God.  How wonderful this is!  The True Jesus Church which preaches the truth according to the Bible and which is witnessed by the Holy Spirit, is the body of Lord Jesus.  Those who have been designated to be the chosen ones could only receive and enjoy God’s grace and salvation by entering the church which has the Holy Spirit.

2.      Rejoice for the peace has been given to us by Jesus.  Lord said: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27) “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body.  And be thankful.” (Col 3:15) “My grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our lord.” (2 Pet 1:2)  Money and power cannot bring us peace both to body and spirit because money and power belong to the world.  They cannot fulfill the needs of our heart.  But Jesus is the source of joy and peace, and the Holy Spirit given by Jesus makes us never to become thirsty again.  We have received such precious treasure which no one could take away from us.  Since we have such peace and blessing, how can we not rejoice?

3.      Rejoice for Jesus has become our shepherd, so that we are no longer lost, but are able to rely upon His power and care.  In John chapter 10, Jesus clearly tells us the way he was as a good shepherd.  Before believing in God, we were nothing but lost lambs.  We were under the control of evil, and encountered fear, worries, and many problems.  But Jesus wants to be our shepherd, so that we can lie on the green grass.  He can guide us next to the water so that we can rest.  Because God is with us, even when we stand in front of our enemies, we shall not be afraid.  With His comforting guidance, blessing and joy will follow us through our entire lives.  (Ps23) “For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.” (1Pet 2:25) God’s word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Ps 119:105); therefore we will never be lost again.  “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” (Prov 3:6) When the Israelites came out of Egypt and crossed the plains to Canaan, God used pillars of fire and cloud to guide them.

Today, God still guides us to the right direction with the Holy Spirit.  Let us see the light in the dark.  Although our enemies try to stop us, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Ps 46:1); “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.” (Prov 18:10) Daniel, Elijah, David, Paul, and so on, they all received God’s guidance in times of troubles, and gained faith and power; thus, they overcame all the troubles without any difficulties.  Today in the True Jesus Church, many testimonies, in which believers received strength and power from God to overcome troubles, prove the words of God: “The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in form this time forth and for evermore.” (Ps 121:(8)  We received such a friend who takes care of us day and night and gives us so much love and blessing.  How can we not rejoice?

4.      Rejoice for Jesus has come in to our heart and fulfills all our lives.  “O fear the Lord, you His saints, for those who fear Him have no want!  The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” (Ps 34:9-10)  Jesus does not want us to worry about food and clothing because life is more important than food and the body is more important than clothes.  Birds who do not plant and collect, God still takes care of them.  Lilies which do not work and weave, God still gives them beautiful adornment that cannot be compared to even King Solomon’s dress.  Human beings are more important than birds and lilies.  How can God not take care of us?  If we have this kind of faith, and seek first God’s will, then whatever we need in our lives, God will provide for us (Matt 6:24-34).  Because God said: “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep … if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture… I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:7-10) “Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.  I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.” (John 6:35,51) Jesus is the source of fullness.  We can only enrich ourselves by being close to Him.  Luke chapter 12 verses 16 to 21 records a story about an ignorant rich man.  Although he had plenty of land and continuously laid up ample goods, but in the eyes of God, he had nothing.  After all, Lazarus who believed in God all his life received all the blessings (Luke 16).  If a man only trusts in himself, then he will find that everything he owns becomes emptiness in the end.  However, if a man keeps pursuing in the direction of God, then he will find many blessings that “…drip with fatness.” (Ps 65:11) throughout his journey.  “They feast on the abundance of Thy house, and Thou givest them drink from the river of Thy delights.” (Ps 36:8)

5.      Rejoice for God has given us the Holy Spirit, which proved that we are the sons of God, and which is the promise of eternal life “And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ So through God you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then an heir.” (Gal 4:6-7) “… and have believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, which is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory.” (Eph 1:13-14) “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? (1 Cor 3:16) “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness…. The Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words… the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. “ (Rom 8:26-27) Also with the Spirit we carry out the mission of spreading Gospel.  “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…  anointed me to preach good news to the poor… sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Lk 4:18-19) We can receive the Holy Spirit – the most wonderful treasure of all – which gives us strength and power and which looks after us.  And most of all, the Holy Spirit is the proof of eternal life.  How can we not rejoice?

6.      Rejoice for Jesus has given us the hope of eternal life and the blessings in spirit.  “…For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life for evermore.” (Ps 133:3) “… I go to prepare a place for you, and when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself… I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but Me.” (Jn 14:2-6) The disciples understood the salvation of God.  They encountered so many troubles and suffering, but their faiths were never moved.  “For he looked forward to the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God… but as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one.  Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. (Heb 11:10, 16) The heavenly country, according to Revelation chapter 21 and 22, is beautiful and wonderful; A crystal city, with golden streets, that need no light or lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be our light, and there is never a darkness.  Water and trees of life surround us with the throne of God and of the lamb inside; only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life can enter to meet God and enjoy the heavenly kingdom forever, having no more death, mourning crying, nor pain.  “He who conquers shall have this heritage, and I will be his God and he shall be my son.” (Rev 21:7) Friends, since by believing in God, we can receive all the spiritual blessings and joys mentioned above, why not us this opportunity while the door salvation is still open and while the Holy Spirit is  still being descended, step into True Jesus church which has the truth, Holy Spirit, and miracles, and enjoy God’s blessings together!  But you must hold on to this chance, believe in Him while His gracious door of salvation is still open.  Don’t wait until it is closed and try to get in and be disappointed forever.  We wish that everyone can clearly see through the reality of life, like Peter said: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (Jn 6:68) We wish that we all can truly “labor for the food which endures to eternal life.” (Jn 6:27) and save up all the treasures in heavenly kingdom, and enjoy the life of joy.