2024 THEME: Run with the Horses
SERIES: I’m Thankful…
TITLE: I’m Thankful that Joy isn’t Circumstantial
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Three Holy Habits:
- JOY
Partly God’s work in us, partly our participation with what God is doing and wants to keep doing to transform our lives – Rooted in the promises of God and predicated on God’s power to complete those promises - Prayer
A way in which we enter God’s presence to listen and speak with God – Seeks God’s will to be done and helps us align our will to His - Thanksgiving
A form of praise to God in recognizing his blessings to us – A way to cherish those blessings and the blessing-giver
When do I deploy them? Always, continually and in all circumstances
Three Joy Killers:
- ENVY – Puts the focus on what others have that you don’t
- DISCONTENTMENT – Refuses to appreciate what you do have’
- COMPLAINING – Focuses on the negative and says noting is good enough
The HARD part of ALL in “all circumstances”
The greater the pain is turned up – the harder it can be to hold on to joy – Psalm 13
“Yes, I pray that my pain might be removed, that it might cease; but more so, I pray for the strength to
bear it, the grace to benefit from it, and the devotion to offer it up to God as a sacrifice of praise.”
-Joni Eareckson Tada