EPIC Joy and Father's Day
I loved that song. It has a catchy tune, you can clap and laugh while singing it, and we got to sing, "If the Devil doesn't like it he can sit on a tack (Hey)." My favorite line.
As a kid, I didn't spend much time thinking about joy, or why I didn't have it. It is a big deal for adults. We want to be happy. We think that God wants us to be happy. We even think that it is our right to be happy. So we spend lots of time, energy, and resources on; seminars, books, religion, possessions, and many other avenues to pursue happiness.
I searched Amazon.com books this morning and got 365,609 hits for happy, 212,539 for happiness, and 299,105 books on joy.
Two thousand years ago the Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the Philippian Christians on how to live a joyful life. Lisa and I have read these four chapters over and over again when we are a little short on joy in our lives. What is unusual and even incredible about Paul writing this letter of encouragement is that he wrote it while incarcerated. Yes, he was in jail waiting for a trial that would most likely result in the death penalty. Paul was an innocent and godly man just working hard at spreading the Gospel of Jesus and it landed him in a Roman jail, chained to a Roman soldier, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
Paul knew the secret to living a life full of joy, regardless of his circumstances (Phil 4:11). Starting this Sunday, we will spend the summer learning from the Apostle Paul how to live a life of joy. I am calling this teaching series: EPIC Joy. This Sunday we will look at the situations in our lives that block our joy and start unpacking the secrets to a joyful life.
If you are part of the LCC family, you might want to read Philippians (It's only four chapters) and then bring your Bible to church. For those of you who worship elsewhere, if you don't already use this letter of Paul as a source for joy then try it out. I promise you will be blessed, no matter your circumstances.
Father's Day - Just a reminder that Sunday is Father's Day. Honor you father. The Word of God promises you will be blessed.
'Honor your father and mother, as the LORD your God commanded you. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD your God will give you. Deut 5:16 NLT
For those of you who are fathers, remember, you are the greatest spiritual influence in your kid's life. it is a responsibility and a privilege given to us by God our Father.
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