The one thing most people want in this world is joy.  But, sadly, many will go through life and never experience it.  Some have made a habit of ruining joy by always looking on the dark side of life.  Others have  confused joy with fun, and so always seem to come up short.  They think that if they are not having fun they cannot be joyful.  Somehow they miss the fact that Paul wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again I will say, rejoice” from the dark, dampness of a Roman prison.  (Phil. 4:4).  Surely he wasn’t having much fun, but it didn’t stop his joy in the Lord.  Genuine joy comes from understanding four things. When we develop these in our lives, joy naturally follows.

1. REALIZE YOU ARE LOVED BY GOD With God on our side, what else do we need?  (Romans 8:31)

2. KNOW YOU ARE FORGIVEN Why carry guilt around like a large boulder weighing us down?  Learn that God has forgiven and that will     restore the joy of salvation.  (Psalm 53:12)

3. TRUST GOD’S CARE The world knows no joy because it is overwhelmed by fear.  Some are fearing the effects of “global warming” while others fear a coming ice age.  But the Christian knows God is in charge, and he’s on our side.

4. LIVE BY GOD’S STANDARDS The Prodigal Son ruined his joy when he left his father’s home, and insisted on living by his own rules.  He chose wrong activities and paid the price.  Living by God’s rules does not eliminate joy, it creates it.  The word “joy” or “rejoice” is used over 600 times in the Bible, about once every two chapters.  Our joy and happiness is important to God, and he tells us how to achieve it.  “Rejoice always.”  (I Thess. 5:16) 

Phil Grear

What you share online reveals a lot about your thinking. Whether it is angry, passive-aggressive, political, religious, personal, or news-oriented, you’re probably sharing it because you’re thinking about it. Here are 8 questions we all need to ask before we share or post something online.

Paul writes in Philippians 4:8,

Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

If these are the things we should be thinking about, then before hitting the “share” button, we should probably ask ourselves:

1. Is it true? 

When we share information that isn’t true, we hurt our credibility. Check it out before you post it. Just because you want it to be true, does not make it true.

2. Is it honorable?

This word can also be translated as “noble” or “dignified.” Anything that has the potential to embarrass you – or embarrass the church – ought not to be posted.

3. Is it just?

This word might also be translated, “righteous” or “right.” Can you post this “by faith” (Romans 14:23), knowing that this is a righteous thing to post? If you’re not sure, don’t post it.

4. Is it pure?

Some of the photos and websites Christians share are absolutely appalling! If it isn’t “G” rated, you probably shouldn’t post it.

5. Is it lovely?

There is far too much “ugliness” going on in the world. Christians certainly don’t need to let their minds dwell on all the ugliness and negativity, much less perpetuate it by sharing words and pictures that are rude and ugly.

6. Is it commendable (admirable)?

Think about the people you’ve admired in your life. Is this something they would share online? More importantly, based on Scripture, can you honestly say the Lord would “commend” you for posting it?

7. Is it excellent?

We live in a busy and distracting world. Many things that pop into our minds or flash across our screens are not helpful, beneficial, or excellent. Don’t waste your time and your energy on these things.

8. Is it praise-worthy?

Is this something you should really be thinking about right now? Is this something for which the Lord would praise you? Would He would say, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” as you share this with your friends and followers?

There is certainly a lot of stuff online that is not worthy of your time and energy. Only let your mind dwell on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praise-worthy. If you do, it will be reflected in what you share online. - borrowed

While spiritual gifts have ceased and are no longer needed or possessed by Christians today (1 Corinthians 13:8-12), that which is still needed greatly and abiding deeply within all faithful Christians are faith, hope and love (13:13). Have you ever considered how these impact a Christian’s life today, including our attendance at Bible class and worship services?

How does your FAITH impact your church attendance? How strong is your faith? How deep is your faith? In whom have you placed your faith? Is your faith in the Almighty God? Is your faith in the resurrected Lord?

Christians are reminded, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe…” (Hebrews 11:6). What could you do on Sundays and Wednesdays to make your faith stronger? To make your faith deeper? To show the Almighty God and resurrected Lord your faith is truly in them? How is your faith expressed by your attendance?

How does your HOPE impact your church attendance? How firm is your hope? How alive is your hope? In whom is your hope founded? Is your hope steadfastly anchored in God and the heavenly abode? Is the resurrected Christ in you, the hope of your glory?

Christians are encouraged, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering…firm to the end” (Hebrews 10:23; 3:6). What could you do on Sundays and Wednesdays to revive your hope? To strengthen the hold of your hope? To ground your hope more firmly and more deeply in your Savior’s love? How is your hope expressed by your attendance?

How does your LOVE impact your church attendance? How fervent is your love for the Lord? How committed is your love? Does your love for the Lord engulf your entire being/life?

Christians are commanded, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind” (Luke 10:27). What could you do on Sundays and Wednesdays to make your love more fervent? More committed? How is your love expressed by your attendance?

Church attendance is not about you...it’s not about the church...it’s not about who else is there. Church attendance is, like every other Christian endeavor and Christian responsibility, about one’s faith, hope and love in God!

~David Sproule

 DANA’S DIRECTION 
 
 One cannot read the book of Acts without being impressed with the rapid growth of the church after her establishment.  We see the church growing spiritually and  numerically.  Both are important!  God wants His church to grow.  The purpose of this   article is to not to promote a particular method, but to suggest a couple of areas on which we must focus if we want to see the church grow.  Let me suggest first that we must develop a mind to grow. I am afraid that Satan has convinced us that people aren’t interested and there is little or nothing that we can do to change that.  If the church is going to grow we must truly believe that it can.  We must believe that God is still able to do amazing things through His church.  Do we still believe Rom. 1:16?  Do we still believe Matt. 11:28-30?  Do we believe that Jesus is the answer to the problems of life?  Do we really believe that people are lost without the gospel?  We need to develop the passion that Christ, the Apostles and the early church had for the lost.  Secondly, we must have the proper message:  It was a message that included the whole counsel of God.  (Acts 20:27)  The message of the early church was Christ centered, convicted men of sin, called them to repentance and then provided the solution for sin.  Furthermore, it challenged false religions.  It challenged people to make sacrifices for the cause of Christ.  It was an uncompromising message.  It did not reach out and embrace every religious vies and lifestyle.  There was an exclusiveness about the message that made it appear “narrow minded” to many who heard it (Acts 4:12).  It was a message of good news centering on Christ and especially the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. People need the good news.  They need to know that Jesus loves us, left the glories of heaven, died a horrible death on the cross and conquered death that we might have the good life now and eternal life in the end.  Finally; It was a proclaimed message.  Early Christians went everywhere preaching the word (Acts 8:4) They had the “good news” and they wanted the world to hear it!  They felt compelled to proclaim it (Acts 4:19-20; 8:4).  We live in difficult times and reaching people with the gospel is not easy, but if we will develop the mind to grow taking the message of Christ to all who will listen, the church can still grow!  May God help to not allow Satan to discourage us and convince us not to grow, but to practice these biblical principles and allow God to work through us and His Word. 
       -Steve Snyder (edited for space)

DANA’S DIRECTION

There is an old Indian proverb: “Pray to God, but keep rowing against the rocks.” What does it mean? God helps those who help themselves? Or perhaps as someone has written, “Pray as if everything depends on God; work as if everything depends on you.” I thought of this proverb as I was reading the gospel accounts of Jesus’ walking on the sea. (John 6:15-21; Mark 6:45-48) It was a very pressing time in the ministry of Jesus. He was besieged by crowds of people, some of whom wanted to hear him preach; many others who were drawn by the bread He fed the 5,000. Some things were getting out of hand. Jesus perceived that some wanted to take him by force and make him their king. Jesus needed reprieve…he went to the mountain alone, to spend time in prayer. Before he left, he saw his disciples off as they got into the boat to go before Him to Bethsaida on the other side of the lake. As they reached the middle of the sea, in the night, a storm arose because a great wind was blowing. It was dark and Jesus had not come to them. They had been rowing for hours, a distance of three or four miles. They certainly were wondering where Jesus was (on another occasion they asked ‘Master, do you not care that we perish? (Mark 4:38) But Jesus was well aware of their struggles. Mark says “He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them.” (Mark 6:48) Where was Jesus when they struggled? What was he doing? He was watching. He was praying. Then, about the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. They were troubled, but Jesus told them, “It is I, do not be afraid.” When they willingly received him into the boat, the storm passed and they were safely on the other side. Surely there are truths here to keep in mind as we are confronted by the storms in our life. It is not too difficult to offer platitudes and prayers to God when the waters of life are still and peaceful, but when the winds blow and the waves begin to toss, we become afraid. We cry out to God; as well we should! What happens when the answer to those prayers is not immediate? Where is Jesus? Does he know about our struggles? Does he care? O yes, he cares! “My Jesus knows when I am lonely, He knows each pain, He sees each tear; He understands each lonely heartache, He understands because He cares.” So then, what is Jesus doing? When his disciples struggled in the boat – he watched, and he prayed. I must assume that is what he is doing when we are struggling. So then, what can we do? What must we do? We must keep on rowing. There is a lot about life that can be described as just keeping on rowing. It is a struggle to raise a family – a difficult economy may make it a struggle to keep a roof over our head and food on the table. The demands of raising children can be great. What can we do? Just keep on rowing. It is challenging to live the Christian life. There are times when other people (our neighbors, friends, fellow-workers, and even our family) may persecute us or give us a hard way to go. What can we do? Keep on rowing. There are times when the normally choppy waters of life turn into a tempestuous storm. A job is lost and a family becomes homeless, a child gets into trouble, we are forced to fight a disease. What can we do? Keep on rowing. All we can do is look for work, deal with the problems, seek doctors and treatments, and keep on rowing – and most importantly keep on praying. The one thing I have taken from the story of Jesus coming to his disciples in the middle of the storm is that he will also come to us. He sees our need. He cares. He prays for us and he will come in the right way, at the right time, with the answer to our prayer. Don’t lose heart, keep on rowing.