Joy is the birthright of the Christian believer. Jesus said, "I have said these things to you that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be full" (John 15:11). Jesus was the Man of Joy.
The followers of Jesus Christ at COR must be a visible representation of His joy in order to win our Flagstaff community to Christ. Sometimes Christians are characterized as grim and negative. If so, we need to repent. Apparently, we are taking ourselves and this challenging world in which we live entirely too seriously. Genuine joy is the gift of God to real people in our real world. It transcends happiness which is dependent upon optimal
circumstances. Artesian joy springs forth from a heart and life filled with the reality of the risen Christ.
Teilhard de Chardin once wrote, "Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God." May we know joy in our worship for God is present. May we know joy in our serving and witnessing for we represent the Lord. He is present. As we labor in the Lord's vineyard planting Church of the Resurrection may "the joy of the Lord be our strength" (Nehemiah 8:10).
The growth of attraction must happen as the people of COR gather to worship and serve and as we scatter to our homes, neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces. The early Christian believers were delirious with the joy of the Lord "and the Lord added to their number daily those who were saved." (Acts 2:47). People were drawn to the joy present in the believer's lives.
Joy to You!
Pastor Bob Norton
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