Ready to Party
Ben has decided that he wants to die. This son of mine, who lives with a trust I aspire to….he believes in heaven, and can’t wait to get there. Why…
Ben has decided that he wants to die. This son of mine, who lives with a trust I aspire to….he believes in heaven, and can’t wait to get there. Why…
Joy. The dictionary defines it as “the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying.” The apostle James tells us to “Consider it pure joy,…
Rejoicing always in the Lord (see Philippians 4:4) may seem unrealistic at times. But we must remember that this rejoicing is centered not in a passing circumstance but in a constant…
Happiness happens when we give it away. Be the family member who offers to wash the dishes after dinner. Be the colleague who serves the staff by arriving on time…
Philippians makes clear that our stories are living expressions of Jesus’ story.” As Christ-followers, we’re called to emulate Jesus by living a life of joy, prayer, and perseverance through hardship.…
How many of us have any idea the depths of God’s forgiveness? In June of 1983, a young woman named Karla Faye Tucker savagely murdered a couple as they slept. …
Joy. It’s not getting what you want. It’s appreciating what you have. Joy isn’t always the easiest choice or the obvious choice, but joy is a choice. The Apostle Paul…
The day had arrived. It was beyond sad. It was solemn, and it was heavy. Without hesitation we were there to support, to console, and to be present. In what…
Plagues and suffering have often produced the greatest hymns of hope, help and joy! Read the lyrics of songwriters who rose above darkness, depression and disease by singing praise. See…
You have no idea what God might set into motion with one word of encouragement. Words have power! One encouraging word could be the catalyst for change in your life.…
When I saw the movie Paul, Apostle of Christ, I was surprised at how dark it was, focusing almost exclusively on Rome’s brutal violence done against Christians and their children.…
Have you lost your joy? Joylessness is not a respecter of grandparents. Even those who anticipate special occasions with great delight are susceptible to it. Allowing their focus and priorities…
Have you learned to live an abundant life despite circumstances? God’s plan is to renew us. Every day is a new adventure. He renews our minds with his Word. He…
Max Lucado inspires with these words about how to handle a recession with peace and joy: “Turn on the TV or open a paper and the financial news can be…
God created us to love people and use things, but materialists love things and use people. Materialism drives not just the “bad apples” of society; it drives “the best and…
Christmas is inundated with some rich wonderful holiday music that lends a profound fullness to the holiday season. The messages in this music are far different than most of the…
It isn’t hard for kids to be happy around Christmas, especially if they think there’s going to be a pile of gifts waiting for them on December 25th. But this kind…
Many Christians ask me, “Am I sinning if I’m not happy as a Christian?” In answering this question, I’m assuming two things of readers: Happiness and joy are synonyms, and…
The day had arrived. It was beyond sad. It was solemn, and it was heavy. Without hesitation we were there to support, to console, and to be present. In what…
Compared to joy, happiness has gotten a bad reputation. Particularly among Christians. In the recent past (30-40 years) we have been taught that there is a significant difference between joy…
Dear Roger, My mom passed away a few months ago. Can she hear me in heaven when I talk to her? Sincerely, Brian Dear Brian, No one can answer your…
“Count it all joy when you encounter various trials…” James 1:2 The day had arrived. It was beyond sad. It was solemn, and it was heavy. Without hesitation we were…
We learn to find joy in our walk with God as we remember who God is and what He has done for us throughout our lives. Matt Chandler gives us…
Joy Hlavka Forney grew up in our church. She is a missionary to Uganda and teaches powerfully on how to live victoriously in the midst of difficult circumstances. Here are Joy’s…
Amanda Todd became an unwitting spokesperson for despair at the age of fifteen after a predator had convinced her to pose topless for a photo, and then posted it online.…
What makes you happy? Can you imagine that true happiness comes only from loving God completely? The Bible describes this delight in experiential terms — an existential reality that is…
I think joy in eternity will be the same sort of thing we know as joy and happiness and delight right now. But it will be purified and absolute in…
Dear Roger, Now we have the results: the President has not supported Israel as in the past. It seems to me that a lot of older Christians have an unhealthy…
The Book of Zephaniah contains a wonderful and moving description of God’s love. We don’t deserve God’s love, but He offers it to us in the gift of Jesus Christ.…
In the most severe trial their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and…
At our church, Redeemer we often speak of serving, strengthening, and “renewing” New York City. When we talk like this, we must be careful not to deny “common grace.” We…
A bucket list is a list of things you want to accomplish in your lifetime. They are typically out-of-the-ordinary experiences, not mundane, predictable ones. For instance, you wouldn’t include maintain…
Dear Roger, I’m just confused on one point, where does it say that satan has open access to Heaven? and there are scriptures that say no sin can dwell…
“After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 The disciples looked at one another,…
Preach It, Teach It has presented various discussions regarding the issue of homosexuality. Tom Terry, seasoned author, is presenting his own view on the volatile issue of gay discrimination. What…
“Happiness” is an over-used, misunderstood term. The word happy literally comes from the root word “happenstance.” “Happiness” is something that happens to you. We say “Happy Birthday” or “Happy New…
Strong Christian marriages have Christ-centered relationships that are grounded by individual relationships with the Lord. Many who have joyous homes that are filled with love and laughter find their strength…
“Spirituality” is now an acceptable and even a stylish presence in our cultural life, including the university or college. It can come in the form of religion, in some traditionally…
Fierce, contrary winds whipped the waves of the Galilean Sea like a frothy meringue. Jesus’ rag-tag team shivered in their sandals as their tiny wooden skiff tossed about on the…
Jesus was not always welcomed warmly by earth-travelers. Some saw Him as a threat. Some saw Him as a heretic. Most saw Him as an enigma. Not everyone in Jesus’…
Jesus was not always welcomed warmly by earth-travelers. Some saw Him as a threat. Some saw Him as a heretic. Most saw Him as an enigma. Not everyone in Jesus’…
Celebration is about spiritually savoring all of who God is, all that He has done. It is all about the joy available to us and the connections we have with…
Dear Roger, Do you have to publicly become a Christian or can you do it in private? Sincerely, Anonymous (from Casas Church Discovering Christianity Class) Dear Anonymous, When I was…
We can be free from anxiety and aloneness because we have access to the throne room of God and His gifts of peace and joy. We must live with the…
Peter emphasizes the paradox of experiencing joy in the midst of suffering. We can know God’s grace and peace when we suffer for His name and live in the hope…
We all have up and down days. God wants us to rejoice together and comfort each other when we are hurting. Comforters come uninvited, openly express the depths of their…
Celebrate the unique differences in personality which define us as married couples. For instance, introverts and extroverts can bring balance to a relationship. To understand our partners is to value and…
Job received four priceless blessings from God: his possessions were doubled, his relatives and friends rendered support, he had more children and he received the patriarchal blessing of a long…