Are we showing our joy?

 I feel that sometimes we believers and followers of Jesus Christ fail at expressing the joy that is within our hearts properly.  I don't mean we need to put on a show or anything like that.  I mean we have a great reason to show joy to those around us because of our relationship with Jesus Christ.

We have all sinned and have fallen short of God's high standards.  We are all deserving of being eternally separated from the Living God and placed in a literal hell forever out of God's Holy presence.  

Thankfully,  God made a way for us law breakers to be reconciled back to Himself.  The Lord sent Jesus Christ into this world to live a perfect and sinless life.  Jesus is the only One that ever kept the law of God without fault.  Jesus was pierced for our transgressions.  Jesus was nailed to a cruel wooden Cross and He bled and died there for our sins. 

Jesus took the punishment that you and I deserve in order to bring us into a right relationship with God.  Who ever comes to Jesus Christ in faith will be saved.  We must realize that we are a sinner and can't save ourselves.  Then we must receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. 

God raised Jesus from the dead on the third day.  We know that One Day Jesus Christ will return and bring the Kingdom of God to full completion here on the earth.   We know that who ever believes on Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sins will be saved and will have a Home in Heaven when our earthly lives are over.  

We have a lot to rejoice over in the Lord.  We should be full of joy and gratitude for all the Lord has done for us.   The Lord didn't leave us as orphans, but He gives the Holy Spirit to indwell everyone who has placed their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Sometimes we confuse joy and happiness.  Happiness is dependent upon our circumstances while joy isn't.  We can be joyful that we are known by the Lord and that our names are written on the Lambs Book of Life because of what Jesus did for us on the Cross at Calvary. 

I am reminded of how much joy Paul and Silas had even though they were chained to a wall in a prison in Philippi.  They were singing out to the Lord and they were full of joy.  Their witness was powerful there because they ended up bringing a guard to faith in Jesus Christ and his entire family as well because they showed their joy.

I wonder what would happen if we truly allowed the Holy Spirit to flow through us unhindered and express the joy we have from knowing the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.  What kind of impact would we have on those around us?

Lord,

Restore our joy in knowing You.

Help us to be a witness for You in this darkening world of sin and sorrow.

Fill us with Your Holy Spirit.

We rejoice in who You are.

Lead us and guide our steps.

May Your will be done.

In Jesus Name we pray,

Amen.