The Life Changing Choice

Joy Wins 

(John 10:10 NIV) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 

(2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here! 

Divine Order of JOY 

(Hebrews 12:1-3 TLB) Since we have such a huge crowd of men of faith watching us from the grandstands, let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back, and especially those sins that wrap themselves so tightly around our feet and trip us up; and let us run with patience the particular race that God has before us. Keep your eyes on Jesus, our leader and instructor. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterwards; and now he sits in the place of honor by the throne of God. If you want to keep from becoming fainthearted and weary, think about his patience as sinful men did such terrible things to him. 

Jesus 

(Matthew 6:33 AMP) But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. 

Others 

(Act 20:35) In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Yourself 

(1 Peter 5:7 NLT) Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 

The Life-Changing Choice 

(Isaiah 9:2-3) The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. 

1. Life-changing joy is inside out. 

(Galatians 5:22-23) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and selfcontrol. Against such things there is no law. 

2. Life-changing joy is beyond circumstances. 

(Psalm 19:8) The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

3. Life-changing joy is with others. 

(Psalm 16:11 ESV) You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. 

4. Life-changing joy is going to win. 

(Nehemiah 8:10) Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” 

Dino Rizzo, Church of the Highlands