A Joy Filled Christmas

In our society, there has been a spirit of heaviness this year. The devil has been trying to pull us down, but God our Father is trying to lift us up.

  

  

Psalm 3:3 New International Version (NIV)

3 But you, Lord, are a shield around me,

    my glory, the One who lifts my head high.

I've been hearing in my spirit for the last several months that 2019 will be a year of great Joy. 

Isaiah 61:3 New International Version (NIV)

3     and provide for those who grieve in Zion—

to bestow on them a crown of beauty

    instead of ashes,

the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,

    a planting of the Lord

    for the display of his splendor.

Joy is the antidote of heaviness. 

Nehemiah 8:10 New International Version (NIV)

10 Nehemiah said ...Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Let's ask ourselves what can we do to create an environment of Joy in 2019 for those around us?  We find this message of Joy, too, in the Christmas story.

  

Luke 2:10-11 New International Version (NIV)

10 But the angel said to them (the shepherds), “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

Let's take Scripture above as a personal promise for 2019. The shepherds were who the angel spoke these words too.

  

Being a shepherd on the midnight shift was tough, and they were probably tired and discourage.  

The angel was telling them that this Christ who was born that day was their breakthrough from their discouragement.  He was the one that they had been waiting for.

  

Not everything is going to work out for us in 2019, but Joy is based upon an internal relationship with Jesus and not our external circumstances.

  

Joy is like a journey.  It starts with a beginning and progresses one step at a time.  That what is says in Psalm 16:11. 

Psalm 16:11 New International Version (NIV)

11 You make known to me the path of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence,

    with eternal pleasures at your right hand. 

  

When we understand what God is doing inside of us, that brings us great joy.  Let's take the time to untangle the mess that we might find ourselves in.  Review what happened, and circumvent those pitfalls in 2019.

  

The mess that we're in is like a string of lights on your Christmas tree.  It may be tangled, and must be plugged in.  If there is a missing bulb, they still won't work. 

In 2019, let's...

1.  Plug into our power source which is Jesus himself this Christmas.  Ask the Lord Jesus,  take my past and be my Lord and Savior of my future.

  

2. Next, find your place in Church family.  People who love the Lord with all their heart and love His Word, the Bible. 

And have a Joy filled Christmas,

Chris Hodges, Church of the Highlands.
https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/joy-to-the-world1