Kill Joy?

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


 Sin steals our joy and gives us heaviness. 


(Psalm 32:1-11) Blessed (Happy) is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.


Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.


When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. 


Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.” 


And you (God) forgave the guilt of my sin. 


Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him. 


Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart! 



 Sin kills and pollutes our lives. 



(Psalm 73:18-19) Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! 



 Sin destroys our identity. 


God knows what you did, but that's not who you are.



(Psalm 38:4, 6) My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear… I am bowed down and brought low. 





Ask for forgiveness and practice God's presence.  



You can't be guilty and happy as the same time. 



God will forgive your sins that you have committed, and that you will commit.  





It is a Daily Choice 


(Acts 3:19-20) Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord. 



1. I will daily choose to put to death my old sin nature. 



(Psalm 51:2) Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 



(Romans 8:12-13 NLT) Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. 



If you sin, you will not lose your forgiveness, but you will lose your joy. 



We must turn daily from our sins, and purpose yield to Jesus.   



That's why we have to have a daily change of heart.  



2. I will daily release my past and take another step toward freedom.



 (Psalm 51:7) Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 



(James 5:16 MSG) Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. 



3. I will daily pursue God’s plan for my life. 



(Psalm 51:10) Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 



(Romans 12:2 NLT) Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. 


4. I will daily live a life that impacts others. 



(Psalm 51:12-13) Restore to me the joy of your salvation… and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. 



Joy is more than a feeling. It’s a way of living.



Chris Hodges, Church of the Highlands

https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/the-daily-choice