Thirty-Six Years Today

To one gorgeous lady. I'm so thankful to God for Marylin and that He had the great wisdom to give me a partner who would stand with me and by me. One who would be the greatest soul mate and friend. I couldn't have the life I have today, nor enjoy any measure of the blessings I've been privileged to enjoy without her in my life; this I'm sure of.

So as the old song says, this is dedicated to the one I love - my wife of 36 years today, Marylin. I love you babe!

Always and forever,

Steve

The Joy of God

How Can I have It?

This week, I want to drill down deeper on this subject of joy. After the overwhelming response to the teaching on God's Gift of Joy, I realize there are so many who are struggling in this area of life.

Let's begin with the area of repentance. Is it the cause or effect of salvation? Repentance is not simply feeling sorry for my sins. Here is a great definition for repentance:

To change; to turn; to change one's mind; to turn one's life. It is a turning away from sin and turning toward God. It is a change of mind, a forsaking of sin. It is putting sin out of one's thoughts and behavior. It is resolving never to think or do a thing again. (Cp. Matthew 3:2; Luke 13:2-3; Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19; Acts 8:22; Acts 26:20.) - Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary

But be very careful here, for repentance is not the cause of your forgiveness and therefore your joy, it is the result! Listen to these words from Oswald Chambers:

The only reason for the forgiveness of our sins by God, and the infinite depth of His promise to forget them, is the death of Jesus Christ. Our repentance is merely the result of our personal realization of the atonement by the Cross of Christ, which He has provided for us.

The Apostle Paul said it this way:

Everything that we have-right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start-comes from God by way of Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:30 (MSG)

Then Oswald concludes his thought by saying:

Once we realize that Christ has become all this for us, the limitless joy of God begins in us. And wherever the joy of God is not present, the death sentence is still in effect. So, is there an area of your life where you're not experiencing joy? If there is, it's because you have not yet realized that attitude or mind set's death in you by its death in the sacrifice of Christ.

You can have a fresh start today by taking that fear, relationship, anger, depression, hurt, hang-up, or habit, or whatever it may be and literally receive God's joy over it through the Cross of Christ.

Joyfully!

Pastor Steve


Coming Next: Satan's Attempts to Destroy Our Joy

Unwrapping God's Gifts

God's Gift of Joy

This week we unwrap week two of our new series, Unwrapping God's Gifts. As I've been preparing this message for Sunday, God's Gift of Joy, God has really burdened my heart for so many that we the body of TVCC know that aren't very joyful these days. We're living in tough economic times and humanly speaking, the days are uncertain; but not so with God.

Paul gives us our text for this weekend in 1 Thessalonians 5:16, "Always be joyful." Paul could say that because he knew that with God, days are not uncertain and that the times couldn't get too tough for anyone who depended on God for every answer to life's successes or problems.

You all know that the heartbeat of TVCC is for those who either have no joy because they don't know the source of joy, Jesus Christ or because of hard times and they've forgotten the true source of joy is found only in Jesus - the greatest gift ever! God has given me a burden for them and I pray that burden will be passed on to you as well.

Now, here's the challenge: You know them. They're all around you every day. Why not offer them a great gift this very weekend as you invite them and bring them with you to one of our worship services so they can find or recapture the joy of life in Christ? It's the best you can do for them; it's the greatest gift you'll ever give.

See you at the UNWRAPPING Place this Sunday!

Pastor Steve