Good day to all and I pray this writing finds everyone happy and joyful in the Lord. We are continuing today with our series, "Lord, I Want It All! " Today I want us to look at a subject that is difficult at times for all of us. It is one that is sometimes hard to do as we are going through periods of suffering. The subject is, "With Suffering, I Want the Joy ." Suffering in our lives is not, many times, a happy time by any means. But know this, we are not talking about happiness here, but Joy. There is a difference. We should not settle for the suffering that comes our way without the joy that is, and should be, attached to it. In Hebrews 12:2 the writer said these words; "looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (ASV)
Think about something with me; what was it that motivated Jesus to do what He did? What is it that would cause the Son of God to leave the glories of heaven, knowing the pain He would suffer, the abuse of even those who were His own, and ultimately die the horrible and excruciating death that He died? I do not think any of us would say He enjoyed being in pain or suffering just to suffer. The Hebrew writer tells us the reason. Jesus was motivated by joy. The sheer joy of what He had to offer to you and me is what motivated Him to endure the cross. That, my friend, is what should motivate us to share it with the lost.
Each of us knows the reality of this in our own lives. When we have news, good news, to share with others, we many times cannot wait to share that news with those we love. It is compelling to us and we have no choice. When our children were born, or grandchildren, we did not wait a few days until we had the extra time to tell everyone. We did not write a letter or drop a post card. No, we were excited and rushed from that hospital to spread the news to anyone and everyone who was within ear-shot. We picked up that phone and made calls to all we could think of until our fingers were worn out. The news we had to share was too good to keep to ourselves.
The greatest motivation for us to evangelize today is for each of us to experience the joy of Jesus Christ. When the "good news" of Jesus Christ becomes good news to us, may we share it with all the enthusiasm we can muster. We talk about so many things and often our aches and pains in life. Look beyond your 'not so good news' to the very reason we exist as Christians. Paul said, "The love of Christ compels us." Literally that reads, "The love of Christ leaves us no choice." May we all share what we have because what we have inside us is truly too good to keep to ourselves.
Jesus looked beyond the cross and all it contained, and looked to being with His Father in heaven and all those who would respond to His "Gospel". May each of us look beyond our 'cross' in life and look with joy to those who need to hear the greatest news man will ever tell or hear.
May God bless until we meet again. Thanks again for these opportunities to share with each of you.
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