We started a new series at Northwood today.  The series is called “Journey To Joy!” and it’s all about discovering who we are and what we have in and through our relationship with God.

As we began our conversation about joy at church today, we discovered that joy is a work of God, not a work of man.  Man can manipulate outside circumstances, which will lead to happiness, but the gift of joy that God gives to us flows from within.

Joy flows out of our life, when we learn to yield to the things of the Spirit.  The Bible says that we sow to the flesh or to the Spirit and our choice will directly impact what we reap.  God has an amazing harvest that He wants to bless us with, but we have to make right and wise choices.

Our heart is filled with joy when we allow ourselves to experience genuine worship of our Creator.  This God-centered worship is founded and grounded in spirit and truth.    Genuine worship is not about our entertainment, it is about God’s glory, which allows us to walk in incredible and amazing faith.  This walk in faith gives us hope, which allows the joy to flow from deep within us.

Take some time to think about the joy of the Lord and take some time to thank Him for such an amazing and wonderful gift!  Blessings!

Sometimes I forget that this world is not my home.  This life is just my passing through on a place called earth.  In this life, I have the opportunity to grow in relationship with my Creator and to share that relationship with others.

The Bible puts it this ways in Hebrews 13:14  “For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.”

When I was a teenager, one of my favorite music groups was a band called Petra.  Petra had a song called “Not Of This World!” and it is still one of my favorites.  There is a line in the song that says:  “There’s so much to do before we leave.  With so many more who may believe.  Our mission here can never fail.  And the gates of hell will not prevail!”

We are not of this world, but our work is not finished, so let’s get busy for God’s glory!  Hope you enjoy the video and music below and have a blessed weekend!

You are special and you need to know and remember that you are special.  You are special because God created you and has an amazing plan for your life.  Do not allow anyone to take this reality away from you, especially the enemy.

My Bible teaches me that I am God’s family, adopted as a child of the King.  It teaches me that we are friends, we get to walk and talk together everyday and will spend all eternity together.  It teaches me that I am free, because I have been bought and redeemed at a great price.  It teaches me that I am filled with the Holy Spirit, which means that God flows into and through me.  It teaches me that I am forgiven, not because I’ve earned it or deserve it, but because God’s grace is amazing and His mercy is sweet.

We need to learn to remind ourself, others and the devil everyday that “I am who God says that I am and it does not matter what you say!”  Go ahead, say it out loud.  Now say it again, c’mon – say it like you mean it!

Now believe it, live it and watch God do incredible and amazing things in, through and with your life.