June 1, 1998
This week the Spirit has lead me to change the pace a bit. I don't want anyone to get the impression that the underground is a dark and lonely place, filled with isolationists and paranoia. GOD FORBID! We can never survive the trails and tribulations of life if we lose our Joy and the Love that lights our path. We rejoice always in our salvation and in the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ. So this week no Persecution, no darkness, only the Joy of our common faith. The Love of our GOD and His son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.
In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted. Psalm 89:16
Rejoice in the LORD
i started out to write a message on the Armor of GOD that Paul spoke of, then i changed it to the Gifts of the Spirit, but the Holy Spirit had other ideas. The Spirit has put a real burden on my heart to wite on the Joy of our Salvation. A precious sister in Christ asked me the other night "do you preach on anything other than persecution?". Yes i do, most of the time in fact, but as i look over the underground church web site it may appear otherwise. Persecution of the Church and the coming Tribulation are very serious matters, and they often promote defensiveness rather than Joy. Yet Joy is the basis of our response to adversity and the hallmark of my life and ministry. Without Joy we are left at the mercy of our circumstances. If Satan can steal our Joy he has us right where he wants us.
How do we keep hold of the Joy we have in Christ? If you have ever fallen in love you know the great Joy you experienced while that love was new and fresh. As Christians, we are in a love affair with Christ. We are the Bride and He is the Bridegroom. Remember back to when you were first Saved by Grace, you were filled with Love and Joyous in your salvation. That does not need to leave us as we walk away from the Altar. Our Savior is always with us and His Love is without limit. It flows in us and through us by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit is much like a great flowing river. As Love flows out of you to others you are refilled. The more that flows out the more that enters. The more you give the more you receive. As you allow the Love and Joy you have been given to burst forth the inward flow builds. Paul said that without Love, all our Gifts are worthless. This is the commandment of Christ. All else comes from this and all else is completed in this. To Love each other as Christ Loved the Church. We are able to Love because Christ first Loved us. If we open the floodgates of Love and Joy we allow the Holy Spirit to flood our hearts with the Love of Christ and the eternal Joy of our salvation.
If you have never experienced the Joy of the Lord then call on Him right now. Jesus is faithful to respond. He is waiting for you with open arms, ready to take you into His Father's House. There is no pit too deep , no sin too awful that He will not wash it away and fill you with the Light of His Love. Our GOD is a GOD of Love and Joy, He wants you to come home, His Love is waiting for you.
If you are seeking the Joy of the Lord and need to talk to someone please contact me.