Encountering an extraordinary God in ordinary life
Issue # 224 August 09, 2001
Peace, Joy, Contentment

Christians are called to a full life, an abundant life. I’m not talking about material blessing here, although sometimes God does bless us materially. I’m talking about our spiritual lives, our day to day lives.

A personal relationship with Christ is a call to a life of joy, contentment and peace. Christians should be the most incredibly joyful people in the world.

Believers are the only people in the world with hope. We have Jesus. We have Holy Spirit. We should be shouting it from the rooftops, telling everyone we know about it.

Holy Spirit dwells within us. He gives us His fruit if we seek it.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law Galations 5:22-23 NIV

You know that, but you don’t manifest it in your lives. Why? Perhaps because you became complacent with your salvation and didn’t look any further.

There is only one thing that will satisfy all our wants and desires. It’s not a new house, a better job, a cruise or more money. It’s not even a new computer or big screen TV It’s not drugs, alcohol or sex. It’s not the thrill of betting or of sky-diving. It’s the Living Water of Jesus Christ.

Perhaps you’ve has a taste of it as you closed your eyes and sang a favourite worship song. Maybe you have felt Him with you during a prayer. Perhaps you have felt Him close by you during a time of crisis.

Maybe you have had what a Pentecostal friend of mine calls a full out, no holds barred, rolling in the aisles Holy Ghost experience.

When Holy Spirit moves, things happen and people are changed forever.

So how do we get all these wonderful blessings? All this peace, joy, gentleness stuff?

Well, one thing I know for sure is that we don’t get them if we don’t look to deepen our relationship with Christ.

Let me just speak straight from my heart here. Nothing fancy, just something I have learned out of experience.

A deep personal relationship with Jesus is the most awesome thing you will ever experience. You don’t have to be perfect or super-spiritual, which is a good thing, because I’m neither. All you have to do just truly open your heart to Him and seek Him diligently.

Don’t accept complacency in your faith. You don’t need to do that.

Don’t accept the garbage the world offers you as a substitute or distraction.

Seek Jesus.
Seek Him in your prayer.
Seek Him in your worship.
Seek Him in your service and giving.
Trust Him.
Obey what He has taught.
Open your eyes and look around you, He is everywhere.

Fully, completely give yourself to Him. He is simply more important than anything or anyone else.

I don’t mean neglect your family or your obligations because that runs contrary to His word, but He still ranks a distant first.

It’s time to quit playing at it. Quit playing at being Christians or settling for superficial Christianity and go for the gusto.

Christ brings us radical change. It can permeate every aspect of your life.

It’s time to experience the joy of the Lord.

Until next time, may you truly experience everything Christ has in store for you.

God bless.

Kevin

If you don’t know this Jesus who fills our lives, but would like to, email me. I’ll share a few Bible verses that explain why such a relationship is important and a prayer that will make it possible.