Where you can find unending joy
October 18, 2010
Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places. To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.
Habakkuk 3:17-19
Obedience is difficult sometimes, isn't it? Though Christians are called to live a life characterized by joy, a fruit of the Spirit, our circumstances have a way of determining the amount of joy that is shining through us.
Yet in my life, I've learned that being thankful to God should never be dependent on my circumstances.
Now, the world is going to tell you that your joy should be determined by your circumstances... that if you've had a bad day, it's okay to mope around and feel sorry for yourself. But God calls you to a higher standard.
One of the shortest verses in the Bible says, "Rejoice always." So you and I are prohibited from allowing our daily circumstances to have so much control over us that they steal our joy.
Instead, find your joy in the Lord. He loves you so much that he sent Jesus to die so you could be rescued from the kingdom of darkness. This doesn't just translate into eternal life. It also means you have the power of God in you today. What a wonderful thing to be joyful about!
So when the bank account is low and you're behind on your bills, when you feel alone, or when you've had a rough day, rejoice because you are loved.
FIND YOUR JOY IN GOD'S BLESSINGS, NOT YOUR IMMEDIATE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Subject Line: Using your life for God's purposes
October 19, 2010
"...you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?" Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."
Daniel 3:15-18
I love this story of three men who were so bold in their faith that they were willing to face death. You see, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego weren't sure God was going to save them. But there were two things they did know: God was in control and they were to serve no other!
Now, if you know the rest of the story, you know God did save the three men. But what a display of faith we see here in the face of certain death!
Death is real. In fact, the last time I checked, the death rate for those who have been born is 100%! So the question you should be asking isn't, "Am I going to die?" The question you should be asking is, "How am I going to live?"
God calls you to purposeful living. That's living beyond yourself and offering your entire life up to him and his purpose. So pray and tell God that you are his completely. When you offer yourself to him each day, just watch what he will do in your life!
OFFER YOUR WHOLE SELF UP TO GOD AND LIVE FOR HIM ALONE!
For more from PowerPoint Ministries and Dr. Jack Graham, please visit www.jackgraham.org
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MY GIFT TO YOU!
Straight Up
Dear Friend,
I sincerely hope you will request my 10-message series called Straight Up, where I tackle 10 tough questions we all face. Like "When Does Life Begin?" and "Can Love Last a Lifetime?", "Can You Trust the Bible?", and "Are All Religions the Same?"
After listening, you'll be more equipped to live a confident life, knowing the truth and trusting the promises of Christ!
Thank you for giving to help PowerPoint continue to share the transforming power of Jesus!! --Jack Graham 
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