These days it seems that everyone is pursuing happiness.  We try just about anything to make ourselves happy.  But God has promised something greater to those that believe on Jesus Christ.  God promised joy.

The Difference

Happiness is external.  Happiness is based on our circumstances.  If you have a good meal, your happy.  If your loved one gives you a kiss, your happy. A good night's sleep and you're happy.  Happiness is external. Happiness is based on your circumstances.

Joy is internal. And joy is not based on your circumstances.  True joy comes from God.

Let's learn three simple truths about joy.

Joy & Salvation

Luke 10:17-20 teaches that joy should not be based on what we have done, but joy is to be based on our salvation.

We respond in joy to God when we think about the great gift of salvation that God has given.

We deserve death and hell.  God, though is merciful. God does not give you what you deserve. Instead He gives you eternal life with Him.  That makes us rejoice.

Joy & The Spirit

There is a dynamic element to joy.  Joy is eternal, but day to day, joy can change.

Look at Galatians 5:16.  Believers are commanded to walk in the Spirit. Life is a journey, and as we walk God tells us to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.

What is the result of walking in this way? Galatians 5:22-23 tells us that joy is a fruit, or a result of walking in the Spirit.  Walk as you should and joy will flow out of you.

Joy & Suffering

When we suffer, joy is the correct response.  James 1:2

Why?

1. Joy makes us stronger.  James 1:2-5 and 1 Peter 1:6-9
2. Suffering cannot remove your salvation, so joy is eternal.  Romans 8:38-39
3. Suffering allows us to experience the life of Christ.  Hebrews 12:2

How to Get Joy

Joy comes when you put your trust in Jesus Christ, God the Son.

All are removed from God.  Why? Because of sin.  So sin or sinful people can never be with God.  That means everyone is separated from God, because everyone has this sin problem. Romans 3:23

But God has provided a way.  He gave His Son Jesus that if you believe on Him you will have everlasting life.  John 3:16

Please turn away from your sinful ways and believe on Jesus. Believe that He died on the cross for YOUR SIN. 

If you do this, then you will receive eternal life and you will receive eternal joy.

Please Visit

Faith in the Valley is recorded at Wakefield Valley Bible Church in New Windsor, Maryland.  We are less than 10 minutes from Westminster, Maryland. 

Our Sunday morning service begins at 10:45. Please bring the entire family.  You can learn more about the church at WakefieldBible.org.

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I was recently reminded of my least favorite Bible verse. This verse is 1 Peter 1:16. Peter is quoting from Leviticus 11:44.  

"Be holy, for I am holy."

The reason it is my least favorite is because of the standard.  God has made himself the standard of holiness. It is this standard that we must all meet. We must measure our holiness next to God's.

I cannot meet this standard and neither can you.  Everyone falls short of God's holiness.  Hebrews 12:14 makes it worse.  It says, without holiness, "no one will see the Lord."

Before you get discourage let me share the good news. Although we can never meet God's standard, God has taken care of it.  In Jesus we are able to be holy. 1 Corinthians 1:30 teaches this fact.

The word "sanctification" means holiness.  In Christ we have wisdom, righteousness, holiness, and salvation.  God took care of it.

Why does God do this? Why does He give you Christ's wisdom, Christ's righteousness, and Christ's holiness?  He does it for His glory.  Look at 1 Corinthians 1:31.

If God does something for His glory, then God will do it to the fullest. So the best place you can be is in Jesus Christ, because in Christ you are holy.

How?

How do you get to be "in Christ"?  Believe that Jesus Christ is God the Son and believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins.

Everyone sins.  Because of this, everyone is separated from God. Remember, no one can meet God's standard for holiness.  This separation leads to hell. Romans 3:23

But if you believe on Jesus Christ you will be saved.  Acts 16:31

Your sins will be forgiven and you will receive the gift of God - eternal life in heaven with Him.  Romans 6:23

Please Visit

If you want to know more about Wakefield Valley Bible Church please visit WakefieldBible.org.  We are a non denominational Bible church located in New Windsor, Maryland, just minutes from Westminster, Maryland. 

Our Sunday morning service begins at 10:45.  We do have programs for the entire family, so bring the kids.

And please let us know if you believed on Jesus for salvation.

Get an email notification and a copy of the show notes whenever an episode is released. Just CLICK HERE to sign up and we will email you with a copy of the show notes and let you know when a new episode has been released.  At this time, all who sign up will receive a Special Gift - a Study Guide for the Gospel of John.  Sign up today!

Adoption stories are amazing!  Paperwork, travel, money, and then a child!  This child gets a new family and sometimes even a new name.

When you believe on Jesus, God adopts you and makes you a member of His family.

When God adopts you, He does three things: He gives you a new nature. He gives you a new name.  He gives you a new relationship.

New Nature

Romans 8:12-15

When you trusted in Christ, God gave you a new nature.  This new nature gives you power over sin.

2 Peter 1:3-4

God gave you everything you need to live this life in a godly way.  Believers are a partaker of the divine nature.  The believer now has power over sin.

New Name

God has given all believers a new name.  That new name is "a child of God."

Romans 8:16-17

All humans are NOT children of God.  Only those that believe on Jesus receive this new name.

New Relationship

God also gave you a new relationship.  Believers have an intimate relationship with The Heavenly Father - God is now your daddy.  You can now approach God in boldness.

Finally, God will never leave you nor forsake you.  This relationship is eternal.

Closing Info

Faith in the Valley is recorded at Wakefield Valley Bible Church.  Our morning service is at 10:45am.  You can find out more information at our website at www.WakefieldBible.org.

Get an email notification and a copy of the show notes whenever an episode is released. Just CLICK HERE to sign up and we will email you with a copy of the show notes and let you know when a new episode has been released.  At this time, all who sign up will receive a Special Gift - a Study Guide for the Gospel of John.  Sign up today!

God is chasing you.  And I pray that He catches you, because if He does, He will make you like Jesus - holy and without blame.  

In this first episode of Faith in the Valley, Pastor Mark Jones shares that it is God's desire to save you and make you like Jesus.

Our text for today is Ephesians 1:3-6

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

In this passage, we learn that God has predetermined three things for everyone who believes in Him.

1. What you will be - God has determined that the believer will be holy and blameless.  Look at verse 4.  You will be like His Son, Jesus.  I understand that we struggle with sin.  But God gives the righteousness of Christ to those who believe.
2. Where you will be - All that believe on Jesus Christ will be with God in heaven.  Look at verse 4b.  Even now the believer's home is in heaven.
3. Who we will be - Believers are adopted by God.  We become His children.  See verse 5.

Why does God do this?  He does it because He loves you. But more importantly, He does it for His own glory.  

Resources:

The Hound of Heaven, by Francis Thompson

Get an email notification and a copy of the show notes whenever an episode is released. Just CLICK HERE to sign up and we will email you with a copy of the show notes and let you know when a new episode has been released.  At this time, all who sign up will receive a Special Gift - a Study Guide for the Gospel of John.  Sign up today!