Hello Everyone,
There are times when life drains us to the point that
we are running on “empty”?
And when we do we let life rob us of our JOY.
What happens when you run out of “JOY”?
You have an empty container. Life just isn’t quite as good when you run out of “JOY”
Maybe you have lost your “JOY”. Something is troubling you … something is bothering you.
You have been disappointed, hurt, or grieved. You are running on empty. You’ve lost your “JOY”.
John tells us how Jesus restored “JOY” to those who attended a marriage celebration in Cana of Galilee.
He can do the same for you. How can Jesus restore your “JOY”?
First and foremost BE WHERE JESUS IS
What happens when you run out of “JOY”?
You have an empty container. Life just isn’t quite as good when you run out of “JOY”
Maybe you have lost your “JOY”. Something is troubling you … something is bothering you.
You have been disappointed, hurt, or grieved. You are running on empty. You’ve lost your “JOY”.
John tells us how Jesus restored “JOY” to those who attended a marriage celebration in Cana of Galilee.
He can do the same for you. How can Jesus restore your “JOY”?
First and foremost BE WHERE JESUS IS
John 2:1-2 On the third day a wedding took
place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited
to the wedding.
It is the “third day” – 3 days earlier, Jesus had just
called His first 5 Disciples.
Well soon thereafter they were invited to a marriage celebration in Cana of Galilee. You think it is expensive today to have a wedding and it is.
Back then a Jewish wedding Feast lasted for a full week.
They would begin with a parade, and the father of the bride would bring his daughter to the groom’s house.
The whole town would join in on this parade … it was a huge celebration for the family. When they arrived at the groom’s home, the marriage ceremony would take place at the front door.
THEN … the feast began … which lasted for 7 days (paid for by the groom’s family).
There was no honey-moon … they had an “open house” for a week … lots of food and wine … a week-long celebration.
Jesus & His 5 Disciples were invited to this wedding feast. Just think of the CHANGE for the Disciples. At least 2 of them had been disciples of John the Baptist.
And John the Baptist wasn’t what you would call a socialite … he ate grasshoppers & wild honey … wore animal skins for clothing … lived in the wilderness.
Well soon thereafter they were invited to a marriage celebration in Cana of Galilee. You think it is expensive today to have a wedding and it is.
Back then a Jewish wedding Feast lasted for a full week.
They would begin with a parade, and the father of the bride would bring his daughter to the groom’s house.
The whole town would join in on this parade … it was a huge celebration for the family. When they arrived at the groom’s home, the marriage ceremony would take place at the front door.
THEN … the feast began … which lasted for 7 days (paid for by the groom’s family).
There was no honey-moon … they had an “open house” for a week … lots of food and wine … a week-long celebration.
Jesus & His 5 Disciples were invited to this wedding feast. Just think of the CHANGE for the Disciples. At least 2 of them had been disciples of John the Baptist.
And John the Baptist wasn’t what you would call a socialite … he ate grasshoppers & wild honey … wore animal skins for clothing … lived in the wilderness.
John the Baptist probably would not be very comfortable
at a wedding feast.
Jesus was distinctive! Jesus loved being with people… He enjoyed social occasions … He was a desired dinner guest. Most people were very comfortable around Him.
In fact He was even criticized by the Religious leaders for His love of life and of people.
Listen to their accusations. Matthew 11:18-19 "For John (the Baptist) came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ’He has a demon!’
[19] (But) "The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ’Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners!”
Jesus brought JOY into people’s lives … that’s what happens when you are where Jesus is.
Jesus was distinctive! Jesus loved being with people… He enjoyed social occasions … He was a desired dinner guest. Most people were very comfortable around Him.
In fact He was even criticized by the Religious leaders for His love of life and of people.
Listen to their accusations. Matthew 11:18-19 "For John (the Baptist) came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ’He has a demon!’
[19] (But) "The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ’Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners!”
Jesus brought JOY into people’s lives … that’s what happens when you are where Jesus is.
The further away you are from Jesus in your spiritual
life, the further away you will also be from the fullness of JOY.
The closer you are to Jesus…. the more JOY you will
experience.
The Prophet Nehemiah put it this way: Nehemiah 8:10 – “for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
If you’ve lost your “JOY”, then you need to spend some time with Jesus.
We Can Make a Difference!
The Prophet Nehemiah put it this way: Nehemiah 8:10 – “for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
If you’ve lost your “JOY”, then you need to spend some time with Jesus.
No comments:
Post a Comment