On The Inside // Week 4 // Pastor David Marrero

Romans chapter 5, we're going to read Romans chapter 5, we're going to read verses 3-5. Romans chapter 5. verses 3-5. Romans chapter 5. verses 3-5. Romans chapter 5. We'll read verses 3-5. We'll read verses 3-5. We'll read verses 3-5. We've been on a sermon series that is We've been on a sermon series that is We've been on a sermon series that is called on the inside. How many have been called on the inside. How many have been called on the inside. How many have been blessed with the sermon series? We blessed with the sermon series? We blessed with the sermon series? We focused on anger. We focused on anxiety. focused on anger. We focused on anxiety. focused on anger. We focused on anxiety. Uh we have talked about emotions and Uh we have talked about emotions and Uh we have talked about emotions and totality. And today we want to speak to totality. And today we want to speak to totality. And today we want to speak to you about joy. We want to speak to you you about joy. We want to speak to you you about joy. We want to speak to you about joy. Romans 53 3-5 says not only about joy. Romans 53 3-5 says not only about joy. Romans 53 3-5 says not only that but we rejoice in our sufferings that but we rejoice in our sufferings that but we rejoice in our sufferings knowing that suffering produces knowing that suffering produces knowing that suffering produces endurance and endurance produces endurance and endurance produces endurance and endurance produces character and character produces hope character and character produces hope character and character produces hope and hope does not put up to put us to and hope does not put up to put us to and hope does not put up to put us to shame because God's love has been poured shame because God's love has been poured shame because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit into our hearts through the Holy Spirit into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. I want you to who has been given to us. I want you to who has been given to us. I want you to repeat after me. Your word is written in repeat after me. Your word is written in repeat after me. Your word is written in my mind. Your word is hidden in my my mind. Your word is hidden in my my mind. Your word is hidden in my heart. Your word is a lamp unto my feet heart. Your word is a lamp unto my feet heart. Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light for my path. I will seek you and a light for my path. I will seek you and a light for my path. I will seek you with all my strength. I choose to live with all my strength. I choose to live with all my strength. I choose to live my life according to your word. Your my life according to your word. Your my life according to your word. Your word, O Lord, is eternal. You may be word, O Lord, is eternal. You may be word, O Lord, is eternal. You may be seated.

seated. seated. >> I make mistakes. I'm nice. I'm mean. >> I make mistakes. I'm nice. I'm mean. >> I make mistakes. I'm nice. I'm mean. >> I'm a good friend. I'm a terrible. >> I'm a good friend. I'm a terrible. >> I'm a good friend. I'm a terrible. >> I am strong. I need help sometimes.

Joy, Joy, Riley wants you. I like that line. Joy. Riley wants you. I like that line. Joy. Riley wants you. How many of us we want joy? And I want How many of us we want joy? And I want How many of us we want joy? And I want to let you know that you can obtain joy. to let you know that you can obtain joy. to let you know that you can obtain joy. And I want to lean into that with the And I want to lean into that with the And I want to lean into that with the title that is called Joy on the Inside. title that is called Joy on the Inside. title that is called Joy on the Inside. You know, just a few weeks ago, many of You know, just a few weeks ago, many of You know, just a few weeks ago, many of you were witness to it, might have been you were witness to it, might have been you were witness to it, might have been in the building or you f or you saw it in the building or you f or you saw it in the building or you f or you saw it on video that there was an anointing on video that there was an anointing on video that there was an anointing ceremony that took place. And in that ceremony that took place. And in that ceremony that took place. And in that moment, there was oil that was being moment, there was oil that was being moment, there was oil that was being poured over my head by my dad. I got to poured over my head by my dad. I got to poured over my head by my dad. I got to say that I have dreamed about this say that I have dreamed about this say that I have dreamed about this moment. I've had visions about this moment. I've had visions about this moment. I've had visions about this moment. And what was flowing inside of moment. And what was flowing inside of moment. And what was flowing inside of me was both joy and happiness. It was an me was both joy and happiness. It was an me was both joy and happiness. It was an expression that cannot uh you know expression that cannot uh you know expression that cannot uh you know sometimes when I try to describe it it's sometimes when I try to describe it it's sometimes when I try to describe it it's very difficult to put it in words of how very difficult to put it in words of how very difficult to put it in words of how I was feeling. I was just flooded with

I was feeling. I was just flooded with I was feeling. I was just flooded with so much emotions. Now some people think so much emotions. Now some people think so much emotions. Now some people think that those are the same thing when we that those are the same thing when we that those are the same thing when we talk about joy and happiness. But talk about joy and happiness. But talk about joy and happiness. But scripture shows us that they are not. scripture shows us that they are not. scripture shows us that they are not. And I want to be able to lean into this And I want to be able to lean into this And I want to be able to lean into this to share with you what what is biblical to share with you what what is biblical to share with you what what is biblical joy. There is room for both expressions. joy. There is room for both expressions. joy. There is room for both expressions. There is room for joy and for happiness. There is room for joy and for happiness. There is room for joy and for happiness. But I want you to see the progression of But I want you to see the progression of But I want you to see the progression of the scripture in Psalm 68:E3. the scripture in Psalm 68:E3. the scripture in Psalm 68:E3. It says, "But the righteous shall be It says, "But the righteous shall be It says, "But the righteous shall be glad." I need you to shout out glad. glad." I need you to shout out glad. glad." I need you to shout out glad. Now, now look at how it continues to Now, now look at how it continues to Now, now look at how it continues to progress. They shall exalt progress. They shall exalt progress. They shall exalt before God. So it goes from gladness to before God. So it goes from gladness to before God. So it goes from gladness to exaltation exaltation exaltation and the progression GOES FROM GLADNESS and the progression GOES FROM GLADNESS and the progression GOES FROM GLADNESS TO EXALTATION. They shall be jubilant TO EXALTATION. They shall be jubilant TO EXALTATION. They shall be jubilant WITH JOY. WITH JOY. WITH JOY. NOTICE THE PROGRESSION THAT THE PSALMIST NOTICE THE PROGRESSION THAT THE PSALMIST NOTICE THE PROGRESSION THAT THE PSALMIST SPEAKS OF GLADNESS, exaltation and SPEAKS OF GLADNESS, exaltation and SPEAKS OF GLADNESS, exaltation and jubilant joy. That these emotions ARE jubilant joy. That these emotions ARE jubilant joy. That these emotions ARE NOT COMPETING WITH one another. They're NOT COMPETING WITH one another. They're NOT COMPETING WITH one another. They're overlapping. Happiness and joy, they can overlapping. Happiness and joy, they can overlapping. Happiness and joy, they can exist together. But if WE WANT TO exist together. But if WE WANT TO exist together. But if WE WANT TO UNDERSTAND BIBLICAL JOY, WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND BIBLICAL JOY, WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND BIBLICAL JOY, WE HAVE TO TRACE IT BACK TO ITS SOURCE. WHAT IS THE TRACE IT BACK TO ITS SOURCE. WHAT IS THE TRACE IT BACK TO ITS SOURCE. WHAT IS THE source of joy? What is the source of source of joy? What is the source of source of joy? What is the source of happiness? Now, in Romans chapter 5, it happiness? Now, in Romans chapter 5, it happiness? Now, in Romans chapter 5, it helps us draw that line. And throughout helps us draw that line. And throughout helps us draw that line. And throughout scripture, HAPPINESS AND JOY ARE scripture, HAPPINESS AND JOY ARE scripture, HAPPINESS AND JOY ARE SOMETIMES USED AS SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS.

SOMETIMES USED AS SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS. SOMETIMES USED AS SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS. BUT there is ONE PLACE WHERE JOY AND BUT there is ONE PLACE WHERE JOY AND BUT there is ONE PLACE WHERE JOY AND HAPPINESS GET SEPARATED, HAPPINESS GET SEPARATED, HAPPINESS GET SEPARATED, and that is in suffering. and that is in suffering. and that is in suffering. I I've never seen anybody post I I've never seen anybody post I I've never seen anybody post some positive some positive some positive message on social media about their message on social media about their message on social media about their suffering. LIKE I AM SO HAPPY THAT I'M suffering. LIKE I AM SO HAPPY THAT I'M suffering. LIKE I AM SO HAPPY THAT I'M SICK, RIGHT? LIKE YOU DON'T YOU DON'T SEE RIGHT? LIKE YOU DON'T YOU DON'T SEE THAT. YOU DON'T SEE PEOPLE THAT ARE ARE THAT. YOU DON'T SEE PEOPLE THAT ARE ARE THAT. YOU DON'T SEE PEOPLE THAT ARE ARE GREETING SOMEBODY THAT ARE SAYING, GREETING SOMEBODY THAT ARE SAYING, GREETING SOMEBODY THAT ARE SAYING, "WELL, HOW YOU DOING, MAN? I AM "WELL, HOW YOU DOING, MAN? I AM "WELL, HOW YOU DOING, MAN? I AM SUFFERING AND I am so happy. SUFFERING AND I am so happy. SUFFERING AND I am so happy. IT IT JUST DOESN'T COME TOGETHER. IT IT JUST DOESN'T COME TOGETHER. IT IT JUST DOESN'T COME TOGETHER. BUT THERE IS ONE PLACE WHERE JOY AND BUT THERE IS ONE PLACE WHERE JOY AND BUT THERE IS ONE PLACE WHERE JOY AND HAPPINESS SEPARATE AND WHERE JOY COMES HAPPINESS SEPARATE AND WHERE JOY COMES HAPPINESS SEPARATE AND WHERE JOY COMES INTO PLAY. HAPPINESS IS A FORM OF JOY, INTO PLAY. HAPPINESS IS A FORM OF JOY, INTO PLAY. HAPPINESS IS A FORM OF JOY, BUT NOT ALL JOY IS HAPPINESS. BUT NOT ALL JOY IS HAPPINESS. BUT NOT ALL JOY IS HAPPINESS. YET THE BIBLE TELLS US WE CAN HAVE JOY YET THE BIBLE TELLS US WE CAN HAVE JOY YET THE BIBLE TELLS US WE CAN HAVE JOY AND I NEED YOU TO HEAR me in our AND I NEED YOU TO HEAR me in our AND I NEED YOU TO HEAR me in our suffering.

suffering. suffering. THE BIBLE DOES NOT SAY THAT WE CAN HAVE THE BIBLE DOES NOT SAY THAT WE CAN HAVE THE BIBLE DOES NOT SAY THAT WE CAN HAVE JOY BECAUSE OF SUFFERING. JOY BECAUSE OF SUFFERING. JOY BECAUSE OF SUFFERING. But we can have it in our suffering. And But we can have it in our suffering. And But we can have it in our suffering. And in James 1 2-4, it says, "Count it ALL in James 1 2-4, it says, "Count it ALL in James 1 2-4, it says, "Count it ALL JOY, MY BROTHERS, WHEN YOU MEET TRIALS JOY, MY BROTHERS, WHEN YOU MEET TRIALS JOY, MY BROTHERS, WHEN YOU MEET TRIALS OF VARIOUS KINDS. For you KNOW THAT THE OF VARIOUS KINDS. For you KNOW THAT THE OF VARIOUS KINDS. For you KNOW THAT THE TESTING OF YOUR FAITH PRODUCES TESTING OF YOUR FAITH PRODUCES TESTING OF YOUR FAITH PRODUCES STEADFASTNESS. STEADFASTNESS. STEADFASTNESS. And let steadfastness have it full And let steadfastness have it full And let steadfastness have it full EFFECT THAT YOU MAY BE PERFECT AND EFFECT THAT YOU MAY BE PERFECT AND EFFECT THAT YOU MAY BE PERFECT AND COMPLETE, lacking in nothing." Now, LET COMPLETE, lacking in nothing." Now, LET COMPLETE, lacking in nothing." Now, LET ME ASK YOU A QUESTION. WHO IS PERFECT? ME ASK YOU A QUESTION. WHO IS PERFECT? ME ASK YOU A QUESTION. WHO IS PERFECT? YOU AND I ARE NOT PERFECT, BUT GOD IS YOU AND I ARE NOT PERFECT, BUT GOD IS YOU AND I ARE NOT PERFECT, BUT GOD IS PERFECT. THIS SCRIPTURE IS MAKING PERFECT. THIS SCRIPTURE IS MAKING PERFECT. THIS SCRIPTURE IS MAKING REFERENCE TO BELIEVERS BECAUSE WE ALL REFERENCE TO BELIEVERS BECAUSE WE ALL REFERENCE TO BELIEVERS BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW THAT GOD IS INSIDE OF US. AND KNOW THAT GOD IS INSIDE OF US. AND KNOW THAT GOD IS INSIDE OF US. AND ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE, COUNT IT ALL ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE, COUNT IT ALL ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE, COUNT IT ALL JOY, MY BROTHERS, WHEN YOU MEET TRIALS JOY, MY BROTHERS, WHEN YOU MEET TRIALS JOY, MY BROTHERS, WHEN YOU MEET TRIALS OF VARIOUS TIMES. IN OTHER WORDS, WHEN OF VARIOUS TIMES. IN OTHER WORDS, WHEN OF VARIOUS TIMES. IN OTHER WORDS, WHEN YOU GO HEAD-TO-HEAD WITH TRIALS, GUESS YOU GO HEAD-TO-HEAD WITH TRIALS, GUESS YOU GO HEAD-TO-HEAD WITH TRIALS, GUESS WHAT? IT IS GOING TO PRODUCE SOMETHING WHAT? IT IS GOING TO PRODUCE SOMETHING WHAT? IT IS GOING TO PRODUCE SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO MAKE YOU LOOK MORE like THAT'S GOING TO MAKE YOU LOOK MORE like THAT'S GOING TO MAKE YOU LOOK MORE like Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. IS GOING TO PRODUCE SOMETHING THAT IS IS GOING TO PRODUCE SOMETHING THAT IS IS GOING TO PRODUCE SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO GIVE YOU OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND GOING TO GIVE YOU OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND GOING TO GIVE YOU OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND LIKE JESUS. AS FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST, WE LIKE JESUS. AS FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST, WE LIKE JESUS. AS FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST, WE WANT TO HAVE OUR minds to be like the WANT TO HAVE OUR minds to be like the WANT TO HAVE OUR minds to be like the mind of Christ. WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO mind of Christ. WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO mind of Christ. WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND THE WAY THAT CHRIST RESPONDED SO RESPOND THE WAY THAT CHRIST RESPONDED SO RESPOND THE WAY THAT CHRIST RESPONDED SO THAT WE CAN BE HOLY AS CHRIST AS GOD THAT WE CAN BE HOLY AS CHRIST AS GOD THAT WE CAN BE HOLY AS CHRIST AS GOD HIMSELF IS HOLY. IT IS CLEAR THAT HIMSELF IS HOLY. IT IS CLEAR THAT HIMSELF IS HOLY. IT IS CLEAR THAT SCRIPTURE USES JOY IN THIS CONTEXT SCRIPTURE USES JOY IN THIS CONTEXT SCRIPTURE USES JOY IN THIS CONTEXT BECAUSE WE WON'T CONSIDER ANY TRIALS BECAUSE WE WON'T CONSIDER ANY TRIALS BECAUSE WE WON'T CONSIDER ANY TRIALS PURE HAPPINESS. IT DOESN'T SAY CONSIDER PURE HAPPINESS. IT DOESN'T SAY CONSIDER PURE HAPPINESS. IT DOESN'T SAY CONSIDER PURE HAPPINESS. IT SAYS CONSIDER pure

PURE HAPPINESS. IT SAYS CONSIDER pure PURE HAPPINESS. IT SAYS CONSIDER pure joy. joy. joy. HAPPINESS IS USUALLY TIED TO WHAT IS HAPPINESS IS USUALLY TIED TO WHAT IS HAPPINESS IS USUALLY TIED TO WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND US. IT'S THE RESPONSE HAPPENING AROUND US. IT'S THE RESPONSE HAPPENING AROUND US. IT'S THE RESPONSE TO WHAT WAS GIVEN TO US. IT HAS CAUSE TO WHAT WAS GIVEN TO US. IT HAS CAUSE TO WHAT WAS GIVEN TO US. IT HAS CAUSE AND EXPRESSION ROOTED IN CIRCUMSTANCES. AND EXPRESSION ROOTED IN CIRCUMSTANCES. AND EXPRESSION ROOTED IN CIRCUMSTANCES. SO, JUST THIS PAST FATHER'S DAY, MY SO, JUST THIS PAST FATHER'S DAY, MY SO, JUST THIS PAST FATHER'S DAY, MY daughter when I got home, she had a gift daughter when I got home, she had a gift daughter when I got home, she had a gift for me. Now, this this is this IS for me. Now, this this is this IS for me. Now, this this is this IS AWESOME BECAUSE I'M CROSSING THE AWESOME BECAUSE I'M CROSSING THE AWESOME BECAUSE I'M CROSSING THE THRESHOLD WHERE NOW I GOT A CHILD THRESHOLD WHERE NOW I GOT A CHILD THRESHOLD WHERE NOW I GOT A CHILD WHO IS giving me a gift and I'm actually WHO IS giving me a gift and I'm actually WHO IS giving me a gift and I'm actually wearing the gift right now. wearing the gift right now. wearing the gift right now. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. Love you, baby. Love you, baby. Love you, baby. I'm wearing So, SO WHAT DID THAT DO? I I'm wearing So, SO WHAT DID THAT DO? I I'm wearing So, SO WHAT DID THAT DO? I WAS HAPPY. I HAD A SMILE ON MY FACE. I WAS HAPPY. I HAD A SMILE ON MY FACE. I WAS HAPPY. I HAD A SMILE ON MY FACE. I SAID, THANK YOU. THERE WAS SOMETHING SAID, THANK YOU. THERE WAS SOMETHING SAID, THANK YOU. THERE WAS SOMETHING ABOUT THAT MOMENT THAT CAUSED ME TO ABOUT THAT MOMENT THAT CAUSED ME TO ABOUT THAT MOMENT THAT CAUSED ME TO RESPOND WITH HAPPINESS. IT WAS A RESPOND WITH HAPPINESS. IT WAS A RESPOND WITH HAPPINESS. IT WAS A CIRCUMSTANCE, A GIFT THAT WAS GIVEN TO CIRCUMSTANCE, A GIFT THAT WAS GIVEN TO CIRCUMSTANCE, A GIFT THAT WAS GIVEN TO ME BY SOMEONE I LOVE had blessed me ME BY SOMEONE I LOVE had blessed me ME BY SOMEONE I LOVE had blessed me deeply. deeply. deeply. NOW JOY IS DIFFERENT BECAUSE JOY IS NOW JOY IS DIFFERENT BECAUSE JOY IS NOW JOY IS DIFFERENT BECAUSE JOY IS ROOTED IN WHO GOD is and what he has ROOTED IN WHO GOD is and what he has ROOTED IN WHO GOD is and what he has accomplished for us.

accomplished for us. accomplished for us. SO I HAVE JOY NOT BECAUSE OF SO I HAVE JOY NOT BECAUSE OF SO I HAVE JOY NOT BECAUSE OF CIRCUMSTANCES. CIRCUMSTANCES. CIRCUMSTANCES. I HAVE JOY BECAUSE OF WHO GOD IS. I HAVE JOY BECAUSE OF WHO GOD IS. I HAVE JOY BECAUSE OF WHO GOD IS. I HAVE JOY BECAUSE I AM REMINDED THAT HE I HAVE JOY BECAUSE I AM REMINDED THAT HE I HAVE JOY BECAUSE I AM REMINDED THAT HE IS JUST. I HAVE JOY BECAUSE I AM IS JUST. I HAVE JOY BECAUSE I AM IS JUST. I HAVE JOY BECAUSE I AM REMINDED I HAVE BREATH IN MY LIFE REMINDED I HAVE BREATH IN MY LIFE REMINDED I HAVE BREATH IN MY LIFE BECAUSE HE'S BEEN GRACEFUL TO ME. I HAVE BECAUSE HE'S BEEN GRACEFUL TO ME. I HAVE BECAUSE HE'S BEEN GRACEFUL TO ME. I HAVE JOY BECAUSE I AM REMINDED THAT HE CAME JOY BECAUSE I AM REMINDED THAT HE CAME JOY BECAUSE I AM REMINDED THAT HE CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN TO EARTH TO GIVE ME DOWN FROM HEAVEN TO EARTH TO GIVE ME DOWN FROM HEAVEN TO EARTH TO GIVE ME LIFE. I AM REMINDED THAT I SHOULD HAVE LIFE. I AM REMINDED THAT I SHOULD HAVE LIFE. I AM REMINDED THAT I SHOULD HAVE BEEN DEAD IN MY CONDEMNATION. BUT JESUS BEEN DEAD IN MY CONDEMNATION. BUT JESUS BEEN DEAD IN MY CONDEMNATION. BUT JESUS CAME AND STEPPED IN AND GAVE ME LIFE. I CAME AND STEPPED IN AND GAVE ME LIFE. I CAME AND STEPPED IN AND GAVE ME LIFE. I HAVE JOY BECAUSE OF WHO GOD IS. HAVE JOY BECAUSE OF WHO GOD IS. HAVE JOY BECAUSE OF WHO GOD IS. JOY IS CONSTANT. JOY IS CONSTANT. JOY IS CONSTANT. BECAUSE WHEN IT ALL ELSE FADES, GOD BECAUSE WHEN IT ALL ELSE FADES, GOD BECAUSE WHEN IT ALL ELSE FADES, GOD REMAINS. AND WHEN LIFE HAS SOME REMAINS. AND WHEN LIFE HAS SOME REMAINS. AND WHEN LIFE HAS SOME UNEXPECTED TURNS, JOY DWELLS IN THE UNEXPECTED TURNS, JOY DWELLS IN THE UNEXPECTED TURNS, JOY DWELLS IN THE BELIEVERS. BELIEVERS. BELIEVERS. John 15:11 says IT THIS WAY, "THESE John 15:11 says IT THIS WAY, "THESE John 15:11 says IT THIS WAY, "THESE THINGS I HAVE SPOKEN TO YOU THAT MY THINGS I HAVE SPOKEN TO YOU THAT MY THINGS I HAVE SPOKEN TO YOU THAT MY JOY," JESUS SAYS, "MY JOY MAY BE IN YOU JOY," JESUS SAYS, "MY JOY MAY BE IN YOU JOY," JESUS SAYS, "MY JOY MAY BE IN YOU AND THAT YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL."

AND THAT YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL." AND THAT YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL." THAT GOD'S JOY, IT'S VERY SIMILAR TO THAT GOD'S JOY, IT'S VERY SIMILAR TO THAT GOD'S JOY, IT'S VERY SIMILAR TO PEACE. BECAUSE LIKE PEACE, IT CAN PEACE. BECAUSE LIKE PEACE, IT CAN PEACE. BECAUSE LIKE PEACE, IT CAN TRANSCEND. PEACE, YOU CAN HAVE GOD. TRANSCEND. PEACE, YOU CAN HAVE GOD. TRANSCEND. PEACE, YOU CAN HAVE GOD. JESUS SAYS, "MY PEACE I GIVE TO YOU." IT JESUS SAYS, "MY PEACE I GIVE TO YOU." IT JESUS SAYS, "MY PEACE I GIVE TO YOU." IT CAN TRANSCEND THE REALITIES OF YOUR CAN TRANSCEND THE REALITIES OF YOUR CAN TRANSCEND THE REALITIES OF YOUR PAIN. PAIN. PAIN. YOU CAN HAVE PEACE THAT SURPASSES YOUR YOU CAN HAVE PEACE THAT SURPASSES YOUR YOU CAN HAVE PEACE THAT SURPASSES YOUR UNDERSTANDING. HOW IS IT THAT I CAN have UNDERSTANDING. HOW IS IT THAT I CAN have UNDERSTANDING. HOW IS IT THAT I CAN have peace and YET STILL BE GRIEVING? THIS IS peace and YET STILL BE GRIEVING? THIS IS peace and YET STILL BE GRIEVING? THIS IS WHAT YOU AND I CALL A PARADOX. AND WHEN WHAT YOU AND I CALL A PARADOX. AND WHEN WHAT YOU AND I CALL A PARADOX. AND WHEN IT COMES TO JOY, JOY IS A PARADOX. IT COMES TO JOY, JOY IS A PARADOX. IT COMES TO JOY, JOY IS A PARADOX. A paradox. IT IS A TRUTH THAT SEEMS TO A paradox. IT IS A TRUTH THAT SEEMS TO A paradox. IT IS A TRUTH THAT SEEMS TO CONTRADICT COMMON SENSE. YET, it is CONTRADICT COMMON SENSE. YET, it is CONTRADICT COMMON SENSE. YET, it is completely true. In other words, we can completely true. In other words, we can completely true. In other words, we can weep and STILL HAVE JOY. WE CAN GRIEVE weep and STILL HAVE JOY. WE CAN GRIEVE weep and STILL HAVE JOY. WE CAN GRIEVE AND STILL REJOICE. WE CAN SUFFER AND AND STILL REJOICE. WE CAN SUFFER AND AND STILL REJOICE. WE CAN SUFFER AND STILL POSSESS AN UNSHAKABLE CONFIDENCE. STILL POSSESS AN UNSHAKABLE CONFIDENCE. STILL POSSESS AN UNSHAKABLE CONFIDENCE. WHY? BECAUSE OUR JOY IS ANCHORED NOT IN WHY? BECAUSE OUR JOY IS ANCHORED NOT IN WHY? BECAUSE OUR JOY IS ANCHORED NOT IN OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT IN CHRIST. OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT IN CHRIST. OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT IN CHRIST. THAT THAT IS WHY PAUL WRITES IN ROMANS 5 THAT THAT IS WHY PAUL WRITES IN ROMANS 5 THAT THAT IS WHY PAUL WRITES IN ROMANS 5 THAT WE REJOICE EVEN IN OUR SUFFERINGS THAT WE REJOICE EVEN IN OUR SUFFERINGS THAT WE REJOICE EVEN IN OUR SUFFERINGS BECAUSE GOD IS PRODUCING SOMETHING in BECAUSE GOD IS PRODUCING SOMETHING in BECAUSE GOD IS PRODUCING SOMETHING in us. GOD IS GOING TO PRODUCE SOMETHING IN us. GOD IS GOING TO PRODUCE SOMETHING IN us. GOD IS GOING TO PRODUCE SOMETHING IN YOU. IN ORDER FOR YOU TO EXPERIENCE THAT YOU. IN ORDER FOR YOU TO EXPERIENCE THAT YOU. IN ORDER FOR YOU TO EXPERIENCE THAT HEALING, YOU GOT TO GO THROUGH SOME HEALING, YOU GOT TO GO THROUGH SOME HEALING, YOU GOT TO GO THROUGH SOME SURGERY.

SURGERY. SURGERY. WITHOUT THE SURGERY THERE IS NO HEALING WITHOUT THE SURGERY THERE IS NO HEALING WITHOUT THE SURGERY THERE IS NO HEALING BUT THERE IS HEALING ON THE OTHER SIDE. BUT THERE IS HEALING ON THE OTHER SIDE. BUT THERE IS HEALING ON THE OTHER SIDE. SO THE FACT THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE A SO THE FACT THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE A SO THE FACT THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE A PRODUCTION THERE'S GOING TO BE A PRODUCT PRODUCTION THERE'S GOING TO BE A PRODUCT PRODUCTION THERE'S GOING TO BE A PRODUCT THERE'S GOING TO BE A FRUIT AT THE END THERE'S GOING TO BE A FRUIT AT THE END THERE'S GOING TO BE A FRUIT AT THE END OF IT MEANS THAT I AM GOING TO HAVE JOY OF IT MEANS THAT I AM GOING TO HAVE JOY OF IT MEANS THAT I AM GOING TO HAVE JOY KNOWING THAT MY SUFFERING IS GOING TO KNOWING THAT MY SUFFERING IS GOING TO KNOWING THAT MY SUFFERING IS GOING TO PRODUCE SOMETHING GOOD ON THE OTHER PRODUCE SOMETHING GOOD ON THE OTHER PRODUCE SOMETHING GOOD ON THE OTHER SIDE. SIDE. SIDE. AS I WALK HERE ON THIS EARTH, THERE MAY AS I WALK HERE ON THIS EARTH, THERE MAY AS I WALK HERE ON THIS EARTH, THERE MAY BE SOME SUFFERING, BUT HERE'S MY JOY. BE SOME SUFFERING, BUT HERE'S MY JOY. BE SOME SUFFERING, BUT HERE'S MY JOY. KNOWING THAT ONE DAY THERE WILL NEVER BE KNOWING THAT ONE DAY THERE WILL NEVER BE KNOWING THAT ONE DAY THERE WILL NEVER BE SUFFERING AGAIN. SUFFERING AGAIN. SUFFERING AGAIN. THIS IS WHY WHEN IT COMES TO DEATH, YES, THIS IS WHY WHEN IT COMES TO DEATH, YES, THIS IS WHY WHEN IT COMES TO DEATH, YES, WE GRIEVE. YES, WE MOURN. BUT WE DON'T WE GRIEVE. YES, WE MOURN. BUT WE DON'T WE GRIEVE. YES, WE MOURN. BUT WE DON'T CALL IT DEATH FOR THE BELIEVERS. WE CALL CALL IT DEATH FOR THE BELIEVERS. WE CALL CALL IT DEATH FOR THE BELIEVERS. WE CALL IT TRANSCEND. THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE IT TRANSCEND. THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE IT TRANSCEND. THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE TRANSITIONING INTO GLORY. TRANSITIONING INTO GLORY. TRANSITIONING INTO GLORY. The Bible calls death the second death. The Bible calls death the second death. The Bible calls death the second death. THOSE WHO ARE ABSENT from God. THOSE WHO ARE ABSENT from God. THOSE WHO ARE ABSENT from God. But when it comes to the believers, IT But when it comes to the believers, IT But when it comes to the believers, IT IS THOSE WHO ARE IN CHRIST JESUS THAT IS THOSE WHO ARE IN CHRIST JESUS THAT IS THOSE WHO ARE IN CHRIST JESUS THAT WHEN WE TAKE OUR LAST BREATH HERE ON WHEN WE TAKE OUR LAST BREATH HERE ON WHEN WE TAKE OUR LAST BREATH HERE ON EARTH, OUR NEXT BREATH IS GOING TO BE IN EARTH, OUR NEXT BREATH IS GOING TO BE IN EARTH, OUR NEXT BREATH IS GOING TO BE IN GLORY. GLORY. GLORY. THAT'S THE HOPE AND THE JOY THAT WE THAT'S THE HOPE AND THE JOY THAT WE THAT'S THE HOPE AND THE JOY THAT WE HAVE. IT DOESN'T DISMISS THE PAIN. IT HAVE. IT DOESN'T DISMISS THE PAIN. IT HAVE. IT DOESN'T DISMISS THE PAIN. IT DOESN'T DISMISS THE GRIEF. IT DOESN'T DOESN'T DISMISS THE GRIEF. IT DOESN'T DOESN'T DISMISS THE GRIEF. IT DOESN'T DISMISS THE SADNESS. BUT THERE'S ALWAYS DISMISS THE SADNESS. BUT THERE'S ALWAYS DISMISS THE SADNESS. BUT THERE'S ALWAYS JOY. SEE, joy is internal, which is not JOY. SEE, joy is internal, which is not JOY. SEE, joy is internal, which is not DEPENDENT ON THE EXTERNAL. JOY IS NOT DEPENDENT ON THE EXTERNAL. JOY IS NOT DEPENDENT ON THE EXTERNAL. JOY IS NOT CIRCUMSTANTIAL.

CIRCUMSTANTIAL. CIRCUMSTANTIAL. THE PARADOX IS THE CAPACITY TO FIND THE PARADOX IS THE CAPACITY TO FIND THE PARADOX IS THE CAPACITY TO FIND MEANING IN SUFFERING that it's going to MEANING IN SUFFERING that it's going to MEANING IN SUFFERING that it's going to produce something. IT'S GOING TO BUILD produce something. IT'S GOING TO BUILD produce something. IT'S GOING TO BUILD SOME CHARACTER. IT'S GOING TO ALLOW YOU SOME CHARACTER. IT'S GOING TO ALLOW YOU SOME CHARACTER. IT'S GOING TO ALLOW YOU TO GROW AND TO MATURE. MANY OF US HERE TO GROW AND TO MATURE. MANY OF US HERE TO GROW AND TO MATURE. MANY OF US HERE TODAY, WE HAVE GROWN THROUGH CHALLENGES TODAY, WE HAVE GROWN THROUGH CHALLENGES TODAY, WE HAVE GROWN THROUGH CHALLENGES IN OUR LIFE. OUR CHARACTER HAS BEEN IN OUR LIFE. OUR CHARACTER HAS BEEN IN OUR LIFE. OUR CHARACTER HAS BEEN DEVELOPED. WHY? BECAUSE WE WENT THROUGH DEVELOPED. WHY? BECAUSE WE WENT THROUGH DEVELOPED. WHY? BECAUSE WE WENT THROUGH THE FIRE. SUFFERING CAN BE TRAGIC. BUT THE FIRE. SUFFERING CAN BE TRAGIC. BUT THE FIRE. SUFFERING CAN BE TRAGIC. BUT PAUL RADICALLY SHIFTS THE ATTENTION TO A PAUL RADICALLY SHIFTS THE ATTENTION TO A PAUL RADICALLY SHIFTS THE ATTENTION TO A PERSPECTIVE THAT POSITIVELY HAS A PERSPECTIVE THAT POSITIVELY HAS A PERSPECTIVE THAT POSITIVELY HAS A REDEMPTIVE NARRATIVE. THERE IS ALWAYS A REDEMPTIVE NARRATIVE. THERE IS ALWAYS A REDEMPTIVE NARRATIVE. THERE IS ALWAYS A REDEMPTIVE NARRATIVE IF YOU PUT the REDEMPTIVE NARRATIVE IF YOU PUT the REDEMPTIVE NARRATIVE IF YOU PUT the right lens right lens right lens and you begin TO FOCUS IN ON CHRIST. and you begin TO FOCUS IN ON CHRIST. and you begin TO FOCUS IN ON CHRIST. Here are some biblical perspectives on Here are some biblical perspectives on Here are some biblical perspectives on joy. Number one, joy is a feeling but joy. Number one, joy is a feeling but joy. Number one, joy is a feeling but transcends in a reality rooted in God. transcends in a reality rooted in God. transcends in a reality rooted in God. Joy is a feeling like happiness. It is a Joy is a feeling like happiness. It is a Joy is a feeling like happiness. It is a feeling. The only difference is feeling. The only difference is feeling. The only difference is happiness cannot transcend. Joy can happiness cannot transcend. Joy can happiness cannot transcend. Joy can transcend. transcend. transcend. JOY IS MORE THAN an emotion but it IS JOY IS MORE THAN an emotion but it IS JOY IS MORE THAN an emotion but it IS ROOTED IN GOD'S CHARACTER.

ROOTED IN GOD'S CHARACTER. ROOTED IN GOD'S CHARACTER. So you may have two different realities So you may have two different realities So you may have two different realities to be true. to be true. to be true. But while one reality remains But while one reality remains But while one reality remains circumstantial, the other reality HAS circumstantial, the other reality HAS circumstantial, the other reality HAS ROOTS THAT COME WITH DEEP ASSURANCE OF ROOTS THAT COME WITH DEEP ASSURANCE OF ROOTS THAT COME WITH DEEP ASSURANCE OF Christ's love. I may have lost some Christ's love. I may have lost some Christ's love. I may have lost some things here on this earth, but what I things here on this earth, but what I things here on this earth, but what I haven't lost is Christ's love. haven't lost is Christ's love. haven't lost is Christ's love. You hear WHAT I'M SAYING? I I I I I You hear WHAT I'M SAYING? I I I I I You hear WHAT I'M SAYING? I I I I I MIGHT HAVE LOST A JOB. I I MIGHT HAVE MIGHT HAVE LOST A JOB. I I MIGHT HAVE MIGHT HAVE LOST A JOB. I I MIGHT HAVE LOST SOMEONE I LOVE. I I MIGHT HAVE I LOST SOMEONE I LOVE. I I MIGHT HAVE I LOST SOMEONE I LOVE. I I MIGHT HAVE I MIGHT HAVE LOST MY WAY. BUT THE FACT MIGHT HAVE LOST MY WAY. BUT THE FACT MIGHT HAVE LOST MY WAY. BUT THE FACT THAT I KNOW THAT GOD STILL REMAINS, THE THAT I KNOW THAT GOD STILL REMAINS, THE THAT I KNOW THAT GOD STILL REMAINS, THE FACT THAT GOD GOT ME UP THIS MORNING, FACT THAT GOD GOT ME UP THIS MORNING, FACT THAT GOD GOT ME UP THIS MORNING, THE FACT THAT I GOT BREATH IN MY LUNGS, THE FACT THAT I GOT BREATH IN MY LUNGS, THE FACT THAT I GOT BREATH IN MY LUNGS, IT JUST TELLS ME THAT I AM A BLESSED IT JUST TELLS ME THAT I AM A BLESSED IT JUST TELLS ME THAT I AM A BLESSED MAN, THAT I'M A BLESSED WOMAN. WHY? MAN, THAT I'M A BLESSED WOMAN. WHY? MAN, THAT I'M A BLESSED WOMAN. WHY? BECAUSE GOD GAVE ME ANOTHER DAY. ANOTHER BECAUSE GOD GAVE ME ANOTHER DAY. ANOTHER BECAUSE GOD GAVE ME ANOTHER DAY. ANOTHER DAY TO BE WITH MY SPOUSE. UH ANOTHER DAY DAY TO BE WITH MY SPOUSE. UH ANOTHER DAY DAY TO BE WITH MY SPOUSE. UH ANOTHER DAY TO SEE MY FRIENDS. ANOTHER DAY TO GO TO TO SEE MY FRIENDS. ANOTHER DAY TO GO TO TO SEE MY FRIENDS. ANOTHER DAY TO GO TO NEW LIFE'S COVENANT. ANOTHER DAY TO NEW LIFE'S COVENANT. ANOTHER DAY TO NEW LIFE'S COVENANT. ANOTHER DAY TO WORSHIP. ANOTHER DAY TO LIVE. ANOTHER WORSHIP. ANOTHER DAY TO LIVE. ANOTHER WORSHIP. ANOTHER DAY TO LIVE. ANOTHER DAY TO BARBECUE. UH ANOTHER DAY TO LIVE DAY TO BARBECUE. UH ANOTHER DAY TO LIVE DAY TO BARBECUE. UH ANOTHER DAY TO LIVE AND ENJOY LIFE. ANOTHER DAY. AND ENJOY LIFE. ANOTHER DAY. AND ENJOY LIFE. ANOTHER DAY. Don't let the devil take that type of Don't let the devil take that type of Don't let the devil take that type of experience from you because you're so experience from you because you're so experience from you because you're so sucked up with all of the pains and the sucked up with all of the pains and the sucked up with all of the pains and the emotions. It's getting the best of you.

emotions. It's getting the best of you. emotions. It's getting the best of you. live with joy. AND AS WE GROW UP, MANY live with joy. AND AS WE GROW UP, MANY live with joy. AND AS WE GROW UP, MANY OF US HAVE EXPERIENCES as we grow up in OF US HAVE EXPERIENCES as we grow up in OF US HAVE EXPERIENCES as we grow up in our early years, our pre-teens, our our early years, our pre-teens, our our early years, our pre-teens, our teens, AND WE BECOME YOUNG ADULTS IS IS teens, AND WE BECOME YOUNG ADULTS IS IS teens, AND WE BECOME YOUNG ADULTS IS IS THAT SEASON WHERE WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE THAT SEASON WHERE WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE THAT SEASON WHERE WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT OUR IDENTITY. WHO ARE WE? WHAT DO WE OUT OUR IDENTITY. WHO ARE WE? WHAT DO WE OUT OUR IDENTITY. WHO ARE WE? WHAT DO WE WANT TO BECOME? WHAT WHAT CAREER PATH DO WANT TO BECOME? WHAT WHAT CAREER PATH DO WANT TO BECOME? WHAT WHAT CAREER PATH DO WE WANT TO CHOOSE? WE WANT TO CHOOSE? WE WANT TO CHOOSE? Identity is an interesting journey Identity is an interesting journey Identity is an interesting journey because much of our identity is shaped because much of our identity is shaped because much of our identity is shaped through three different things. is through three different things. is through three different things. is shaped through experience life. Many of shaped through experience life. Many of shaped through experience life. Many of us have gone through some stuff as we've us have gone through some stuff as we've us have gone through some stuff as we've grown up and we've experienced things grown up and we've experienced things grown up and we've experienced things that have learned that have turned into that have learned that have turned into that have learned that have turned into lessons for our lives today. Experience. lessons for our lives today. Experience. lessons for our lives today. Experience. We've experienced rejection. We've We've experienced rejection. We've We've experienced rejection. We've experienced love. We experienced the experienced love. We experienced the experienced love. We experienced the opposite end of two different things. opposite end of two different things. opposite end of two different things. And ultimately any type of experience is And ultimately any type of experience is And ultimately any type of experience is a classroom that we can glean from. The a classroom that we can glean from. The a classroom that we can glean from. The other part of it is education. We learn. other part of it is education. We learn. other part of it is education. We learn. Many of us are sitting here today. We're Many of us are sitting here today. We're Many of us are sitting here today. We're using a scripture and we're diving into using a scripture and we're diving into using a scripture and we're diving into what it means to have joy. What does THE what it means to have joy. What does THE what it means to have joy. What does THE BIBLE HAVE TO SAY? We're learning. We're BIBLE HAVE TO SAY? We're learning. We're BIBLE HAVE TO SAY? We're learning. We're students. We're growing. WE'RE WE'RE AT students. We're growing. WE'RE WE'RE AT students. We're growing. WE'RE WE'RE AT THE FEET OF CHRIST and we're beginning THE FEET OF CHRIST and we're beginning THE FEET OF CHRIST and we're beginning to take in his word.

to take in his word. to take in his word. Education is powerful. It it helps you Education is powerful. It it helps you Education is powerful. It it helps you with critical thinking. It helps you with critical thinking. It helps you with critical thinking. It helps you BEGIN TO FORMULATE YOUR THOUGHTS AND BEGIN TO FORMULATE YOUR THOUGHTS AND BEGIN TO FORMULATE YOUR THOUGHTS AND your ideas. your ideas. your ideas. And the other part of it is it begins to And the other part of it is it begins to And the other part of it is it begins to establish the third thing is your establish the third thing is your establish the third thing is your belief. your belief system. Your belief belief. your belief system. Your belief belief. your belief system. Your belief system. You lean in to your belief system. You lean in to your belief system. You lean in to your belief system. This is why we get into the word system. This is why we get into the word system. This is why we get into the word of God. This is why we pray because we of God. This is why we pray because we of God. This is why we pray because we allow these practices to shape our allow these practices to shape our allow these practices to shape our identity. We allow this these practices identity. We allow this these practices identity. We allow this these practices to shape our minds to shape our heart. to shape our minds to shape our heart. to shape our minds to shape our heart. And ultimately we want God to be the And ultimately we want God to be the And ultimately we want God to be the mirror in which when we look at mirror in which when we look at mirror in which when we look at ourselves we can see him. We want to ourselves we can see him. We want to ourselves we can see him. We want to reflect him. We want to reflect him in reflect him. We want to reflect him in reflect him. We want to reflect him in our thoughts. Identity. It is an our thoughts. Identity. It is an our thoughts. Identity. It is an interesting journey but it is a journey interesting journey but it is a journey interesting journey but it is a journey for us all to be on. If our identity is for us all to be on. If our identity is for us all to be on. If our identity is rooted just in our SUCCESSES OR rooted just in our SUCCESSES OR rooted just in our SUCCESSES OR FAILURES, IF OUR identity is ROOTED IN FAILURES, IF OUR identity is ROOTED IN FAILURES, IF OUR identity is ROOTED IN RELATIONSHIPS OR POSSESSIONS, HERE'S RELATIONSHIPS OR POSSESSIONS, HERE'S RELATIONSHIPS OR POSSESSIONS, HERE'S WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH OUR JOY. IT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH OUR JOY. IT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH OUR JOY. IT WOULD RISE AND FALL with those things.

WOULD RISE AND FALL with those things. WOULD RISE AND FALL with those things. It would rise and fall. Some of us, WE It would rise and fall. Some of us, WE It would rise and fall. Some of us, WE CAN TESTIFY AND SAY, "YEAH, we were CAN TESTIFY AND SAY, "YEAH, we were CAN TESTIFY AND SAY, "YEAH, we were successful here and we know what it successful here and we know what it successful here and we know what it feels like to lose everything." I mean, feels like to lose everything." I mean, feels like to lose everything." I mean, your joy went right out the window. your joy went right out the window. your joy went right out the window. Some of us have been successful in in Some of us have been successful in in Some of us have been successful in in areas of our life and we've reached the areas of our life and we've reached the areas of our life and we've reached the point where we look around and we're point where we look around and we're point where we look around and we're saying, "Man, there's just something saying, "Man, there's just something saying, "Man, there's just something else that is missing." else that is missing." else that is missing." Our identity shall be shaped and Our identity shall be shaped and Our identity shall be shaped and formulated by Christ himself. If we draw formulated by Christ himself. If we draw formulated by Christ himself. If we draw from God's character rather than our from God's character rather than our from God's character rather than our circumstances, I have to be intentional circumstances, I have to be intentional circumstances, I have to be intentional about this because listen, if I only about this because listen, if I only about this because listen, if I only study to preach, study to preach, study to preach, then what's going to hap what's going to then what's going to hap what's going to then what's going to hap what's going to happen with Pastor David when he's no happen with Pastor David when he's no happen with Pastor David when he's no longer preaching? longer preaching? longer preaching? If my if my identity is being a pastor, If my if my identity is being a pastor, If my if my identity is being a pastor, then what's going to happen when I'm no then what's going to happen when I'm no then what's going to happen when I'm no longer your pastor? longer your pastor? longer your pastor? Because I'm learning this very EARLY IN Because I'm learning this very EARLY IN Because I'm learning this very EARLY IN MY LIFE THAT TRANSITION IS GOING TO MY LIFE THAT TRANSITION IS GOING TO MY LIFE THAT TRANSITION IS GOING TO HAPPEN FOR EVERYBODY. HAPPEN FOR EVERYBODY. HAPPEN FOR EVERYBODY. IT'S POSSIBLE THAT THE JOB THAT YOU HAVE IT'S POSSIBLE THAT THE JOB THAT YOU HAVE IT'S POSSIBLE THAT THE JOB THAT YOU HAVE TODAY, SOME OF Y'ALL ARE GOING TO HAVE A TODAY, SOME OF Y'ALL ARE GOING TO HAVE A TODAY, SOME OF Y'ALL ARE GOING TO HAVE A DIFFERENT JOB BY NEXT YEAR. YOU ARE DIFFERENT JOB BY NEXT YEAR. YOU ARE DIFFERENT JOB BY NEXT YEAR. YOU ARE TRANSITIONING INTO ANOTHER SCHOOL.

TRANSITIONING INTO ANOTHER SCHOOL. TRANSITIONING INTO ANOTHER SCHOOL. YOU'RE GOING INTO ANOTHER DEGREE YOU'RE GOING INTO ANOTHER DEGREE YOU'RE GOING INTO ANOTHER DEGREE PROGRAM. SOME OF US ARE TRANSITIONING PROGRAM. SOME OF US ARE TRANSITIONING PROGRAM. SOME OF US ARE TRANSITIONING INTO ANOTHER RELATIONSHIP OR YOU'RE INTO ANOTHER RELATIONSHIP OR YOU'RE INTO ANOTHER RELATIONSHIP OR YOU'RE TRANSITIONING INTO SINGLENESS. THERE'S TRANSITIONING INTO SINGLENESS. THERE'S TRANSITIONING INTO SINGLENESS. THERE'S ALWAYS TRANSITION. THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ALWAYS TRANSITION. THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ALWAYS TRANSITION. THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN THE IN THE IN THE THREAT OF ARE IN THE IN THE IN THE THREAT OF ARE IN THE IN THE IN THE THREAT OF RETIREMENT AND YOU ARE IN A TRANSITION. RETIREMENT AND YOU ARE IN A TRANSITION. RETIREMENT AND YOU ARE IN A TRANSITION. SO WHEN YOU ARE TRANSITIONING INTO SO WHEN YOU ARE TRANSITIONING INTO SO WHEN YOU ARE TRANSITIONING INTO SOMETHING NEW IF YOU'RE NOT CAREFUL THEN SOMETHING NEW IF YOU'RE NOT CAREFUL THEN SOMETHING NEW IF YOU'RE NOT CAREFUL THEN YOU'RE GOING TO LOSE YOURSELF IF YOU PUT YOU'RE GOING TO LOSE YOURSELF IF YOU PUT YOU'RE GOING TO LOSE YOURSELF IF YOU PUT EVERYTHING IN THE THINGS THAT YOU DID EVERYTHING IN THE THINGS THAT YOU DID EVERYTHING IN THE THINGS THAT YOU DID RATHER THAN IN THE ONE THAT YOU SERVE. RATHER THAN IN THE ONE THAT YOU SERVE. RATHER THAN IN THE ONE THAT YOU SERVE. THE THE THE THING ABOUT PUTTING YOUR THE THE THE THING ABOUT PUTTING YOUR THE THE THE THING ABOUT PUTTING YOUR IDENTITY IN CHRIST IS THAT NO MATTER IDENTITY IN CHRIST IS THAT NO MATTER IDENTITY IN CHRIST IS THAT NO MATTER WHAT TRANSITIONS HAPPENED IN YOUR LIFE, WHAT TRANSITIONS HAPPENED IN YOUR LIFE, WHAT TRANSITIONS HAPPENED IN YOUR LIFE, GOD WOULD ALWAYS GET YOU ON THE RIGHT GOD WOULD ALWAYS GET YOU ON THE RIGHT GOD WOULD ALWAYS GET YOU ON THE RIGHT PLACE. PLACE. PLACE. WE DRAW OUR CHARACTER FROM HIM. HIS WE DRAW OUR CHARACTER FROM HIM. HIS WE DRAW OUR CHARACTER FROM HIM. HIS FAITHFULNESS BECOMES OUR CONFIDENCE. FAITHFULNESS BECOMES OUR CONFIDENCE. FAITHFULNESS BECOMES OUR CONFIDENCE. MAYBE YOU'RE NOT CONFIDENT. MAYBE THIS MAYBE YOU'RE NOT CONFIDENT. MAYBE THIS MAYBE YOU'RE NOT CONFIDENT. MAYBE THIS TRANSITION IS DIFFICULT FOR YOU. BUT TRANSITION IS DIFFICULT FOR YOU. BUT TRANSITION IS DIFFICULT FOR YOU. BUT BECAUSE YOUR CONFIDENCE IS IN HIM, HE'LL BECAUSE YOUR CONFIDENCE IS IN HIM, HE'LL BECAUSE YOUR CONFIDENCE IS IN HIM, HE'LL GIVE YOU THE CONFIDENCE FOR YOU TO TAKE GIVE YOU THE CONFIDENCE FOR YOU TO TAKE GIVE YOU THE CONFIDENCE FOR YOU TO TAKE THAT NEXT STEP. THAT NEXT STEP. THAT NEXT STEP. HIS LOVE BECOMES OUR OUR SECURITY. HIS LOVE BECOMES OUR OUR SECURITY. HIS LOVE BECOMES OUR OUR SECURITY. IT BECOMES OUR OUR SECURITY. WE FEEL IT BECOMES OUR OUR SECURITY. WE FEEL IT BECOMES OUR OUR SECURITY. WE FEEL SAFE around him. THEN WHEN WE'RE AFRAID, SAFE around him. THEN WHEN WE'RE AFRAID, SAFE around him. THEN WHEN WE'RE AFRAID, WE FEEL SAFE. THIS IS WHERE COURAGE WE FEEL SAFE. THIS IS WHERE COURAGE WE FEEL SAFE. THIS IS WHERE COURAGE COMES FROM. COURAGE COMES FROM THE OF COMES FROM. COURAGE COMES FROM THE OF COMES FROM. COURAGE COMES FROM THE OF THE FACT THAT YOU WERE SCARED WITHOUT THE FACT THAT YOU WERE SCARED WITHOUT THE FACT THAT YOU WERE SCARED WITHOUT YOU BEING SCARED. WHY DO YOU THINK GOD YOU BEING SCARED. WHY DO YOU THINK GOD YOU BEING SCARED. WHY DO YOU THINK GOD TOLD JOSHUA, "BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS."

TOLD JOSHUA, "BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS." TOLD JOSHUA, "BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS." BECAUSE JOSHUA WAS SCARED. JOSHUA BECAUSE JOSHUA WAS SCARED. JOSHUA BECAUSE JOSHUA WAS SCARED. JOSHUA RECOGNIZED THAT HE WAS TAKING A GREAT RECOGNIZED THAT HE WAS TAKING A GREAT RECOGNIZED THAT HE WAS TAKING A GREAT RESPONSIBILITY. AND HE IS LEADING THE RESPONSIBILITY. AND HE IS LEADING THE RESPONSIBILITY. AND HE IS LEADING THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, THE SAME PEOPLE THAT PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, THE SAME PEOPLE THAT PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, THE SAME PEOPLE THAT MOSES LED. HE WAS SCARED FOR THIS NEW MOSES LED. HE WAS SCARED FOR THIS NEW MOSES LED. HE WAS SCARED FOR THIS NEW SEASON IN HIS LIFE. HE WAS SCARED FOR SEASON IN HIS LIFE. HE WAS SCARED FOR SEASON IN HIS LIFE. HE WAS SCARED FOR THIS NEW TRANSITION. THIS NEW TRANSITION. THIS NEW TRANSITION. And God told them, "Be strong and And God told them, "Be strong and And God told them, "Be strong and courageous." Why? Because God says, "I'M courageous." Why? Because God says, "I'M courageous." Why? Because God says, "I'M WITH YOU. WHEREVER YOU GO, I'M GOING TO WITH YOU. WHEREVER YOU GO, I'M GOING TO WITH YOU. WHEREVER YOU GO, I'M GOING TO BE WITH YOU." It becomes OUR SECURITY. BE WITH YOU." It becomes OUR SECURITY. BE WITH YOU." It becomes OUR SECURITY. HIS PROMISES BECOME OUR HOPE because he HIS PROMISES BECOME OUR HOPE because he HIS PROMISES BECOME OUR HOPE because he does not change. GOD DOES NOT CHANGE. does not change. GOD DOES NOT CHANGE. does not change. GOD DOES NOT CHANGE. OUR JOY DOES NOT HAVE TO DISAPPEAR WHEN OUR JOY DOES NOT HAVE TO DISAPPEAR WHEN OUR JOY DOES NOT HAVE TO DISAPPEAR WHEN life changes. life changes. life changes. Did you hear what I just said? OUR JOY, Did you hear what I just said? OUR JOY, Did you hear what I just said? OUR JOY, SEE, SOME OF US WERE PROBABLY SITTING at SEE, SOME OF US WERE PROBABLY SITTING at SEE, SOME OF US WERE PROBABLY SITTING at a job that we don't like, but it doesn't a job that we don't like, but it doesn't a job that we don't like, but it doesn't mean that you don't have or should not mean that you don't have or should not mean that you don't have or should not have joy. have joy. have joy. But if your focus is always on the But if your focus is always on the But if your focus is always on the things that you don't like, then you're things that you don't like, then you're things that you don't like, then you're going to lose the substance of what you going to lose the substance of what you going to lose the substance of what you can GAIN FROM WHAT GOD can offer TO YOU. can GAIN FROM WHAT GOD can offer TO YOU. can GAIN FROM WHAT GOD can offer TO YOU. IF YOU'RE ALWAYS IN THE COMPLAINING IF YOU'RE ALWAYS IN THE COMPLAINING IF YOU'RE ALWAYS IN THE COMPLAINING SPIRIT AND ALWAYS LOOKING AT THESE SPIRIT AND ALWAYS LOOKING AT THESE SPIRIT AND ALWAYS LOOKING AT THESE NEGATIVITY, LIVE a little bit, relax a NEGATIVITY, LIVE a little bit, relax a NEGATIVITY, LIVE a little bit, relax a little bit, breathe a little bit, STOP little bit, breathe a little bit, STOP little bit, breathe a little bit, STOP BEING SO NEGATIVE, AND BEGIN TO THANK BEING SO NEGATIVE, AND BEGIN TO THANK BEING SO NEGATIVE, AND BEGIN TO THANK GOD THAT AT LEAST YOU HAVE A JOB.

DO YOU REMEMBER THAT TIME WHEN YOU DO YOU REMEMBER THAT TIME WHEN YOU DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING and then something DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING and then something DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING and then something opened up and how excited you were? Now opened up and how excited you were? Now opened up and how excited you were? Now you're five years in and you can't stand you're five years in and you can't stand you're five years in and you can't stand the place that God blessed you with. >> REMEMBER THAT PRAYER? GOD GIVE ME THIS. >> REMEMBER THAT PRAYER? GOD GIVE ME THIS. GOD GIVE ME THAT. GOD I PROMISE. GOD I GOD GIVE ME THAT. GOD I PROMISE. GOD I GOD GIVE ME THAT. GOD I PROMISE. GOD I PROMISE. GOD GAVE IT TO YOU. YOU WANTED PROMISE. GOD GAVE IT TO YOU. YOU WANTED PROMISE. GOD GAVE IT TO YOU. YOU WANTED A CHILD. LOOK AT YOU PULLING YOUR HAIR A CHILD. LOOK AT YOU PULLING YOUR HAIR A CHILD. LOOK AT YOU PULLING YOUR HAIR OUT BECAUSE OF YOUR CHILD. I mean, YOU THREW A WHOLE BABY SHOWER. I mean, YOU THREW A WHOLE BABY SHOWER. YOU RECEIVED THE GIFTS. ALL OF IT. God does not change no matter what God does not change no matter what transitions we have in our life. Hebrews transitions we have in our life. Hebrews transitions we have in our life. Hebrews 13:8 says it this way. Jesus Christ is 13:8 says it this way. Jesus Christ is 13:8 says it this way. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. the same yesterday, today, and forever. the same yesterday, today, and forever. This verse encourages. It points us This verse encourages. It points us This verse encourages. It points us towards God's faithfulness. towards God's faithfulness. towards God's faithfulness. that if the consistency AND SUPREMACY OF that if the consistency AND SUPREMACY OF that if the consistency AND SUPREMACY OF GOD IS TRUE AS SCRIPTURE DECLARES, THEN GOD IS TRUE AS SCRIPTURE DECLARES, THEN GOD IS TRUE AS SCRIPTURE DECLARES, THEN BY FAITH WE CAN BE ENCOURAGED BY HIS BY FAITH WE CAN BE ENCOURAGED BY HIS BY FAITH WE CAN BE ENCOURAGED BY HIS TRUSTWORTHY PROMISES, TRUSTWORTHY PROMISES, TRUSTWORTHY PROMISES, we cannot look at God the same way that we cannot look at God the same way that we cannot look at God the same way that we look at man.

we look at man. we look at man. MANY OF US ARE AFRAID TO TRUST GOD MANY OF US ARE AFRAID TO TRUST GOD MANY OF US ARE AFRAID TO TRUST GOD BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN LET DOWN BY MAN. BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN LET DOWN BY MAN. BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN LET DOWN BY MAN. WE'VE BEEN REJECTED BY MAN. We've been WE'VE BEEN REJECTED BY MAN. We've been WE'VE BEEN REJECTED BY MAN. We've been dismissed by man. WE'VE BEEN WE'VE BEEN dismissed by man. WE'VE BEEN WE'VE BEEN dismissed by man. WE'VE BEEN WE'VE BEEN LET GO BY MAN. WE WE WE HAVE BEEN HURT LET GO BY MAN. WE WE WE HAVE BEEN HURT LET GO BY MAN. WE WE WE HAVE BEEN HURT BY PEOPLE AND in general IN IN IN BY PEOPLE AND in general IN IN IN BY PEOPLE AND in general IN IN IN GENERAL BECAUSE OF THAT IT'S DIFFICULT GENERAL BECAUSE OF THAT IT'S DIFFICULT GENERAL BECAUSE OF THAT IT'S DIFFICULT TO FOR US TO TRUST HIM. BUT LET ME TELL TO FOR US TO TRUST HIM. BUT LET ME TELL TO FOR US TO TRUST HIM. BUT LET ME TELL YOU BLESSINGS COME FROM YOU TRUSTING YOU BLESSINGS COME FROM YOU TRUSTING YOU BLESSINGS COME FROM YOU TRUSTING GOD. THIS IS THE FOUNDATION OF JOY AND TRUE THIS IS THE FOUNDATION OF JOY AND TRUE BIBLICAL JOY IT'S ROOTED IN GOD. NUMBER BIBLICAL JOY IT'S ROOTED IN GOD. NUMBER BIBLICAL JOY IT'S ROOTED IN GOD. NUMBER TWO, JOY IS A DELIBERATE response not TWO, JOY IS A DELIBERATE response not TWO, JOY IS A DELIBERATE response not just an emotional reaction. just an emotional reaction. just an emotional reaction. IT'S A DELIBERATE RESPONSE. JOY IS A IT'S A DELIBERATE RESPONSE. JOY IS A IT'S A DELIBERATE RESPONSE. JOY IS A CHOICE. DELIBERATE MEANS INTENTIONAL. I CHOICE. DELIBERATE MEANS INTENTIONAL. I CHOICE. DELIBERATE MEANS INTENTIONAL. I AM GOING TO deliberately respond the way AM GOING TO deliberately respond the way AM GOING TO deliberately respond the way that scripture teaches me. that scripture teaches me. that scripture teaches me. If if you want to learn, if you want to If if you want to learn, if you want to If if you want to learn, if you want to judge where you are spiritually, then judge where you are spiritually, then judge where you are spiritually, then ask yourself ask yourself ask yourself where do I or how do I react?

where do I or how do I react? where do I or how do I react? How do I respond How do I respond How do I respond when the pressure is on? when the pressure is on? when the pressure is on? Do I respond Do I respond Do I respond with joy? Do I respond with peace? DO DO with joy? Do I respond with peace? DO DO with joy? Do I respond with peace? DO DO I RESPOND WITH KINDNESS? DO DO I RESPOND I RESPOND WITH KINDNESS? DO DO I RESPOND I RESPOND WITH KINDNESS? DO DO I RESPOND WITH BEING SELF-CONTROL? WITH BEING SELF-CONTROL? WITH BEING SELF-CONTROL? THE THE THE SHIFT THIS SHIFTS A THE THE THE SHIFT THIS SHIFTS A THE THE THE SHIFT THIS SHIFTS A FRAMEWORK OF JOY FROM reacting to WHAT FRAMEWORK OF JOY FROM reacting to WHAT FRAMEWORK OF JOY FROM reacting to WHAT HAPPENS TO US TO A DELIBERATE RESPONSE HAPPENS TO US TO A DELIBERATE RESPONSE HAPPENS TO US TO A DELIBERATE RESPONSE THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE CHARACTER OF THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE CHARACTER OF THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE CHARACTER OF GOD. NOW, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT MY GOD. NOW, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT MY GOD. NOW, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT MY GOD IS PATIENT. GOD IS PATIENT. GOD IS PATIENT. MY GOD is kind. MY GOD is kind. MY GOD is kind. Which means that we have to learn how to Which means that we have to learn how to Which means that we have to learn how to be patient. WE NEED TO LEARN how to be be patient. WE NEED TO LEARN how to be be patient. WE NEED TO LEARN how to be kind. Have you ever been to the South? kind. Have you ever been to the South? kind. Have you ever been to the South? Anybody ever been to the South? The Anybody ever been to the South? The Anybody ever been to the South? The South are the most nice people, the South are the most nice people, the South are the most nice people, the nicest people in the world. nicest people in the world. nicest people in the world. THE MIDWEST HERE IN CHICAGO, EVERYBODY THE MIDWEST HERE IN CHICAGO, EVERYBODY THE MIDWEST HERE IN CHICAGO, EVERYBODY WANTS ME mug you. WHAT I WANT TO TELL YOU IS LIVE A little WHAT I WANT TO TELL YOU IS LIVE A little bit. Smile. You ever you ever done that bit. Smile. You ever you ever done that bit. Smile. You ever you ever done that before?

It it I'm telling you IT DOES SOMETHING It it I'm telling you IT DOES SOMETHING INSIDE WHEN YOU SMILE SMILE AT PEOPLE. I I'm always smiling now. I don't even I I'm always smiling now. I don't even know who I'm going to run into. know who I'm going to run into. know who I'm going to run into. I'm all So I even told my wife, "Babe, I'm all So I even told my wife, "Babe, I'm all So I even told my wife, "Babe, I'm just telling you, I just have a I'm just telling you, I just have a I'm just telling you, I just have a fixed face that is smiling." fixed face that is smiling." fixed face that is smiling." So, so no matter who it is, just in case So, so no matter who it is, just in case So, so no matter who it is, just in case there's a rumor that goes out there, I'm there's a rumor that goes out there, I'm there's a rumor that goes out there, I'm just smiling at everybody. Because I just smiling at everybody. Because I just smiling at everybody. Because I never want PEOPLE TO LOOK BACK AND SAY, never want PEOPLE TO LOOK BACK AND SAY, never want PEOPLE TO LOOK BACK AND SAY, "YOU SAW PASTOR D, MAN, he's rude." "YOU SAW PASTOR D, MAN, he's rude." "YOU SAW PASTOR D, MAN, he's rude." Right? So, I HAVE TO PRACTICE TO FIX MY Right? So, I HAVE TO PRACTICE TO FIX MY Right? So, I HAVE TO PRACTICE TO FIX MY FACE. FACE. FACE. Do you know that joy is a fruit of the Do you know that joy is a fruit of the Do you know that joy is a fruit of the spirit? spirit? spirit? It is the evidence of a spiritual life It is the evidence of a spiritual life It is the evidence of a spiritual life and it grows over time. If you want to and it grows over time. If you want to and it grows over time. If you want to see the evidence of your spiritual life, see the evidence of your spiritual life, see the evidence of your spiritual life, my question to you is what and how are my question to you is what and how are my question to you is what and how are you responding? you responding? you responding? Joy is produced. It is not Joy is produced. It is not Joy is produced. It is not self-generated. In other words, if I got self-generated. In other words, if I got self-generated. In other words, if I got a fruit, it doesn't just appear just a fruit, it doesn't just appear just a fruit, it doesn't just appear just because you know why a fruit grows? because you know why a fruit grows? because you know why a fruit grows? Because it's connected to the vine. My Because it's connected to the vine. My Because it's connected to the vine. My question to you is, who are you question to you is, who are you question to you is, who are you connected to?

>> This is how fruit it's connected TO A >> This is how fruit it's connected TO A VINE. SO, IT BEGINS TO PRODUCE. And when VINE. SO, IT BEGINS TO PRODUCE. And when VINE. SO, IT BEGINS TO PRODUCE. And when YOU ARE CONNECTED TO GOD, THEN YOU YOU ARE CONNECTED TO GOD, THEN YOU YOU ARE CONNECTED TO GOD, THEN YOU SHOULD PRODUCE JOY. SHOULD PRODUCE JOY. SHOULD PRODUCE JOY. YOU YOU SHOULD PRODUCE KINDNESS. YOU YOU YOU SHOULD PRODUCE KINDNESS. YOU YOU YOU SHOULD PRODUCE KINDNESS. YOU SHOULD PRODUCE SELF-CONTROL. THESE ARE SHOULD PRODUCE SELF-CONTROL. THESE ARE SHOULD PRODUCE SELF-CONTROL. THESE ARE THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT BECAUSE WE ARE CONNECTED TO THE SOURCE. BECAUSE WE ARE CONNECTED TO THE SOURCE. BECAUSE WE ARE CONNECTED TO THE SOURCE. IF JOY IS A DELIBERATE RESPONSE, THEN WE IF JOY IS A DELIBERATE RESPONSE, THEN WE IF JOY IS A DELIBERATE RESPONSE, THEN WE ARE CALLED TO PROTECT THE SOIL WHERE JOY ARE CALLED TO PROTECT THE SOIL WHERE JOY ARE CALLED TO PROTECT THE SOIL WHERE JOY CAN GROW. CAN GROW. CAN GROW. DON'T ALLOW BITTERNESS TO remain inside DON'T ALLOW BITTERNESS TO remain inside DON'T ALLOW BITTERNESS TO remain inside of you. BECAUSE IF IT DOES, then you're of you. BECAUSE IF IT DOES, then you're of you. BECAUSE IF IT DOES, then you're going to express that bitterness. going to express that bitterness. going to express that bitterness. But there is a way to deal to handle But there is a way to deal to handle But there is a way to deal to handle where you can protect your heart. You where you can protect your heart. You where you can protect your heart. You got to put some guardrails around your got to put some guardrails around your got to put some guardrails around your heart. You got TO PUT SOME GUARD RAILS heart. You got TO PUT SOME GUARD RAILS heart. You got TO PUT SOME GUARD RAILS AROUND YOUR MIND. Don't just let anyone AROUND YOUR MIND. Don't just let anyone AROUND YOUR MIND. Don't just let anyone speak death into you and you ACCEPT IT. speak death into you and you ACCEPT IT. speak death into you and you ACCEPT IT. BLOCK THAT STUFF. DON'T ALLOW THAT TO BLOCK THAT STUFF. DON'T ALLOW THAT TO BLOCK THAT STUFF. DON'T ALLOW THAT TO GET INTO YOUR MIND OR INSIDE OF YOUR GET INTO YOUR MIND OR INSIDE OF YOUR GET INTO YOUR MIND OR INSIDE OF YOUR HEART. HEART. HEART. IF SOMEBODY TELLS YOU ANYTHING THAT IS IF SOMEBODY TELLS YOU ANYTHING THAT IS IF SOMEBODY TELLS YOU ANYTHING THAT IS NEGATIVE, I WANT YOU TO GO TO THE NEGATIVE, I WANT YOU TO GO TO THE NEGATIVE, I WANT YOU TO GO TO THE SCRIPTURE AND ASK YOURSELF THE QUESTION, SCRIPTURE AND ASK YOURSELF THE QUESTION, SCRIPTURE AND ASK YOURSELF THE QUESTION, DID GOD SAY THAT ABOUT ME? BECAUSE IF DID GOD SAY THAT ABOUT ME? BECAUSE IF DID GOD SAY THAT ABOUT ME? BECAUSE IF GOD DID NOT SAY THAT ABOUT YOU, THEN IT GOD DID NOT SAY THAT ABOUT YOU, THEN IT GOD DID NOT SAY THAT ABOUT YOU, THEN IT IS NOT TRUE.

WE GOT TO LEAN IN TO THE PROMISES TO THE WE GOT TO LEAN IN TO THE PROMISES TO THE WORD AND PROTECT WHAT OUR MINDS AND OUR WORD AND PROTECT WHAT OUR MINDS AND OUR WORD AND PROTECT WHAT OUR MINDS AND OUR HEARTS WHAT IT IS RECEIVING. IT'S THE HEARTS WHAT IT IS RECEIVING. IT'S THE HEARTS WHAT IT IS RECEIVING. IT'S THE INNER PLACE WHERE EMOTIONS ARE SHAPED. INNER PLACE WHERE EMOTIONS ARE SHAPED. INNER PLACE WHERE EMOTIONS ARE SHAPED. So protect your heart. Guard the inner So protect your heart. Guard the inner So protect your heart. Guard the inner place from any desired thoughts from any place from any desired thoughts from any place from any desired thoughts from any emotions that shape your DECISIONS THAT emotions that shape your DECISIONS THAT emotions that shape your DECISIONS THAT STEAL YOUR PEACE THAT CONTRADICT GOD'S STEAL YOUR PEACE THAT CONTRADICT GOD'S STEAL YOUR PEACE THAT CONTRADICT GOD'S CHARACTER. CHARACTER. CHARACTER. You know joy is not pretending that You know joy is not pretending that You know joy is not pretending that suffering turns into happiness. I'm not suffering turns into happiness. I'm not suffering turns into happiness. I'm not saying that. Nor is it denying reality. saying that. Nor is it denying reality. saying that. Nor is it denying reality. Joy flows FROM KNOWING WHO GOD is and Joy flows FROM KNOWING WHO GOD is and Joy flows FROM KNOWING WHO GOD is and trusting his redemptive power, his work trusting his redemptive power, his work trusting his redemptive power, his work that is in our lives. It is the paradox that is in our lives. It is the paradox that is in our lives. It is the paradox of grieving the loss of someone we love of grieving the loss of someone we love of grieving the loss of someone we love and yet holding the peace of knowing and yet holding the peace of knowing and yet holding the peace of knowing they are in glory. It is the paradox of they are in glory. It is the paradox of they are in glory. It is the paradox of knowing that suffering may endure for a knowing that suffering may endure for a knowing that suffering may endure for a night, but joy it comes in the morning. night, but joy it comes in the morning. night, but joy it comes in the morning. Joy is a deliberate response because Joy is a deliberate response because Joy is a deliberate response because your eyes, they're fixed on Jesus. That your eyes, they're fixed on Jesus. That your eyes, they're fixed on Jesus. That no MATTER HOW MUCH YOUR circumstances no MATTER HOW MUCH YOUR circumstances no MATTER HOW MUCH YOUR circumstances change, listen to me. Your faith remains change, listen to me. Your faith remains change, listen to me. Your faith remains fixed. And this is what happens with fixed. And this is what happens with fixed. And this is what happens with Peter. When Peter was on the boat along Peter. When Peter was on the boat along Peter. When Peter was on the boat along alongside the other disciples, we know alongside the other disciples, we know alongside the other disciples, we know that Jesus calls them forth. THEY DIDN'T that Jesus calls them forth. THEY DIDN'T that Jesus calls them forth. THEY DIDN'T KNOW exactly who this person was, but KNOW exactly who this person was, but KNOW exactly who this person was, but they heard a voice and they said, "Come they heard a voice and they said, "Come they heard a voice and they said, "Come to me." And the Bible says that Peter to me." And the Bible says that Peter to me." And the Bible says that Peter steps OUT OF THE BOAT and he begins to steps OUT OF THE BOAT and he begins to steps OUT OF THE BOAT and he begins to walk on water. Here's what I want you to walk on water. Here's what I want you to walk on water. Here's what I want you to catch is the fact THAT THOUGH PETER catch is the fact THAT THOUGH PETER catch is the fact THAT THOUGH PETER WALKED ON WATER, it was not the water WALKED ON WATER, it was not the water WALKED ON WATER, it was not the water that he was walking on, it was the word that he was walking on, it was the word that he was walking on, it was the word of God that he was work walking on. This

of God that he was work walking on. This of God that he was work walking on. This is why YOU HAVE GOT TO WALK ON the words is why YOU HAVE GOT TO WALK ON the words is why YOU HAVE GOT TO WALK ON the words of God THAT IF GOD SAID IT, then let IT of God THAT IF GOD SAID IT, then let IT of God THAT IF GOD SAID IT, then let IT BE SETTLED. YOU HAVE GOT TO WALK ON THE BE SETTLED. YOU HAVE GOT TO WALK ON THE BE SETTLED. YOU HAVE GOT TO WALK ON THE PROMISES OF GOD THAT IF GOD SAID IT, PROMISES OF GOD THAT IF GOD SAID IT, PROMISES OF GOD THAT IF GOD SAID IT, THEN IT SHALL COME TO PASS. THAT GOD IS THEN IT SHALL COME TO PASS. THAT GOD IS THEN IT SHALL COME TO PASS. THAT GOD IS NOT MAN THAT HE shall lie. BUT LET'S NOT MAN THAT HE shall lie. BUT LET'S NOT MAN THAT HE shall lie. BUT LET'S FAST FORWARD A LITTLE BIT TO THE STORY FAST FORWARD A LITTLE BIT TO THE STORY FAST FORWARD A LITTLE BIT TO THE STORY BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT AS HE WAS WALKING BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT AS HE WAS WALKING BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT AS HE WAS WALKING BY FAITH, HE IS WALKING ON WATER. HIS BY FAITH, HE IS WALKING ON WATER. HIS BY FAITH, HE IS WALKING ON WATER. HIS EYES ARE FIXED AHEAD OF HIM. He is HE IS EYES ARE FIXED AHEAD OF HIM. He is HE IS EYES ARE FIXED AHEAD OF HIM. He is HE IS NOW EXPERIENCING A STORM THAT IS AROUND NOW EXPERIENCING A STORM THAT IS AROUND NOW EXPERIENCING A STORM THAT IS AROUND HIM. AND HE starts losing his focus. HIM. AND HE starts losing his focus. HIM. AND HE starts losing his focus. WHEN HE LOSES HIS FOCUS, he begins to WHEN HE LOSES HIS FOCUS, he begins to WHEN HE LOSES HIS FOCUS, he begins to sink. sink. sink. NOW, BEFORE YOU AND I SIT BACK AND NOW, BEFORE YOU AND I SIT BACK AND NOW, BEFORE YOU AND I SIT BACK AND CRITICIZE PETER for sinking, LET ME GIVE CRITICIZE PETER for sinking, LET ME GIVE CRITICIZE PETER for sinking, LET ME GIVE YOU SOMETHING THAT MANY OF US, WE MISS. YOU SOMETHING THAT MANY OF US, WE MISS. YOU SOMETHING THAT MANY OF US, WE MISS. WE MISS THE FACT THAT THE BIBLE SAYS, WE MISS THE FACT THAT THE BIBLE SAYS, WE MISS THE FACT THAT THE BIBLE SAYS, "DRAW NEAR TO ME AND I WILL DRAW NEAR TO "DRAW NEAR TO ME AND I WILL DRAW NEAR TO "DRAW NEAR TO ME AND I WILL DRAW NEAR TO YOU." THE SIMPLE FACT THAT HE WALKED ON YOU." THE SIMPLE FACT THAT HE WALKED ON YOU." THE SIMPLE FACT THAT HE WALKED ON WATER WHILE THE OTHERS WERE STILL IN THE WATER WHILE THE OTHERS WERE STILL IN THE WATER WHILE THE OTHERS WERE STILL IN THE BOAT, IS A SHOWCASE OF HIS FAITH IN THE BOAT, IS A SHOWCASE OF HIS FAITH IN THE BOAT, IS A SHOWCASE OF HIS FAITH IN THE VOICE IN WHICH HE HEARD. AND EVEN THOUGH VOICE IN WHICH HE HEARD. AND EVEN THOUGH VOICE IN WHICH HE HEARD. AND EVEN THOUGH LIFE BECAME DIFFICULT AND THERE WAS A LIFE BECAME DIFFICULT AND THERE WAS A LIFE BECAME DIFFICULT AND THERE WAS A GREAT STORM AND EVEN THOUGH HE BEGAN TO GREAT STORM AND EVEN THOUGH HE BEGAN TO GREAT STORM AND EVEN THOUGH HE BEGAN TO LOSE SOME FOCUS WHERE HE STARTED TO SEEK LOSE SOME FOCUS WHERE HE STARTED TO SEEK LOSE SOME FOCUS WHERE HE STARTED TO SEEK THE SIMPLE FACT THAT HE STARTED DRAWING THE SIMPLE FACT THAT HE STARTED DRAWING THE SIMPLE FACT THAT HE STARTED DRAWING TO HIM, IT MOVED GOD TO DRAW NEAR TO TO HIM, IT MOVED GOD TO DRAW NEAR TO TO HIM, IT MOVED GOD TO DRAW NEAR TO HIM. AND THE BIBLE SAYS THAT AS HE BE TO HIM. AND THE BIBLE SAYS THAT AS HE BE TO HIM. AND THE BIBLE SAYS THAT AS HE BE TO SEEK, JESUS CAME and lift HIM UP. ALL SEEK, JESUS CAME and lift HIM UP. ALL SEEK, JESUS CAME and lift HIM UP. ALL YOU GOT TO DO IS CONTINUE TO DRAW NEAR YOU GOT TO DO IS CONTINUE TO DRAW NEAR YOU GOT TO DO IS CONTINUE TO DRAW NEAR TO GOD NO MATTER WHAT THE STORM LOOKS TO GOD NO MATTER WHAT THE STORM LOOKS TO GOD NO MATTER WHAT THE STORM LOOKS LIKE. AND YOU MAY BE SINKING AND YOU MAY

LIKE. AND YOU MAY BE SINKING AND YOU MAY LIKE. AND YOU MAY BE SINKING AND YOU MAY BE STRUGGLING WITH SOME DOUBT AND YOU BE STRUGGLING WITH SOME DOUBT AND YOU BE STRUGGLING WITH SOME DOUBT AND YOU MAY BE FEELING WEAK AND YOU MAY BE MAY BE FEELING WEAK AND YOU MAY BE MAY BE FEELING WEAK AND YOU MAY BE FEELING ANXIOUS. BUT AT THE END OF THE FEELING ANXIOUS. BUT AT THE END OF THE FEELING ANXIOUS. BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU KEEP WALKING BY FAITH EVEN IF DAY, YOU KEEP WALKING BY FAITH EVEN IF DAY, YOU KEEP WALKING BY FAITH EVEN IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE SINKING. BECAUSE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE SINKING. BECAUSE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE SINKING. BECAUSE THE CLOSER YOU WALK TO JESUS, THEN THE THE CLOSER YOU WALK TO JESUS, THEN THE THE CLOSER YOU WALK TO JESUS, THEN THE CLOSER HE COMES TO YOU. CLOSER HE COMES TO YOU. CLOSER HE COMES TO YOU. >> NOW, WHAT IS MY GOAL? MY GOAL IS THAT I >> NOW, WHAT IS MY GOAL? MY GOAL IS THAT I >> NOW, WHAT IS MY GOAL? MY GOAL IS THAT I CAN GET ALL THE WAY TO JESUS. MY GOAL IS CAN GET ALL THE WAY TO JESUS. MY GOAL IS CAN GET ALL THE WAY TO JESUS. MY GOAL IS THAT JESUS CAN SIT ON THY THRONE AND I THAT JESUS CAN SIT ON THY THRONE AND I THAT JESUS CAN SIT ON THY THRONE AND I CAN GO ALL THE WAY AND BOW MYSELF INTO CAN GO ALL THE WAY AND BOW MYSELF INTO CAN GO ALL THE WAY AND BOW MYSELF INTO HIS GLORY. MY GOAL IS THAT I HAVE FAITH HIS GLORY. MY GOAL IS THAT I HAVE FAITH HIS GLORY. MY GOAL IS THAT I HAVE FAITH THAT CAN MOVE ALL DIFFERENT TYPES OF THAT CAN MOVE ALL DIFFERENT TYPES OF THAT CAN MOVE ALL DIFFERENT TYPES OF MOUNTAINS. MY GOAL IS NOT FOR HIM TO MOUNTAINS. MY GOAL IS NOT FOR HIM TO MOUNTAINS. MY GOAL IS NOT FOR HIM TO STAND UP, BUT FOR HIM TO REMAIN SEATED STAND UP, BUT FOR HIM TO REMAIN SEATED STAND UP, BUT FOR HIM TO REMAIN SEATED AS THE KING AS HE IS and recognize that AS THE KING AS HE IS and recognize that AS THE KING AS HE IS and recognize that IT IS THROUGH HIS GRACE THAT GIVES ME IT IS THROUGH HIS GRACE THAT GIVES ME IT IS THROUGH HIS GRACE THAT GIVES ME ACCESS TO APPROACH THE THRONE. THAT'S MY ACCESS TO APPROACH THE THRONE. THAT'S MY ACCESS TO APPROACH THE THRONE. THAT'S MY GOAL. GOAL. GOAL. and God would allow you to come into his and God would allow you to come into his and God would allow you to come into his presence. presence. presence. Listen, no matter how much your Listen, no matter how much your Listen, no matter how much your circumstances change, circumstances change, circumstances change, keep your eyes on Jesus. Keep your eyes keep your eyes on Jesus. Keep your eyes keep your eyes on Jesus. Keep your eyes on that cross. Keep your eyes on that on that cross. Keep your eyes on that on that cross. Keep your eyes on that throne. THAT NO MATTER HOW BIG YOUR throne. THAT NO MATTER HOW BIG YOUR throne. THAT NO MATTER HOW BIG YOUR PROBLEMS ARE, YOUR FAITH HAS A FOCUS.

PROBLEMS ARE, YOUR FAITH HAS A FOCUS. PROBLEMS ARE, YOUR FAITH HAS A FOCUS. AND IT'S NOT IT'S NOT YOUR PROBLEM. THAT AND IT'S NOT IT'S NOT YOUR PROBLEM. THAT AND IT'S NOT IT'S NOT YOUR PROBLEM. THAT THAT'S NOT YOUR THAT'S NOT WHERE I NEED THAT'S NOT YOUR THAT'S NOT WHERE I NEED THAT'S NOT YOUR THAT'S NOT WHERE I NEED YOU TO HAVE YOUR IT'S NOT YOUR PROBLEMS. YOU TO HAVE YOUR IT'S NOT YOUR PROBLEMS. YOU TO HAVE YOUR IT'S NOT YOUR PROBLEMS. DON'T DON'T TREAT YOUR PROBLEMS AS DON'T DON'T TREAT YOUR PROBLEMS AS DON'T DON'T TREAT YOUR PROBLEMS AS THOUGH THEY'RE BIGGER THAN GOD. BUT I THOUGH THEY'RE BIGGER THAN GOD. BUT I THOUGH THEY'RE BIGGER THAN GOD. BUT I WANT YOU TO PUT YOUR FAITH IN GOD'S WANT YOU TO PUT YOUR FAITH IN GOD'S WANT YOU TO PUT YOUR FAITH IN GOD'S PROMISES. WHAT DID GOD SAY? PROMISES. WHAT DID GOD SAY? PROMISES. WHAT DID GOD SAY? WHAT DID GOD HAVE TO SAY? WHAT DID GOD HAVE TO SAY? WHAT DID GOD HAVE TO SAY? EVEN IF YOU FELL SHORT OF HIS GLORY, GET EVEN IF YOU FELL SHORT OF HIS GLORY, GET EVEN IF YOU FELL SHORT OF HIS GLORY, GET YOURSELF BACK UP AND GO AFTER JESUS. YOURSELF BACK UP AND GO AFTER JESUS. YOURSELF BACK UP AND GO AFTER JESUS. EVEN IF YOU FELL SHORT, EVEN IF YOU'RE EVEN IF YOU FELL SHORT, EVEN IF YOU'RE EVEN IF YOU FELL SHORT, EVEN IF YOU'RE THE ONE THAT SINNED AGAINST SOMEONE, THE ONE THAT SINNED AGAINST SOMEONE, THE ONE THAT SINNED AGAINST SOMEONE, HURT SOMEONE, BROKE SOMEONE'S HEART, YOU HURT SOMEONE, BROKE SOMEONE'S HEART, YOU HURT SOMEONE, BROKE SOMEONE'S HEART, YOU GET YOURSELF BACK UP, AND YOU APPROACH GET YOURSELF BACK UP, AND YOU APPROACH GET YOURSELF BACK UP, AND YOU APPROACH THE THRONE OF GRACE WITH CONFIDENCE, THE THRONE OF GRACE WITH CONFIDENCE, THE THRONE OF GRACE WITH CONFIDENCE, KNOWING THAT GOD LOVES YOU, AND GOD KNOWING THAT GOD LOVES YOU, AND GOD KNOWING THAT GOD LOVES YOU, AND GOD WELCOMES EVERYBODY WELCOMES EVERYBODY WELCOMES EVERYBODY whose heart is open. whose heart is open. whose heart is open. Don't keep your eyes on your problems. Don't keep your eyes on your problems. Don't keep your eyes on your problems. Number three is the key to joy in Number three is the key to joy in Number three is the key to joy in suffering is meditating on God's suffering is meditating on God's suffering is meditating on God's promises. You meditate on his word.

promises. You meditate on his word. promises. You meditate on his word. Scripture says that hope will not put us Scripture says that hope will not put us Scripture says that hope will not put us to shame because God's love has been to shame because God's love has been to shame because God's love has been poured into our hearts. Hope would never poured into our hearts. Hope would never poured into our hearts. Hope would never put us to shame. put us to shame. put us to shame. Hope is like gasoline in our engine. Hope is like gasoline in our engine. Hope is like gasoline in our engine. It's going to it's going to motivate us It's going to it's going to motivate us It's going to it's going to motivate us to keep on going. to keep on going. to keep on going. It's going to encourage us to get up in It's going to encourage us to get up in It's going to encourage us to get up in the morning. the morning. the morning. We may do it with a heavy heart, but We may do it with a heavy heart, but We may do it with a heavy heart, but we've got hope. we've got hope. we've got hope. More than just reading the scriptures, More than just reading the scriptures, More than just reading the scriptures, meditate on it. And beyond just meditating on it, listen And beyond just meditating on it, listen to me. Apply the word of God in your to me. Apply the word of God in your to me. Apply the word of God in your life. Read it, Read it, meditate on it. IF YOU CAN, MEMORIZE IT, meditate on it. IF YOU CAN, MEMORIZE IT, meditate on it. IF YOU CAN, MEMORIZE IT, AND APPLY IT. And every SINGLE TIME AND APPLY IT. And every SINGLE TIME AND APPLY IT. And every SINGLE TIME YOU FEEL AN ATTACK, YOU FEEL AN ATTACK, YOU FEEL AN ATTACK, YOU BEGIN TO SPEAK THAT PROMISE OUT IN YOU BEGIN TO SPEAK THAT PROMISE OUT IN YOU BEGIN TO SPEAK THAT PROMISE OUT IN THE ATMOSPHERE, THE ATMOSPHERE, THE ATMOSPHERE, ponder its meaning. What does it MEAN ponder its meaning. What does it MEAN ponder its meaning. What does it MEAN WHEN GOD SAYS THAT HE WILL GIVE strength WHEN GOD SAYS THAT HE WILL GIVE strength WHEN GOD SAYS THAT HE WILL GIVE strength to the weakness? What does it MEAN WHEN to the weakness? What does it MEAN WHEN to the weakness? What does it MEAN WHEN GOD GOD GOD HAS A PROMISE in which he has granted HAS A PROMISE in which he has granted HAS A PROMISE in which he has granted for us? The Bible says in Psalm 1 2 and for us? The Bible says in Psalm 1 2 and for us? The Bible says in Psalm 1 2 and 3, but his delight is in the law of the 3, but his delight is in the law of the 3, but his delight is in the law of the Lord and his law. He meditates day and Lord and his law. He meditates day and Lord and his law. He meditates day and night. So every single time night. So every single time night. So every single time something triggers inside of you, you something triggers inside of you, you something triggers inside of you, you meditate on that word and you begin to meditate on that word and you begin to meditate on that word and you begin to speak it into the atmosphere.

speak it into the atmosphere. speak it into the atmosphere. EVERY TIME THE DEVIL TRIES TO TELL YOU EVERY TIME THE DEVIL TRIES TO TELL YOU EVERY TIME THE DEVIL TRIES TO TELL YOU OTHERWISE, YOU REMIND YOURSELF THAT YOU OTHERWISE, YOU REMIND YOURSELF THAT YOU OTHERWISE, YOU REMIND YOURSELF THAT YOU ARE ROYAL PRIESTHOOD and you are a child ARE ROYAL PRIESTHOOD and you are a child ARE ROYAL PRIESTHOOD and you are a child of God. of God. of God. DON'T LET THE DEVIL TELL YOU OTHERWISE. DON'T LET THE DEVIL TELL YOU OTHERWISE. DON'T LET THE DEVIL TELL YOU OTHERWISE. But he, his delight is in the law of the But he, his delight is in the law of the But he, his delight is in the law of the Lord, AND HIS LAW MEDITATE DAY AND Lord, AND HIS LAW MEDITATE DAY AND Lord, AND HIS LAW MEDITATE DAY AND NIGHT. WATCH THIS. HE IS LIKE A TREE NIGHT. WATCH THIS. HE IS LIKE A TREE NIGHT. WATCH THIS. HE IS LIKE A TREE PLANTED BY STREAMS OF WATER THAT YIELDS PLANTED BY STREAMS OF WATER THAT YIELDS PLANTED BY STREAMS OF WATER THAT YIELDS ITS FRUIT IN ITS season and its leaf ITS FRUIT IN ITS season and its leaf ITS FRUIT IN ITS season and its leaf does not wither. IN ALL THAT HE DOES, HE does not wither. IN ALL THAT HE DOES, HE does not wither. IN ALL THAT HE DOES, HE PROSPERS. IN OTHER WORDS, I WILL PROSPER PROSPERS. IN OTHER WORDS, I WILL PROSPER PROSPERS. IN OTHER WORDS, I WILL PROSPER IF I STAY CONNECTED TO the vine. IF I STAY CONNECTED TO the vine. IF I STAY CONNECTED TO the vine. I WILL EXPERIENCE JOY IF I STAY I WILL EXPERIENCE JOY IF I STAY I WILL EXPERIENCE JOY IF I STAY CONNECTED TO THE VINE. CONNECTED TO THE VINE. CONNECTED TO THE VINE. MEDITATION HELPS US STAY FOCUSED. AND MEDITATION HELPS US STAY FOCUSED. AND MEDITATION HELPS US STAY FOCUSED. AND IT'S NOT MEDITATION TO CLEAR YOUR MIND IT'S NOT MEDITATION TO CLEAR YOUR MIND IT'S NOT MEDITATION TO CLEAR YOUR MIND INTO EMPTINESS. INTO EMPTINESS. INTO EMPTINESS. IT'S NOT FOR YOU TO GO DO YOGA AND BEGIN IT'S NOT FOR YOU TO GO DO YOGA AND BEGIN IT'S NOT FOR YOU TO GO DO YOGA AND BEGIN TO CLEAR YOUR MIND INTO EMPTINESS. TO CLEAR YOUR MIND INTO EMPTINESS. TO CLEAR YOUR MIND INTO EMPTINESS. IT'S FOR YOU TO MEDITATE ON HIS WORD. IT'S FOR YOU TO MEDITATE ON HIS WORD. IT'S FOR YOU TO MEDITATE ON HIS WORD. THIS IS NOT A NEW AGE MOVEMENT WHERE YOU THIS IS NOT A NEW AGE MOVEMENT WHERE YOU THIS IS NOT A NEW AGE MOVEMENT WHERE YOU ARE BECOMING ONE WITH NATURE. IT IS NOT ARE BECOMING ONE WITH NATURE. IT IS NOT ARE BECOMING ONE WITH NATURE. IT IS NOT FOR YOU TO BEGIN TO SAGE THE ROOM AND FOR YOU TO BEGIN TO SAGE THE ROOM AND FOR YOU TO BEGIN TO SAGE THE ROOM AND THE ATMOSPHERE AS THOUGH YOU DON'T HAVE THE ATMOSPHERE AS THOUGH YOU DON'T HAVE THE ATMOSPHERE AS THOUGH YOU DON'T HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT INSIDE OF YOU. IT IS FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT INSIDE OF YOU. IT IS FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT INSIDE OF YOU. IT IS FOR YOU TO MEDITATE ON HIS WORD. DON'T YOU YOU TO MEDITATE ON HIS WORD. DON'T YOU YOU TO MEDITATE ON HIS WORD. DON'T YOU INCLUDE DEMONIC SPIRITUAL THINGS INTO INCLUDE DEMONIC SPIRITUAL THINGS INTO INCLUDE DEMONIC SPIRITUAL THINGS INTO YOUR LIFE, BUT LEAN INTO THE SPIRIT OF YOUR LIFE, BUT LEAN INTO THE SPIRIT OF YOUR LIFE, BUT LEAN INTO THE SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD. YOU DON'T NEED TO ADD THE LIVING GOD. YOU DON'T NEED TO ADD THE LIVING GOD. YOU DON'T NEED TO ADD ANY TYPE OF MEDITATION THAT IS NOT ANY TYPE OF MEDITATION THAT IS NOT ANY TYPE OF MEDITATION THAT IS NOT MEDITATING ON GOD'S WORD.

MEDITATING ON GOD'S WORD. MEDITATING ON GOD'S WORD. >> RECITE GOD'S PROMISES OVER YOUR >> RECITE GOD'S PROMISES OVER YOUR >> RECITE GOD'S PROMISES OVER YOUR SUFFERING. SUFFERING. SUFFERING. SPEAK HIS WORD OVER YOUR PAIN. NOT SPEAK HIS WORD OVER YOUR PAIN. NOT SPEAK HIS WORD OVER YOUR PAIN. NOT BECAUSE YOU'RE DENYING YOUR REALITY, BUT BECAUSE YOU'RE DENYING YOUR REALITY, BUT BECAUSE YOU'RE DENYING YOUR REALITY, BUT BECAUSE YOU'RE DECLARING A GREATER BECAUSE YOU'RE DECLARING A GREATER BECAUSE YOU'RE DECLARING A GREATER REALITY THAT GOD IS PRESENT. REALITY THAT GOD IS PRESENT. REALITY THAT GOD IS PRESENT. >> YOU ARE INVITING HIM INTO YOUR >> YOU ARE INVITING HIM INTO YOUR >> YOU ARE INVITING HIM INTO YOUR SUFFERING. THE GREATER REALITY IS THAT SUFFERING. THE GREATER REALITY IS THAT SUFFERING. THE GREATER REALITY IS THAT GOD IS FAITHFUL. CAN I TELL YOU GOD IS GOD IS FAITHFUL. CAN I TELL YOU GOD IS GOD IS FAITHFUL. CAN I TELL YOU GOD IS FAITHFUL FAITHFUL FAITHFUL AND HE WILL REDEEM WHAT YOU WHAT YOU'RE AND HE WILL REDEEM WHAT YOU WHAT YOU'RE AND HE WILL REDEEM WHAT YOU WHAT YOU'RE WALKING THROUGH. WALKING THROUGH. WALKING THROUGH. HE WILL REDEEM YOU. HIS PROMISE TO HE WILL REDEEM YOU. HIS PROMISE TO HE WILL REDEEM YOU. HIS PROMISE TO STRENGTHEN YOUR FAITH WHEN YOUR STRENGTHEN YOUR FAITH WHEN YOUR STRENGTHEN YOUR FAITH WHEN YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES TRY TO WEAKEN IT. So don't CIRCUMSTANCES TRY TO WEAKEN IT. So don't CIRCUMSTANCES TRY TO WEAKEN IT. So don't let suffering have the final word. let suffering have the final word. let suffering have the final word. LET GOD'S PROMISES HAVE THE FINAL WORD. LET GOD'S PROMISES HAVE THE FINAL WORD. LET GOD'S PROMISES HAVE THE FINAL WORD. LET THE TREE PLANTED BY STREAMS OF LET THE TREE PLANTED BY STREAMS OF LET THE TREE PLANTED BY STREAMS OF WATER. YOU WILL CONTINUE TO BEAR FRUIT WATER. YOU WILL CONTINUE TO BEAR FRUIT WATER. YOU WILL CONTINUE TO BEAR FRUIT IN EVERY SEASON BECAUSE YOUR SOURCE IS IN EVERY SEASON BECAUSE YOUR SOURCE IS IN EVERY SEASON BECAUSE YOUR SOURCE IS NOT YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES. NOT YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES. NOT YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES. Your source is Christ. Your source is Christ. Your source is Christ. So if you're in suffering today, So if you're in suffering today, So if you're in suffering today, anchor yourself in.

anchor yourself in. anchor yourself in. Anchor yourself in. This is where faith Anchor yourself in. This is where faith Anchor yourself in. This is where faith rises. rises. rises. This is not for you to now buckle on This is not for you to now buckle on This is not for you to now buckle on your knees. This is not for YOU TO TURN your knees. This is not for YOU TO TURN your knees. This is not for YOU TO TURN YOUR BACK ON JESUS. THIS IS FOR YOU NOW YOUR BACK ON JESUS. THIS IS FOR YOU NOW YOUR BACK ON JESUS. THIS IS FOR YOU NOW TO LOCK IN. THIS IS NOT FOR YOU TO BE TO LOCK IN. THIS IS NOT FOR YOU TO BE TO LOCK IN. THIS IS NOT FOR YOU TO BE CONVINCED OTHERWISE. THIS IS FOR YOU TO CONVINCED OTHERWISE. THIS IS FOR YOU TO CONVINCED OTHERWISE. THIS IS FOR YOU TO LOCK YOURSELF IN AND BEGIN TO ALLOW LOCK YOURSELF IN AND BEGIN TO ALLOW LOCK YOURSELF IN AND BEGIN TO ALLOW FAITH TO RISE FAITH TO RISE FAITH TO RISE BECAUSE FAITH IS BELIEVING WITHOUT BECAUSE FAITH IS BELIEVING WITHOUT BECAUSE FAITH IS BELIEVING WITHOUT SEEING. And you MAY BE IN A SEASON OF SEEING. And you MAY BE IN A SEASON OF SEEING. And you MAY BE IN A SEASON OF YOUR LIFE, YOU DON'T SEE IT, BUT YOU YOUR LIFE, YOU DON'T SEE IT, BUT YOU YOUR LIFE, YOU DON'T SEE IT, BUT YOU BELIEVE IT AND YOU UNDERSTAND THAT NO BELIEVE IT AND YOU UNDERSTAND THAT NO BELIEVE IT AND YOU UNDERSTAND THAT NO MATTER WHAT THAT KINGDOM COME, THY WILL MATTER WHAT THAT KINGDOM COME, THY WILL MATTER WHAT THAT KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. SO, BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. SO, BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. SO, HOWEVER GOD DESIGNS IT, HOWEVER GOD DOES HOWEVER GOD DESIGNS IT, HOWEVER GOD DOES HOWEVER GOD DESIGNS IT, HOWEVER GOD DOES IT, AT THE END, I'M GOING TO PUT MY IT, AT THE END, I'M GOING TO PUT MY IT, AT THE END, I'M GOING TO PUT MY TRUST IN HIM. WHY? BECAUSE HIS WAYS ARE TRUST IN HIM. WHY? BECAUSE HIS WAYS ARE TRUST IN HIM. WHY? BECAUSE HIS WAYS ARE BETTER THAN MY WAYS. MY JOY WOULD NOT BE BETTER THAN MY WAYS. MY JOY WOULD NOT BE BETTER THAN MY WAYS. MY JOY WOULD NOT BE TAKEN AWAY IN MY SUFFERING. BUT WHAT I TAKEN AWAY IN MY SUFFERING. BUT WHAT I TAKEN AWAY IN MY SUFFERING. BUT WHAT I WOULD DO IS I WOULD ALLOW MY SUFFERING WOULD DO IS I WOULD ALLOW MY SUFFERING WOULD DO IS I WOULD ALLOW MY SUFFERING TO PRODUCE ENDURANCE. I WOULD ALLOW MY TO PRODUCE ENDURANCE. I WOULD ALLOW MY TO PRODUCE ENDURANCE. I WOULD ALLOW MY SUFFERING TO PRODUCE SOMETHING THAT I SUFFERING TO PRODUCE SOMETHING THAT I SUFFERING TO PRODUCE SOMETHING THAT I can use for his honor and for his glory.

can use for his honor and for his glory. can use for his honor and for his glory. Would you stand to your feet? Choose Would you stand to your feet? Choose Would you stand to your feet? Choose joy. joy. joy. >> CHOOSE JOY NOT BECAUSE LIFE IS EASY. You >> CHOOSE JOY NOT BECAUSE LIFE IS EASY. You >> CHOOSE JOY NOT BECAUSE LIFE IS EASY. You choose joy because Jesus is faithful. choose joy because Jesus is faithful. choose joy because Jesus is faithful. >> Not because it's easy, but because he is >> Not because it's easy, but because he is >> Not because it's easy, but because he is because he is faithful. Choose joy. because he is faithful. Choose joy. because he is faithful. Choose joy. Today, we're going to worship the Lord. Today, we're going to worship the Lord. Today, we're going to worship the Lord. And every eyes closed and head bowed and And every eyes closed and head bowed and And every eyes closed and head bowed and and we're going to begin to lift up a and we're going to begin to lift up a and we're going to begin to lift up a song song song as we focus on God. And I don't know as we focus on God. And I don't know as we focus on God. And I don't know where you find yourself today. And I where you find yourself today. And I where you find yourself today. And I don't know what journey you may be on. don't know what journey you may be on. don't know what journey you may be on. And we're going to just be here for a And we're going to just be here for a And we're going to just be here for a few moments. And I'm going to release few moments. And I'm going to release few moments. And I'm going to release you. you. you. But today, I want you to know that you But today, I want you to know that you But today, I want you to know that you can choose joy. can choose joy. can choose joy. And the way that you choose joy is by And the way that you choose joy is by And the way that you choose joy is by choosing Jesus. Choose Jesus. Let him be your peace. Choose Jesus. Let him be your peace. Jesus says, Jesus says, Jesus says, "My joy I give unto you, "My joy I give unto you, "My joy I give unto you, and you will gain joy to the fullest."

and you will gain joy to the fullest." and you will gain joy to the fullest." You know why Jesus was telling the You know why Jesus was telling the You know why Jesus was telling the disciples that? This was one of his last disciples that? This was one of his last disciples that? This was one of his last messages before messages before messages before he left this earth. Before he left this earth. Before he left this earth. Before he was persecuted, he was persecuted, he was persecuted, before before before he died on that cross, he died on that cross, he died on that cross, he was letting the disciples know, he was letting the disciples know, he was letting the disciples know, disciples, there's going to be disciples, there's going to be disciples, there's going to be persecution when I leave. persecution when I leave. persecution when I leave. There's going to be persecution. There's going to be persecution. There's going to be persecution. This is why he says, "Consider it joy." that everything that you do and every that everything that you do and every suffering that you suffer has meaning suffering that you suffer has meaning suffering that you suffer has meaning and there is a purpose that in somehow and there is a purpose that in somehow and there is a purpose that in somehow someway God can get the glory out of someway God can get the glory out of someway God can get the glory out of your life. your life. your life. Probably not the way we wanted it, Probably not the way we wanted it, Probably not the way we wanted it, but if I can't change that reality, then but if I can't change that reality, then but if I can't change that reality, then I'm going to lean to God and I'm going I'm going to lean to God and I'm going I'm going to lean to God and I'm going to find joy and I'm going to choose joy. to find joy and I'm going to choose joy. to find joy and I'm going to choose joy. So, as we worship the Lord here today, I So, as we worship the Lord here today, I So, as we worship the Lord here today, I want you to lean in just for the next want you to lean in just for the next want you to lean in just for the next few minutes.

few minutes. few minutes. And I want you to lean into that joy. And I want you to lean into that joy. And I want you to lean into that joy. Find that joy even in your suffering. Find that joy even in your suffering. Find that joy even in your suffering. It is a paradox, It is a paradox, It is a paradox, but it is made available to you. Let's but it is made available to you. Let's but it is made available to you. Let's worship.