I respond, "What do you think caused the loss?"
"I need to stop...and I need to quit....If they would just..."
No one ever gets joy back by focusing on what they need to stop doing.
People get free when they discover a new way TO BE.
This is what made the teachings of Jesus so radical. He did not go around telling people, "Stop doing that!" Instead, he framed life differently, beautifully, and gave people a new window through which to view the world.
Religious people and political leaders hated Jesus for it. Their control over the masses (power) came strictly from rules, rituals, and regulations.
Consider how different the following teaching must have sounding to his hearers, who were burdened under the heavy yoke of religious bondage:
25“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Matthew 6:25-27
God cares for you...here is some proof.
God cares for you...here is some proof.
The beauty of His life and teachings are still transforming people today. Sure...religious people use Jesus for religious oppression. Power hungry, insecure people use anything they can, but no one ever felt that from Jesus. He set people free! John 8:32
The thing that has broken chains in my own life is focusing on Jesus.
Just spending time with him as though he was in the room with me.
Reading His words as if they were spoken to me.
Sharing my thoughts and concerns with him in the form of prayer.
Psalm 87:7
Then those who sing as well as those who play the flutes shall say, "All my springs of joy are in you."
I lost my joy this same way one time in my walk. My intentions were good but I put works first before Jesus first. I had things out of order. I was corrected when I began suffering from exhaustion. I finally came to my senses after me and God had a long talk. Lord don't ever let me put works first before you. But also Lord pertect me from the dangers of being to passive to. Amen.
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