Life’s not easy. We face uncertainties and unexpected challenge all the time. But God has given a gift to us to carry us through these times. That gift is joy, which increases our love, strengthens our faith, and helps us to reach the world around with God’s hope. In the first chapter of Philippians we learn that the church at Philippi brought Paul tons of joy, even though facing potential death, imprisoned in Rome. This joy came from the fellowship they shared in the world’s most important mission—the gospel, and in their sharing a common Savior, Jesus. How is it with you? Do you know that God has built into the fabric of our Christian experience joy? It comes in waves of affection from our fellow believers, given by His Holy Spirit, right when we need it. And this joy is backed up by a promise: He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the end. We are going to make it & we’ll pass with flying colors! Our God said so. And so we rejoice.
You can click on link below if you’d like to listen to the audio sermon from yesterday’s message to Faith Community Church at Camp Kinser, Okinawa.
https://soundcloud.com/kinser-chaplain/gift-of-joy-philippians-1-1-11
–Much love to friends and family across the miles. You are missed and so precious to me and Damaris.
Kristian Carlson 