who stole your joy!?

1 Peter 1: 3-9

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! in his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade- kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. in this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trails. these have come so that your faith- of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.



for some reason the church has become so consumed with the legalism of "church." Jesus never meant for faith to be about regulations and nitpicking over little things that mean you are "OK." though somehow Christianity has become about religion and less about relationship. less about the the freedom and joy found in Christ. it is about God.

peter had it straight. Christianity is not about contradicting life or what was done wrong. the goal of the faith claimed in Christianity is SALVATION- achieved through Christ. and this should be what radically changes our chore inside and ultimately, lifestyle. the result is a filling, more than excitement- "a glorious and inexpressible joy!"

be excited about what God is doing on the inside. let the life be radically changed from the religious games of cleaning and about what you are trying to receive from your faith to contentment and joy.

as Christians our faith is in a resurrected Christ- who claims us as His own! and gives salvation! and life with him forever! i know whose i am. for this reason i am excited to live a life inexcusably joy filled!

yes, i will not be understood when bad things happen and i am still joy filled, but that will be because my focus is on the eternal. i want all who meet me to be able to feel this freedom and and inexpressible life. Christianity is not a place of stoic faces but a place of joy!

this is my prayer

the challenge in a bible study from a surfer:
(my notes)
pray for your friends.
those that you disciple make sure to challenge them to also disciple others.
the armor of God is for battle- use it- be in battle.
follow the law of your land.
it is going to be embarrassing when you share Christ.
make sure that you use your mouth to also share about the need we have for God.
understand that it is a supernatural thing- you can't take credit for the God moments.
pray.
have integrity- live what you claim.
gain knowledge.
know Christ- everything/ anything can not compare.
make sure you point people to Jesus.
keep the commandments.
know that you are forgiven.
*the christen life described as a wheel* hub: Christ, 4 Spokes: the word, prayer, fellowship, and witnessing (make sure all the "spokes" are the same length - balanced in your lifestyle) the rim: the christian walk.
Pray: A-adoration, C- confession, T- thanksgiving, S- supplication (request).
attributes of God.
know the One True God.
walk the life, filled with joy, have fire.
patience.
reach out.
encourage.
show love.
obey.
live.

thoughts after the study:
i really wish that OIT had theology and world religion classes. i need to study the attributes of God.