Serving and rejoicing in the Lord go together.

The Bible tell us to, "Serve the Lord with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling." Psalm 2:11

Can you really think of a better time than now, a better day than today..  to have, to enJOY, and to celebrate Christ's rule in your life? I can't. In all of history, can you think of even one effective soul-winner who never rejoiced in the Lord? I can’t.. not even one. Have you allowed Christ to be Lord in your life? Are you a believer or are you one that's actually become his disciple? 

How can we make our boast in Jesus and plant seeds of truth if we’re just too busy for Him and subsequently failing to rejoice in Him? How can we.. when we’re often uber-occupied with self and what selfish people preoccupy themselves with? Dunno, ain’t gunna happen. What more does God have to say about this?

"Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise Him." Psalm 33:1

"Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice." Philippians 4:4

Let’s rejoice cuz our Lord is a generous God. Yup, He has already been profusely kind and generous!

"Lord, remind me often that You have been

exceedingly generous to me. Help me to extend that

generosity of spirit toward those around me, so that

they may know who You are and rejoice in You." ~ Joe Stowell

“Rejoice always..” 1 Thessalonians 5:16

“..yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Habakkuk 3:18

“We also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:11

“..sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.” 2 Corinthians 6:10

“Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.” Philippians 3:1

Are you experiencing real JOY? You know that root word is joy, and if there is no joy consistently exuding from our lives, why would anyone else want what we have? I dare ya.. hear His heart and let the joy of Jesus be infectious for those around you today. 

No matter where you are, no matter your circumstances, no matter who you are, or how you’ve lived your life in the past, there is a God who will love you, who will fully accept you, who will receive you into His eternal family. Christ can change your life today and give you His lasting joy! He can heal, restore, comfort, fix, help, deliver, strengthen, and make you complete. Trust God and you'll experience His forgiveness and mercy for yourself. You will have His joy inside! 

“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27

God is holy. He is powerful. And He can change your life.

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in.” Revelation 3:20

Do you hear God’s voice today?

“The Spirit of the Lord will come upon you in power, … and you will be changed into a different person.” 1 Samuel 10:6

Your new life can start right now. You have nothing to loose except all the weirdness, sin, and lameness. 

Perhaps you're asking.. So what specifically do I need to do? Simple. Turn from wrong-doin's and trust the one who never did wrong - Jesus Christ. And pay no one cuz it's all been paid.. already. #AtTheCross

Can't earn it. It's free. 

All that truly matters in the end ..is that you obediently knew God, that you rejoiced in Him, that you were a fan of His mercy, that you acted justly, that you humbly walked with Him.. daily ..and didn’t spiritually compromise cuz His truth and grace were just flowin' right on through ya. See Micah 6.8

Dormant hopes turned into real prayin' ..that's what will help you find your dancing shoes again.

Never wanna let anything or anyone come between me (or u) and Christ's love. I wonder how it can happen.. when Christians forget their living hope, their first love.. when they cease from prayin' and start relying solely upon their own mind and efforts.. when they stop voicing prayers upwards about their dreams, longings, lost loved ones, needs, and God-given vision if you will, of what He would have them to do in ministry outwards. 

Some say you've become too "old" when ur memories of the past become greater than your God-given vision for the future - allow this not! 

Not talkin' about dancin' in the flesh here. But this spiritual dullness and joyless existence.. could it be due to the many fiery trials or simple unbelief stemming from neglect of the best relationship.. yeah, that makes a believer never feel like dancing in worship to God again..that makes em feel too worn down by life, too choked out by the cares and distractions of this life, or makes em believe the enemy's well-worn lie: "You hypocrite! How dare you approach God. Who do you think you are..so filthy? Go away, for you are ignored and unloved and totally forgotten by the Holy God." Have you believed it.. to the point where they stop seekin' Christ and His will? What a jerk Mr Lu-Cifer is. He tempts you and tempts you to compromise or outright transgress, and then points his skinny finger of accusation at your forehead right after you blow it..and he also gets his crowd of mockers to do that too.. anything to get you away from..far away from.. the One who can help you most. 

When you stumble or fall, run back to Jesus so fast that you won't have time for the enemy to address you. When you see another in fallen state, or in a lost condition ..run to their aid as well. 

Believer, would you pray something like this... Father God, I feel for em, the people around me with the blank empty stare..so You must really feel for them even more. So many lost and clueless, so many believers feelin' condemned or half saved.. so many low around us each day..hurting or despondent. Yeah, who feel so discouraged, so ground-level-down and defeated, but God there is a victory, a spiritual breakthrough, an encouraging joy, and a super peace to be obtained in Jesus Christ. Make me part of the Solution today, not part of the problem. Make me different - on-fire - so my friends'll have a chance to hear the truth and respond. Revive, awaken. I don't need any "new revelations," just experience in and illumination of ..old Bible truth. Wanna apply it and stay closely connected with you every day ..and sense Your pleasure, Your anointed, freeing presence! Give me that first love passion inside, so I'll abide. Thank you for Your lovely, faithful and zealous Son! God, please remove all impediments to this joy unspeakable..yes, push away all the dark clouds and junk that get in the way of biblical worship in the Spirit.. please remove all hypocritical habits, shame, wrong motives, ungodly influences, and all hindrances to increased fruitfulness and agape love. Help me overcome evil with good, and be busy about seeking Your face ..about tending to Your biz, Father, so that I'll have no time left to be busy out of Your will. What do You have planned today - let me be smack dab in the middle of what You are doing here on this earth. I choose to live 100% for You, and exalt Jesus as You lead me. In Jesus Name. Amen.  

"Hope is the ability to hear the music of the future; faith is the courage to dance to it today." ~ Peter Kuzmic

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.." ~ 1 Peter 1:3

"Then David danced before the Lord with all his might.." ~ 2 Samuel 6:14

"Jesus called out to them [His followers], 'Come, be my disciples, and I will show you how..!'" ~ Matthew 4:19

Are you a believer or a disciple? Can your prayin', praising, and obedience to share be kinda like a graceful dance of worship unto the Lord..to bless Him? Sure! Please don't get passive, apathetic, stubornly willful in the wrong direction minus knowing God's direction for you. Bail on luke-warmness, worldliness, gettin' sidetracked.. or giving up on Jesus. The Lord is your real Hope when all false and flimsy hopes fail, and He's still intensely loves you. Can't hear that too much. Thank and praise Him wholeheartedly today. Stop and take the time to be alone. Let the wonder in once again. Be still, be silent, listen.. and know that He is God. He's right there by your side! Tell Him exactly what's going on in your heart and life - yep, tell Him in detail and ask boldly ..very specifically.. not stoppin' this healthy ongoing cultivation of friendship ..developing real intimacy. Be encouraged to press on towards the mark for the prize, for Jesus is your ultimate Prize. 

And hey, if you're a church-goer or non-church-goer but not a believer yet, simply put away your wrong-doin's and be made right today. Christ alone can do this inside of you.