The Security of Joy

Consider the scene: the disciples were grieving because of Jesus’ departure. And they would soon be overwhelmed with sorrow and grief because of His death.

 

“Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.” (John 16:22)

 

After the cross, the disciples huddled together in an upper room, fearful of the religious leaders and temple guard. They were emotionally paralyzed, and they didn’t know how to move forward. In essence, all their hope had been stripped away and crushed. That is, until Jesus revealed Himself to them in person and physically alive. It was then that all things changed and their hope and joy renewed. 

 

The resurrection of Jesus brings people hope and joy that cannot be taken away. When Jesus conquered sin and death, He ushered in hope for mankind and the beginning of a new age.

 

The world, our flesh, and even Satan will try to rob us of joy, but nothing can truly take it away. The work of salvation accomplished by Jesus Christ guarantees that. Through the cross and the power of the resurrection, joy can be constant, never to be robbed or revoked. This is a spiritual transformation that God creates at salvation when He renews our hearts. Isaiah spoke of the impact of this transformation in Isaiah 66:14, “Then you will see this, and your heart will be glad, And your bones will flourish like the new grass; and the hand of the Lord will be made known to His servants, But He will be indignant toward His enemies.

 

Joy is not necessarily the absence of suffering, it is the presence of God.” – Sam Storms

 

May you know the joy of the Lord that comes from the presence of God. May His joy renew your strength as you walk through life. May this hope guide you through all the challenges that come from this world. 

 

Pastor Cary Wacker



A Hope to Carry You Through Pain

Can you remember a time when you received devastating news? You know, the type of news that takes your breath away? Perhaps at a doctor’s appointment, you were told that you or a loved one was diagnosed with cancer or some other terminal illness. Maybe you received a knock at the door to be informed that a loved one had died. Or even something like being called into the boss’ office and told that due to budget cuts you were being laid off. There are times when we hear difficult news that fills our hearts with sorrow. How do you go forward, how do you find hope?


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Choose Your Words

The term hate speech has become a cliche in our society. It is often used to deflect any kind of statement someone doesn’t like. The social definition of hate speech is hateful words that appear to demean any person in any way. Even if it is truth.

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Sacrificial Love

The great American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. preached one of his most moving sermons, Loving Your Enemies, while he was in jail. He had been imprisoned for daring to suggest that African Americans should have the same rights as other Americans. During his lifetime he received countless death threats, was maliciously accused of being a communist, was jailed over 20 times, and his house was bombed. Yet, in this sermon, he said, “hate multiplies hate…in a descending spiral of violence” and is “just as injurious to the person who hates” as it is to their victim. However, “love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend” for it has “creative” and “redemptive” power.[1]


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I Am The Vine

The branch of the vine does not worry, and toil, and rush here to seek for sunshine, and there to find rain. No; it rests in union and communion with the vine; and at the right time, and in the right way, is the right fruit found on it. Let us so abide in the Lord Jesus.  James Hudson Taylor.

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