Finding The Joy You Have Lost Series

We need to know what is important. Don't lose your joy over things that really don't count. The number one reason people lose their joy is they misplace their priorities. They get too involved in things that really aren't that important. Paul is saying that what matters most is not your prestige, pedigree, possessions, position or power – but a personal relationship with Jesus. You can have it all and still be unhappy. The Bible warns us:

“Take care to keep yourselves free from the desire for property; for a man's life is not made up of the number of things which he has.” Luke 12:15 (BBE)

Many people are afraid that they are going to have to give up something in order to become a Christian – and they are right! When you come to Jesus Christ you give up everything you've got. It is a total commitment. But what you find in following Christ is worth much more than you give up. You give up guilt and gain a clear conscious. You give up worry and gain a power for living. You give up frustration and lack of purpose in life and gain real meaning and purpose in life. You give up going to hell and gain going to heaven. You gave up trying to solve all your problems in your own power and gain having the resources of God to help solve your problems. If you ask me – that's a pretty good trade-off!

Jim Elliot said, "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep for that which he cannot lose."

What are you willing to give up for God? If you become a Christian – get committed to Christ – live for Jesus Christ – He will change your life and He will give you unspeakable joy.

Let’s move on to the third guideline:

3. Grow in your RELATIONSHIP with Christ

Lasting joy comes from knowing Christ more and more. Paul said:

“⌊My goal⌋ is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.” Philippians 3:10 (HCSB)

Paul says his number one goal in life is to know Christ better and better. How well do you know Jesus Christ? Do you have an intimate relationship with Christ? Do you talk to Him every day? That is what we do when we pray – we talk to Him. Do you consider that He is with you every day? If you are a Christian – He is. His Holy Spirit is dwelling in you. Where you go – He is there also. Never stop growing and developing your relationship with Christ. The moment you stop growing, you're going to lose your joy.

How do you grow in your relationship with Christ? Let me give you three points:

A. Time

It takes time to know anybody, to develop a relationship. It takes time to get to know God. You need to spend time alone with God to get to know Him. Set down with your Bible, read it and let God talk with you through His word. Jesus said:

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:27 (NKJV)

Listen to Jesus as He speaks to you.

B. Talk

You must also talk to God in order to have a good relationship with Him. Every good relationship requires good communication. The Bible tells us: