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A Joy To Be Shared

As I have often shared with the people of our congregation, coming to church is a great joy for me. No matter how hard my day may have been or how tired I am it simply makes me feel better to be around the people of our congregation. We laugh together, cry together, share excitements and disappointments, pray for each other and help one another as we walk through this life together. They are great friends to me, part of my church family and in this they bring me great joy. Let me share a verse with you that helps to explain it.

“that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.” (1 John 1:3-4 ESV)

Did you notice the word joy? The Apostle John writes to those who have not seen or heard of Christ, so that they might have the same joy that the Christians are having. And the most striking thing of all is this - It is only when the unbelievers come to faith in Christ and find their joy in Christ that our joy will be complete. We need others to believe, to share in this joy that has been freely given to us -our joy. Their happiness will be the completion of and the fullness of our happiness. We have a joy that is intended to be shared.

Take that extra step today; extend the love of Christ to those who may be new to your congregation. Jesus Christ came into this world and gave His life so that we ALL could share in this joy. It is good news and good news is better when it is shared. It is what excites me about coming to church.

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