ARE WE HAVING FUN YET?
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
I do this in two parts.
Your life can become so mundane that it seems like an endless trap. If you have lost the joy in your family and home, hard times lie ahead.
We must search God’s word and see the value of joy and seek God’s plan to life daily within the joy of the Lord.
Sometimes to get there we had to come through here.
If you don’t have joy here, you probably will not have joy there.
Psalm 30:5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
Psalm 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
I. ARE WE HAVING FUN YET? WHY? OR WHY NOT?
SOMETIMES SEEKING JOY IS LIKEN UNTO CATCHING BUTTERFLIES?
A. Have you ever tried to catch a butterfly?
You run, you chase and then you grab, and doggone if the butterfly eludes you again and again?
How about the gold at the end of the rainbow chase?
B. I guess everyone is seeking JOY IN SOME FORM?
We grab for some easy thing, and find there is no joy in that?
C. This has been a powerful week for this old preacher.
I have been so sick, I have had broken ribs and the pain has been beyond the ability of pain pills the doctor gave me.
I have spent two weeks with almost no sleep. Some nights I tried to sleep standing up, with my forehead resting against the wall?
Sunday, instantly, the Lord removed all the pain.
D. I have three grandsons. Matthew is 10, Brandon is 7, and David is 2.
Wednesday and Thursday I received such a blessing being with my two oldest grandsons. They helped me cook Wednesday and the family was over and we ate
together. Then we went to church. I spoke on FRUSTRATION.
Two grandsons spent the night with us.
How beautiful were the sounds of laughter and giggling coming out of the bedroom.
I looked in several times during the night to see Linda and the boys sleeping.
It was beautiful and so peaceful.
Of course I prayed over them.
E. Thursday we got up early, Linda fixed breakfast.
We loaded two guitars, the mandolin, our amps, picked up a teenager, and we traveled to Glasgow and played at the rest home and made a hospital visit.
My #2 Grandson, Brandon is very tender hearted, Matthew fell asleep in the back, and Brandon said, "PAW, WE ARE HAVING FUN AREN’T WE?"
I said, "YES, GRANDSON THIS IS SO MUCH FUN, AND JESUS LOVES IT."
Brandon rested his eyes a few minutes, and I was pondering about God, and God’s goodness to my little family.
I looked eastward and said, GOD IT IS A SHAME THAT A LITTLE KID CAN REALIZE WE ARE HAVING FUN, AND THIS OLD GRAY HEADED MAN DID NOT EVEN REALIZE HOW MUCH FUN WE WERE HAVING?
F. Last night, we were with our third grandson, I took him a couple of bananas.
As we stood there, he peeled his banana and started eating it. His eyes were glowing as only a child’s eyes can.
I hugged him and I said, "BOY, THIS IS REALLY FUN."
Grandson #3 found great joy in a simple banana?
G. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS OLD MAN?
Where has my sense of JOY and FUN IN LIVING GONE?
II. DOES YOUR ENEMY KNOW THE POWER OF JOY?
IF IT IS TRUE THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH,
THE LOSING OF JOY BRINGS GREAT WEAKNESSES!
A. AM I SHARING MY JOY?
B. Maltbie Babcock said:
The Christian life that is joyless is a discredit to God, and a disgrace to itself.
KJV
Neh. 8:9 And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people,
This day is holy unto the Lord your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.
10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy
unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
NIV
Neh. 8:10 Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord.
Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
LIVING
Neh. 8:10 it is a time to celebrate with a hearty meal and to send presents to those in need, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. You must not be dejected and sad!"
C. TO CHASE AND PURSUE JOY FOR JOYS SAKE WILL ALWAYS TAKE AWAY ALL JOY.
D. HAVE YOU EVER CHASED TO THE RAINBOW’S END,
TO FIND THERE WAS NO POT OF GOLD?
III. IF YOU ARE NOT HAPPY HERE, YOU WILL NOT BE HAPPY THERE. WE WHAT TO DEFINE HAPPINESS AND JOY AS AN EMOTION, NOT A CHOICE. WE CAN EFFECTIVELY AVOID JOY BY BLAMING OTHERS AS TO WHY I AM NOT HAPPY.
A. A friend of mine went to the doctor.
The doctor told my friend her blood pressure was elevated.
The woman said: "NO WONDER, A LADY PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND SHE MADE ME SO MAD. THAT MADE MY BLOOD PRESSURE GO UP!
The doctor told my friend,
"That lady never made you mad, YOU MADE YOURSELF MAD!"
My friend got MAD AT THE DOCTOR.
B. IF WE HAVE JOY WILL OUR FACES AND ATTITUDES SHOW IT?
IV. TO ME, JOY IS THE REVERSE OF HAPPINESS.
A. Paul and Silas found JOY in jail?
B. JESUS’ JOY IS AN ISSUE OF THE HEART NOT THE SITUATION.
Acts 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
C. HAPPINESS IS THE RESULT OF WHAT HAPPENS THAT WE HOPED FOR --- HAPPINESS IS EXTERNAL AND SUPERFICIAL.
A new dress? A new pair of shoes?
A new car, until the payment book comes in the mail?
D. HAPPINESS CAN BE A VERY TEMPORAL AND SHALLOW WELL THAT HAS MOISTURE IN THE WET WEATHER, BUT TENDS TO FLEE IN DRY SEASONS?
E. JOY IS A DEEP SPRING OF FRESH LIVING WATER THAT CAN ONLY COME FROM WITHIN!
The living spring of joy does never have to run dry.
F. JOY DOES NOT DEPEND ON WHAT HAPPENS.
V. THE NIGHT MAY SEEM SO LONG, BUT IN GOD THERE IS NEW HOPE.
A. DID YOU KNOW THERE IS MORE SERIOUS CRIME DURING THE NIGHT?
B. Did you know more people die during night hours?
Night is a type of fear and worry.
Job 35:10 But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night;
Psalm 42:8 Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in
the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
Psalm 77:6 I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.
C. My friend, night may seem endless, but in Divine timing there comes your answer.
VI. REAL JOY IS NOT FOUND IN THINGS, IN EASY SITUATIONS, OR IN GREAT RICHES.
REAL JOY IS NOT FOUND IN POPULARITY AND APPLAUSE AND PRAISE OF MEN.
REAL JOY IS FOUND IN DOING ETERNALLY WORTH WHILE THINGS FOR OTHERS.
Psalm 126:5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
A. On June 8, 2007 I watched Doctor Phil.
Doctor Phil had women that were not happy with their body size or shape.
All the women wanted free cosmetic surgery.
B. Doctor Phil had a 12 year old --- obese teen girl and her mother.
The mother wanted lipo-suction, a tummy tuck, and fat removed from the girls face, thighs, stomach, etc.
Doctor Phil addressed the issue of eating habits?
How did a 12 year old get here?
The Doctor addressed exercise?
The mother was concerned that as the 12 year old obese girl entered into high school all the other students would make fun of her daughter?
C. Later Doctor Phil addressed the issue, if we could make all the changes you demand, and don’t change your lifestyle habits, you will again be obese!
VII. JOY CAN ONLY BE FOUND IN FAITHFULNESS IN THE DAILY MENIAL CHORES.
JOY IS BUT AN ECHO OF GIVING AND OF GOD.
JESUS LEFT JOY AND PEACE IN HIS WILL!
A. I WAS AMZED AT THE SAME MOMENT OF TIME TWO GREAT WOMEN DIED, AND THEIR FUNERALS WERE ON THE STAGE OF THE WORLD NEWS.
Princess Diana, ex-wife of the heir to the throne, died in a high speed car accident. Princess Diana had left a trail of want and woe.
B. There was a death, MOTHER TERESA, a little nobody from no where.
She had fed millions food. Teresa had held the hands of thousands as they died alone. Teresa found something in life.
C. Marilyn Monroe had everything, wealth, fame, looks, but no joy?
Luke 2:20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
D. THE SHEPHERDS HEARD THE MESSAGE WITH GREAT JOY ---
BUT THEY HAD TO RETURN TO THEIR FLOCKS!
E. We must steadfastly follow our path of duty, without focusing and chasing JOY.
As as we stand faithfully at our post of duty, there will surely come the results of that which we did not seek, it is an automatic result of faith and trusting the UNSEEN HANDS OF A MERCIFUL SAVIOR.
VIII. GOD DESIGNED HIS PEOPLE TO HAVE FULL JOY TANKS.
HAS MY RELIGION LOST IT’S JOY? HAVE YOU EVER HAD A JOY LEAK?
A. WILL YOUR FRIENDS TESTIFY OF YOUR FULNESS OF JOY?
John 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
B. THERE IS A TIME TO QUIT CRYING AND START LAUGHING BY FAITH!
John 16:24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
IX. DO WE EVER EVALUATE OUR JOY TANKS?
WHAT IS WRONG WHEN MY JOB IS NO LONGER FUN?
WHAT IS WRONG WHEN MY FAMILY IS NO LONGER FUN?
IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WHEN MY MINISTRY AND WHAT I DO FOR THE CROSS IS NO LONGER FUN?
A. Recently I have evaluated my ministry style, and I pondered how many good sermons did I hinder the effectiveness by preaching with a bad attitude?
I know the truth is the truth, but I know a Preacher’s attitude both to the subject material and to the people he is preaching have great effect on the receiving of the message.
B. GOD DID NOT MOVE THE WAY JONAH EXPECTED HIM TO MOVE, AND JONAH WAS MAD.
Jonah lost all FUN AND JOY in ministry.
KJV
Jonah 4:1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.
Living
Jonah 4:1 This change of plans made Jonah very angry.
C. JONAH IS A VERY SAD TYPE IN THE BIBLE.
JONAH IS A TYPE OF PREACHER THAT CARRIES OUT GOD’S WORK IN ANGER.
God twice asked Jonah about his loss of joy.
Jonah 4:4 Then said the Lord, Doest thou well to be angry?
Jonah 4:9 And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd?
And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death.
D. Twice Jonah is not corrected.
Twice Jonah should have repented and corrected his bad attitude and loss of joy. Jonah excused his mean spirited preaching and demanded his
right to be MAD!
X. OUR FATHER MUST HAVE KNOWN HOW BAD HUMANS LEAK JOY,
SO HE MADE PROVISIONS FOR JOY RESTORATION!
A. OUR ENEMY HAS A GOAL, HE WANTS TO DESTROY YOUR JOY.
B. WEAK JOY MEANS WEAK CHRISTIANS!
C. GUARD YOUR JOY! KEEP THE FAITH! FIND FUN IN LIFE.
Psalm 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Psalm 51:12 Restore to me again the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.
D. HAVE YOU EVER TRIED TO IDENTIFY WHAT STEALS YOUR JOY?
E. Don’t allow people, things, or situations to steal your joy!
F. Some look for great joy when they reach their final destination.
GOD’S PLAN IS TO LOVE THE JOURNEY AS WE GO.
IF WE LOVE THE JOURNEY WE WILL LOVE THE DESTINATION.
You don’t need a change of position, you need a change of heart, a change of attitudes to find fun and joy in menial daily living.
G. Sometimes to get there we had to come through here.
If you don’t have joy here, you probably will not have joy there.
His servant,
Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
Help me? Pass this on?
