Where Does It Come From?

As Christians, we basically know how we are supposed to be living, and what our attitude is supposed to be. But how in the world are we to live up to those seemingly unattainable expectations? We tend to simply respond to our circumstances. If things are going well, then we can be content and be generally "nice" people. But, if circumstances are difficult, "all bets are off" as they say (who is betting anyway?). In Acts 13 we see a curious description of Paul and Barnabas after being run out of town, no doubt with their lives threatened. In verse 52 we read, "and the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit." What?! How could that be? Filled with joy after having your life threatened and being forced to leave a productive ministry? The answer? Their emotions were not controlled by their circumstances. They were controlled by Holy Spirit. Their eyes were fixed on Jesus. Their focus was on serving Him. Sounds good, doesn't it? But can we really live like that? It is the privilege of every believer in Jesus to be "filled with the Spirit". Surrendering our will to the control of the Holy Spirit opens the way for joy to flow. We must admit that we cannot live the Christian life by our own efforts, and depend on the Holy Spirit to change our hearts as you yield yourselves to His control, day by day and moment by moment. This is spiritual growth. It doesn't come from you. It comes from God, and its all given by grace, received by faith.

Love in Christ,
Pastor Dan