Apostle Paul closed his final letter to the church at Corinth with these final words of encouragement and admonition. “Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:11 (NLT) Paul lists four admonitions that are needed so that the love and peace of God would be manifested in the life of the Corinthian believers and all who read the epistle. The first admonition is that the believer should live a joyful life.
To live a joyful life is to be full of joy, to have a glad heart, and showing or expressing joy in your outlook, actions, and speech.
During my trip to South Africa, I observed how the people worshipped God with joy; no one had to tell them or pump them up to worship. As we entered the tent, they were worshiping with such joy and happiness, thankful for what they had, and what they had was not compatible to the many blessing we have here in America. We are blessed with so much yet we have no joy.
We come to church unhappy and despondent, waiting on someone to pump us up. Where is the joy of your salvation? It’s time to shake the doldrums and let the joy of the Lord be your strength.
Be Blessed,
Bishop Jemmott
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