15 Jan

Posted at 08:00h in Joy Church

The Bible says in II Corinthians 4:2-3, “But have renounced (a strong Greek word which connotes disowned) the hidden things (secret or concealed) of dishonesty (hidden things of shame), not walking in craftiness (trickery or subtlety), nor handling the word of God deceitfully (comes from the Greek root that means decoy or bait); but by manifestation (means expression which connotes an outward shining forth) of the truth commending (Greek means to stand near) ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.  But if our gospel be hid (veiled), it is hid to them that are lost:”. Let me share...

08 Jan

Posted at 08:00h in Joy Church

Good God!  Bad devil!  Cursed world!  Stupid people!  The latter three is why bad things happen to good people!  My God is not a car-wrecking, cancer-causing Creator…He is a loving, life-giving Lord!  Last week we began to share with you “6 Barometers for Not Blaming God”: 1. To truly understand the will of God, look at three places un-marred by sin: a. The Garden of Eden (before sin) b. The life of Jesus c. Heaven 2. Will the real God please stand up (II Cor. 5:19)! This week let’s continue… 3. Remember the causative versus permissive tense of the Hebrew language (Amos 3:6, Isaiah 45:7, I Samuel      16:14). Here the...

01 Jan

Posted at 08:00h in Joy Church

Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?   This is a question for the ages and seems to have conjured up more controversy than just about anything else!  Before I go any further in this teaching, I want to share with you a statement that I say frequently:  “My God is not a car-wrecking, cancer-causing Creator… He is a loving, life-giving Lord!”   Please allow me to share…   6 Barometers for not Blaming God! 1. To truly understand the will of God, look at three places un-marred by sin:        a. The Garden of Eden (before sin)      b. The life of Jesus        c....

18 Dec

Posted at 08:00h in Joy Church

Everyone loves miracles…yours truly included!  I thank God for His miraculous wonder-working power (Heb. 2:4)!  However, please allow me to startle you just a bit.  Miracles are mercy for the ignorant!  Please don’t misunderstand me…if you need a miracle, receive a miracle and thank God for His mercy (Eph. 2:4)!  However, if we continue in our ignorance, our crisis will continue!  Problems repeat themselves when they are not prevented through wisdom.  Remember this…our ignorance is the devil’s advantage (II Cor. 2:11). The Bible tells us wisdom is the principal thing…therefore, get it (Prov. 4:7a).  If you have wisdom you have everything…if...

11 Dec

Posted at 08:00h in Joy Church

The Bible tells us, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much” (Lk 16:10).  If I asked all of you how many of you desire a better future than you have today…every single one of you would raise a strong hand of agreement!  However, if you said “yes” to a better future, you must ask yourself this question:  “Am I willing to pay the price to prepare for it?”  You see, many times we desire the results of change without being...

04 Dec

Posted at 08:00h in Joy Church

Most people don’t lead their lives, they just accept them!  Now please don’t mistake me, I am not suggesting we take the reigns of our life back from God.  However, I am saying He has given us His Word, His love, His fruit, His armor, His power, His name, His spirit and His authority and said, “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life that both thou and thy seed shall live” (Deut. 30:19)! Whether unemployment continues to rise, home foreclosures continue to...

27 Nov

Posted at 08:00h in Joy Church

The definition of insanity is continuing to do the same thing and expecting different results!  At some point, we must interject something into our existence in order to create a life. Jesus did not come to give us existence…He came to give us life and it more abundantly (John 10:10)! As of this writing, unemployment is very close to 10% and the economy continues to struggle.  However, the Bible tells us what God describes for His people in times of economic challenge!  “They shall not be ashamed in the evil time and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied”...

20 Nov

Posted at 08:00h in Joy Church

In II Kings 7 there is a fascinating story of four lepers in the midst of famine.  They were sitting outside the gate of the city talking and came to an interesting conclusion.  If we sit here we die.  If we go into the city we may die or we may live.  In essence, if we do nothing we certainly will die!  I believe in the middle of this economic downturn, this is a word from God to us!  We may not die physically, but our finances may die if we do nothing. The Bible tells us, “They shall not be...

13 Nov

Posted at 08:00h in Joy Church

The Bible tells us, “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue (the Greek word “arete” which means “moral excellence”), and to virtue knowledge;” (II Pet. 1:5).  Here the Word of God clearly tells us that after we are born again, the first thing we should begin to add to our faith is character!  Yet in our charismatic circles, many times that is the last thing we add to our faith.  We seem to put more of a premium on charisma than character! Why does the Holy Spirit tell us through this verse that character is the number...