The Nature of Christian JOY

In a world that wrings its hands over economic recessions, global warming, warring nations and starving children, joy can get buried by the onslaught of pessimism. Yet Paul tells you that joy will be the sweet outgrowth of abiding in the Spirit just as naturally as fruit appears on a vine. It is an expression of mutual delight of the Spirit working in the believer and the believer dwelling in the Spirit. In the words of Eugene Peterson, "Joy is not a requirement of Christian discipleship, it is a consequence ... a product of abundance, an overflow of vitality."

The fruit of the Spirit is ... joy. Galatians 5:22

Paul not only told the church that they would naturally be joyful, but he also demonstrated it throughout his life. While in prison he found reason to sing. In the midst of a shipwreck he encouraged the crew. Under house arrest he wrote letters to young churches and their leaders that continue to instruct Christians today.

How does your life bear the fruit of joy in the midst of your challenges? Pray that you recognize the Spirit's delight in you, even as you grow in your delight of His work within you, as you intercede for the nation and its leaders.

May the joy of the Lord be with you,

Roger

This article taken from Vantage Point Devotional – August 4th, 2010, PrayerTeam@Presidential-Prayer-Team.org

SMALL GROUP MINISTRY

At Myrtle Point Christian Church, our commitment to following hard after God has led to the development of our SMALL GROUP MINISTRY. The best way to feel like you are a part of the MPCC family is to join one of our Small Groups. The purpose of the Small Group Ministry is to:

• Connect people more intimately to God

The Great Commandment says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength" (Mark 12:30). In a small group you can learn exactly what that means and how to do it on a day to day basis.

• Connect believers together as the church, the body of Christ.
  

In 1 Corinthians 12:27 says, "You are the Body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." For us to truly experience what it means to be a part of the "Body Life" of the church, we need to be in a small group.

• Connect the church to the mission of God in the world.

Jesus said, "The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost" (Luke 19:10). He also said in Matthew 28:19-20, "Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Within the small group we will be participating in the very mission and purpose of the church. We will also become equipped to go out into a lost world sharing the message of the gospel more effectively.

God is at work in the world miraculously transforming lives. He’s demonstrating His compassion by rescuing hopeless people and making them part of His family through the death of His Son, Jesus. He’s demonstrating His love by restoring broken relationships between people and empowering them to live in community with each other in ways that those apart from Him can only imagine and long for. And He’s demonstrating His power by using His ordinary but faithful children to provide His light of hope to a desperate world.

We were made to be part of God’s incredible plan for rescuing and restoring the world. It’s in Small Groups that we desperately seek after Him and His purposes for us. Join a small group to learn that you’re not alone in your journey of faith. You were made by God for community, community with Him and community with His people.

You’ll find out how much you need others. We already know how much we need you. We will be having sign-ups for small groups throughout the month of August.

The kick-off date for all these new small groups will be the week of September 12th. So get signed up and be ready to enter into a new and exciting spiritual journey with other believers just like you.

Love in Christ,
Roger