JOY TO THE WORLD
22 Dec 2021
Joy is experienced differently around the world for both individuals or collective groups, and special occasions present wonderful opportunities to invite people to celebrate and rejoice. However, our God has provided the means of greatest joy for all the world without the exclusion of any tribe, ethnicity, group, or country. Every person in the world can rejoice as God intends. In Luke 2:10- 11, the angel appeared to the shepherds and said: “Do not be afraid. I have brought good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord”. Salvation is great news of great joy to all people throughout the whole world.
I would like to share the joyful story of my salvation. I hope it will help and bless you.
I was born into a Christian family, with both parents serving as ministers in the church. Christianity seemed to me something I inherited at birth. I attended church services and I had been brought up that way. Although I had lots of questions in my head about God and, at a certain point, I challenged my parents about their faith. Although I sought to worship the God of my parents, obeying them as they taught the Bible, I was doing that to please them, not God. Most of the time, I was not convinced about a personal ‘faith relationship’ with Him.
One day in Bible study group, a man of God taught about personal knowledge of God. This message went straight to the core of my heart, and I could not resist crying and standing to confess Jesus as my personal Saviour. Glory to God who allowed that great news of great joy to penetrate my heart and mind! He surprised me with great joy that I have experienced until this very minute and leads me to eternal joy. My lifestyle started to dramatically change. I now attended Bible study with great expectation to apply the word of God in my life – it was as though I was listening and understanding for the first time.
As the joy of God in my heart grew, I began to share my faith with friends at school and bringing them to church. I loved speaking to God in prayer and I joined an intercession group at school. The Holy Spirit moved me in many ways, and I began teaching Sunday School and praising Him in the choir. I felt so blessed being able to meet people and talk about Jesus. Because of the joy in my heart, I felt like I could still do more for God. Even now, the joy of sharing the news of salvation is boiling in my heart despite the difficult times we are going through.
Praying that the joy of the Lord will fill your hearts too ❤
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice!” Philippians 4:4
- Yumba, a Pioneers worker serving in Oceania
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