joy

How to Be Joyful

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:13,14 The book of Philippians is called the epistle of joy. It carries a theme about how to be a joyful, happy person. Its author, Paul, was an amazing man and servant of God who wrote many New Testament books. Guess where Paul was when he composed this letter? In a dark, dingy prison cell; he was confined. We all agree that prison life is tough, but it was probably ten times worse 2,000 years ago. And yet, Paul was there, talking about his joy. Why was he so happy? The scripture illustrates that joy was set before

January 10, 2023 2 Comments

Heavenly Treasures

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:21 As we continue to explore Jesus’ perspective on treasures, I want to pose a question. What kind of heavenly treasures should we store or build up? We could easily compile an extensive list, but I will share just a few. What about manners? Good manners are a heavenly treasure! I remember at 15 years old, I had this radical change in my life when I became a believer. On one occasion, I was rude to my older sister because she took too long in the bathroom getting ready for school. I acknowledged my wrongdoing and told her, “The Bible says love is not rude. I’m sorry.” Then I hugged her. We can always err on the side of good manners! We add to the list of Godly treasures: confidence, the ability to lead, make crucial decisions,

January 2, 2023 No Comments

Celebrating Jesus’ Birth

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’).“ – Matthew 1:21-23 Merry Christmas, friend. This is the day to celebrate the birth of Immanuel, God with us, and to rejoice in Jesus, our Lord, and Savior! It’s interesting that when we think of the nativity, we remember those who came — the shepherds, who were probably teenage girls, and the magi or wise men. Though Jesus was born in a water trough in a barn (definitely not a proper setting for a king), He broke down barriers and accomplished more than any other leader before or after Him

December 25, 2022 No Comments

Adoration Expressed Through Music

“Jesus answered, ‘It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’ “ – Luke 4:8 As we conclude our series on adoration, consider how adoration is expressed through music. If this were a seminary class, I’d ask you, “What are ways in which you worship God?“ The most important one to me personally, and perhaps you too, is music. Often it’s hard to see how embedded music is, even in the Bible, and what music does for the soul. There’s never been a great movement that didn’t have its own music, or a thriving church that didn’t have wonderful musicians and singers. Music changes our minds and souls, and it can draw us to great experiences. In every culture, there is a love of music and singing. The Lord has always invited music into the temple, synagogue, church, and your home. In some ways, the distraction of

December 19, 2022 2 Comments

Jesus Shows Us What God is Like

“If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.“ – John 14:7 If you’re a Christian, I know you believe Jesus is God. Do you want to know what God looks like? We can look to Jesus, who will show us who God is! As we continue in our Advent theme of adoration, we can focus on and deeply appreciate Jesus’ reflection of the Father. Jesus never makes any person sick to punish them. Notice how Jesus invited sinners, many of whom were considered horrible outcasts, to the table to eat with Him. Jesus didn’t get upset at their wrongdoings. The people He did get upset with were not the people you’d think — they were religious leaders. In contrast, the gods of this world consume the life of their worshipers, and their worshipers like being

December 18, 2022 No Comments

Adoration and Worship

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’ “ – Luke 2:13,14 In the busyness of the Christmas season, we can cling to the strong arms of God! When we adore Him, it allows us to manage our stress, and experience joy. So, let’s worship and love the Lord! It is essential to make time for special moments with Him. As you focus on Jesus, close your eyes or quietly still yourself. Take time to say in your heart, “Lord, I adore you. I love you. I love your Kingdom. Thank you for Christ, the cross, and the resurrection. I am thankful, Father, for your Holy Spirit and the life it gives. Thank you for the air in my lungs and the blood in

December 16, 2022 No Comments

The Ones Who Seek Christ

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’ “ – Matthew 2:1,2 What would the Christmas season be without the story of the famous Magi? Tradition builds into this idea that there were three kings, but this is not stated in the Bible. It was possibly a caravan, a host of individuals. The Magi obviously came from the east and could have traveled as far as 2,000 miles. I think they’re Jewish from Babylonia and remnants of Jews from Daniel’s era returning to Israel. They would have been experienced in those days as representatives from the great empire to the east, and they would have been looked upon as scientists

December 14, 2022 No Comments

We Really Need Christmas

“When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” – Matthew 2:10,11 I remarked to Hannah a couple of weeks ago, “I feel like this year we really need Christmas.” And I didn’t mean “we,” the Schuller family. I meant “we” the whole world. Christmas is both a sacred religious holiday and a worldwide cultural phenomenon. I know the world as a whole feels this need for Christmas. I am mindful of how so many of us have felt down for years for various reasons, with a proverbial gray sky emotionally hanging over our heads. But note how the Christmas spirit, as you see in the marketplace, media, and movies, has a way of hypothetically breaking

December 13, 2022 1 Comment

When You Know Christ

“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:27,28 Today, I want to share the best thing that has ever happened to me. Before I do, I want to express that I have many blessings in my life, including a wonderful wife, children, and extended family who love me unconditionally. I am also blessed to live in America and enjoy its freedoms and opportunities. All of these joyful gifts of God’s goodness are amazing but do not compare to the best thing that’s ever happened to me: The day someone invited me to follow Jesus Christ, and I chose to do so. The

October 22, 2022 No Comments

The Lord’s Joy Comes with Ease

“If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” – John 15:10-12 Today, I invite you to be a joyful person! God loves you so much, and so do I. Maybe you’ve encountered difficult trials lately, but God can restore your joy! God offers us absolute joy that is playful, full of laughter, fun, and fantastic. The Bible includes joy as part of the fruit of the spirit. The fruit of joy is one of the ways Christians can show others that we are genuinely connected to the heart of God. Initially, I thought about sharing two or three tips with you on

October 21, 2022 No Comments

How to Be Joyful

Heavenly Treasures

Celebrating Jesus’ Birth

Adoration Expressed Through Music

Jesus Shows Us What God is Like

Adoration and Worship

The Ones Who Seek Christ

We Really Need Christmas

When You Know Christ

The Lord’s Joy Comes with Ease

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