The Grinch

Well THE GRINCH is out again in full force this year! That's right...the despicable, evil, sinister spirit that causes adults to act like rebellious children! While I was preparing for Sunday's message at The Landing, "The Grinch", I am reminded about JOY. This is the season to be jolly, right? So what is going on? Why are police coming to Toys R Us to control unruly crowds and fights over....toys?
Jesus came to give us an abundant life. That means that when you allow Christ to live in your heart you have ALL you need, ALL the time, All-ways. But there is another spirit trying to seduce people. The Grinch steals joy, kills dreams and destroys lives. But according to John 16:22 in the Message Bible, there is a JOY that cannot be stolen from you. It says it like this...
21-23"When a woman gives birth, she has a hard time, there's no getting around it. But when the baby is born, there is joy in the birth. This new life in the world wipes out memory of the pain. The sadness you have right now is similar to that pain, but the coming joy is also similar. When I see you again, you'll be full of joy, and it will be a joy no one can rob from you.
That joy comes from our confidence in Christ who is the source of our joy. In fact, the joy of the Lord is our strength!
Joy is a mind-set. Unhappiness is not knowing what you want and killing yourself to get it.
Joy is a choice to not allow the grinch to have his way. Zig Ziglar once said, "The chief cause of failure and unhappiness is trading what you want most for what you want now."--Zig Ziglar
Phillipians 4 says to “rejoice in the Lord always, and again(I repeat myself) rejoice!” Rejoice by choice! Don't let THE GRINCH get your joy!