02/03/18 ARE YOU A JOY OR A DISAPPOINTMENT?
As I was thinking about the great joy I have as a shepherd of God's flock, I remembered something Paul said.
1 Thessalonians 2:19-20
19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
20 For ye are our glory and joy.
WOW, what a great encouragement that must have been for the believers in Thessalonica. Paul said he considered those believers were a ministry of HOPE, JOY and a CROWN OF REJOICING, when he thought of them being ready for the return of the Lord. Look at verse 20, where he said, You are our GLORY and JOY.
I can tell you from personal experience that an "on fire body of believers" is an unspeakable, immeasurable source of rejoicing.
Think about it like this.
How does a coach feel when his players are chosen for a special award?
How does a music teacher feel when a student attains to greatness in the music world?
How does a teacher feel after giving special attention to a student, then watching them climb the ladder of success?
How does a mother or father feel when their child is recognized for outstanding achievement?
IT IS NORMAL FOR THE MENTOR, THE TEACHER, THE PARENT TO BE FILLED WITH JOY AND GLORY WHEN THE APPLE OF THEIR EYE SUCCEEDS.
But what about the other side of this equation?
How does a coach, teacher, parent feel when they see the one, in whom they have invested their best time, energy, effort, love life, only to fail and bring reproach.
Give your pastor, your teacher, your coach, your parent a reason for great joy, hope, glory. Don't be the cause of their disappointment, their regret, their despair, their emptiness, their sense of failure.
More importantly, don't be the cause of Divine displeasure. Becoming a champion or star at most disciplines of life demands a vision, a focus, a dedication, a great sacrifice, a self denial, a yieldedness to authority, a submission to correction and leading.
The successful person has learned to travel the harder paths and to suffer the loss of less important things and dreams in order to reach the heights of honor and success.
