GREAT JOY and LAUGHTER!

 We had some fun yesterday in our worship service and I expect there are some people who might not appreciate it like I do. Our wonderful HEIDI COX led our announcements in her SOUPER HERO OUTFIT and then we witnessed the FAMILY FEUD between Karen Borem and Mike Cox in a MINUTE TO WIN IT CHALLENGE. 

For the next several weeks we are raising awareness and SUPPLIES for our FOOD PANTRY and CLOTHING CLOSET. Yesterday our congregation was challenged to bring in CEREAL and POP TARTS for our FOOD PANTRY.  The response was amazing and I am thrilled to congregation has joined this mission to serve our community. This coming week we are challenging them to bring in PANCAKE MIX and SYRUP. So, on Sunday Mornings we will open with a little bit of fun to build the excitement about this ministry opportunity.

Is it ok to have fun at a SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE? 

I am sure there will be some who say YES and others who will at the very least feel uncomfortable with it. I certainly have many thoughts about this and am more than willing to share those thoughts. But today, I was thinking about how we are in JOYOUS ANTICIPATION for Christ's return. 

"So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or the hour of my return." (Matthew 25:13, NLT)

Christ's return is imminent. That is serious business. It has been two thousand years since Jesus walked the earth in the flesh. The church is looking forward, with GREAT ANTICIPATION, the day when JESUS Christ will return to this earth to claim his people. Yes, there will also be judgment for those who do not believe, but we who are in the family of God look to that DAY with GREAT JOY and CELEBRATION. I have no doubt we are going to have fun in heaven. We are going to laugh, we are going to smile, and we are going to celebrate the JOY OF OUR SALVATION. Is there any reason we cannot start doing that ON SUNDAY MORNINGS?

There is a lot of evil in this world. There is hate. There is persecution toward CHRIST'S FAMILY. When we gather together in a safe place with our fellow believers we should be able to celebrate the JOY we experience being a CHILD of GOD. We gather together to put the trials of the world behind us, to hear the truth of God's word, and to celebrate our HOPE for TOMORROW. And YES, we will still spend time with Holy Spirit Filled music, messages straight from God's word and we will be challenged to grow in our faith. I think Jesus was talking JOY and LAUGHTER  in this scripture:

"Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going." (John 14:1-4, NLT)

There is no better way to remove the TROUBLES of our HEART than to laugh and have fun. When I read John 14, I am filled with so much joy it cannot be contained. I cannot wait to see my NEW ROOM. JESUS is going to come and get us. Until that DAY, I will celebrate with JOY, LAUGHTER, and EXCITEMENT! I cannot wait!

Heavenly Father, I am so blessed to know YOU are coming to get me. You are at this very moment preparing a place for me and i can't wait to see it. Help us to celebrate that day, every day. Help us remain in joyful anticipation as we continue to grow in your perfect grace, mercy, and love. Thank you Lord for the joy of laughter and fun! Amen!

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If you haven't repented of your sin, accepted what Jesus did for you on the cross, dying for your sins, or if you have not committed your life to Jesus, TODAY could be that day. give your life to the Lord. 

"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." (Romans 10:9-10, ESV)

If you gave your life to Jesus today, text the word "faith" to (765)-896-4302 and we will follow up with material for you and join you in your walk of faith!