Recipe for Joy

Leckieville Freewill Baptist Church

RECIPE FOR JOY

May 1st. Darrell Wellman

Peter gave a special recipe for joy in 2 Peter , passed on by the Holy Spirit . Now , I am definitely not a cook ,but I learned to make joy . Of course I had to have help from Jesus ! Now , please follow along with me . It is a simple recipe , and you can do it , but you must follow the recipe . Otherwise you will just make a mess !

First of all you need an empty bowl that has been thoroughly washed . The Bible teaches that we are the vessels, God wants to use . The only way a vessel can be cleansed from the stains of sin is to be washed in the precious blood of the Savior , Jesus Christ .

The first ingredient is faith . A Christian is only as strong as their prayer life . This important ingredient called faith , needs to be sprinkled generously over all the events and activities of the day . Be sure to add virtue to the faith . Again do not add it sparingly by the teaspoon , but dispense in generous quantities ! Virtue gives our mixture a beautiful white color , in stark contrast to the ugly colors of sin .

Now you need to add a cup of knowledge . According to the Bible : " The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge ..." There is simply no substitute for spiritual knowledge of the wonderful word of God . It gives flavor to the recipe . Saturate your life with the word !

Next , you need to add temperance . This self- control will add a wonderful texture to the mix . Galatians 5 : 16 says : " ...Walk in the Spirit..." Let the Spirit direct your life and control your actions .

The next ingredient may be a little hard to get . You won’t find it being sold at the grocery store ! However, if you will put forth an effort God will heap you find some. I am talking about patience , an essential ingredient . After You have added patience to your bowl, stir it with sweet chunks of godliness . This will add consistency to the mixture .

Now it is time to add a big slice of what Peter calls " ...brotherly kindness ..." [ 2 Peter 1 :7 ] You can tell how a person feels about God by the way they treat others . Jesus taught us to treat others as we would want to be treated .

Finally , we come to the last ingredient , which is so important . Make sure to include plenty of charity , which is the love that God gives . How wonderful it is to have the love of God , and to share it with one another !

If you do not have the true joy of joy of Jesus Christ , ask Him to fill your life today . Romans 10 : 9 says : " That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus , and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead , thou shalt be saved ." If you already know Jesus , fill your life with the ingredients that produce true joy !