JOY TO THE WORLD!

Based on Joel 1-3, Revelation 5

"Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation." Joel 1:3

It's so awesome when we find the perfect gift-when we see something in the store, and it literally reminds us of a specific person...we think, "That gift will bring them so much joy!" And so, if the point of each gift is to bring someone joy, then what is the real gift? The joy, or the item? We need to pass on joy to our family & children, and it doesn't always need to come in the form of a gift! Kind words, a text, a call, a visit...all show we care, and all bring joy to the world-without the stress or spending!

"The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men." Joel 1:12

Now that's not to say we don't have to buy things for people, especially if they're needful, but we have to think of what will really bring a long joy supply! Many people are dry & withered because of the past couple years of hardships...of course a good meal might help, but how about sharing that meal WITH them? One thing we reflected on at a ladies night was that we don't always remember the gifts we get-but we do have fond memories of who we spend our time with!

"Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things." Joel 2:21

God has great things in store for 2022! We just have to restore some joy to the world with Jesus! Telling people about Him is a joy that never runs dry!

"And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you." Joel 2:25

"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:" Joel 2:28

The restoration of dreams & visions is one thing missing today-many people are dreading tomorrow. Not sure what curve ball life will toss them next...but God's Spirit living in us, accompanied with repentance & baptism in Jesus' Name, is the best gift which keeps joy flowing, even through the tough times!

"And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever." Revelation 5:13