Today’s Verse

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Matthew 7:21-23

Sunday, April 3

Okay, so maybe you haven’t felt so joyful lately. Maybe you’ve been downright negative. Why is that and how do you get over it. Let’s considers six joy-killers that invade our lives.

Joy Killer #1: I lack confidence in my salvation.

This goes back to an earlier devotion I shared last month. Some people do not have joy because they are not really saved. They do not have the Holy Spirit within them producing the fruit of joy. Remember the Parable of the Soils?

There was the seed that fell on the rocky soil and it sprang up quickly but died because it had no root. So also are those who merely make an outward profession but are not really saved. Because they don’t have the Spirit, they don’t have constant joy. There will be many people like this. This would help us better understand the words of Jesus in today’s verses.

So one reason for not rejoicing is either that you are not truly saved or that you are truly saved but you are not confident of your relationship with Christ.

I urge you to know for certain that your salvation is secure. You can be confident!

Weekly Memory Verse

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil as a roaring lion walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.

I Peter 5:8

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now."
- Chinese Proverb

Pastor Armstrong

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