Joy-Filled Christians

I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.

Psalm 9:2 (NLT)

I have been blessed over the years to lead worship each Sabbath with a dedicated team of musicians, sound technicians, video producers, singers, storytellers, and many others who spend their time giving back to their church. Before each worship time begins, we gather together for prayer. We do this out in the open, not behind the scenes. Our leading begins by demonstrating how important prayer is to everything we do. We quickly go over the program, pray together, and then I have a phrase that I say every time. I think they are sick of hearing it, but I do it anyway! I say, “Now remember, we are joy-filled Christians!”

The tradition of that phrase dates back a few years, when it had been a particularly rough week for all of us. We were tired, worn out, and we had some battle-scars from the spiritual warfare that can, and does, rage around us. We also looked the part. We were about to lead worship, but we had no energy. So, we prayed together. We lifted one another up. We wrapped our arms around one-another and decided that we were going to go big for God that day. As we talked, and prayed, we came to the conclusion that, even though we were tired, we still had a lot to praise Jesus about. We came to the conclusion that God was still on His throne. We came to the conclusion that there was joy, even in the weariness. And, then, the phrase popped out, “We’re joy-filled Christians!” I watched as the praise team lit up, and then went big for God that day. The church was filled with resounding praise. Spirits were lifted, God was honored, and we learned yet another valuable lesson. There is power in that joy!

However, this wasn’t just our lesson. King David already knew it, too, when he penned, “I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.” In other words, we have no reason not to be filled with joy! We have all of the reasons in the universe to have, profess, and sing with joy!

So, today, and every day – particularly when you gather with others for worship – remember that you need to be a joy-filled Christian. Sing praise with a joyful heart. Give praise in gladness. Express the goodness of Jesus. Lift others up. Encourage them. Fill them with joy.

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