Serve the Lord with Joy and Gladness

Text: Deut. 28:47
More Lessons: Is. 12:3, Neh. 8:10
Bible Reading in one Year: Jeremiah 17-20

Before God, certain matters are concluded by our actions and the posture of our hearts. From the passage we read, it is clear that if you don't serve God with joyfulness of heart, you will serve your enemies; it is not negotiable. If you don't serve God with expression of joy and gladness, you will become a cursed child but if you do, you are blessed.

While I was ministering one day, I made a declaration: “The Lord is lifting someone here above his colleagues”. Everybody shouted, ‘Amen’, but a lady was there, who did not only shout, but also jumped on top of her chair to say the amen to demonstrate how she will be higher than everyone when the lifting comes. That word did not fall to the ground; today, she is lifted all round. She testifies today of a home, children, and millions in assets. She simply served God with joy and excitement; she looked like a crazy fellow that day-jumping at a prophetic word but she is a testifier today. So if you can express yourself with joy and gladness in the presence of God in whatever way you can, with joy and gladness, you will surely be blessed. \

There are believers who serve the Lord just for service sake. This could be because they have prayed over certain issues in their lives and are yet to receive answers. They attend every meeting called in church but deep inside of them, they are not joyful. God was speaking here to the children of Israel who were yet to enter their promised land, in answer to their prayers. Though they were still following and doing all that was expected of them, God's score card for all they were doing showed that they didn't do it with gladness. As a result they were cursed; they were committed into the hands of their enemies. Friend, you must understand that God is faithful and whoever will come to Him must believe that He is and is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him.

Never allow the devil to tamper with your joy because the joy of the Lord is your strength and with joy shall you draw water out of the well of salvation. Serve God with gladness, whether He answers your prayer or not. God is seeking those who love Him for who He is, and not for things He can give. Most times, God delays in giving us things we desire the most just to prove our hearts. You pray, fast, and do many other activities, but in all these things God is looking at your heart and checking if it is for love, and if it is with joy and gladness. A generation of believers who just love God and serve Him with joy regardless of their conditions must arise. Will you be a part of this generation?

Prayer / Action
* Lord, I give you thanks and glory with all my heart; I will live to praise and serve you with joy.
* Lord, grant me beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.
* Rebuke every evil force of downcastness and depression in your destiny.

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