It’s like someone said: what ever happened to the “amazing” in Amazing Grace? Sometimes we have ceased to be amazed at the Grace of God enabling us and strengthening us to do service for God, and thereby we have misplaced the joy God gives us every day.

We should remember, it's a joy, it's a privilege, it’s an honor, and it’s an unspeakable joy to serve the one true and living God. Because a small portion of 1 percent of the world has ever had the privilege of even singing in a choir, of teaching a Sunday School, of evangelizing for his name’s sake, of giving honor and glory to God. It is a privilege, an honor; it is something that is praiseworthy to serve God.

Indeed those who serve may become tired. Yes, we get weary in good doing. But we ought to say with Livingston, “Away with such a word!” That's what Livingston said every time someone mentioned to him how he had sacrificed in going to Africa: he said, “Away with such a word!” He said it is utterly no sacrifice. When we give thought to sacrifice we know Jesus was the man who sacrificed greatly to redeem all of us.

Our greatest desire is to celebrate the programs of the Grace United Methodist Church with excitement and joy, allowing us to grow closer to God and closer to each other. It is so important to know what to ask from God and to receive it upon delivery. Joy in our service to God invites us to think:

Don't give us blessings; give us grace to be obedient to your every command and desire. Don't give us status; give us a place to serve. Don't give us things for our use; use us. Don't give us good jobs; put us to work. Don't give us pleasure; give us perspective. Don't give us satisfaction; teach us sacrifice. Don't give us entertainment; enable us. Don't give us good salaries; give us strength to do your will. Don't give us a mansion to live in; give us a springboard to take Christ's love to the whole world.

Our great joy is in pleasing our Lord; no other joy in life is comparable!

The Catalogue of Opportunities is filled with programs intended to bring the joy of serving God in new ways for all of us. Take the time to examine these opportunities and let the Spirit of God work in your heart. As you do, your heart will be filled with JOY.

In His Service,

Jimmy Adams