Hurricane Helene Response

The Joy of the Lord

We long for happiness. We pray for it. We strive for it in ways that ultimately enslave us. But what if there were something more?

Research shows that children laugh an average of 400 times every day. Adults manage only around 15. Yet we long for happiness. We pray for it. We strive for it in ways that ultimately enslave us. But what if there were something more? Something that outlasts pain, worry, and fear? Pastor Kevin Richard shares some powerful insights on how to pursue joy, even in the face of difficult circumstances.

Myths of Joy

    • For me to have joy, life must go my way

    • For me to have joy, I cannot have any struggles or trials

    • For me to have joy, I must get everything I want

Keys to the Joy of the Lord

    • Praise the Lord

    • Proclaim the Lord

    • Pray to the Lord

The Gospel

If you have questions about what it means to be a Christian, we would love to talk with you about it.

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Why do we praise the Lord? Some people on this earth would have you to believe that He is this great narcissist of the sky that demands all of your attention, that demands all of your praise. That demands everything that you have. But you know why. He is not the great narcissist of the sky. A narcissist would not care anything about your well-being. A narcissist would not care anything about your joy, anything about your struggles. But our God is the God who came in the midst of us to help us through those times, to help us through the hard times of life, to give us joy in the midst of whatever is going on in our life. So I pose to you that no, He is not the great narcissist of the sky. He is the God of all creation and it is for your benefit that He even allows you to praise Him. It is for my benefit that we can actually come into His presence as we sing and as we praise and as we worship the Lord. That He is here, that He would dwell here among us, our praises, invites them into our lives.