Letter From Lockdown 1

BIG IDEA

Depending on Jesus brings joy.

God wants something else for us when we're stuck. He doesn't want us

frustrated and tired. He wants us to experience joy.

Joy is different than happiness because it’s a gift, it strengthens you, and

it’s non-conditional.

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus

who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and

peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Phillipians 1:1-2 ESV

...the joy of the Lord is your strength! Nehemiah 8:10 NLT

Joy in Jesus can't be locked down.

Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and

the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake,

and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew

open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! Acts of the Apostles 16:25-26

NLT

2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NLT

Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said,

“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am

glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work

through me.

"I will no longer identify myself by what I do for Jesus, but how

much I depend on Jesus."

The solution in this lockdown is not to diminish what we’re going through.

The solution in this lockdown is not to just get really good at self-

disciplines.

The solution in this lockdown is not to just find new hobbies or interests.

The solution in this lockdown is not put on a positive attitude.

Get over being "over it." And just be in it with Jesus.

Q1: What have you been doing to pass time in quarantine?

Q2: What do you do when you feel stuck?

Q3:How does one begin to become unstuck?

Q4:How is joy different from happiness?

Q5: How can we experience joy in Jesus? How can we depend on Him?