Is Joy Eluding You?

Peace and Joy! Sounds good doesn't it? But where can I find it?
The Peace and Joy that God gives comes from within! You cannot find it. It does not exist outside of you. It can only be given and received from within your heart. It is given by God when you seek and maintain a relationship with Him and receive the Holy Spirit within your heart.  Your outer circumstances are not where you will find the Peace or the Joy of God.

Galatians 5:22-23But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Romans 15:13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

It is God's Holy Spirit within you that will allow you to experience God's Peace and Joy. Circumstances will vary day to day but your Peace and Joy can remain. The following is a true story about a famous Golfer that knew how to to look beyond circumstances. Robert de Vincenzo from Argentina was most famously known as the only golfer to loose a PGA Tournament because a score was added wrong. He actually tied for first place but because he signed off on the erroneous score card he lost the tournament. Roberto's response when he found out what had happened, "What a stupid I am!" But the next story shows all of us how to look for the good and keep ones peace in all circumstances.

Roberto had just won a seniors tournament in the 1960's and was awarded a check for several thousand dollars. On the way to his car a woman approached him who appeared to be in great distress pleading with him for help because her daughter had cancer and she and her husband could not afford the treatment. She said they had no insurance and her daughter needed a surgery that may save her life. Without hesitation, Roberto took his winning check and signed it over to the woman. Some friends of Roberto's witnessed the transaction and were concerned. A couple days later some of these friends approached Roberto and said that they had checked up on the woman who he had given his winnings to and they found out that she did not have a daughter with cancer, she was a phony!
 "No daughter with cancer?" Roberto repeated.  "No daughter with cancer? Why, that is the best news I have heard in a long time!"

Joy Projects

• The Shoeman project. We are collecting old shoes for the showman. This organization sells the shoes and drills wells for water in 3rd world countries.
• Kids Weekend Lunchbox Program We will begin packing lunches this Thursday evening at 6:30pm at the church for delivery this coming Saturday from 9:00am to 10:00am at two locations. Please contact pastor kent if you would like to help out and get involved in this Joy Ministry. Kids can also help. 

Special prayer requests:

Terry Coy has been diagnosed with cancer please lift Terry and Rick and their family in prayer.

Tom Wetzel continued healing from his fall.

Phil Mckinney, healing from cancer.

Stan Rutkowski, healing and also would appreciate visitors.

Connor McAleenan, thanking God for the healing and continued progress!

Brad Heuchert, continued healing of his foot and ankle. 

Mike Rodgers, Back pain.

Krista Kell, Back and leg pain, starting to improve!

Jolynn Gregor healing of her brain cancer.

Church is a place where we come to learn how to love others in as many ways as possible which allows us to experience God's Peace and Joy!

See you Sunday at 9:00AM We are meeting at 800 north Main Street Edwardsville, Immanuel Methodist Church! 

See you there. Love, pastor kent