SonLife...the JOY of Salvation!
Jesus turns sorrow into joy--He proved it on Resurrection Day. See His disciples and friends moan and mope as they recall the events of the last few days. Their Savior and Lord was broken, bruised, nailed to a cross, laid in a tomb. And then JOY broke forth--for Jesus IS Joy...and unspeakable sorrow was replaced with unspeakable joy--they went forth to tell the world, "He lives...He lives...Christ Jesus lives today!"
And because He lives, He brings JOY to the world - the joy of salvation, full and free, a pardon complete for all eternity. Salvation's work is finished--and the choice is ours...to accept this wondrous love, or pass it by! I chose a long time ago to accept it, and experience the true joy of personally knowing a living, risen Savior! How about you?
SonLife...the JOY of Service!
Jesus turns selfishness into service--there is no joy greater than to be His servant, to do His will, sharing the Gospel, and serving the world He loves! Jesus modeled for us a life of service to the Father. It was a life of joy, knowing He was doing the Father's Will.
And because He lives, He brings JOY to your life - the joy of service. For therein lies an important secret of a joyful life. Serve Jesus with all your heart--do His Will, however small, big, scary, or delightful it is--and you will know joy, pure joy! Again, it's a choice you make--I've made it; now how about you?
SonLife...the JOY of Satisfaction!
Jesus turns restlessness into rest...there is no pleasure that can give true satisfaction--it's found in Jesus alone. We live in a restless world--seek pleasure wherever you can find it, for finding it is LIFE...NO...it is temporary life...it does not satisfy! For when the party's over, it's over!
But because He lives, He brings JOY - real joy - to your life. As an old song states, "Only Jesus can satisfy the soul." You'll not find it in the bright lights of Vegas or Branson (and Branson's FUN...grin)....you'll find lots of fun in our world, some of it legitimate, some of it not. You may search the world over, but satisfaction is not found in a place. It is found in a Person--Jesus Christ. I've found Him to satisfy the deepest longings of my heart--how about you?
JOY--it's spelled J.O.Y.--and we learned it as kids in Sunday School: Jesus, Others, You! That's the JOY of the resurrected, living Savior--a joy to cover your yesterdays, to keep your todays, and to hold your tomorrows! For the joy of the Lord IS your strength. Our resurrected Lord has conquered sin, death, hell, and He reigns forevermore. He is risen--go shout it with a JOYFUL life to a needy world! Tell them, "He LIVES--and so can YOU!" 
A Hurting Word...