By John Thiel

Under the reformation message and the time in which we are living there tends to develop a mentality of duty instead of joy and pleasure. I see this frequently in the leadership thrusts upon the church. We must do this we should be doing the other thing. There is a tendency to place upon the shoulders of the congregation a sense of responsibility instead of a sense of joyful service.

I’m aware of many ministers and servants of God who have become weary in keeping the pressure on in doing the Lord’s work and it becomes a chore to them. There is no more joyful energy left in people. I always reflect back for my own edification at the great joy I found when I first found my saviour. By doing that, everything I study in God’s word and every responsibility I’ve had to pick up on and persevere against all the odds, I keep refreshing myself on love and joy. This is why Jesus says I have somewhat against you that you have lost your first love. We don’t want to lose that because if we do Christianity becomes a chore. The great joy that animates me is the joy of John; Read the rest of this entry →