disappointment due to temporary thrills running out, lack of satisfaction and fear of what is soon to come has people terrified. That’s because humans left to their own devices become “self-destruct” beings. But I John 4:18 says, “There is NO fear in God’s agape love, for His perfect love casts out fear!” God’s presence protects, provides, blesses, empowers and much more. Psalm 16:11 says, “In God’s presence is FULLNESS of joy; in your right hand there are pleasures forever.” Because of the lateness of this prophetic hour…we need to move from “self-indulgence” to “God indulgence”! We who are the people of God need to live and show by spending time with God, His Word and the people of God our total commitment to God…at a time when there are wars, mass shootings, terrorist acts, violent crimes and freak accidents happening. Acts 2:28 says of God “You make known to me the ways of life. You will make me full of GLADNESS with your presence. Further…
C. It is Madness NOT to Pray and Seek God’s Purpose
People talk every day. Studies show that men speak 7,000 words and women 20,000 words a day. It is madness to do all that talking and not talk to God and seek God’s Purpose. What a disappointment it would be at the end of life to have done all that talking to others and to be a stranger to God and miss heaven over doing your thing here, but not seeking God’s purposes in this life. God is the only one who can truly satisfy both here and in the hereafter! Without prayer, you will contend with a spirit of heaviness! Without prayer you will find yourself “sighing a lot”. Maybe this is
what Isaiah had in mind when he wrote in Isa. 51:11, “So the ransomed of the Lord (who are ransomed by Jesus today?)… will return and come with joyful shouting to Zion, and everlasting joy will be on their hearts. They will obtain GLADNESS and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away!” These are the promised results 2ndly of:
II. RELEASING MARCH GLADNESS
A. Gladness comes when you Pray & Praise like Crazy to over-come what is Crazy around you.
It’s been said that “crazy prayer and praise” is an intentional act of worshiping God in the middle of severe, chaotic or desperate circumstances, regardless of how you feel. It means choosing to trust God above your current situation, even when you can’t see a way out. When you “pray like crazy” you are engaging in honest communication with God, surrendering your anxiety, negativity, doubt & panic to Him!
B. Gladness comes when we have Stability in the Lord
There is madness in the world, but stability in the Lord! While many around us are spaced out on a sports “craze”, drugs, running here and there, or are glued to the TV, social media and selfish living…we must get beyond that March Madness! In the Lord there can be Stability and Gladness! Heb. 13:5 says, God has promised to never leave you nor forsake you”. Stability in the Lord means finding unwavering, spiritual, and emotional security by trusting in God's unchanging character, rather than shifting
circumstances. It means anchoring your life in His peace, promises, and strength, behaving as a "rock" that remains calm and faithful during life's storms. So do
SPIRITUALITY AND FAITH