Joy City
This life in Christ provides us residency in Joy City. When life's challenges, struggles and hardships seem overwhelming, we look back to the First Century Church to find strength to persevere. After they were persecuted and fled, God used them in such a way that great joy was found in that city. Come join us in this City of Joy and celebrate with us and become even stronger and healthier for the Body of Christ. Jesus spoke these words, "...I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be made full." The greatest and most complete joy only has its source in the divine joy provided in following Jesus Christ.
Joy City
Sadness and Sorrow Hit Joy City
Hello, hello, hello and welcome to Joy City, a weekly blog and podcast, hosted by yours truly, Stuart Welch the Lead Pastor of Life Connection Church located in Modesto, CA. I want to invite you in, to join with an amazing community of friends that are quickly becoming an intimate part of my daily life. I am your host and excited to hear your stories and deliver great content that can change your life and truly transform as we celebrate the greatness of God and His presence in the every day moments of our lives. Knowing the Creator, the Grand Weaver of our lives is present with us and then leaning into that Presence can be revolutionary for many of us, so lets enter in to the City – Joy City.
You see, Joy City isn’t a geographical location, it’s a place where we find our joy and happiness in the kingdom of God, following hard after God and fulfilling the call of God in our lives. It’s a place that welcomes us all with open arms. In Joy City faith is all important, our trust and confidence in the ways, will and word of God. Let me hip you to this; Jesus never uttered and opinion, ha ha ha, He never guessed. He didn’t give us sound wisdom or keen observation like Solomon. Not at all, Jesus’ words are the essence of truth and when we adhere and follow them intently, we become stronger, healthier and joyful. Understanding that Christ overcame the world and for me and every other resident of Joy City, this brings great rejoicing.
In today's episode, Brotehr J.C. and I discuss sadness and sorrow, death and tragedy in the lives of residents of Joy City. This week, I watched the Memorial service for Elk Grove Police Officer Ty Linehan and as former police officers, Brother J.C. and I are impacted at another level by this tragic loss. His wife, his kids, his parents - that may be you and it could be us. None of us are exempt from the tragedies of this life. Storms, fires, floods, building collapses, stray bullets flying or road rage - every day we turn on the news or pick up a paper, we read of a family's life forver changed. However, the Bible teaches, "Rejoice in the Lord always..."
So when God opens our eyes in Joy City we can clearly celebrate others for our differences, we can support one another in our efforts and we can cheer one another on in the spirit of unity and when One wins we all win.
No one can come face to face with what God is like and ever be the same. Welcome to Joy City. Seeing His true image, touches the depths of our soul and beholding His glory will renew our minds, transform us and give us strength to live this life for Him. Come on in, where the table is spread and the feast of the Lord is going on. I want to invite you to be a part, a resident of Joy City. A place where the Body becomes stronger and our love for others only increases.
I’ve enjoyed being your host and you can comment below, or email me at pastorstuart@lifeconnection4christ.org or call me at (209) 522-3583.