Finding my joy in Christ

Some days when I'm not surrounded by people I can feel kind of blah. Today was such a day. Part of me craves interaction with others, and admittedly I'm at my best when I'm around others. But some days that's not possible. Like when you're taking a weekend to rest, recuperate, and study for classes.

I was listening to some Shane and Shane earlier, and this song came up on my ipod. Its called "The Answer." Here's the first verse and chorus:

I've tried more of me
and i've come up dry
trading You for things
things that go away
my happiness is found in less
of me and more of You
my happiness is found in less
of me and more of You

i have found the answer is
to love You and be loved by You alone
alright! alright! alright!
You crucify me and the world to me
and i will only boast in You
alright! alright! alright!

Reminds me of some teaching I gave the other night in 2:42. We were in John and I took a moment to explain some deeper meaning behind John 15:9-11 where Jesus says “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."

Where it says "may be complete" that comes from the greek verb "pleroo" which means "to fill up, cause to abound, to complete." Its used again in John 17:13 where the NIV translates it as "full measure of."

So often I turn to sports, pets, playing music, and friends for joy, to be fulfilled. And for a time those will carry me, but like a summertime breeze, it comes and goes. I forget so often that in Christ is my joy made complete. I crave encouragement, but I should crave it from God, and from his word. To hear from him who I am, to take joy in His promises.

This is why we pray

In 1642, 6 years after Harvard was first founded, President Henry Dunster set forth the following as the original purpose of Harvard University:

"Let every student be plainly instructed and earnestly pressed to consider well the main end of his life and studies is to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life, John 17:3 and therefore to lay Christ in the bottom, as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and learning. And seeing the Lord giveth wisdom, let everyone seriously set himself by prayer, in secret, to seek it of Him."

In 1654 Henry Dunster was dismissed for disagreeing with the doctrine of Infant Baptism. His stance along with the "heretics" would lead to further church reformation.

As far back as the 1600s God has been using the college campuses of America to lead the way.

Our weeks of 24/7 prayer have accomplished several things over the past two years
1) Brought more unity to the 17 campus ministries on campus
2) Given students a deeper hunger for more intimacy with God
3) Brought about changes downtown
-Crime on Halloween and downtown has been on the decline for two years now
-When we kicked off a week of 24/7 prayer in April of 2009, God opened a door and provided the Boiler Room space to 6:22 Ministries. Since then 6:22 has carried the torch moving towards night and day prayer and worship in the city of Greenville and the region.

For the Ten Days of Prayer at East Carolina, you don't have to visit the Boiler Room, but I would highly encourage you to do so! The space is phenomenal for hearing from God, receiving direction and hearing from Him on what He would have us do to make His name famous at East Carolina and in the world.

I cannot say how God will respond to our prayers this time, but I know He will, and in ways that will make his hand clearly the author!

If you want to sign up for a specific hour to spend at the Boiler Room, you can do by Clicking Here