This is the “chief of sinners,” Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International, with the Gospel Light Minute X Podcast #400 titled, “How to be Permanently Joyful Despite the Pain and Problems of Life.” I’m here to remind you of what the Bible says, that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” like you and me.
Pharrell’s famous song “Happy” may give you a feeling of momentary happiness while you are listening to it, but it will not keep you happy. For most people happiness depends on the happenings.
Are you a happy person? Fear and the guilt of sin can take away your happiness. You may wonder, “How can I be permanently happy? or, how can I be permanently cheerful and joyful?” The Holy Bible has a lot to say about having permanent joyfulness and cheerfulness even in the midst of pain and problems.
Jesus Christ said in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
The Bible says in James 1:2, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;”
Jesus Christ said in John 16:24, “Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”
I am not going to lie to you like some false prosperity gospel preachers do and tell you that once you become a Christian that your life is going to be trouble-free and problem-free. That is not what Jesus taught and that is not what the Bible teaches. However, you can have joy, cheerfulness and peace in your life even as you go through the pain and problems of life.
So I have good news for you! There is someone who can help you. He can forgive your sins and give you lasting cheerfulness and joyfulness. His name is Jesus. Let me tell you about Him.
His Father, God, is the One Who made the world. He made everything in the world. He made you and me.
God loves us. He loves everyone in the world. God loves us so much that He sent Jesus, His only Son, to this world. When Jesus was on this earth, He healed the sick and comforted the sad. He opened blinded eyes. He taught the people many things.
Jesus wanted us to understand the great love that His Father has for you and me. He told this story that explained the love of His Father. You can read this in the Bible in St. Luke 15:11-24.
It goes like this:
A certain man had two sons. He thought all was going well. One day one of the sons rebelled and came to him and said, “I don’t like this home, I want my own way, and I am leaving. Give me my share of the inheritance.” The father was very sad but he gave him the money and let him go. He wondered if he would ever see his son again.
The son went far away and enjoyed himself with his money and his friends. He carelessly wasted his money in selfish living. He thought he was having a very good time until suddenly his money ran out and his friends left him. He was all alone and needy. Now what should he do?
He went to a farmer and the farmer sent him to feed the pigs. He was not given enough to eat. He was so hungry he would have eaten the pigs’ food. He started to think of all the bad things he had done and how he had mistreated his father. He became more and more miserable.
One day he remembered how loving his father had been and how well he had been provided for when he was still at home. Even his father’s servants had plenty to eat.
He thought, “Could I go back to my father after all I have done to him? Will he still love me? I am not worthy to be his son. I am willing to be just a servant if only he will take me in.”
Immediately he got to his feet and started for his father’s house. He would see if his father would forgive him.
The father had been longing for his son ever since he left. He often wondered, “Will he ever come back?” Then one day he saw someone coming in the distance. Could that be his son? When he saw that it was, he ran to him with outstretched arms.
“Father,” the son said, “I have sinned against you. I’m not worthy to be your son.”
But his father said, “Bring the best clothes for him and prepare a feast. My son was lost but now he is found.”
We are all like this son; we have all strayed from God, our Father. We have wasted the opportunities and many good things He has given us. We have lived selfishly and rebelled against Him. Today our heavenly Father invites us to come to Jesus. He is waiting for us with outstretched arms.
Jesus showed us His love by giving His life as a sacrifice for our sins and the sins of the whole world. He suffered pain and rejection as He allowed wicked men to nail Him to a cross. By the power of God He rose from the dead and lives forever.
Come to Jesus and ask Him to forgive your sin. When He sees you are sorry for the wrongs you have done, He will forgive you and wash away all your sin with His Blood that He shed. It will be a wonderful experience! You will become a new person. Life will take on new meaning. Jesus will replace your guilt and fear with joy and happiness. He will be your Savior.
If you believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins, was buried, and rose again from the dead and you are willing to trust Jesus Christ with all of your heart so you can go to Heaven, please pray with me what is called the sinner’s prayer: Holy Father God, I acknowledge that I am a sinner and I admit that I have sinned against You and that I have broken Your Ten Commandments. I have lied before. I have stolen things before. I have lusted after people and things before. I have dishonored and disobeyed my parents. I have taken Your holy Name in vain. For Jesus Christ’s sake, please have mercy and grace upon my soul and forgive me of all of my sins, my failures, and my faults. As I now believe in Your Holy Son the Lord Jesus Christ. I believe that He suffered, bled, and died on the cross for my sins, was buried and rose again. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me to repent of my sins past. Help me to turn from my old, evil life and follow You in the new life. For it is in Your Name I pray. Amen.
——-
Thank you for listening to this Gospel presentation. If you have decided to trust Jesus Christ as your Saviour after listening to this podcast, please email us at gls@gospellightsociety.com and let us know. To find out more about what you need to do after trusting Christ as Savior, visit GospelLightSociety.com and read “What to Do After You Enter Through the Door”.
The tract this podcast is based on is published by Gospel Tract and Bible Society, a non-profit organization whose purpose is to spread God’s Word to the world through the printed page and other media. You can order copies of this tract online at GospelTractandBible.org.
The Gospel Light Minute X 