JOY! Magazine

don’t lose your first love

Lockdown has forced us all to become accepting of change. During lockdown, most Christians have been logging onto online church services on Sundays, and possibly also their home groups during the week. ‘Doing church’ remotely has become the new norm. Sharing communion online was a first for many of us, and singing by one’s self has become acceptable and comfortable. Now, after a few months, many of us have gotten into the habit of enjoying Church like this. Will this become the new norm? “I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first.”– Revelation 2: 4-5 The problem with this convenience though is that it may become permanent for many believers. I have…

introduction to basic christianity

The dictionary defines a religion as “the service and worship of God or the supernatural.” So, Christianity is obviously a religion. But what makes it different to any other religion? If the only thing separating it from other religions is a set of unique rituals, or a collection of unique buildings where Christians meet, then Christianity really does not have anything to commend itself at all. What then makes Christianity what it is, and why has it changed the lives of billions of people throughout the centuries? The answer is that Christianity is defined by its unique message. This message is called “the Gospel.” It is the good news that although all people are guilty of sinning and stand justly condemned, God – in His great love – became a…

the two great barriers between god and man

If you have read our last few articles, you’ll remember that I said that all people know that there is a God. God has revealed Himself generally to all people through the witness of creation (from the outside), and conscience (from the inside). But then why does it seem so hard to truly know God? Why does God often seem so distant to us and our suffering-filled world? The Bible gives us two reasons: Our finitude and our sin. First, the problem of our finitude. The Bible says that God’s greatness is unsearchable (Psa 145:3), that He is almighty in power, and that His understanding is infinite (Psa 147:5). This is why the men of the Bible said things like: “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge…

a good reason to pray

Don’t only turn to God when you need something, turn to Him always. Far too often we reach out to God when something is wrong, but this shouldn’t be the only time that we turn to prayer. I recently received a message from a friend whom I have not seen or heard from for half a century. When I last saw him, there wasn’t much interest in spiritual matters in his life. But now, things are different. He told me that he was seriously ill and the doctors had given him just three months to live. “Please pray for me,” He asked. Just last week I saw a request on Facebook for prayer from lady who used to work with me. She had been visiting her daughter in the USA when she…

midgey’s moments

Hello! Midgey here! How have you all been during our extended lockdown? I have loved it as I had my family at home all the time, although I have missed going to the JOY offices with my mummy. Now humans are allowed to go out more, but not without masks. I see all the people wearing them and now it’s difficult to see if someone is happy or sad. My Arnie (Aunty Trish) says that some people wear masks anyway, not just now during this pandemic. They are not like the material ones that humans are wearing now, but a special ‘face’ to fit the occasion, maybe to conceal things about themselves or hide their true feelings, to present the best image in an effort to be accepted. But God sees everything,…

letters to the editor

We need reassurance of God’s love A lot of people are asking why the world is the way it is. What’s going on? What on earth is God doing? Most of these people have never considered God before, but are questioning now that there is this terrible international crisis that is killing thousands daily across the world. At times like these, one can be tempted to doubt the love of God, when actually, an assurance of how much God does love us is what we need to carry us through this time. Whenever we are tempted to doubt God’s love, we should read John 17 slowly, listen to God talking, and thank Him for including us in the story of His glory. The glory of God is the display of His…