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.
Co-host Brother JC and I discuss how to handle disappointments and storms in this amazing episode. As the Apostle Paul warns the Captain of the ship that it's not safe to sail, his warnings are disregarded and the ship hits a raging storm. Our initial discussion surrounds how to respond when you have knowledge or discernment regarding a certain situation and it's disregarded? Are you hurt? Saddened? Angered? The Apostle gives us sound wisdom in Acts 27.
Now, while in the storm, it becomes so intense that they cry out, "Let her drive." How do you handle the storms of life for one day, or perhaps one month, but for many it can be a lifetime of storms. Paul encourages those on the ship, "Unless you remain in the boat, you will perish." The beauty of companionship and community to support and encourage one another. Paul then has communion with those on board and what do they do, you bet, they rejoice. Joy City is not a geographical location, it's a MINDSET that is not dependant on your situation or circumstance but the fact that God is present and has promised to never leave or forsake us. That is a cause for rejoicing.
