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    The Secret of Christian Joy
    The Secret of Christian Joy
    The Secret of Christian Joy
    Ebook141 pages3 hours

    The Secret of Christian Joy

    By Anne Kaestner

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    About this ebook

    Many Christians these days do not have true joy “and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding...” (Philippians 4:7 KJV). They are overwhelmed with the “...the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches...” (Matthew 13:22 KJV). We live in a very busy and stressful world which has become even more hectic with all the new technology that exists today. Home, work, family, and household chores are intruding upon their relationship with God and suffocating the seed of faith the Lord first placed in their heart. This book identifies common mistakes Christians make and shows how certain changes in lifestyle and priorities can make a huge difference in our outlook and give us the peace and joy that has been lacking in our heart for far too long.

    Chapter 1 is “Trust And Obey.” This chapter provides the reader with true stories about modern day Christians with faith. Their examples of patience and obedience led to astonishing results that went way beyond the mundane experiences of life to an exhilarating and joyful finish. It also talks about the failures of those who succumb to the temptation to become despondent and angry with God. Biblical examples are given, such as those involving the ancient Hebrews. Even after they were miraculously delivered from Egyptian bondage, their doubts, and constant complaints kept that generation from getting to the Promised Land.

    Chapter 2 is “Pebbles of Faith.” It discusses the foundation of our relationship with God. We all know that if a house does not have the right foundation, it will not survive in times of stress. In Matthew 7:24-27 Jesus compares a person who listens to Him and puts His words into practice to a wise man who builds his house on a rock. Since it is on a firm foundation it is therefore, able to withstand the winds and rain that come during a storm. Those who do not listen to Him are compared to fools like the man who built his house on sand. “The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash” (Matthew 7:27 NIV). This chapter proves that Christ, not Peter, is the Rock our spiritual foundation must be built upon. We are the pebbles that are broken off of that Rock.

    Chapter 3 is “Victory In Jesus.” This chapter give examples of both men and women who have chosen to follow the Lord despite the painful circumstances in their lives. The core message here is that no true Christian floats into Heaven on a cloud of material blessings. Those who truly live by faith face the battle head on and continue to trust God. The Lord doesn’t deliver them from the battle. He brings them through the battle to the victorious completion.

    Chapter 4 is “Trials and Tests of Faith.” It focuses on the demolition work God does in us when we are reborn through Christ. It talks about the suffering believers often go through as God seeks to rebuild us in the image of His beloved Son. The old habits and cares of this world get in His way as He seeks to demolish the old foundation built on pride and carnality and give us a new heart. No seed of faith will grow in hard soil. So hard hearts have to be softened through the fiery afflictions. Fire purifies the soil and makes it fertile and soft for the seed to grow the good fruit of the Gospel of Christ.

    Chapter 5 is “Nimrod, Cain, and Martha.” This chapter warns against the danger of trying to get into Heaven through our hard work and human achievement. It compares Cain’s pride with his brother, Abel’s, faith. It compares Martha’s desire to prepare food for Christ with Mary’s desire to listen to the Lord and receive the spiritual food He was giving her. And it teaches us, through Nimrod’s tower, how fruitless it is to attempt to build our relationship with God upon our human achievement instead of through His Holy Spirit.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherAnne Kaestner
    Release dateApr 26, 2017
    ISBN9781370130085
    The Secret of Christian Joy
    Author

    Anne Kaestner

    Anne Kaestner is co-founder of Bible Believers Fellowship, Inc. with her husband Eric. She is the Vice President and Executive Director. Anne also functions as Secretary of the Corporation, and is involved in all major Executive decisions. She attends all Board of Directors meetings, as well as any initial and/or important meetings with professionals hired by the Corporation, including legal, banking, and accounting services. Anne runs the office and is also in charge of personnel. Aside from all of this, she has pioneered our efforts to purchase, at a drastically reduced price, the numerous Christian role model books that we distribute free of charge in correctional facilities nationwide. Anne is in charge of spiritual and doctrinal matters, as well as most written communication. Except for an occasional inmate testimony, she does all of the writing for our publication “The Good News Letter,” most of our mass produced literature, and most of our ebooks. She is in charge of all counseling, the majority of which she handles personally. She is actively involved in researching information that will assist us with our newsletter articles and similar literature, including our “Answers To Your Questions” series. Besides this, she personally reads any and all books and screens all videos that we purchase for distribution. And she was the original liaison between the video suppliers and this ministry. She arranged for the BBFI imprint in our role model books and worked to ensure that we receive copyright clearance on all the Christian videos that we distribute to prisons and jails.

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      Book preview

      The Secret of Christian Joy - Anne Kaestner

      The Secret of Christian Joy

      By Anne Kaestner

      Co-Founder of Bible Believers Fellowship, Inc.

      Copyright Page

      Copyright 2017 by Anne Kaestner.

      Published by Bible Believers Fellowship, Inc. at Smashwords.

      Cover design by Eric Kaestner with suggestions from Anne Kaestner.

      Illustration of Job courtesy of Sweet Publishing.

      Smashwords Edition License Notes

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. It may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this ebook with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this ebook and did not purchase it, please go to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

      Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are from the King James Bible.

      EPUB ISBN – 9781370130085

      Table of Contents

      Title Page

      Copyright Page

      Dedication

      Introduction

      1 - Trust And Obey

      2 - Pebbles of Faith

      3 - Victory In Jesus

      4 - Trials and Tests of Faith

      5 - Nimrod, Cain, and Martha

      About Anne Kaestner

      Other ebooks by Anne Kaestner

      Connect with Anne Kaestner

      Dedication

      All books are dedicated to the Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in so many ways.

      Introduction

      Many Christians these days do not have true joy and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding... (Philippians 4:7 KJV). They are overwhelmed with the ...the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches... (Matthew 13:22 KJV). We live in a very busy and stressful world which has become even more hectic with all the new technology that exists today. Home, work, family, and household chores are intruding upon their relationship with God and suffocating the seed of faith the Lord first placed in their heart. This book identifies common mistakes Christians make and shows how certain changes in lifestyle and priorities can make a huge difference in our outlook and give us the peace and joy that has been lacking in our heart for far too long.

      Chapter 1 is Trust And Obey. This chapter provides the reader with true stories about modern day Christians with faith. Their examples of patience and obedience led to astonishing results that went way beyond the mundane experiences of life to an exhilarating and joyful finish. It also talks about the failures of those who succumb to the temptation to become despondent and angry with God. Biblical examples are given, such as those involving the ancient Hebrews. Even after they were miraculously delivered from Egyptian bondage, their doubts, and constant complaints kept that generation from getting to the Promised Land.

      Chapter 2 is Pebbles of Faith. It discusses the foundation of our relationship with God. We all know that if a house does not have the right foundation, it will not survive in times of stress. In Matthew 7:24-27 Jesus compares a person who listens to Him and puts His words into practice to a wise man who builds his house on a rock. Since it is on a firm foundation it is therefore, able to withstand the winds and rain that come during a storm. Those who do not listen to Him are compared to fools like the man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash (Matthew 7:27 NIV). This chapter proves that Christ, not Peter, is the Rock our spiritual foundation must be built upon. We are the pebbles that are broken off of that Rock.

      Chapter 3 is Victory In Jesus. This chapter give examples of both men and women who have chosen to follow the Lord despite the painful circumstances in their lives. The core message here is that no true Christian floats into Heaven on a cloud of material blessings. Those who truly live by faith face the battle head on and continue to trust God. The Lord doesn’t deliver them from the battle. He brings them through the battle to the victorious completion.

      Chapter 4 is Trials and Tests of Faith. It focuses on the demolition work God does in us when we are reborn through Christ. It talks about the suffering believers often go through as God seeks to rebuild us in the image of His beloved Son. The old habits and cares of this world get in His way as He seeks to demolish the old foundation built on pride and carnality and give us a new heart. No seed of faith will grow in hard soil. So hard hearts have to be softened through the fiery afflictions. Fire purifies the soil and makes it fertile and soft for the seed to grow the good fruit of the Gospel of Christ.

      Chapter 5 is Nimrod, Cain, and Martha. This chapter warns against the danger of trying to get into Heaven through our hard work and human achievement. It compares Cain’s pride with his brother, Abel’s, faith. It compares Martha’s desire to prepare food for Christ with Mary’s desire to listen to the Lord and receive the spiritual food He was giving her. And it teaches us, through Nimrod’s tower, how fruitless it is to attempt to build our relationship with God upon our human achievement instead of through His Holy Spirit.

      Back to Table of Contents

      Chapter One

      Trust And Obey

      A Personal Testimony

      When I was a little girl, one of the most popular hymns we sang at church was Trust And Obey. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey. Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. That old song brings back many memories. Trust and obedience were a big part of my initial training in the Lord. I’d been raised as a Christian in England, land of my birth, but had never experienced a personal relationship with God until I came to America and attended my grandmother’s church. For it was there that I learned that Jesus Christ is not just a historical character who started the Christian faith. He is God in the flesh! He was alive at the time the Earth was originally created, and before Him nothing existed (John 1:1-14).

      I wanted to know more about God, and fortunately I had some good examples to look toward. The one person who had the greatest impact on me was my grandmother. She was very sick and dying of cancer when I first came to this country. When the doctor came to examine her, he’d shake his head and say with a solemn face It won’t be long now. My mother, who was there at the time, told us that grandma would raise her hands high in the air and say with a loud voice, I’ll be with you soon Jesus. I’m coming home. I was a child with childlike faith (Matthew 18:3 and Mark 11:22). Such faith doesn’t question God endlessly about why this and why that. I only knew that I had experienced Jesus Christ in my heart, life, and soul, and I have never been the same since!

      I learned that life in this world is never easy but it’s God’s will for us to persevere during good times and bad, Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction (2 Timothy 4:2 NIV). We joyfully endure through trials and tests (Romans 8:31-39 and Acts 5:40- 41) and contend for the faith (Jude 1:3). This is difficult, for Satan is always eager to entice us away from Christ (1 Corinthians 7:5, 1 Thessalonians 3:5, and James 1:13-15). When pain wracks your body and torment rips at your soul, you feel as if you’re standing on quicksand, and even God has seemed to turn against you, remember the conversation between the Lord and Satan regarding Job (see Job 1:6-12), and take heart. For The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts (Proverbs 17:3 KJV). In other words, God will occasionally allow you to be tested and purified through fiery afflictions that will either make of you a strong, mature Christian, or cause you to backslide. Christ doesn’t want any fence sitters in His kingdom (Revelation 3:15-19)!

      Bad Doctrine

      Ask most ministers today about the faith of the early church and they will take

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