"Jesus plus"

Jesus + _______ = Everything.

Fill in that blank. What would go in that space for you? For me, I know there are a few different answers. I could list a few things that could fill the spot... "I've got Jesus, now if I only had __(this)___ then I would have everything!" At church on Thursday, Matt (our preacher) told us to fill in that blank, in our minds, with what we are wanting or waiting for or expecting before we're happy with having "everything". I will tell you, my number one thing was adoption. If only some way I could adopt my little Asian baby that I've so had the desire to have someday, THEN, everything would be perfect. I'd have it all. haha [yes, I want to adopt and its something I've blogged about before and a desire that God laid on my heart back in 2007 and I have NO idea how that will EVER happen lol] but its my main "Jesus plus" item. Other "Jesus plus" items include things such as resolved issues, restored relationships, health issues, marriage, finances, etc. Well Matt then said....whatever is in that space is the ENEMY OF YOUR JOY. And at first I wanted to say "what?! no way..." but ya know these last few weeks I've been talking about this "Joy Switch" series (on facebook and IG) and when I sit back and think of the things that flip my joy switch the most...it most definitely includes the above mentioned people and issues. I would have never thought that these things (although some God given...like restored relationships or the desire God placed in my heart to adopt) were actually taking a spot that they didn't have any right taking. They are sitting on my switch and they can't possibly hold it up, they will always weigh it down. ONLY CHRIST can keep that switch flipped on the "on" position! :) The right answer to that question is 

Jesus + nothing = Everything.

Philippians 3:7 says "But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ"

We are to consider all these things as NON ESSENTIAL!

Entering church we were all given a little cross. Matt said to take that cross and put it on your "Jesus plus" item and listen as Christ says "what is that, compared to Me?" wow!!! That message has helped me TREMENDOUSLY!!!! This whole "Joy Switch" series has helped me more than any other series I've ever heard, bc its helped me to think of it in terms of NO ONE DESERVES CONTROL OF THAT SWITCH OTHER THAN CHRIST. And I have been SO filled with Joy since learning all that I have in this series!!!! I still let people, things, and situations have access to my switch....however, I'm quick to realize that I did and it gets flipped back ON the second I give control back to HIM!!! :) Now with this equation, I am aware of just what exactly was fighting for control of that switch and now am getting those things out of the way. I'm setting my focus and anchor on Christ and continuously giving over control of my joy switch to HIM!! It's my prayer that each of you will ask the questions that I did and earnestly seek out the things that kill your joy. Again, not all of them will be bad, some may even be God given desires...but NOTHING deserves that spot! ;) And ONLY Christ can sit on that switch without weighing it down!!!

"If Jesus and His cross are not 
your primary consideration, 

joy will not be your 
ultimate destination"

-Matt Evans