As you sit in the presence of God and His holy angels, are you filled with divine energy, enthusiasm, power, moral courage, zeal, confidence and intense eager interest? Are you vivacious, full of life and filled with effervescent joy? Joy is one of the fruits of the holy spirit, listed second only to love in Galatians 5:22. We are called to serve and obey God with joy and gladness. Joy and sin cannot dwell together. We must learn to deal with the causes that rob us of joy, do what we need to do and let God restore the joy of His salvation in our lives.

Donald Ward

Elder, United Church of God

Before his retirement in 2021, Dr. Donald Ward pastored churches in Texas and Louisiana, and taught at Ambassador Bible College in Cincinnati, Ohio. He has also served as chairman of the Council of Elders of the United Church of God. He holds a BS degree; a BA in theology; a MS degree; a doctor’s degree in education from East Texas State University; and has completed 18 hours of graduate theology from SMU.