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"A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance,
But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken."
(Proverbs 15:13)
Randy Phillips is the creator of the Christian contemporary band, Phillips, Craig, and Dean. He also is the pastor of LifeAustin Church with five campuses in the greater Austin, TX area. I have been blessed over the years to get to know Randy and spend some time with him in planning and strategizing on how we as pastors in the city of Austin can reach more people with the Gospel. Randy and I, along with about a dozen other pastors, serve on the Christ Together Greater Austin board. We are like-minded brothers in Christ who deeply desire to see every man, woman, and child have repeated opportunities to hear the Good News of salvation in Jesus.
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I interviewed Randy on our REvangelical podcast, and the episode is due to be released this Saturday, February 29. It was so much fun talking to him and hearing about his testimony, church ministry, and Phillips, Craig, and Dean. Randy tells how, early on, the three of them went to Nashville in 1991 and sang for a number of potential producers. Randy told me they did not sound that great. They had only sung together a couple of times. But he said one of the producers said he liked what he heard and offered to help them get started... and the rest is history. They are one of my favorite bands, and they will soon release their 15th album.
One of the things I so enjoy about Randy Phillips is that he enjoys laughing and having a good time. If you watch or listen to the podcast, you will laugh, because he is just a funny guy. He has what Solomon calls a merry heart. Three times in the Book of Proverbs, the Bible addresses a merry heart. The first is in our verse for today's devotional. The other two are Proverbs 15:15 ("All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.") and Proverbs 17:22 ("A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.").
Perhaps as you read these Bible verses, you relate more to the opposite of a merry heart; you are currently struggling with a sorrowful heart, broken spirit, and affliction. If this is you, I want you to know that God loves you, and He cares. I felt led by the Lord to write this devotional today, and now you are reading it. So, I conclude that God wanted you to read it, and he desires to lift your spirit.
Randy and I closed out the podcast episode with this powerful passage of Scripture on hope. Would you take a moment to read it slowly and even commit to memorize it? I believe that as you do, God will lift you up and begin that wonderful process of transforming your broken heart into a merry one.
"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
(Romans 15:13)
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Grow your influence using Jesus’ own techniques
How can you influence the ones you love most and help them discover the joy and peace of life in Christ? Learn from the greatest influencer of all… Jesus Christ!
Pastor Danny’s brand-new book, For the One, clearly explains how you can use Jesus’ own techniques to influence the ones you love—and win their hearts for eternity.
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Podcast of the Week
Pastor Tim Hawks, Pt. 2
Pastor Danny welcomes Pastor Tim Hawks, Lead Pastor of Hill Country Bible Church in Austin, TX, back to the show to discuss near-death experiences (NDEs) and the reports of people who have experienced them and survived.
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