Tag Archives: joy

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Full of Joy!

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What I observe in these verses is that Paul the Apostle is strongly urging and teaching the Philippians in being full of the joy of the LORD.

Joy in God is a duty of great consequence in the Christian life; Christians need to be again and again called to it. ~Matthew Henry

Paul also reminds the followers of Jesus to be gentle and kind, not to worry about anything, but to pray and ask God for everything they need, always giving thanks. God’s peace will keep their hearts and minds in Jesus. Also, They are to think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected. Doing what they learned from Paul. The God who gives peace will be with them.

Always being full of joy and knowing God gives peace is a comfort and a refuge in times of trials. It’s best to be gentle and kind and not to worry about anything, praying to God. I can apply this to my life by being Jesus’ example to an ugly, lost, and hurting world. Also, by praying for others and always being joyful helps to bring God’s peace and comfort to others in time of need. It also helps me appreciate what my life in Jesus brings about.

Prayer: Dear God, thank You for Your joy and the consequences it has wrought in our lives. Help me to exude Your joy to help the world a better place until Jesus returns. I lift up all the hurting and devastated people from around the world, Father God. I trust You in Your purpose and plan to meet all their needs. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Joy Amidst All Odds

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Scripture

To read the full context go to 1 Samuel 11. It’s 15 verses long.

God is faithful! He also brings great joy, even in the midst of great battles & violence. Also, I can see a portion of the Gospel in this scripture. How, you ask? Let me try and break it down for you.

The old testament has similarities to the Gospel message. It’s a reference to Jesus coming to save us. Also, we were told that Jesus will be our Everlasting Father in Isaiah 9:1‭-‬7, the hope of the coming of the Messiah [the promised and expected deliverer].

Matthew 2:1-2 says this about Jesus: Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” These wise men could’ve only known of a coming Messiah because they had old testament knowledge.

In today’s scripture, the people were full of joy because they were being saved and they were being given a king. King Saul.

What is God speaking to you in this scripture? How can we apply this to our lives today?

Here are my thoughts:

  • Don’t despair. We have been given a king, Jesus. He is our Saviour.
  • Be joyful because Jesus is our Eternal and Everlasting Father.
  • Trust God. He’s in control. He would never lie to us.
  • Be obedient to God. His word is full of truth, promises, and blessings.

Dear Father God, Lord Jesus, thank You for being our Saviour and King. I pray that those reading this blog will be blessed and will seek You fully. Thank You in advance for hearing and answering this prayer. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Joy And Justice

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You’re wrong and I’m right. That’s just how it is.

That’s the way most people think and act. They believe in their hearts that they’re right and nobody else is.

That’s not what Yahweh says. In Proverbs, above, it tells us Yahweh weighs our hearts. It’s not up to us to tell everyone they’re wrong.

We need to focus on Yahweh and live in joy and justice; not in sin and picking at other’s sins. And we’re to stay away from sin and not do it.

Here’s how David put it:

Set a watch, Yahweh, before my mouth. Keep the door of my lips. Don’t incline my heart to any evil thing, To practice deeds of wickedness with men who work iniquity. Don’t let me eat of their delicacies. Psalm 141:3-4

Delicacies… We’re all about that, aren’t we? Something delightful or pleasing. We can get ourselves into some hot water there.

Satan likes to deceive us just enough to hook us in.

Oh yes, it’s happened to me, too. It happens to everyone.

We see that fun thing; knowing it’s a sin, but, we justify it by saying something like, “It’s just a little thing. It won’t hurt me or anyone.” That’s the lie that sucks us in.

We need to stop that. Yes, it’s hard, isn’t it? I know!

We must set our sights on a higher plane. We must look upward to Yahweh and our Eternal Home.

We must be about the Lord’s business. Yes, it’s hard work. But, that’s what keeps us from sinning. It’s what wins souls for Christ.

Yes, there’s time for fun and games. His word talks of rejoicing and having fun. Get into The Word and learn about Him and Eternity. All work and no play make for a dull life. Let’s use it to our advantage and to advance the Kingdom of Christ.

Where do you stand in the joy and justice of Yahweh? Comment, let’s chat.

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry

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Ecclesiastes 8:;14-15 imageKing Solomon loved a good party! Who doesn’t enjoy fun times?

Solomon honored joy, and holy security of mind, occurring from confidence in God, because a man has no better thing under the sun, though a good man has much better things above the sun, than soberly and thankfully to use the things of this life according to his designation. -Matthew Henry

The thing we need to be careful of is becoming entitled. Saying things like “I deserve this or that”. To be honest, what we deserve is hell. But, because Yahweh wants a relationship with each of us he wishes no harm on us. He wishes us to experience joy in Him.

Job 8:21 says that:

God will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.

Are you experiencing joy today? If not, why?

3 things to help you experience joy:

  1. Evaluate your environment, the people, the places, etc, you fill your life with.
    1. Hanging out with people to encourage and support you works well.
  2. Are you in The Word?
    1. Every mobile device has an “app store” where you can find a digital bible to install. That way you have The Word with you all the time.
  3. Are you experiencing depression and/or anxiety?
    1. We all find ourselves here occasionally. However, sometimes in life we hit a low spot and we end up unpacking and living in this depression and/or anxiety. You don’t have too. Seek help. It’s OK! No shame or judgment. If you do, find new people to replace in your life.
    2. Also, because satan likes to hold us in a mental prison, we find ourselves condemning ourselves and giving ourselves mental lashings. DO NOT believe the lies satan feeds you. He likes to raise up our past wrongs and hold those over us, essentially, blackmailing and emotionally manipulating us.

Yahweh is waiting for you to call on Him. He wants to bring you joy. Allow Him too.

How has Yahweh brought you joy?

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