Joy takes practice.

Cindy
Administrator

Waiting for Jesus to come back and take us all to be with Him forever!

Posts: 8,635

Joy takes practice. Mar 26, 2020 6:21:43 GMT -5 oliverwithatwist likes this

Quote

Post by Cindy on Mar 26, 2020 6:21:43 GMT -5

‎Joy takes practice. Study joy in the Psalms. Psalmists didn’t even know the details of Jesus’ love but, with their glimpses of God’s love, they had joy & gladness. If you are willing to look for joy, the psalmists can lead you to it. The goodness of God is shot through creation & the church, so joy is always possible. When you can’t see it, return to the cross and appreciate the beauty of what Jesus did. Appreciate the beauty of his sacrifice—his willingness to become like us and give up everything. Appreciate the beauty of his love. Just behold it. Admire it.

God’s splendor ascends over the sorrow of life. Joy is possible. Choose to become an expert in it. After all, joy is not fleeting. What you will taste is “everlasting joy.” “‎& the ransomed of the Lord will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness & joy will overtake them, & sorrow & sighing will flee away.” (Isaiah 35:10) It is here to stay, & the day is coming when those who know Jesus will be known by their joy. Believe it or not, you are becoming a joyous person. You will be a joyous person. Some say that joy is the serious business of heaven. But don’t think that this is just for the sweet by-&-by. The kingdom of heaven began with power when Jesus came, so you can get into the family business even now.

Heart of the matter

Cindy
Administrator

Waiting for Jesus to come back and take us all to be with Him forever!

Posts: 8,635

Joy takes practice. Mar 26, 2020 6:25:47 GMT -5 fearnot and oliverwithatwist like this

Quote

Post by Cindy on Mar 26, 2020 6:25:47 GMT -5

Joy and suffering are wedded together. It is in the context of desert trials that the book of James says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2–4). At first glance it looks like an impossible marriage, but James is not the only one to speak about hardships with a hint of a smile on his face. Other Scriptures concur, for example: “Now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold . . .—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:6–7).

Before Jesus came, wise people willingly endured difficulties because they knew God was with them. After the cross everything was transformed, including perspectives on suffering. Pilgrim travelers still encounter suffering as much as ever, but suffering is now viewed as the pains of childbirth rather than pain that is purposeless and random—mere accidents. Since Jesus came, suffering is redemptive. When we keep Jesus in view, the one who “learned obedience from what he suffered” (Hebrews 5:8), we can begin to understand how James could encourage us to have joy in the desert trek.

Heart of the matter: Daily reflections for changing hearts and lives

fearnot Living With Pain Posts: 8,383	Joy takes practice. Apr 1, 2020 10:10:56 GMT -5 Cindy likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by fearnot on Apr 1, 2020 10:10:56 GMT -5 Thanks for posting!!! :)

oliverwithatwist Junior Addict Posts: 1,239	Joy takes practice. Apr 10, 2020 16:07:32 GMT -5 fearnot likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by oliverwithatwist on Apr 10, 2020 16:07:32 GMT -5 Apr 1, 2020 10:10:56 GMT -5 fearnot said: Thanks for posting!!! :) Yes, thank you for posting. I have not been on lately because laptop has been in shop for two weeks! Its good to be back.

angellady56: Thannk you for praaying for Debbie. TOday would've been Lindaa's 68th birthday. This has to be hard on Debie not being able to tell LInda a d for h LIndaaa's husband not being able to tell the love of his life happy birthday May 6, 2024 12:00:15 GMT -5

angellady56: thank you for praying for Debbie and her family. Whats sad is today Linda woul've been 68. This has to be hard for Debbie with thoday being her sister's birthcay and dhe cannot ssssspend time with her sister. May 6, 2024 11:56:18 GMT -5

Ang: I thought I had an account under "Ang" (I think since 2015) but then when this forum switched to ProBoards I lost access. :( Been awhile. So finally made a new account. What happened? However, maybe it was another Christian forum that I lost the url to. Jun 24, 2023 10:20:10 GMT -5 *

Post by Cindy on Mar 26, 2020 6:21:43 GMT -5

Post by Cindy on Mar 26, 2020 6:25:47 GMT -5

Post by fearnot on Apr 1, 2020 10:10:56 GMT -5

Post by oliverwithatwist on Apr 10, 2020 16:07:32 GMT -5

Shoutbox