Showing posts with label joy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label joy. Show all posts

Friday 28 December 2018

The gift of joy

In these darker days when many come together in the warmth and light of the family feast-dish sharing greetings and giving presents to each other, we think about the joy all this can give.

JOY is a great gift. It’s described as a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.

Early in Israel’s history God promised to
 “Bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you will be altogether joyful” (Deuteronomy 16:15, ESV).
The harvest has been gathered; there’s food enough for all; let’s sing for joy!

Sometimes as a community our joy isn’t very apparent. But can you remember the description of Samaria when Philip had told them about Jesus?
 “There was much joy in that city.”
That’s what preaching can do.

Joy is one of the fruits of the spirit. It’s also the very real emotion that enabled the Lord Jesus to lay down his life for us;

 “Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross …”
 Could YOU spread a little joy this week? That’s preaching!

Dutch version: Nederlandse versie: De gave van vreugde

Saturday 10 October 2015

Looking at the Source of joy

These months many denominations do have their conferences where they want to discuss matters of this world.
At the Vatican the cardinals look at the family. Lots of things are decided there and lots of happenings in the family make it that people may be happy or unhappy. The joy or gladness people may have depends a lot on what happens in the family and at work.

When we look at the people around us it looks like many have lost the 'joy de vivre'. We see many faces with their chin hanging unto the ground and people walking like zombies or with droopy eyes. Many seem to have lost the joy in their life.

Perhaps it is not bad for them to resource and to go looking for the reasons why they have lost that preciousness energy of life. It would not be bad if they, like us, would go looking for the source of joy. Perhaps you think that is not really necessary, or you think it is only having enough money that can bring joy.

For over 40 years, the Williamsburg Conference has provided a unique opportunity for praise and fellowship. From December 27th until December 31st at 12:00 noon, Christadelphians will be looking at joy and gladness, at the Holiday Inn Patriot in Williamsburg, VA.

Morning sessions are devoted to building an understanding of the chosen theme through numerous sets of scriptural readings, exhortations, and hymns. Periods of quiet meditation throughout the morning allow us to focus on the personal implications of what we have considered and on our individual relationships with God.
The afternoons are devoted to smaller group sessions that again centre on the theme. The goal is to discuss how we can apply the thoughts developed in the morning sessions to our own service. Group leaders guide but never dominate the discussions. Group selection is random, so there is no age segregation and many brothers and sisters meet for the first time. This is all intentional. Participants find that they are able to speak from the heart. For this reason many consider the afternoons extremely beneficial and the heart of the Conference.
Evening programs are more relaxed and varied. Usually, a music program will occupy one evening. A discussion of the “Signs of the Times” and “Prayer for Others” sessions will now be part of the evening programs.
Classes for young children ages 4-13 will be available, with parent participation. Please indicate on your registration if you are willing to help teach a children’s class for one hour on one day during the Conference.
A generous continental breakfast is available for free. All other meals are taken in local restaurants, at your own expense. These are wonderful times of getting to know new friends, and renewing old friendships.
Please plan to join us for several days of intensive spiritual growth and introspection—a period of close fellowship with our God and our spiritual family.

Registration

To register online and get more conference information, click here. Registration will end on December 22, but will reopen on December 27 at the hotel. If you know of anyone who wants to register but does not have internet access, please print the form below and give it to them or have them contact:
Sis. Emilyclaire V. Walker
7515 Axton St
Springfield, VA 22151
(315) 651-3207

> Williamsburg Conference 2015 December 27-31 Joy and Gladness
>> Williamsburg Conference December 27-31, 2015

Thursday 28 April 2011

Holland Week of billing

We have received the task from Jesus to go out in the world and to spread the Gospel of the Good News.

To bring this Evangelion several brothers and sisters were willing to come to help their Dutch brethren. We were pleased to have this happy reunion of believing people willing to share the Word of God with each other and with others who are at first site not interested in God.

But by putting leaflets in their mailboxes (were it was allowed) we gave them an opportunity to look at we think and react anonymously. When we met some people and could talk to them it gave a possibility to spread the Good News directly. I had some nice opportunities that way (being master enough of Dutch to give some answers directly).

Like good soldiers should do we started early in the year, early in the month, early in the week, early in the day. We were Invited by a different and/or unique publisher to work with us, namely the Broeders in Christus Nederland (Brethren in Christ Holland). For the 'Family Support- allowing you to stay out in the ministry' they provided with nice little houses in a Bungalow park in Hoenderloo, by Apeldoorn. From there we went to Apeldoorn, Deventer and Zutphen to do the door-to-door billing.  the family feeling was in the morning and evening when we all came together with the night visitors from Holland. After the morning reading we went into small groups each our way to post the flyers about the Dutch magazine "Met Open Bijbel" (With Open Bible) and the book "Uitzicht op de toekomst" (View on the Future").
Loolaan, Apeldoorn-Noord
Loolaan, Apeldoorn-Noord (Photo credit: Wikipedia)


We tried to synch our service schedule with other Pioneers and learned plenty of other aids from long time Pioneers, Circuit Overseers, Elders. The good thing was that there were "anciens", elders who had come down to the Netherlands already for more then 15 years. They were used to the planning of all those small streets and alleys in living quarters. Going around one clockwise and the other anti-clockwise was a good system to take over. You really could not do it like we used to do in Belgium, going in groups each site of the road and then into the next one. The going around the block and mapping it as done was the only sure way to not miss out one street or group of houses or not to do them twice.

We naturally also got proper rest and did not refrain to have a laugh now and then. Before, between and billing we had social activity.So we did make JOY! Yes, because that is also part of the ministry of a believing person. Make certain that your Ministry is very Joyful And Fun!

    J.O.Y. = Jehovah 1st, Others 2nd, Yourself 3rd. That is what we do have to keep in mind when do Gods work. Then your blessings come from Jehovah!

Increasing the quality of our ministry; can make increase your joy; which increases your ministry and the whole community of the ecclesia!

We at night picked up our Bible Study. And this was more pleasant and could also be more fulfilling then doing it on your own at home. We also could get excited sharing experiences and it was nice to hear how others came to the truth or had conversion stories. It was an open informal pleasant way to always build each other up.
Open Bible
Open Bible (Photo credit: moyerphotos)


Together we could pray for and focus on progressive Bible Studies, sing together and praise the beauties of the Lord.

Those who were there, we thank them for all their efforts to come to our Low Countries to help us to spread the Good News.
Gratefully for this help in the 'Notification' we hope yet that such fine days may come more often and that once we also may find you among us.

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie: Aankondigingsweek in Nederland
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2013 update:

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Friday 14 May 2010

Joy: Foundation for a Positive Life

JOY:  Foundation for a Positive Life

   Wouldn’t you like to experience deep and enduring joy?  Wouldn’t you like to be joy-full?  Be assured ~ you can!

   The world has a woeful shortage of joy and a surplus of fear, worry, discouragement and depression.  Even the “pursuit of happiness” and obsessive pleasure-seeking do not bring deep and lasting joy.

   Let’s first understand the difference between joy and happiness.  Happiness is an emotion, and God never intended for people to be in that emotional state all the time.  There is “a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance” (Ecclesiastes 3:4).

   Biblical joy ~ true joy ~ comes from filling the spiritual void with good relationships, primarily an intimate relationship with the One who is pure joy.  Jesus put it this way:  “I am the vine, you are the branches.  He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit” (John 15:5).  That fruit includes much joy!

   The Bible speaks much more often of joy than of being happy.  “Hap” means chance and is the root of several words ~ happen, haphazard (dependent on mere chance), hapless, happenstance (a chance circumstance) and happy.

   Happiness is a glad feeling that depends on something good happening.  God wants us to experience happy times (as long as God approves of what is happening).  But His greater desire is that you have unconditional JOY.  Jesus said His joy would “remain in you” and “your joy no one will take from you” (John 15:11; 16:22).

   Think of joy as a strong foundation that supports a variety of healthy emotions, including happiness. The long-range evidence of joy is general gratitude, contentment, optimism, a sense of freedom and other positive attitudes.

   Joy looks out and up, not inward ~ A common mistake is to think that getting something will make you happy.  We tell ourselves, “If only…”  But joy and happiness come much more from giving and serving than from getting.

   The Apostle Paul reminded his listeners that Jesus Christ had taught this very thing:  “There is more happiness in giving than in receiving” (Acts 20:35, TEV).

   To grow in joy, we must resist not only self-pity but also being self-centered and self-absorbed. For joy to flourish, we must focus on loving others and especially on loving God.

   Joy is largely composed of gratitude ~ gratitude for the wonderful things God has done for us and His “exceedingly great and precious promises” for our future (2 Peter 1:4).  Gratitude produces joy (1 Thes. 5:16-18).  And our gratitude should be for other people’s blessings as well as for our own (Romans 12:15).

   Try to follow this biblical formula:  Add to your life gratitude, humility, forgiveness, faith, hope, patience and love.  Take away resentment, anger, fear, worry, materialism, greed, jealousy, complaining and pride.  The result? JOY!

   Joy is spiritual, supernatural and essential ~ God is joyful ~ far more than any human being ever was!  It is tragic that many people think of God as somber and stern rather than cheerful and smiling.  He is enjoying His creation and especially the delightful anticipation of many new “sons of God” (Rom. 8:14, 19).

   True followers of Jesus Christ will be joyful also.  Psalm 68:3 says, “Let the righteous be glad;…let them rejoice exceedingly.”  God desires that we serve Him “with joy and gladness of heart” (Deuteronomy 28:47).

   Paul spoke of the “joy of the Holy Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 1:6). It is through His Spirit that God shares and communicates His joy.  And when Paul lists the “fruit of the Spirit,” joy is second, preceded only by love (Galatians 5:22-23).  If we are filled with godly love, won’t that produce joy?  Of course it will!

   Joy is a major topic in the Bible.  In the KJV, “joy” appears 158 times and “rejoice” 198 times (not counting other variations such as joyful, joyfully, joyous, jubilant, happy and glad).  Rejoice is the verb form of joy, meaning to feel or have joy!  Clearly there is great emphasis in the Bible on expressing joy.  That explains why the Bible also emphasizes prayers and songs that praise and celebrate God (James 5:13; Psalm 150; Colossians 3:16, 17).

   Joy is not optional.  The Bible repeatedly commands us to rejoice!   The most emphatic exhortation is in Philippians 4:4, where Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again I will say, Rejoice!”

   Joy because of trials?  God’s joy continues to flow through His people even during their suffering because of their rock-solid hope of future everlasting joy in His Presence.  They know that all suffering is limited to this short life, and the time will soon come when “there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying” (Revelation 21:4).  They “rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:2).

   We also have good reason to rejoice because of our trials when we understand how God is using those trials to help us build godly character.  “And we know that God works all things (even severe trials) for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). More specifically, Paul wrote that “we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character, hope” (Romans 5:3, 4 NIV).  James wrote, “Consider it pure joy…whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance” in remaining faithful to God (James 1:2 NIV).

   And because Christ suffered for each of us, we should have a special joy when we are persecuted for our faith.  Jesus said, “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven” (Matthew 5:11, 12).

   The number one key to Joy: God’s Spirit ~ Supreme joy is God’s nature and character!  We see proof everywhere in God’s creation, i.e., birds singing, animals frolicking, flowers blooming, brooks babbling and the sun shining!

   Our unique joy begins when Christ comes to live in us (Gal. 2:20). We then have an intimate relationship with the Lord God, through His Son ~ the One Psalm 43:4 calls “God, my exceeding joy!”  God’s Spirit is a tree of life, producing life-giving fruit which includes great joy!

   Jesus prayed for His followers “that they may have My joy fulfilled in them” (John 17:13). He taught, “Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full!” (John 16:24).

                                                                                         Don Hooser                             

Monday 12 October 2009

A time for everything

Ecc 3:1  Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses.
2  He sets the time for birth and the time for death, the time for planting and the time for pulling up,
3  the time for killing and the time for healing, the time for tearing down and the time for building.
4  He sets the time for sorrow and the time for joy, the time for mourning and the time for dancing,
5  the time for making love and the time for not making love, the time for kissing and the time for not kissing.
6  He sets the time for finding and the time for losing, the time for saving and the time for throwing away,
7  the time for tearing and the time for mending, the time for silence and the time for talk.
8  He sets the time for love and the time for hate, the time for war and the time for peace.
Ecc 3:11  He has set the right time for everything. He has given us a desire to know the future, but never gives us the satisfaction of fully understanding what he does.

The Old Testament Book of Ecclesiastes has always been a favorite worldwide.
The Canadian Bible Society put the lovely scripture of the 3rd Chapter to Pachelbel's Canon in the accompanying video...and in so doing really nailed the poetry of The Book. When God's word is offered in this format, you just can't help but sit back and let it reach into your soul. This will bless you..




Dutch version > Een Tijd voor alles

Monday 22 June 2009

Joy is not in things, it is in us


"Joy is not in things, it is in us."
- Benjamin Franklin

"I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,
my soul shall be joyful in my God;"
Isaiah 61:10

God I am grateful that I know you
and may love you.
You are welcome in my heart and in you, my heart rejoices.
Let the joy radiate to the people around me.


Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Vreugde is niet in dingen, het is in ons
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2013 update:

Joy Yih 21st Birthday / 20070802.850SD.IS.0424...
Joy Yih 21st Birthday / 20070802.850SD.IS.0424-2 / SML (Photo credit: See-ming Lee 李思明 SML)

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Monday 4 May 2009

Faith and trial

Dutch version / Nederlands > Beproevingen en geloof

“In this [hope] you rejoice even though for a brief moment at the present you are bound to grieve in various trials, in order that the proof of your faith –much more precious than gold refined by fire! –may be found [a cause for] praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1Pe 1:6-7 MHM)
“It is by [Jesus] also we now enjoy an approach [to God] through His unmerited favor in which we now stand. Also, we may boast in the hope of God’s glory.” (Ro 5:2 MHM)
“For it is better for persons to suffer because of doing good – if that be the wish and will of The God – than be persons suffering for doing bad.” (1Pe 3:17 MHM)


“Consider it immeasurable joy, my brothers, whenever various trials befall you, realizing that this testing of your deep conviction works out endurance. But, let endurance work out completely so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” (Jas 1:2-4 MHM)


“Beloved, do not think it strange the burning fire you face as a test as though something alien was taking place. But rather all of you continue to rejoice because of sharing in the sufferings of the Christ, so that you might also rejoice in exultation at the revelation of his glory.” (1Pe 4:12-13 MHM)
“For thou, O God, hast proved us: Thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.” (Ps 66:10 ASV)
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous; But Jehovah delivereth him out of them all.” (Ps 34:19 ASV)
“[There] they strengthened the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to remain in the Faith, saying: “We must gain entrance into the Kingdom of The God through many oppressions.”” (Ac 14:22 MHM)


“For I think The God has exhibited us apostles last as [persons] condemned to death, because we became a theater spectacle to the Cosmos–both to angels and humans. We are morons because of Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honorable, but we dishonorable. Until this present hour we both hunger and thirst–are without proper clothing, are beaten, and homeless. Also, we work with our own hands. When reviled, we bless. When persecuted, we endure. When defamed, we implore. We [apostles] have become the outcasts in the world of humankind. Until the present moment we have become the refuse of all.”


“I do not write to shame you, but rather as admonishing my beloved children. For though you have myriads of infant-teachers, but you do not have many fathers in Christ. For I gave birth to you in Christ Jesus by means of the Good News.” (1Co 4:9-15 MHM)
“But, we possess this treasure in vessels of baked clay, so that the surpassing greatness may be the power of The God and not our own.”
“Continually pressured, but not completely restricted. Continually perplexed, but not without direction. Continually persecuted, but not abandoned. Continually suppressed, but not destroyed. Constantly enduring the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may be manifest in our body. For we, the living, are constantly being exposed to death in behalf of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus might also be manifest in our mortal flesh.” (2Co 4:7-11 MHM)


“Thou didst cause men to ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water; But thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.” (Ps 66:12 ASV)
“The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But Jehovah trieth the hearts.”
(Pr 17:3 ASV)
“Not only that, but we also are boasting in the oppression, realizing that this oppression produces endurance. However, this endurance documents and endorses [us]. Then, this endorsing documentation [produces] hope;” (Ro 5:3-4 MHM)

“Blessed [by God] is the person who endures trials. Because having become approved such a person will receive the crown of life which [God] promised to those loving Him.” (Jas 1:12 MHM)
“Do not be frightened of what you are about to suffer. Look, the Devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested by 10 days of oppression. Continue to be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life.” (Re 2:10 MHM)
“Because you observed the word of my own endurance I will also keep you from the hour of temptation coming upon the entire inhabited earth.” (Re 3:10 MHM)


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 2013 update:
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Wednesday 29 April 2009

Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness



"Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness.
Know how to give without hesitation,
how to lose without regret,
how to acquire without meanness."
- George Sand

"But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control.
Against such things there is no law."
Galatians 5:22-23

Lord, make that I can give freely.
Let the result of the light in me be that I only do what is good.
That in my heart I can bear love always
and that I can bring up tender pity, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience,
which may be a model for a Christian.


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Monday 6 April 2009

God should be your hope

Dutch version / Nederlands > God moet je hoop zijn


“Thou dost show me the path of life; in thy presence there is fulness of joy, in thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.” (Ps 16:11 RSV)
“Through him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God.” (Ro 5:2 RSV)
“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.” (Ro 5:3-5 RSV)
“And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work.” (2Co 9:8 RSV)
“For God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love which you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness in realizing the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”
(Heb 6:10-12 RSV)

Everything that is done in the world is done by hope



"Everything that is done in the world is done by hope."
- Martin Luther

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,
so that you may overflow with hope …"
Romans 12:12; 15:13

"God cushions our hurting hearts with
soft pillows of comfort and hope."
- Judy Gordon

"Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart,
All you who hope in the LORD."
Psalm 31:24

"Never talk defeat.
Use words like hope,
belief, faith, victory."
- Norman Vincent Peale

"Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope in His mercy,
Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us,
Just as we hope in You."
Psalm 33:18, 22

"There are no hopeless situations;
there are only people who have grown hopeless about them."
- Clare Boothe Luce

"I have set the LORD always before me;
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will rest in hope."
Psalm 16:8-9

I have set You always before me, Lord:
Because you are at my right hand, I shall not be moved
so I shall not fall.
My hope is directed to you.
People can not do anything to me, everything is in your hands.

Let my actions by my hope in You be determined and be a sign of my faith.






Psalm 27
Psalm 27 (Photo credit: TheChristianAlert.org)
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Saturday 21 March 2009

Faith is knowing there is an ocean because you have seen a brook.



"Faith is knowing there is an ocean
because you have seen a brook."
- William Arthur Ward (1921-1994)

"Faith is the hostess that will not entertain doubt."
- Jenna Wright

"Faith is to believe what you do not see;
the reward of this faith is to see what you believe."
- Peter Julian Eymard

"Though now you do not see Him, yet believing,
you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
receiving the end of your faith - the salvation of your souls."
1 Peter 1:8-9

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God,
who gives to all liberally and without reproach,
and it will be given to him.
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting,
for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind."
James 1:5-6

"These all died in faith, not having received the promises,
but having seen them afar off were assured of them,
embraced them, and confessed that
they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith,
did not receive the promise,
God having provided something better for us,
that they should not be made perfect apart from us."
Hebrews 11:13-14, 39-40


Hear, O Jehovah, my prayer, hear how I beg for your assistance;
o remain for my weep not deaf,
 I am only a stranger to you, a lodger - as all my fathers.
In You I want to make sure that you are the creator of heaven and earth
who has foreseen for me the promise of paradise,
where I no longer have to stay as a foreigner.
Give me the right and strong faith.
May You the God of hope carry me with all joy and peace in believing, so that I abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit.


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 2013 update:
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