Showing posts with label rejoice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rejoice. Show all posts

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                             

Friday 17 July 2009

Foundation to go the distance

“Rather, encourage one another every day as long as we call it “Today.” [Do this] so that none of you ever become hardened by the seduction of sin. For in reality we only become partakers of the Christ if we hold on to the fundamentals we had at the beginning steadfast until the finish.” (Heb 3:13-14 MHM)
“Also, may we show consideration to one another, stirring up like a fire among ourselves compassionate affection and good works. May we not quit our assembling together in meetings as is the custom of some persons. Rather, continue to be encouraging, and so much more as you behold the Day drawing closer.” (Heb 10:24-25 MHM)
“On the subject of showing benevolent empathy for the brothers you do not need us to write to you, for all of you are God-taught to continue to have compassionate affection for one another. And surely you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we encourage all of you, brothers, to keep doing it even more.” (1Th 4:9-10 MHM)
“In addition, brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant concerning those who are sleeping [in death]. That you do not persist in grieving as everyone else does who are without hope. For if our conviction is that Jesus died and rose again, just so, also, those who have fallen asleep believing in Jesus, The God will gather together and lead to [Jesus].” (1Th 4:13-14 MHM)
“And so all of you continue to comfort one another with these words.” (1Th 4:18 MHM)
“In response to the above, holy “brothers” –partakers of a heavenly calling–thoughtfully consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession.” (Heb 3:1 MHM)
“[You were taught] to put away the old person–that is, your former course of conduct–who was corrupted by seductive desires.” (Eph 4:22 MHM)
“Therefore, continue to comfort one another and building one another up just as you continue to do.” (1Th 5:11 MHM)
 “preach the Word urgently in season or out of season, convince, reprove, and encourage with all tolerance and art of teaching.” (2Ti 4:2 MHM)
“In contrast, Christ as a Son [was faithful] over [God’s] House. We [“brothers”] are the House of that One–but only if we continue steadfast in our confident boasting regarding the Hope until a finish.” (Heb 3:6 MHM)
“But, “faith” is hoping for something, [hoping for] the reality of things without visible proof.” (Heb 11:1 MHM)
“For, indeed, these [human fathers] disciplined us for a few days according to what seemed [right] to them. However, [the Spiritual Father] does so for our benefit that we may partake of His holiness.” (Heb 12:10 MHM)
“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 4:13 MHM)
“That is that the non-Jews are to be joint heirs–and joint body [members] and joint partakers of the promise incorporate in Jesus Christ through the good news.” (Eph 3:6 MHM)
“But Christ as a son over his own house: whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence, and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.” (Heb 3:6 Webster)
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb 11:1 Webster)
Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Grondslag voor de af te leggen weg

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2013 update:  

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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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Faith a commitment to the promises of Christ and to to the demands of Christ



"Faith is not only a commitment to the promises of Christ;
faith is also a commitment to the demands of Christ."
- William Barclay

"In this you greatly rejoice, though 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,
which perishes even though refined by fire -
may be proved genuine and may result in praise,
glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed."
1 Peter 1:6-7

I am aware of what Jesus Christ did preach and listen to his words brought to us by the gospel.
God let that Good News penetrate me and be as cement for a brick of my faith.




English: Jesus Christ - detail from Deesis mos...
English: Jesus Christ - detail from Deesis mosaic, Hagia Sophia, Istanbul (Photo credit: Wikipedia)



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Sunday 26 April 2009

See God in everyone you meet

Dutch translation / Nederlandse vertaling > Zie God in eenieder die u ontmoet

See God in every one you meet; see God in everything you perceive.
His Mystery is immanent in all that is material and non-material.
The Universe is permeated by the Divine, it is an expression of His Mystery!
Dip into the springs of joy within you and progress; do not stand still or recede. Every minute must mark a step forward.
Rejoice that it is given to you to recognise God in all and welcome all chances to sing His Glory, to hear His miraculous stories, to share His presence with others.
-Baba

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Monday 2 March 2009

Be willing to access joy in the face of adversity


"Be willing to access joy

in the face of adversity."
- C.W. Metcalf


"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings,
because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
perseverance, character; and character, hope.
And hope does not disappoint us,
because God has poured out his love into our hearts."
Romans 5:3-5


Though our hope in Jesus Christ, through whom we have received reconciliation,
we rejoice already now. Even though many tests in our lives come over us,
let us be stronger than this and give that we ourselves still feel happy.
Let us stand and win life.
You have the victory wreath of life promised. We hope for it.
Lord, protect me in my expectations
and let me not be ashamed of my hope. Don’t disappoint me.



Monday 23 February 2009

Love is like playing the piano

"Love is like playing the piano.
First you must learn to play by the rules,
then you must forget the rules and play from your heart."
- Unknown

"Those who love in the Lord never see
each other for the last time."
- German Proverb

"Love is an act of endless forgiveness,
a tender look which becomes a habit."
- Peter Ustinov

"Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness,
but rejoices with the truth."
1 Corinthians 13:6

"Love does not act unbecomingly;
it does not seek its own,
is not provoked,
does not take into account a wrong suffered."
1 Corinthians 13:5

"Love bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things,
endures all things."
1 Corinthians 13:7

Dear God let love grow in my heart
and let me be able to share my love with others
in tenderness and patience.


Dutch version / Nederlands > Liefde is zoals piano spelen
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Thursday 19 February 2009

Partakers of the sufferings

“So let us go forth to Him outside the camp bearing His reproach. For we do not have here a continuing city, but we seek the [city] coming.” (Heb 13:13-14 LIT)

 “Beloved, do not be astonished at the fiery trial happening among you for your testing, as [if] a surprise [were] occurring to you; but according as you share the sufferings of Christ, rejoice; so that you may rejoice exultingly at the revelation of His glory.” (1Pe 4:12-13 LIT)

 “and our hope for you [is] certain, knowing that even as you are sharers of the sufferings, so also of the comfort.” (2Co 1:7 LIT)

 “If you are reviled in [the] name of Christ, [you are] blessed, because the Spirit of God and of glory rests on you." Truly, according to them, He is blasphemed; but according to you, He is glorified. [Isa. 11:2]” (1Pe 4:14 LIT)

 “Then they indeed departed from [the] presence of the sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were deemed worthy to be dishonored on behalf of His name.” (Ac 5:41 LIT)

 “having chosen rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than for a time to have enjoyment of sin; having counted the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.” (Heb 11:25-26 LIT)

Dutch version / Nederlands > Deelgenoten van lijden
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2013 update:
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