Friday, February 22, 2013

The prospect of possessing


 

Definition of JOY (by Miriam Webster, the old school definer)

1
a: the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires : delight     
 
If our measure of joy were purely determined by our current "well-being, success or good fortune"   
how joy-less our lives would sometimes be!
 
But, the "prospect of possessing" what we desire,
 regardless of our circumstance,
is the JOY which Christians are granted.
  We have a sure HOPE . .. .
 which produces true JOY!
 
 
And so.
 
If I am feeling JOY-LESS
Isn't it because I have taken my eyes off of
the prospect of possessing what I desire?
 
Being eternally in the presence of GOD
is what I desire.
HE has assured me of my prospect.
 
How could I NOT be
 
FILLED WITH JOY?!
 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Friday, February 1, 2013

Joy in hope

In my Bible, at the top of the page beginning I Peter, it is noted that the key word in the book is suffering. And yet I turned to I Peter this morning to read the several uplifting verses about joy!

Why am I looking for verses about joy?
Because of suffering!
 God knows me so much better than I know myself.

In some strange way, the two go hand-in-hand. Opposite sides of the same coin.

Peter points this out with striking contrast:

In this you greatly rejoiced, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials . . . (1:6)

that the genuineness of your faith . . .though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus . . .though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible  . . .receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls. (1:7-9)

Joy, then, does not spring from our current circumstances, but from our HOPE.

 


 
Keep hoping my friends. Never, never, never, never give up hope.