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Gleanings From The Word

Category: Encouragement

  • Joy – Only Christians can have it

    Joy – Only Christians can have it

    Christians are the only people in the world who have a reason for true joy. Yet we often walk around looking like this morning’s image of me.

    The word joy (and related terms) occurs over 1,000 times in the Scriptures. At times, it describes a state of being, but it’s often a command.

    Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

    Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!Psalm 32:11

     Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Philippians 4:4

    Now, that doesn’t mean we put on plastic smiles, fake it and tell everyone “we’re blessed.” There is a time and place for sorrow, tiredness, grief and even righteous anger. It does mean that even in those circumstances, we still have a reason for joy.

    It’s our underlying joy and hope in the Lord, powered by Holy Spirit, that gives us the strength to go on in these circumstances. Nehemiah puts it this way,  Do not be grieved, for the joy of Yahweh is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10b

    Let’s be aware of the state of our hearts, which often shows in the expressions on our faces. 

    Count our blessings. Remember the God things God has done in our lives. Think on the forgiveness of our many sins and the promise of eternity to come forever in glory.

    We have many reasons to smile. Let’s let them out.

    Sour, pickle faces, cranky Christians, don’t bring much joy or glory to God. Nor do false smiles. Let’s remember to let the true joy of the Lord shine through us.

    May the smile on your face be a blessing in God’s name to someone else today.

    Be blessed
    Kevin

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    The Gospel – the best news you will ever hear
    Every Member Is Necessary — 1 Corinthians 12
    Hide and Seek – What are you hiding?
    Dancing with Joy
  • Murder – death of Jesus for our sake

    Murder – death of Jesus for our sake

    four crows on a tree branch

    Today, I saw a murder of crows in the tree. In case you don’t know, a murder is the formal name for a gathering of crows.

    Seeing the crows brought murder to mind. I started to think about all the murder mysteries I have watched and read over the years. They all had something in common, besides the body. In all of them, as far as I can remember, the victim was unable to prevent his own murder.

    There is one murder, however, that I know of, where the victim willingly submitted to being murdered for a greater cause. I’m Speaking of course, of the murder of Jesus, planned by the Jewish leaders, and carried out by the Roman rulers.

    The Jewish leaders perceived Jesus as a threat, and when they could not discredit him, they planned to kill him. They used Pontius Pilate to have him crucified, a most ignominious death.

    Let’s set the scene, before Jesus was taken to Pilate, one of his disciples betrays him and shows up at the Garden of Gethsemane with troops to arrest him

    Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?”At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled. Matthew 26:50-56 ESV

    Jesus willingly goes with them and submits to being convicted in a kangaroo court on completely fabricated charges. He is mocked, rejected, tortured, and eventually killed on the cross.

    Why would the God of the universe permit himself such indignities? Because he loves us. He humbled himself, set aside his rights, and came to earth to die.

    “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:8 ESV

    If that thought doesn’t amaze you, you need to stop and think about what he has done for you.

    Praise God for all his mercies.

    Be blessed

    Kevin

    For the Birds – God’s provision
    The Gospel – the best news you will ever hear