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| November 4, 2001 |
| "As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you." John 15:9-12 Christianity is a religion of joy! It was born in a song and has been singing ever since! The Bible is resonant with joy ~ put your ear to it and listen to the "glad tidings of great joy!" The Lord Jesus Christ has solved all of our basic problems ~ sin and its curse, death and its sting, hell and its fierce terrors! All of these lie at our Savior's feet. He has adopted us into His family ~ He cares for us, intercedes for us, and fights for us! Best of all, He is preparing a place for us in His Father's house, even as I write you. Now, if that doesn't fill us with a song of joy, something is dreadfully wrong with your life as a child of God! God wants us to be happy and confident in Him. He doesn't want to see us here with heavy hearts and sorrowful minds (and He can tune into our hearts and minds). God loves cheerful hearts and minds set on His Kingdom ~ that's why He sent His Son to cheer up our souls in Him! God commands us to rejoice and be glad ~ think of a hymn now that reflects joy and sing it! Application: True joy transcends the rolling waves of circumstance into a peaceful calm. Joy itself, comes from a consistent relationship with Jesus.When are lives are intertwined with His, He will help us through adversity without sinking, moving us to deceptive highs. We can always find peace in the joy our hearts hold of our personal relationship with Jesus. May you have a blessed day in the Lord as you serve Him with a joyful heart always. Love in Christ, Sandy |