James gives us the solution for immature faith: trials and trouble. James 1:2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, …
Where do we find true joy in this lifetime? The world’s values tell us that true joy is found in the latest computer, home, beverage, or automobile. If that is true, what happens when those items become old, obsolete, or used up? Mary, the mother of Jesus, knew true joy. Luke 1: 47 How my spirit …
Paul demonstrated joy amid suffering in the letter to the Philippians. When Paul wrote this letter, he was in prison. Paul began his letter with a prayer of thanksgiving for the Philippians. Then, he mentions a reason for his thankfulness. Philippians 1: 7b You share with me the special favor of God, both in my …
Being joyful for what God has done uplifts us and helps us focus on the Lord, not ourselves. I remember visiting one of our homebound people years ago. Each time I saw him, he was thankful that the Lord would take him to heaven one day. In many ways, this believer focused on the Lord …
Where does true joy come from? This is a puzzle to most of the world. The Lord tells us that true joy comes from giving up our will for His. Sometimes it takes finding the world’s narrative is false before we realize the Lord has been correct all along. As I graduated from college, we …
The verse “The joy of the Lord is my strength” is a reminder to me when I am in a spiritual battle. In a conversation with a friend, he shared how the enemy is trying to discourage him in his spiritual walk. We reflected on the fact the enemy often tries to discourage people in …
As we journey through life, we discover that it is not all mountain tops, but it can be difficult at times and discouraging. It is easy to get discouraged, but the Lord gives us joy along our journey. When we are down, we need to be encouraged by others and the Lord. The Apostle Paul …
Psalm 19: 8 His teachings make us joyful and radiate his light; his precepts are so pure!His commands, how they challenge us to keep close to his heart!The revelation-light of his word makes my spirit shine radiant.9 Every one of the Lord’s commands is right; following them brings cheer.Nothing he says ever needs to be changed.10 The rarest …