Those who sow
with tears will reap with songs of joy.
Those who go out weeping, carrying seed
to sow,
will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them. Psalm 126:5-6
will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them. Psalm 126:5-6
Brothers
and Sisters,
What
is the nature of joy? Do we
acquaint joy with suffering? What mystery is there in our suffering that is
accomplished without our volition? Listen:
This is the nature of joy- it is always greater and
deeper for those who have known real sorrow. We should not be surprised,
therefore, when God allows us to undergo sorrows that will forever deepen and
broaden our worship of Him and our experience of the eternal joy. R.A.
I
Thessalonians 1:6 tells us the church in
Thessalonica suffered much, yet had great joy! Is this an oxymoron? I think
not. Once surrendered and on the other side of suffering, if you had the
choice, it is unlikely you would remove the very thing, that in the end,
brought you great joy, in the sweetness of a deepening relationship with our
Lord. His joy makes worthwhile anything that causes us to fall to our knees and
cry for His help. Our testimony will be: ‘Lord, It was worth it all! Your joy
is sweeter than all this world offers’.
Amy Carmichael
writes: ‘I cannot forget the flints on my own path and the thorns. But, looking
back, I know I would not have chosen any other if I could have known, when I
first began to walk in it, what it would mean of His companionship, and also of
the power to enter into the griefs of others. It was all worth while, ten
thousand times worth while.
Be
strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. All will be made right. He
has provided all we need to stand strong. Do not listen to the enemies
whispers, for we have a certain end, ‘Enter… into the joy of thy lord.’ Matthew 25:21
Hallelujah! Remember joy, not
suffering is eternal.
Trusting Christ does not
mean suffering less. Our churches are full of Christians who do not go beyond
the initial forgiveness and a godly walk in this world. But it is our Father’s
good pleasure to transform us into the likeness of Christ and bring us into His
Presence as priests. This is entirely apart from all the imperfections of our
flesh.
We stand before Him in all the perfection of the Lord Jesus Christ!!
This allows us to worship and to ‘behold Him’ in all His glory and beauty. If
He were to manifest His presence before each of us right now, we would be flat
out on our faces before Him!!!
My feet are dancing. Go
ahead, jump up and bow down in worship! Praise the One who loves you more than
you can comprehend.
“It shouldn’t be this way,” she
spoke quietly, sadly, “a parent shouldn’t have to bury their child,” He took
her in his arms and they comforted each other as he said, “You know, I think I
expected it to hurt less because we are believers, but it doesn’t. God gave us
faith and strength to do what we had to do and we know she is in heaven with
Him, but it still hurts even though we know we do not suffer as those who have
no hope, we need to remember it doesn't says we won’t suffer,” he finished in a choked voice.
‘you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.’ I Thess 4:13
What a great God we serve.
No other god can take our sin, our sorrow, our suffering and make it serve His
will and purpose. No other god carried our sorrows and experienced our
suffering. How sweet this promises is to us.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s
dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will
be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He
will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning
or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:3-4
4X
in two verses it speaks of God dwelling with us and of us being His! Let these
verses warm you from your head to your toes. What a glory is ours now and
eternally. The Lord Jesus is at the Father’s right hand, and He is there as our
Life. Through Christ we are given access to our Father’s presence and favor.
Let
us be done with ‘talking about’ relying on the Spirit when practically we more
often rely on our selves, on human wisdom, human ability and look for quick
fixes or programs. This is the flesh. It is not enough to acknowledge Christ’s
cross, His crucifixion. We must recognize we have a cross and are crucified
with Christ. How few of us can say, “God has shown me wonderful things about
the Lord Jesus lately.
LORD of angel armies, Lord of all, I come, I bow, I cry out, “show me many wonderful things about Your precious Son. LORD, I stand our hands open and lifted up to receive
all You want to give us. Fill us with faith to receive holy joy. Create a hunger
in me that will never be satisfied this side of You. I know You care more about
my holiness than my happiness and the suffering You allow, is working the
holiness of Your Son in me. How amazing is that? How can I ever thank You? Keep
me grateful and fill me with love for You. You alone give a depth of sweetness,
in our suffering, that cannot be explained or defined. I bow. I worship.
Blessed be Your name sweet Savior.
In Christ Holy joy is mine!
az
The Gospel (or Good News) message of Jesus Christ is so simple that it almost defies understanding. By evidenceofdesign| 1 video
