Bible League: Living His Word Always be filled with joy in the Lord. I will say it again. Be filled with joy.— Philippians 4:4 ERV Do you know what makes a baby happy? The embrace of her mother. Do you know what makes a toddler happy? A cookie. Do you know what makes a young boy happy? Fishing with his grandpa. Do you know what makes a teenager happy? Nothing. They're pretty much unhappy all of the time. Let's face it, human beings are pretty fickle, aren't they? We're happy when things are going our way, and we're miserable when things start to go the opposite direction. Stock market up? Happy! Stock market crashes? Miserable! Get a raise at work? Happy! Company downsizes? Miserable! Favorite sports team winning? Happy! Favorite sports team is the Chicago Bears? Miserable! I think you get the picture. The Apostle Paul told the church at Philippi to always be filled with joy in the Lord. He even repeated it to make sure he got his point across to them. "Be filled with joy." How can we be filled with joy when there are so many things in life that can make us miserable? When we look at the world around us, there is so much misery, heartache, and pain. How can anyone find joy amidst such unhappiness? We must be careful not to confuse happiness with joy. Happiness is dependent upon circumstances. Joy is dependent upon the Savior. Circumstances and situations will change, sometimes in the same hour or day. Take the cookie away from the toddler, and you'll see happiness turn to misery quickly. Watch an athlete turn the ball over that leads to the opposing team scoring, and you'll see an entire stadium full of fans go from happiness to misery in an instant. Watch the stock market take away half of someone's retirement, and you'll see misery in action. The thing about joy is that it is steady and constant, even in the midst of unhappiness. Why? It is because joy is dependent upon the Savior and the salvation that He gives to us. The Word of God says that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). His love and grace never change. The salvation He imparts doesn't change. He doesn't change the rules in the middle of the game. Joy comes from knowing that Jesus has saved you from your many sins by faith, and He won't change His mind about it! Even if the circumstances of life change and go from happy to sad to miserable, His offer of salvation will never change. That, my friends, is why we, as followers of Jesus, can be filled with joy. Let me say it again, be filled with joy! When we focus on the Savior and not on the circumstances, we will experience a joy that cannot be taken away from us. It is a joy that will last forever. Will we still have unhappy days from time to time? Yes. But the joy of our salvation will never wane. So let us focus on our Savior, Jesus Christ, and the joy His salvation brings to our lives. By Shawn Cornett, Bible League International staff, Illinois U.S. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingJoshua 23, 24 Joshua 23 -- Joshua's Farewell Address NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Joshua 24 -- Joshua's Summary of Israel's History; Joshua's Death NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Luke 6:27-49 Luke 6 -- Lord of the Sabbath; The Twelve Apostles; Beatitudes; Love for Enemies; Do not Judge; Tree and Fruits; House on the Rock NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion The LORD will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don't abandon me, for you made me. Insight Every person dreams and makes plans for the future. Then they work hard to see those dreams and plans come true. But to make the most of life, we must include God's plan in our plans. Challenge He alone knows what is best for us; he alone can fulfill his purpose for us. As you make plans and dream dreams, talk with God about them. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Hebrews 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.We are told that the Captain of our salvation was made perfect through suffering, therefore we who are sinful, and who are far from being perfect, must not wonder if we are called to pass through suffering too. Shall the head be crowned with thorns, and shall the other members of the body be rocked upon the dainty lap of ease? Must Christ pass through seas of his own blood to win the crown, and are we to walk to heaven dryshod in silver slippers? No, our Master's experience teaches us that suffering is necessary, and the true-born child of God must not, would not, escape it if he might. But there is one very comforting thought in the fact of Christ's "being made perfect through suffering"--it is, that he can have complete sympathy with us. "He is not an high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities." In this sympathy of Christ we find a sustaining power. One of the early martyrs said, "I can bear it all, for Jesus suffered, and he suffers in me now; he sympathizes with me, and this makes me strong." Believer, lay hold of this thought in all times of agony. Let the thought of Jesus strengthen you as you follow in his steps. Find a sweet support in his sympathy; and remember that, to suffer is an honorable thing--to suffer for Christ is glory. The apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to do this. Just so far as the Lord shall give us grace to suffer for Christ, to suffer with Christ, just so far does he honor us. The jewels of a Christian are his afflictions. The regalia of the kings whom God hath anointed are their troubles, their sorrows, and their griefs. Let us not, therefore, shun being honored. Let us not turn aside from being exalted. Griefs exalt us, and troubles lift us up. "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him." Daily Light on the Daily Path Matthew 25:34 "Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.Luke 12:32 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? Romans 8:17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. John 16:27 for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father. Hebrews 11:16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. Revelation 21:7 "He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. 2 Timothy 4:8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. Philippians 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
    |