You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy.
—Psalm 16:11
When you consider joy, you may immediately think about one of those bubbly people you know who is “up” all of the time, and perhaps you are not like that. I’m not like that either. But for those of us who tend to be more serious, it is important that we also learn how to have fun, to cut loose, and lighten up a little.
What is joy and what is joy based on? Joy is defined as “a shout; a proclamation that can manifest in singing; a calm delight.” Your joy is not to be based on your circumstances. Happiness may be based on what is happening to you, but not joy. Joy—a fruit of the Spirit—is like a deep well on the inside of you. It is not the fruit of your circumstance. No matter what you are facing in life, you can have joy in the midst of it. Learn to abide in the midst of a calm delight.
“While We Were Yet Sinners”
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:6–8
One of the most poignant characters in all of fiction is Charles Dickens’ Miss Havisham in his novel Great Expectations. As a wealthy young woman, she was courted by a scoundrel who cared nothing for her, but only wanted her fortune. On the day they were to have been married, he sent her a note declaring his true intentions. The shattered woman never took off her wedding dress, left the wedding meal and cake on the table where they were laid out, and stopped all the clocks in the house at that fateful moment. She never moved forward from the pain she had suffered, instead becoming bitter and vindictive, and doing her best to destroy the happiness of others.
No pain or betrayal that we have ever endured can compare to the impact of our sin on the heart of God. He created a perfect world for man and placed upon Adam one single restriction. Everything was allowed except eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil—which is exactly what man did. Sin came into the world, and brought death with it, because we were not content with all the good things God had lovingly provided.
In light of that rejection, God would have been fully justified in allowing us to suffer the consequences He had decreed for disobedience. Instead, in love, He was willing to reach out to provide salvation to sinners who did not love Him. The most amazing thing about Christmas is not the angels or the star, but that Jesus came to save us.
Romans 5:6–8
One of the most poignant characters in all of fiction is Charles Dickens’ Miss Havisham in his novel Great Expectations. As a wealthy young woman, she was courted by a scoundrel who cared nothing for her, but only wanted her fortune. On the day they were to have been married, he sent her a note declaring his true intentions. The shattered woman never took off her wedding dress, left the wedding meal and cake on the table where they were laid out, and stopped all the clocks in the house at that fateful moment. She never moved forward from the pain she had suffered, instead becoming bitter and vindictive, and doing her best to destroy the happiness of others.
No pain or betrayal that we have ever endured can compare to the impact of our sin on the heart of God. He created a perfect world for man and placed upon Adam one single restriction. Everything was allowed except eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil—which is exactly what man did. Sin came into the world, and brought death with it, because we were not content with all the good things God had lovingly provided.
In light of that rejection, God would have been fully justified in allowing us to suffer the consequences He had decreed for disobedience. Instead, in love, He was willing to reach out to provide salvation to sinners who did not love Him. The most amazing thing about Christmas is not the angels or the star, but that Jesus came to save us.
Today’s Growth Principle:
The magnitude of God’s love is revealed by the sacrifice Jesus made in coming to Earth to save us from our sins.
A Calm Delight
by Joyce Meyer - posted December 04, 2016You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy.
—Psalm 16:11
When you consider joy, you may immediately think about one of those bubbly people you know who is “up” all of the time, and perhaps you are not like that. I’m not like that either. But for those of us who tend to be more serious, it is important that we also learn how to have fun, to cut loose, and lighten up a little.
What is joy and what is joy based on? Joy is defined as “a shout; a proclamation that can manifest in singing; a calm delight.” Your joy is not to be based on your circumstances. Happiness may be based on what is happening to you, but not joy. Joy—a fruit of the Spirit—is like a deep well on the inside of you. It is not the fruit of your circumstance. No matter what you are facing in life, you can have joy in the midst of it. Learn to abide in the midst of a calm delight.
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