My soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is (Lamentations 3:17)
Heavenly Joy comes from God
But the fruit of the Spirit is Joy…..
(Galatians 5: 22)
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart
(Psalm 5: 11)
Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in His place
(1 Chronicles 16: 27)
In His presence, there is fullness of joy. He will make known to you the path of life
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore
(Psalm 16: 11)
We rejoice and believe in Him. The outcome is salvation of our soul
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls
(1 Peter 1: 8-9)
The Joy of the Lord may be in you
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full
(John 15: 11)
Ask and receive, so that your joy will be complete
So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete (John 16: 22, 24)
Life is not about eating and drinking
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path
(Psalms 119: 105)
Reading the scriptures is not only very important, it is our food and life
Jesus said, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God
(Matthew 4: 4)
When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God Almighty
(Jeremiah 15: 16)
We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn.
In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!
Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.
But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil (Hebrews 5: 11-14)
The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe.
For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him.
He went on to say, This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him.
From this time, many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. You do not want to leave too, do you? Jesus asked the Twelve
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God (John 6: 63-69)
No one can come to Jesus unless the Father enable him
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord , “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29: 11-13)
When we seek God with all our heart, we will find Him. When we found God, we find Jesus and can come to worship Him
Reading the words of God have eternal life. This is a worthwhile thing to do for ourselves, to make time from our busy schedule for a blessed life while we are still on earth and the age to come
Without God’s words, our lives become wayward and weak. Only with the guidance of God’s words, can we determine the eternal direction, and know how to walk every step of the way
Therefore, it is necessary to read the scriptures and let God’s words come close to our hearts. Let’s enjoy the words of God through reading the Bible
Since I yielded control of my body and soul to my wonderful Lord
I have found a deep peace and Joy
I desire that my life shall be directed by Thee
That what I do is according to Thy will
All my talents, I surrender it all at Thy feet
Thy approval shall be my reward
Thou are fairer, my wonderful Lord
Thy omnipotent, life-giving Word art worthy of all praise
My wonderful Lord, my wonderful Lord
By angels and seraphs in heaven adored
I bow at Thy shrine, my Savior divine
My wonderful, wonderful Lord
1 Corinthians 9: 27
But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
Romans 15: 13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 1: 11
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
Romans 8: 28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 12: 1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.
Matthew 16: 27
For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.
Psalms 119: 105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalms 119: 105
Psalms 150: 1-2
Praise the Lord . Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Psalms 45: 2
You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever.
Psalms 145: 3-5
Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
Psalms 148: 1-2
Praise the Lord . Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise him in the heights above. Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
Psalms 100: 2-4
Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his ; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
He wants us to live in a sincere love relationship with Him
And our God is a faithful God
Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands (Deuteronomy 7: 9)
☘️ We need to spend time alone with Him, enjoy fellowship with Him, communicate with Him and follow Him daily
He is our God whom we trust
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust
(Psalms 91: 1-2)
☘️ We enjoy all the blessings found in Him, because they are from Him
He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him
The Lord is righteous in all His ways and loving toward all He has made The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them
(Psalms 145: 17-19)
☘️ God is faithful to His promises
He promised the crown of life to those who love him
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him
(James 1: 12)
☘️ God is faithful to His people
He is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness
But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness Turn to me and have mercy on me; grant your strength to your servant and save the son of your maidservant (Psalms 86: 15-16)
☘️ He is the Almighty God. No one is like Him and His faithfulness surrounds Him
O Lord God Almighty, who is like You? You are mighty, O Lord , and Your faithfulness surrounds You. You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, You still them
(Psalms 89: 8-9)
☘️ His promise is faithful to the hope we profess
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful
(Hebrews 10: 23)
☘️ He guides the humble and teaches them His way
The Lord is loving and faithful
He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way. All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant
(Psalms 25: 9-10)
☘️ God wants us to be faithful to Him as well
If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself
(2 Timothy 2: 12-13)
☘️ Making known the faithfulness of the Lord
I will sing of the Lord ‘s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations
(Psalms 89: 1)
I will bow down toward Your holy temple and will praise Your name for Your love and Your faithfulness, for You have exalted above all things Your name and Your word
(Psalms 138: 2)
☘️ He make atonement for the sins of the people
The Lord is merciful and faithful
For this reason He had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that He might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because He himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted
(Hebrews 2: 17-18)
☘️ God was reassuring His people that their faith in Him would be rewarded
God is faithful to His plans and purposes
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord , “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future
🍁 A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offence
(Proverbs 19: 11)
☘️ When someone looses their patience, it generally means they become frustrated, irritable, or unable to remain calm and composed in a given situation
Sensible people control their temper. They earn respect by overlooking wrongs
We overlook offenses by looking up to God. We don’t focus on the offense itself
🙏 A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly
(Proverbs 14: 29)
☘️ The fruit of the Spirit is patience
🙏 Run the race that is set before you with endurance
(Hebrews 12: 1)
☘️ Perseverance is a great temperament. Anyone who looses patience may looses his soul
🙏 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised
(Hebrews 10: 36)
☘️ The most indispensable thing is patience. And patience can only be learned through tribulation, trial, and pain
🙏 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance
(Romans 5: 3)
☘️ Before the Lord returns, it is the most difficult time to endure, and it is also the time when patience is most needed. Patience is needed in suffering, and patience is needed in waiting. Faith, love, and hope all also need patience to be perfected
🙏 You also must be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the coming of the Lord is at hand
(James 5:8)
☘️ But often the only way you can truly dismiss, release, and let go of an offense is to get into the presence of the Lord and let Him help you
🙏 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently
(Romans 8: 25)
☘️ Give yourself patience
It takes time to learn and grow
Be kind to yourselves, empathetic and resilience. This is what you need to grow
Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains
🙏 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance
(2 Peter 3: 9)
🙏 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3: 12)
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ECCLESIASTES 8: 1-17
Who is like the wise?
And who knows the interpretation of a thing?
A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed
🍁 Obey Authorities for God’s Sake
I say: Keep the king’s command, because of God’s oath to him
Be not hasty to go from his presence
Do not take your stand in an evil cause, for he does whatever he pleases
For the word of the king is supreme, and who may say to him, “What are you doing?
Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way
For there is a time and a way for everything, although man’s trouble lies heavy on him
For he does not know what is to be, for who can tell him how it will be?
No man has power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death. There is no discharge from war, nor will wickedness deliver those who are given to it
All this I observed while applying my heart to all that is done under the sun, when man had power over man to his hurt
🍁 Death Comes to All
Then I saw the wicked buried They used to go in and out of the holy place and were praised in the city where they had done such things This also is vanity
Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil
Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they fear before him
But it will not be well with the wicked, neither will he prolong his days like a shadow, because he does not fear before God
There is a vanity that takes place on earth, that there are righteous people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked, and there are wicked people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity
And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun
When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on earth, how neither day nor night do one’s eyes see sleep, then I saw all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun However much man may toil in seeking, he will not find it out. Even though a wise man claims to know, he cannot find it out
