The Joy (Hebrews 12:2)

Motive is a key factor in a persons life. What we do does not necessarily reveal what we really are, but what motivates us reveals the deepest things about us. 

Jesus had a choice as to whether or not he would pay the price for our redemption. There could have been multiple reasons why he chose to bear and endure the terribleness of the cross, but one reason for certain was because of the joy that was set before him. 

The Scriptures do not exactly define what the joy was, but I like to believe that he was able to look into the far distant future and see the fellowship that we, as redeemed sinners, could have with him and the father. Without the cross, all that joy would have been lost. Joy greater than that of the shepherd with the lost sheep, the woman with the lost coin, and the father with the lost son. It is a joy of complete fullness with the absence of any sorrow. This is what moved Jesus: his deepest love and desire for the father, for us and the joy that we could share.

Upholding Others (Psalm 54:4)

Have you ever been so tired that you just couldn’t stand? If there wasn’t a chair available, you did the next best thing: you leaned against something to give you the support you needed. If by some chance you saw somebody in this type of a condition, you probably would have helped them along by holding them up.

Did you ever think of all the people who struggle so much with life that they just can’t stand any longer? All of life‘s hurts, struggles, disappointments—and for some trauma—continue to bear down upon a person‘s heart. Some choose to end their lives as a way of escape. Others successfully find the help and support they need.

Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul. (Psalm 54:4)

The support and help these people need are other people. They need the strength that others have to be shared with them and when this happens, their inner being or soul gains strength. Your actions of love—whether they are words spoken or written—bring strength to those who cannot stand alone. Any act of kindness can help those who are crumbling under their life‘s condition. You may not be able to do a thing about their circumstances, but you can be an encourager.

As you go to work, social events and church, look for the people that God brings to you for encouragement and share your strength with them.

When You Just Can’t Go On

Sometime back when I worked in the steel mill, I was a part of a crew of men that worked on changing the motor of a large crane. The work took place over the 200 foot tempering furnace, which created an extremely hard-working environment. The crew worked in 15 minute intervals because of the fatigue caused by the heat and after short periods of rest, we were refreshed, renewed in strength and ready to go again.

Life can have a fatiguing effect on our hearts, just as the heat did on our bodies in the steel mill. The effect is not so much the heat of the day, but the wearing away upon the heart by life‘s struggles. Health, financial, domestic and work issues can bear upon the heart of man causing him to stoop and even fall. But God has promised to be with us, provide comfort to our hearts and the strength that we need.

He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength (Isaiah 40:29)

The power that we need is not in us nor does God couple his power with ours so that the total is enough for us to endure. We must remember that he is our strength. (Psalm 46:1; 81:1)

As long as we continue trying to rise above life and the burdens that it bears upon us, we will continually fall which leads to greater anguish in the soul. But when we rest in him, we gain his strength. Resting in him does not mean a time of leisurely repose for the recovering of strength, but more like how God rested from his work of creation on the seventh day. He was not tired from his labor: his resting was him ceasing from work.

When we rest in Jesus, we cease from our own work—whether physical or soulish— and allow him to do his work in and through us. We give up our strength so that we may gain his strength.

So instead of trying harder to overcome, give up and then look to God so that he may do in you what you are unable to do.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalms 46:1)

Sing aloud unto God our strength: (Psalm 81:1)

Sweetarts in Life (2 Samuel 19:4-6)

Do you remember your childhood favorite candies.  One of mine was Sweetarts.  I remember when they came out.  They were a two inch disk that packed the best of both worlds in candy: sweetness and tartness.  This candy reminds me much about life: it is filled with sweet events and also events that are tart.  Things have changed since then: both my tastes and also the size of the candy, but life is still the same.

For the believer, blessing and sorrow come in the same package,  it is in times of deepest hurt and sorrow when God will be present to strengthen and comfort you.  The problem for many is that because their focus is so much on the hurt and sorrow, they fail to recognize God's presence or working in their lives.  David experienced just such an event.

But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son! And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines; In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well.  2 Samuel 19:4-6

He sorrowed so greatly over the loss of his son that he failed to see his victory blessing and the goodness of the Lord in the people that supported him.

As you face difficulties in your life such as financial strain, an unwanted diagnosis or any type of loss, remember that the event--as a two sided coin--has more that one aspect to it.  Trials and struggles will come, but the Lord has promised always to be present with you even in the midst of the struggle and he promises to see that all things work together for good. (Romans 8:28)

What you can do as you face trials is to stop and pray to the Lord.  Acknowledge that you know he allowed this event to occur and you believe that he wants to work and manifest his presence in the trial.  Pray for him to guide you and to help you recognize his workings.  Rest assured: although it may take time, he will answer your prayer.

Forget Karma: God is Watching (1 Samuel 26:23)

If the Lord gave you what you really deserved, would you be ready for it?  Would you look forward to it with joy or does the thought frighten you?  What we fail to recognize is that it is not just a hypothetical question. 

The Lord render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness: (1 Samuel 26:23)

These were words spoken by David when he interacted with King Saul who sought to kill him.  He knew that God was sovereign and would return upon men that which they have rendered to others.  The same still holds true today.  The New Testament describes the principle as sowing and reaping.  What you sow, you will also reap.  It may take some time before it arrives, but it is coming.  Just like it takes all summer for apples to grow and ripen on a tree, it may take most of a person's life before they reap what they sow, but be sure, they will reap.  

Much of this principle concerning sowing and reaping is in relation to how we treat other people.  If we sow righteousness towards others, then we will get righteous treatment back, but if we sow wickedness then wickedness awaits us.

Some may ask, "What guideline could I follow that would aid me in sowing righteousness?"  The answer would be to love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:39). If you allow your actions to be motivated by what is best for another person or make decisions that enable you to meet the needs of someone else instead of focusing on yourself, you will most consistently sow righteousness.  This doesn't require you to give all of your money to the poor or even to live a dejected life.  It only requires you to start focusing on others instead of yourself.  Give somebody recognition.  Show patience and mercy, try looking at situations from the other person's perspective or even take time to listen to people and their problems are opportunities that each of us have to sow righteousness.  It will not cost you one penny, but it will be an investment worth millions of dollars.

For you, the world of people is a field ready for planting.  What kind of seeds will you sow?

Fearing God vs Being Afraid of God

There is a difference between fearing the Lord and being afraid of the Lord. The former recognizes the greatness of God and his ability to do whatever he chooses. Therefore, he submits himself to the one that he recognizes as sovereign. Those who are afraid of the Lord, do not submit themselves to a sovereign God to rule over them. They instead perform actions in an attempt to keep God from exercising his anger upon them.  The former will have a love relationship with God: the latter will struggle with love and acceptance.

How did Job respond when his world caved in upon him?  He continued to fear the Lord. He remained steadfast in trusting God's sovereignty and continued to submit himself to him. (Job 1:21) Had Job been afraid of God, would his actions have been the same? Most likely not. His actions would have more been in line with those of his accuser.  If a person lives in fear and governs his actions to keep God from punishing him, how would he react when God does exercise wrath? As the accuser stated, "He will curse thee to thy face."  It would be in that manner that he would act.

God wants you to fear him, but not be afraid of him. Fearing God is respecting God for who he is and the power that he possesses. Those who fear the Lord will recognize God's ability to raise up and to put down, to love and admonish or to rebuke and chasten, and to exercise his will because what he desires is for the benefit of those he created.

When you are afraid of God, you have a difficult time accepting his love.  Being afraid and accepting love cannot cohabit because perfect love casts out fear. (1 John 4:18). Recognize that God loves you and that any actions that he has towards you will be motivated by his love.  As we seek him for our lives, blessings will flow to us from his love, but if our steps begin to slip, he by love will take whatever actions are necessary to keep us from ruining our lives.

Living a life of fearing the Lord is a joy and blessing, but living a life afraid of God is a struggle and burden.

Loving the God We Cannot See (1 Peter 1:8)

Love: a word used so freely today, but what does it mean?  True love is the desire that a person has to meet the needs of another without expecting to receive anything in return. With that, a great question arises. Can you love someone with whom you have never met face-to-face?

Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: (1 Peter 1:8)

The answer is simple. You can love someone that you have never seen, but only if you have had the opportunity to interact with them.

In the early 20th century, a man in America, named Charles, began to correspond with the young woman, named Minnie, who lived on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. Their many letters shared the events of their lives: their likes, dislikes, problems and struggles. The letters also contained hopes, dreams and passions. All the time as the letters were shared something began to happen. Each began to be concerned for the other and desired to be with them so that they may experience life together: to share, help, care and love.  They fell in love and one day, decided to marry. They never met face-to-face until the day that she came off of the ship on America's shore.  To them, it didn't matter what the other person looked like: they knew each other and recognized the beauty that each possessed within. Several decades later, I met them and marveled at their story of love.

We too can love someone that we have never met face-to-face. Through our interactions with the Lord, we can experience him in times of trials and testing. The words that he has recorded for us speak to our hearts and encourage us in the deepest of struggles. When sorrow comes, only his words bring comfort. When others have rejected and cast us out, his words of love and the promise to always be with us draw our hearts close to him. When nobody understands or cares, he does and he tells us to cast our cares on him. (1 Peter 5:7). When we are confused and searching for direction, he sheds light on our path to brighten the way. Each of these interactions bring us into a greater understanding of the person who saved us and through it all we begin to love him.

One day, we will embark off of the ship on eternities shore and will take part in the marriage between Jesus and his church. But until then, our hearts rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory all because we know and love this person that we have never seen.

A Different Look at the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12)

I know you are poor, but the kingdom will be yours.
I know you are mournful, but I will comfort you.
I know you see yourself as nothing, but you will inherit everything.
I know that you want justice and you will be satisfied.

Inspire of it all...
Be merciful to others and you will get the same.
Don't let the outside corrupt you on the inside and you will see God's handy work.
Help others find peace and you will gain a great testimony.
Endure hardship for doing right and you shall be rewarded.


Matthew 5:3-12
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

He Touched Him (Matthew 8:3)

Many times, there are behaviors that people do that are overlooked by most.  Some people wring their hands as they think about something that disturbs them.  Others may brush their hair from their face when they are nervous.  The behavior isn't really important, but what is important is the motivation behind the behavior.


And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, ... Matthew 8:3

As I consider the passage recording Jesus healing the leper, I cannot help but ask my self questions in regard to Jesus' behavior.  One question is why did Jesus touch the leper?  He didn't need to touch him in order to heal because the next few verses record Jesus healing the centurion's servant who was some distance away.

Consider this.  When do you think was the last time the leper was touched.  I don't mean being pushed as he fought for food or random interaction among lepers, but when was the last time the leper experienced a tender affectionate hand rest upon the side of his face?  When did he last feel a grasp on his should like that of a loving father who rests his hand upon the shoulder of his son?  It had probably been an extremely long time.  I believe that after years of rejection from society and solitude living, the touch was God's display of affection to the leper.  It seems that as Jesus's hand gently rested on the leper, a part of the leper revived and his heart filled with the experience of God's love.

Did you know that God wants you to have that same experience of his love.  Regardless of whatever is in your past, God wants to have a relationship with you.  He loves you dearly and has done--through Jesus' work on the cross--everything that is necessary for that relationship to occur.  Come before and ask as the leper did and ask.  The relationship is greater than you can imagine.

Holiness (Hebrews 12:10)

Being holy isn't something we are required to do: it is something that we get to partake in or experience.

For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. (Hebrews 12:10)

We do not strive to get it, we are holy and God wants us to abide in that holiness.  We are not chastened because we commit an act of sin, we are chastened when we depart from experiencing holiness and resist returning.  Sin is a divergence that leads us away from the holiness that God wants us to experience.  It robs both the believer and God from the goodness that he wants us to experience with him.  When we see this truth, we drop the burden of holiness and embrace the experience that awaits us.

Darkness or Light (1 John 1:5-7)

I remember when each of my children were born.  Each day was a high mark in my life.  As I held each child, my mind dreamed of plans for them.  I tried to imagine what they would become and what type of future God had prepared for them.

In a similar fashion, God has birthed us into his family and with that has given us gifts, abilities and a path for our lives.  Although each of us are different and have a different course set before us, we do have a common plan set by God.  One aspect of that plan is for us to have joy in our lives.  As we live in this fallen world, it may seem difficult to experience joy, but nonetheless God has ordained it.

And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. (1 John 1:4)

The contents of John's first epistle is intended to bring us to the point of experiencing the fullness of God's joy.  Experiencing the fullness of God's joy is not a matter of how to obtain it, but more so how to overcome obstacles that keep us from having it.  For you and me to have joy has been set forth by God.  However there are situations that may rob people from experiencing it.

The first is light versus darkness.  God is light and in him is no darkness.  For us to experience joy, we must live in the light.  People who live in the light are those who have experienced salvation and the new birth that is associated with it.

Ye are children of the light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.  (1 Thessalonians 5:5)

God clearly marks the obstacle that robs his creation from experiencing joy and that is salvation.  He contrasts light and darkness: the recognition of our sinfulness and need of salvation contrasted with self righteousness or sinlessness. (1 John 1:8)

We do not get joy by being sinless.  We get joy by recognizing our sin and calling out to a savior.  We must not get confused and think that it is a matter of staying in the light.  It is not staying in the light, but being in the light.  Those in the light are cleansed from sin--hence they sinned while in the light. (1 John 1:7)

God plans for you and me to have joy.  Hopefully, you have recognized your need for salvation and have experienced his Holy Spirit transformation from darkness to light.

Wisdom (Proverbs 9:12)

The wisdom that you gain is for yourself.  You will be the beneficiary of your wisdom an no one else.  You may strive to pass wisdom along to others, but in order for them to benefit from wisdom, they must accept it for themselves.

If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself:but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.  (Proverbs 9:12)

Just as spiritual growth is solitary, so likewise is wisdom. Seek daily for wisdom from God's word.  Pray and ask God to provide you with wisdom.  If he corrects you in your life, yield to his correction and receive the instruction of wisdom.  If you do these, your inner life will feast on the goodness of the Lord.

Knowledge of Salvation (Luke1:77)

As believers in Christ, we know that salvation is something that has already been accomplished for us.  We know that the complete debt for our lifetime of sin was paid by Jesus Christ and he accomplished this by becoming our substitute or sin bearer before God, but is that action of redemption all there is to salvation?  

There is much more to salvation than just the act of payment for sin.  What people fail to recognize is that salvation is more than an act performed by God, but that it is also a condition of life that he places us in.  In Luke 1:77, God records, "To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins."  The knowledge of salvation comes after and because of the action of salvation.

People know salvation when their sins are remitted or removed.  The action of salvation occurs when the debt of sin is reckoned to Jesus's account and the sinner is redeemed or bought back into a relationship with God.  Much more occurs such as adoption into God's family, God's righteousness imputed to us and being joint errors with Christ, but what also occurs is that we begin to live in the realm of salvation.  Salvation is not only an act, but also a condition of life.  Just as having cancer causes a person to live in the realm of illness and great wealth causes a person to experience the "rich" life, having the debt of sin removed by the work of salvation ushers believers into experiencing salvation.  One of the greatest things about salvation is the life that you experience after the act was completed.

When you live in salvation, there is nothing worth going back to. Oh don't be confused.  There have been many who have fallen to deceitfulness and made decisions to walk away from God, but they are like ships tossed in the sea.  Their lives again are shallow and empty.  They are not lost, just empty.  What brings hope is that God continues reaching out to them and if they so choose, they can return and again experience the wonderful life of salvation.

Gladness (Psalm 4:7)

Gladness, what is it?  It is a condition of the heart when a person experiences joy or laughter in their heart.  Some people seem to never experience it and others seem to have it as part of a daily occurrence.  Everyone is seeking for it, but few truly find it.  However, the Psalmist records that gladness is put into his heart by The Lord.

Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. (Psalms 4:7)

I cannot say that I have lived long or that I have the fullness of wisdom, but I can state that I have experienced the two types of gladness that are mentioned in this passage.  Gladness when corn and wine increase seems to relate to gladness that comes from events or prosperity.  Although each of these can bring gladness of heart, neither will have a lasting effect.  You can have all the success and money that your heart desires, but one bad phone call can rob you of that gladness.  However, find gladness in God and even adversity cannot take it from you.  Remember Paul admonishing us to be content in whatever situation we may find ourselves? (Philippians 4:11)

True lasting gladness comes from an active relationship with God.  I say active for a reason.  We initially receive gladness when we come to Christ.  Remember what you experienced?  Gladness filled your heart because you received forgiveness of sin and finally came to know the true God.  However, sin affects our relationship with the father.  When we sin, our fellowship with God is hindered and becomes distant.  Unless repentance occurs, more sin will be committed which will in an even greater way affect our relationship with God.  As we drift away from God, gladness drifts away from us because our joy and gladness is tied directly to him.  Therefore to continually experience joy, we must have an active relationship with God.

The joy that God brings, still passes all understanding.  Regardless of what conditions we face in life, God is there with us and ready to provide the gladness to our heart.  

Who Doesn't Want Joy? (1 Thessalonians 1:5-6)

The world thinks the believer is nuts.  Our faith does not make sense to them and our standard of living makes even less sense.  Why we cannot engage in some of their most desirable activities is beyond their understanding.  So then, why do we try to win or convince them for Christ with our holiness.  They don't want holiness and never will.  Holy living to them is a prison without bars.  I have yet to meet a person who wanted to come to Christ because they saw how consistently and holy a believer lived.

What brings people to Christ is when they recognize that he can meet their deepest needs.  Jesus offered the woman at the well a spring of living water flowing from within her soul.  Sounds pretty good to me.  The Philippian jailor saw the joy of Paul and Silas and most likely wanted the same.  I came to Christ partly due to the testimony of guy with whom I smoked cigarettes in the men's room in high school. I was so stunned by him coming to Christ and thought that maybe he found what I was so desperately looking for.

So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.  (1 Thessalonians 1:7)

Paul writes to the Philippian believers and praises them for their testimony for Christ and their effectiveness at influencing those around them and regions beyond.  How did they affect them?  It was by their joy.  The Bible tells us that the Philippians received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost (1 Thessalonians 1:6).  The believers had joy and the rest of the world wanted it.

Should we live holy?  Of course we should, The Lord commanded us to be holy (1 Peter 1:15-16).  But we must recognize that in order for us to be an effective light in the world, we must shine of the goodness that God is doing in our lives.  Anything less will be a failure.

Affliction and Joy Are Neighbors (1 Thessalonians 1:6)

In the mid 1800's, gold was found in California.  Thousands of fortune seekers flooded the state with hopes of finding the precious metal for themselves.  For those who found their fortune, it was a difficult task.  Only after a long period of digging through worthless rock was the gold discovered.  There, side by side, was rock and gold.  The only way to get to the gold was by digging through the rock.  Digging through rock was tiring, wearisome and injurious, but the gold made all the difference.

And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: (1 Thessalonians 1:6)

All of mankind experiences difficulties in life.  For the lost, there is no hope, strength or consolation.  But for the believer, there is always joy to be found.  Many fail to recognize this because they focus so much on the affliction that they are experiencing.  What they must recognize is that next to the hurt, there is joy to be found.

It isn't joy for the affliction, but joy in the affliction.  At each low point in our lives, God is there waiting to reveal himself to us.  When you experience his presence, you will also experience the joy that comes from knowing him.  Paul along with Silas and in the darkness of prison, sang praises to The Lord.  While in prison at Rome, Paul again experienced joy as he penned the Epistle to the Philippians.  John, on the isle of Patmos, endured persecution and then experienced a great revelation.  Let's not forget you.  In your deepest of moments when you were lost, you found Jesus, the gem.  The history of mankind is filled with people, who is great distress, experienced the joy of what Christ brought to them.

In your trial today, Jesus wants to give you joy.  You may find it in a passage of Scripture or it may come to you as you are reminded of God's greatness as you focus of one of the many splendors of creation.  Joy is there.  Don't step over it or be blinded to its presence.  If you can't find it, pray for God to reveal it to you.

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