Complete Joy

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“Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be all right, and the determined choice to praise God in all things.” ~ Kay Warren
 

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.  John 15:9-11


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A Wobbly Table

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I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. Philippians 3:12


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Psalm 46

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Good morning.  Would you like to read words of encouragement?  Would you like to hear about hope?  In the midst of disturbing events around the globe, and a pandemic, much can seem gloomy and full of fear.  So, I wanted to dig into a beautiful Psalm and uncover a few gems that shine bright. 

Psalm 46 is a song of praise for God.  It seeks to put God on display for us to understand better who He is and what He can do.  The main idea of this Psalm is God is our refuge.  God, our Creator, is our safety and security.  He is our help in times of trouble – serious trouble. 

In the first three verses disasters are described, though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.”  Yet, even in the face of cataclysmic events we have no need to fear.  Why?  Because God is our refuge.  He is greater than the calamity.  He is trustworthy.  He is our help, a very present help.  Nothing in this world – natural disaster, pandemic, social upheaval, politics – can overwhelm our God.  

Not only is God our refuge, but He is also present with us.  He is near to us, not far from us.  We worship a God who is much involved in our lives.  He has not forgotten you.  Even in those moments when He seems at a distance, His voice is hard to hear, still He is with us.  Even when the noise of “the nations rage, kingdoms totter, He utters his voice and the earth melts” (Psalm 46:6). This chapter doesn’t highlight God eliminating calamity.  Instead calamity is happening throughout the psalm.  Yet, through all the calamity God is more powerful and present.  He is with us through it all, helping and strengthening us as we go.  

What is on your mind today?  What concerns you the most?  Is there something you’re afraid of today?  No matter what it is God is reassuring you that He is with you, He will help you, and you should trust Him.  Take time today to be still and reflect on who God is and what He promises to do.  Be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10).  No calamity, pandemic or political strife will overcome the power and sovereignty of God.  He is our refuge, our strength, our very present help in trouble. 

 


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Hope is Here

The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”  John 4:25-26
 

I’m an optimist.  I certainly see the upside in most situations.  I’m glad that negative circumstances don’t seem to overwhelm me, though I get concerned quite often.  I just try to find the positive in the negative, or the opportunity in the challenge.  I would much rather see the world with optimist eyes than with pessimism, but not everyone is wired this way.  I know many pessimists.  I have friends and loved ones that always see the glass half empty.  It’s not wrong to think optimistically or pessimistically unless your view denies reality.  Often its what we choose to focus on most when facing real challenges that determines whether we are optimistic or pessimistic.  I wonder which way you think?


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Jacob and Esau

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Then Jacob made this vow: “If God will indeed be with me and protect me on this journey, and if he will provide me with food and clothing, and if I return safely to my father’s home, then the Lord will certainly be my God.”  Genesis 28:20

 

I love the speedy gonzalez lunch special!  No matter what Mexican restaurant I visit that is always my meal choice.  A beef burrito, taco, and beans.  I sat there today with a friend ready to dig in.  We meet once a month to read the Bible and share together.  What is unique about this Bible study is that my friend doesn’t believe in God.  Our conversation is always so good.  We were hungry for some Mexican cuisine, and for the truth of God’s Word. 

We had read the narrative in Genesis about Jacob and Esau, Isaac’s twin sons (Genesis 25-35) before we arrived.  As we discussed the events in Jacob and Esau’s lives, we recognized a major observation.  No one in this narrative seems to be any good.  Esau understands God’s promise to his father Isaac, and certainly anticipates receiving the same blessing when he’s older, but he carelessly squanders it for a bowl of stew.  His anger rises against his brother Jacob to the point he’s willing to murder him.  Esau doesn’t show any faith in God and marries pagan wives. 

Jacob, with the encouragement from his mom, deceives his brother twice and his father once.  Jacob steals Esau’s birthright and his blessing.  He’s angered his brother so much he has to go!  Rebekah sends him to his kin in the east to find a wife, and to get away from Esau. 

What do we learn about people from reading this narrative?  No one is inherently good.  Jacob and Esau came into the world at odds with one another.  Rebekah and Isaac show favoritism in their family.  When I look around the world today, even in my own life, I recognize that we aren’t inherently good either.  We may want to be good.  We may have good intentions.  We may feel guilty when we’ve wronged someone else.  But we always fall short of being good.

We are broken.  We need help.  We need to change. 

As my friend and I discussed this idea, he asks, “So why did God bless them?”  You see God made a promise to Jacob’s grandfather, Abraham, and his father Isaac that he would bless them, and they would be a blessing to all the families of the earth.  God made the same promise to Jacob.  That’s pretty great, but what did they do to earn that favor from God?  The answer is nothing.  God did not bless them and keep his promise to them because of their efforts or good behavior.  Jacob didn’t do anything to earn God’s favor, but God gave it freely. 

While Jacob was on the run from Esau to find a wife, he encountered God in a vision at a place called Bethel.  He heard God’s promise and recognized that God was with Him.  He vows to remain faithful to God since God is promising to be faithful to him.  From that point on, Jacob had a relationship with God.  Jacob trusted God, and God continued to bless him. 

God blessed Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob because of His own grace and will.  God so desires to bless all the families of the earth (even you and me) through this family that He continues to keep his promise no matter what.  God remained with Jacob in spite of his shortcomings and deceitful character, but God didn’t let Jacob stay the same.  God helped Jacob change and become the man God created him to be. 

God keeps that same promise for us today.  God sent Jesus, His son, to live, die, and rise again to forgive our shortcomings and give us eternal life.  When we trust in God and follow His lead in our lives, He will change us too.  He will make us into the men and women He created us to be.  We haven’t done anything to earn God’s favor and blessing, but He certainly has given it freely.    

Will you take it and trust God today? 

 


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