" I never knew what joy was until I gave up pursuing happiness." Malcolm Muggeridge
Joy to the world, the Lord has come. How often do we think about those words as more than just lyrics to a Christmas song" Along with peace, joy is a treasure for which people search their entire lives. Christians know that lasting joy has already come--in our Savior Jesus Christ! Imagine if everyone experienced the true joy of the season. What would your life be like without the joy that God provides? Do others know you've found His joy?
Psalm 78:70-72
He chose David his servant
and took him from the sheep pens;
from tending the sheep he brought him
to be the shepherd of his people Jacob,
of Israel his inheritance.
And David shepherded them with integrity of heart;
with skillful hands he led them.
Ps. 118:17
I will not die but live,
and will proclaim what the Lord has done.
Job 42:12-17
The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. And he also had seven sons and three daughters. The first daughter he named Jemimah, the second Keziah and the third Keren-Happuch. Nowhere in all the land were there found women as beautiful as Job’s daughters, and their father granted them an inheritance along with their brothers.After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. And so Job died, an old man and full of years.
3 John 2
Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.
Our marriage has nothing in common with Beelzebul, Satan, or Balaam. It is a holy matrimony marriage in Jesus name. Our calling is not for sale; it is from God Almighty from above with dove love and Spirit. In Jesus' name. It refuses Delilah at its head and rebukes Jezebel in its midst. In Jesus' name.
Love between man and woman has its way in attraction, obstacles, and finally joy, excitement, achievement, accomplishment. It is emblematic mission accomplished. It is resolution, solution, and conclusion. Marital love between husband and wife.
Love in Christ Jesus is the Lord Jesus Himself - fully man, fully Spirit, fully Holiness, fully Wisdom, fully Redemption, and fully Resurrection. The Lord Jesus was fully Holy Spirit in the virgin Mary's womb. Adam was fully man from the earth with the breath of God Almighty.