Sunday, November 16, 2014
With Joy Abounding
This morning as I thought about fellowship yesterday I thought of all of the effort we put into trying to survive life. But are we really doing what needs be done? Perhaps the effort gets overwhelming when we are forgetting that God is on our side and that we are to be doing His will, not our own. It is like we get all wound up in the events of life and begin to focus on them. Our real focus should be on the things of God, on what He is doing and where He wants to take us. He wants us to be happy and at peace.
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
We can have these things if we seek God and His kingdom.
Matthew 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
We are given a path of life that allows us to be happy and have joy if we will take that path.
John 15:9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
John 16:22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
Jesus said that when He returns we will ask nothing from Him. The time to ask is while we await His return. And when we ask He will give it to us that our joy may be full. That is what we should expect if we keep His commandments. I long for that joy abounding, and I will keep believing and expecting His gifts to men.
Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You the Most High. You alone are worthy to be glorified. You alone are due the admiration of all mankind. Send Your kingdom to the earth today. Give us Your abundant provision. Let it overflow to those around us in need. Forgive us our sin. Let us be a sign for good that all men might know You alone have done these things and that You alone are God. Let all men see You are our King. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.