But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1 Timothy 6:6
But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.
Psalm 68:3
A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 15:13
“Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.”
John 16:20
“...and your joy no one will take from you.”
John 16:22
“And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”
Act 13:52
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness...”
Galatians 5:22
“For you are our glory and joy.”
1 Thessalonians 2:20
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,...”
James 1:2
“And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.”
1 John 1:4
The Declaration of Independence mentions the right the pursue the concepts of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness", but if you ask people what that means to them personally, what would the answer be? Would Scriptures like this be quoted, or would we hear that to so many they believe happiness is linked to wealth, vacations-stuff? I think the Founding Fathers, though, understood what has become so elusive today: like everything else that is real and lasting, our happiness and joy comes from the One who created us. It's not the stuff, but real relationship with the LORD, that brings joy, and it is the only thing that will last. In His presence is fullness of joy, and I'm not talking about just the weekly service we attend, there is so much more, He wants so much more for us. It has been said that the way to spell LOVE with dear ones is T-I-M-E, time we spend together. Not busy time spent doing things for the beloved, but actual time spent with Him... The Lord made us so that fulfillment, satisfaction, joy, true happiness can only be realized one way.
Jesus said, "Behold I stand at the door and knock...Whoever opens that door I will come in and dine with them..." To dine is to be satisfied, to commune with and relate to, to be nourished (and not just by food), think of joy and happiness as dessert!
Pursue Jesus today, beloved, He's easy to catch up to- He is running towards us, not away from us.
1 Timothy 6:6
But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.
Psalm 68:3
A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 15:13
“Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.”
John 16:20
“...and your joy no one will take from you.”
John 16:22
“And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”
Act 13:52
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness...”
Galatians 5:22
“For you are our glory and joy.”
1 Thessalonians 2:20
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,...”
James 1:2
“And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.”
1 John 1:4
The Declaration of Independence mentions the right the pursue the concepts of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness", but if you ask people what that means to them personally, what would the answer be? Would Scriptures like this be quoted, or would we hear that to so many they believe happiness is linked to wealth, vacations-stuff? I think the Founding Fathers, though, understood what has become so elusive today: like everything else that is real and lasting, our happiness and joy comes from the One who created us. It's not the stuff, but real relationship with the LORD, that brings joy, and it is the only thing that will last. In His presence is fullness of joy, and I'm not talking about just the weekly service we attend, there is so much more, He wants so much more for us. It has been said that the way to spell LOVE with dear ones is T-I-M-E, time we spend together. Not busy time spent doing things for the beloved, but actual time spent with Him... The Lord made us so that fulfillment, satisfaction, joy, true happiness can only be realized one way.
Jesus said, "Behold I stand at the door and knock...Whoever opens that door I will come in and dine with them..." To dine is to be satisfied, to commune with and relate to, to be nourished (and not just by food), think of joy and happiness as dessert!
Pursue Jesus today, beloved, He's easy to catch up to- He is running towards us, not away from us.
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