Scripture
Those who have been ransomed by the LORD will return; they will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting Joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear and they will be filled with joy and gladness.
~Isaiah 51:11, NLT {IMMERSE}
Quote
“Joy bursts in our lives when we go about doing the good at hand and not trying to manipulate things and times to achieve joy.”
~C. S. Lewis
The nation we know as Israel has endured some pretty difficult times. Their bondage in Egypt was no picnic and neither was the Babylonian captivity. Actually, the one word that best describes Israel’s history is STRUGGLE. I don’t know of a people who have encountered for difficulty and calamity. Isaiah 51 is prophecy of a better day; a brighter tomorrow. I read Isaiah 51 just a couple of days after seeing a dear friend lose her husband. This young lady has had one sorrow after another for the last ten years and yet her spirit seems indomitable. My heart was breaking for her as she grieved the loss of her husband. When I saw these verses, my heart skipped a beat…there is a brighter day coming for Israel and there is a brighter day coming for all believers and followers of Jesus Christ. Yes there is sorrow, pain and grief galore in this world but this world is not our home. We are headed for a new world where there is no sorrow, no disappointment, no stress, no tension, no worry, no anxiety, no strife, no war, no Marxist, no Christ haters, no covid, no cancer, no heart attacks, no orphans, no aborted babies, no shame and did I mention NO GUILT!
I changed my desktop background a couple of weeks ago. It was a picture of coach Saban and the team celebrating the national championship last year. Repeating is hard to do and we came short. I replaced it because we can’t live in the past. It was fun while it lasted but it didn’t last forever. Yeah, there is some joy and gladness in this world for which I am thankful but it will not last. This kind of joy is fleeting; here today and gone tomorrow. My heart cries for more. I want a JOY that will last and that is found only in JESUS.
Extra
After the brutally cold weather, yesterday was a wonderful day, no wind and 60 degrees: it was refreshing. I got to see my name sake, our first great grand son. He and his mom are doing great. Big mama gave him his first bath and he didn’t like it. He talked about the democrats and fake news while she bathed him. He hollowed lie, lie, lie; at least that what it sounded like. He was born with seven biological great grand parents. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of such.
Notes and Quotes I found while cleaning my office
Nine Ministries of the Word of God
- The Word gives life–John 6:68
- The Word convicts us of sin–Acts 2:37
- The Word encourages believers–Hebrews 12:5
- The Word enlighten the mind–Psalm 119:105
- The Word produces faith–Romans 10:17
- The Word cleanses–Ephesians 5:26, 1 Peter 1:22
- The Word is a sure foundation to build on–Matthew 7:24-27
- The Word reveals what is of the spirit and what is of the soul–Hebrews 4:14
- The Word revives–Psalm 119:25