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I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! John 15:11
Throughout the gospels, we see Jesus being surrounded by disease, evil, and social unrest. Yet his goal for us in his teachings was to be filled with joy. Not because of those struggles, or to remove those struggles, but to give us strength, through those struggles.
As a follower of Jesus we can have JOY because we are JUSTIFIED through His sacrifice on the cross. Romans 5:1 tells us, “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.”
We can have JOY because when others fail us and we feel rejected we are assured of God’s OVERFLOWING LOVE. “No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:39)
We can have JOY because in the midst of life’s struggles, in those times we feel defeated and alone, Jesus gives us a YOKE OF REST. “Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)
Live in JOY today because of Jesus!
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. Luke 23:34
“They don’t know what they are doing.”
I was working in an internet city children’s program while in Bible College. I loved it, loved the kids, and truly enjoyed working in the multicultural setting. I learned a lot!
One time we were playing a game and one young man, in his excitement, screamed the name of Jesus! Mind you, this was a church run program, and I grew up in a very conservative, white, rural area. I was, needless to say completely taken back!
I’m not sure why I reacted as calmly as I did. I’m guessing the Holy Spirit has a lot to do with it. I called the young man over and asked him what he said and he told me very innocently. I put y hands on his shoulder and asked him if he knows what it meant. He didn’t. When I told him that was swearing his jaw dropped. He had no idea. He was very apologetic. After letting him know it was okay but let’s not say it again, he rejoined the group and has a great time.
Both of us learned a valuable lesson that night. He resided using the name of Jesus that way want s as god choice. I learned that we sometimes assume those who go against God’s ways aren’t always rebellious. Sometimes they are ignorant.
How would it change things in society if we responded to people who hurt, reject or misunderstand us if we realized they are acting in ignorance?
Before we judge perhaps we should teach. Before we hate, let’s show love and grace.
I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. John 15:9
“If God is a God of love, then why did my mom get cancer?”
“If God is a God of love, why is there evil in the world?’
“If God is a God of love, why did that natural disaster happen?”
“If God is a God of love…”
We hear it all the time. It’s one of the arguments athiests, agnostics and non-believers love to use to prove that if God does exist, he isn’t the type of God one would want to have faith in.
But love is proven more powerfully in bad times than the good. When life is easy, we tend to love everyone and everything. But true love? You see that in the picture of an elderly man helping his nearly crippled wife walk down the street.
You see true love in the husband or wife who patiently and faithfully helps their spouse through addiction.
You see true love in the mom and dad who faithfully sit by the hospital bed of a sick child.
And God? You see His true love in through the life and death of His Son, Jesus. God loved Jesus as His only son yet he allowed him to go experience the rejection of the very people he created.
He allowed Jesus to feel the sorrow of watching friends die, people being mistreated and parents following the casket of sons and daughters.
He watched, and eventually looked away, when Jesus endured the ultimate pain of the cross.
In all this tragedy, God’s love is the defining factor. Jesus endured all He endured to show us that true love flourishes in the painful times of life.
The very purpose God has for giving each of us life is so that He can show us love. A love that values us when others reject us. A love that empowers us as we endure hardship and rejection. A love that assures us that even though things may look dark now, a better day is coming.
The rejection of his people and the pain of the cross led to new life, eternal life, through the resurrection.
The same is true for us. We may never understand fully the ‘why’, of God allowing us to go through struggles, hardship and rejection, but one day like Jesus, we will be resurrected into a new life with him forever if we follow Him as Lord and Savior.
And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? Matthew 6:30
We live in a beautiful area. People travel from miles around to visit sights I see every day.
We were camping one time with my in-laws at a campground about 10 miles from our house. They’d been to the park before, but never camped there. As we sat around the fire one night, one of them said, “This is so beautiful here. I don’t know why we drive so far to camp elsewhere when we could just camp here!”
The point was well taken, and as we travel to other areas to view the scenery, I often wonder how often the locals stop to admire their surroundings. In their defense, it’s not that they are ungrateful or don’t see the beauty, but when a person sees the same thing everyday we tend to forget how beautiful it is and take it for granted.
Other times, we simply become so distracted by real life that we fail to see the beauty around us. It becomes so commonplace, we simply forget.
Spiritual life can be that way. We get distracted by issues at work. We get distracted by family concerns like finances, health issues and wayward kids. We get distracted by the social and political issues of the world.
But Jesus urges us (commands us?) to step back and remember how God cares for all of his creation. Even things such as wildflowers and sparrows. Scripture tells us he even knows how many hairs are on our heads! Talk about a God who is concerned about the details!
Maybe it’s time to step back and take a look at how God provides for us through His creation. Rather than watch the news, look at some pictures of landscape, read some passages from the book of Psalms, or, if you can, sit on your deck and just take in the views.
Don’t allow distractions keep you from seeing God’s direction. Rather than seeing problems look at God’s provision.
Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” Matthew 18:21
I was wrong. For the millionth time it seems I’d broken a promise. A promise I’d made, and broken, before. I was truly sorry. I had every intention of doing better. I tried to make things right. So, humbly, I asked.
“Will you forgive me? Again?”
Without emotion, or even eye contact, he said, “I have to forgive you. The Bible says so” and walked away.
I knew at that point I wasn’t forgiven. Words mean nothing when the heart isn’t in them.
Forgiveness is hard. Forgiveness to many is weakness. Forgiveness to some means placing yourself back in a toxic, hurtful relationship. Forgiveness to some means condoning the infraction. But forgiveness is also an act of faith and freeing oneself to move on.
Philip Yancey says, in his book ‘The Scandal of Forgiveness’, “By forgiving another, I am trusting that God is a better justice-maker than I am. By forgiving, I release my own right to get even and leave all issues of fairness for God to work out. I leave in God’s hands the scales that must balance justice and mercy. “
We are commanded to forgive, not trust. Forgiveness frees us, but does not require us to continue in a toxic relationship.
Who do you need to free yourself from through forgiveness? It’s a matter of heart. It’s a choice. It doesn’t require anything from the other person, not even their presence or knowledge of your decision.
Grace frees us. Grace opens our lives to power. Grace empowers us to forgive.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 