You Shall Go Out With Joy!

A friend of ours loves to meet our needs and do 

special things for us. And then when we express 

our joy and gratefulness for his gift, he replies, 

"It makes me so happy that you enjoy it."

God is so much more like that.  He is a cheerful 

giver who "takes pleasure in the welfare of His 

children."  He has given us "all things that pertain 

to life and godliness" according to 2 Peter 1:3.   

What glorifies and pleases God most is when we 

receive His gifts with joy and thankfulness.

Therefore, it follows that every Christian that has 

received His gift of salvation and the "all else" 

provided should be someone who continually 

exhibits joy and thankfulness.  While It is God's 

will, according to 1 Thess 5:23, that we give 

thanks in all circumstances, this message will 

focus on being filled with joy.

In John 15, Jesus shares about abiding in Him 

and in His Word which enables us to bear fruit.  

He compares our relationship to Him as close as 

branches joined to the vine.  Then Jesus points 

out why He has given us this truth, "that My joy 

may be in you and your joy may be full."  Likewise, 

in Psalm 16, God declares "in His presence is 

fullness of joy."  Being with and in Jesus is being 

filled with His joy.

Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness 

is what Jesus instructed all men.  But what is the 

Kingdom of God where Jesus reigns as King?  

According to Romans 14, the kingdom of God is 

"righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit."  

Clearly, our joy is a testimony that Jesus rules in us.  

This joy is so strong and dominant that we can even 

"count it all joy" when trials come, knowing that our 

loving Father is working good in us.

As Christians we are told to "rejoice, and again I say 

rejoice."  This is a command.  We can choose to 

reject any other thought or feeling that tends to focus 

on the troubles of the world and instead, focus on the 

goodness and mercy of God.  Surely goodness and 

mercy will follow each of us today and forever.  We 

are so blessed that our only honest response to all 

He is and has done for us is to be filled with joy and 

thankfulness.  This attitude so pleases God that He 

declares in Isaiah 55:12, "you shall go out with joy, 

and be led out with peace; the mountains and the 

hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all 

the trees of the field shall clap their hands."    

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Fresh and Equipped

The Lord leads us beside still waters to refresh 
our soul, which includes our thoughts, feelings, 

and desires. As Psalm 59 declares, "O my 

Strength, I will sing praises to You; for God is 

my strength, the God who shows me loving-

kindness."  We know God's mercy is fresh 

every morning, but so is His strength, as our 

mind is renewed by the truth of all He is and 

what is given to us. 

 
We live in a day of daily recharging with our 

phones, digital devices, laptops, and even electric 

vehicles.  Likewise, our bodies, muscles, and 

brain need to be renewed every night.  So it 

makes sense that the God who designed all this, 

would also prepare a way for us to renew our 

thoughts, feelings, and desires with fresh 
awareness of His mercy and strength each day.  

This special place is when we read the Word 

and focus on His mercy and truth, even singing 

a song to Him and reflecting on His promises, 

that our minds and hearts can be refreshed.  

Then we can start the day aware that we have 

His heart-cleansing mercy and His divine 
strength to do the things we need to do.  

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens 

me."

There is a reason why God tells us (2 Corinthians 

13:5) to test ourselves whether we are in faith, "do 

you not know that Jesus Christ is in you?"  Jesus 

promised the Holy Spirit would make us His temple, 

and that even the Father and Jesus would dwell 

in us. (John 14)  We live by faith.  Galatians 2:20 

states, "I have been crucified with Christ, 

nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ lives in me, 

and the life that I now live in the flesh I live by faith 
in the Son of God who loves me and gave Himself 

for me."  We pass the test by believing the Lord 

who loves us and gave Himself for us now 

empowers us to live a victorious life. 

No wonder the armor of God calls us "above all" 

to take up the shield of faith, as we intentionally 

choose to believe and declare Jesus is Lord who 

lives in us.  Knowing this truth that He who dwells 

in us is greater than he who is in the world 

establishes our authority and victory.  Because of 

His abiding presence, and His fresh mercy and 

love, we know and can trust His life and power 

to equip us for the day ahead.  

Therefore, put on this fresh thought and 

understanding that the Lord Jesus Christ is in you 

and by faith so you are ready for the day!

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How to Get Free

There is only one way to get free of our flesh: to fail and repent. 

Psalm 51 shares the painful truth of David's moral failure and his turning to God for mercy.  It is never pleasant to focus on our moral failures; we would rather share our triumphs.  However, God is always able to turn things around, and amazingly, in this case, we see a fresh awareness and desire for truth in our innermost being, having a clean heart, knowing the presence of the Holy Spirit, and experiencing the joy of our salvation.  God always works things for good for those who love Him and are called to His purpose. 

This principle is also shown in 2 Corinthians 4:11, "For we who live are always being delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh."  Likewise, Romans 8:13 declares that "if by the Holy Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live."  The result of coming to the end of ourselves is the release of Jesus' life and power in us. 

To be sanctified, or being made like Jesus, is really just being set free from the flesh.  

The Lord desires a broken and contrite heart rather than sacrifices.  He shares that "on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite heart" in Isaiah 66:2.  Obviously, God knows we are made of dust and have a fallen nature.  He doesn't condemn us even though we fail.  What He desires is for us to humble ourselves and honestly acknowledge our failures.  Then, almost beyond our greatest imaginations, rather than condemn us, He delights in showing mercy to the one who seeks His forgiveness. 

Only a loving God can turn our failures into life-giving events.  The worst thing man could ever do is for human beings to crucify the Son of God, yet this very event because of God's beyond-description love and mercy, opens the door for all men to be saved and become children of God forever.  After we fail and turn to God for forgiveness, we grow in greater appreciation for all He has done for us, and hopefully, greater knowledge of what an awesome and merciful God He is.  

Stand fast, therefore, in the freedom which Christ has set you free.  

God: Obvious or Hidden?

Is God hiding?  It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the honor of kings to search out a matter according to Proverbs 25:2.  

The knowledge of God may be hidden to the average person.  Yet on the other hand, Romans 1:19-20 points out that "what may be known of God is evident.  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead."  God is ever visible in all He has made so no one can honestly deny Him, but the greater goal, knowing Him personally and intimately, has conditions that depend upon us. 

God has deliberately hidden truth for some and deliberately shown His nature and character to others.  Jesus explained to his disciples that "it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given."  Therefore, I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand."  God deliberately conceals Himself and intimate knowledge of Him because He waits for us to desire Him.  In Jeremiah 29 it states this condition, "when you seek Me with all your heart, I will be found."  

There are three reasons why God has concealed Himself.  1) God is not an intellectual concept and as 1 Corinthians explains, "in his wisdom it is impossible to know Him through human wisdom." He reveals Himself to mere babes but declares that all human wisdom is foolishness.  2)  He will not reveal Himself just to boast or satisfy our curiosity.  When Herod wanted to see a sign or miracle just to show off, Jesus refused to even answer.  3)  God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.  He draws near to the one with a contrite and humble heart.  God knows the intents and motives of the heart, so man shows his highest purpose and glory when He humbles himself and chooses to receive the Word of God with meekness. Humbling ourselves to acknowledge sin allows the Spirit to lead us into all truth, especially the truth that Jesus is Lord and Savior of all who come to Him.  

Jesus is the truth.  He openly demonstrated that sin deserves death and that through His death and resurrection the penalty for sin has been paid.  He further declares that eternal life is not just duration, but rather quality of life.  "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. (John 17:3)"  He was sent to redeem man and bring us back to God, so obviously He desires all men to be saved and come to know Him forever.  Yet the simple invitation is "Who so ever will."

It is the glory or honor of kings to search out a matter.  The Word, in Revelation 1, declares this tribute to Jesus, "To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."  It is our honor as kings to search out knowing God and humbling ourselves to accept His invitation to come into a saving knowledge of God.  He honors those who honor Him with an intimate relationship of glorious life that never ends.  

Right with God

Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.  Righteousness in simple terms is being right with God.  However, there are two basic definitions.  One is pleasing God by doing the things that He tells us are right, and the second, is to be right next to God, right with Him.  If we are mindful that the Lord is with us, our choice to do what pleases Him is easy. 

The Word in Psalm 37 declares many benefits of being righteous.  God promises to bring forth our righteousness as the light, rising as the dawn.  Even though the wicked plot against the righteous, the Lord will "sustain the righteous."  Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many wicked.  He declares they will not be ashamed in the time of evil and in the days of famine they will have abundance.  The righteous have the character of God, which is to be gracious and give, as we see the nature of God in the familiar declaration, "God so loved the world that He gave..."  He promises that the righteous will not be forsaken but will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.  Furthermore, the mouth of the righteous "utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice."

The point is that righteousness is the currency of heaven.  Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.  We are only as rich as we are righteous.  In the world people often consider wealth as money, fame, and position.  However, these items are temporary and can give only fleeting pleasure, but righteousness, being right with God in action and in position, is true worth and lasts for eternity.  

All God asks is our willing response, "Come to me, all you heavy burdened and I will give you rest."  As we humbly come and acknowledge our falling short, He gives the most valuable gift, His righteousness.  We can rest, right now in total peace without guilt or anxiety, in His presence.  He became sin that we might become the righteousness of God.  His death and resurrection is the ultimate provision so we can receive and enjoy the awesome reality of literally sharing His righteousness, being seated with Jesus at the right hand of God.  Naturally from this high position of His righteousness, we have the powerful gift and authority to live a life of love, peace, and joy.  

Take time to receive and be refreshed in the righteousness of God.  Then, aware of your eternal position of being next to God, choose to walk in the choices that please Him.  Enjoy and maintain the righteousness of God, and all else will be added.  

 

Tested by Fire

Jesus endured the cross, despised the shame, because of the joy that was set before Him.

The same principle applies to us.  In 1 Peter 1:6-7, God tells us to rejoice in the glorious salvation Jesus has won for us, BUT... "if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ." Trials are God's testing to determine how genuine or real is our faith, and to allow us a very tangible way to honor and glorify God.  The Lord is pleased with every godly choice from giving a child a glass of water to laying our life down for our faith.  There is no joy like being able to give glory to God, which lasts forever and is worth a million times the cost now.

Life is filled with opportunities to grow.  Actually, maturing comes from making good choices that make godly qualities a part of our nature.  Everything starts with applying God's gift of faith to accept Jesus and be born again.  2 Peter 1:5-10 would then tell us to add to our faith, virtue, and to our virtue, knowledge, and to our knowledge, self-control, and to our self control, perseverance, and to our perseverance, godliness, and to our godliness, brotherly love, and finally, to our brotherly love, the agape God-kind of love.  When we practice and acquire these qualities, the Word promises we will never fail.

Scripture warns about those who say, Lord, Lord, and then do not do the will of God.  Jesus had very strong words of condemnation for the behavior of the hypocritical Pharisees.  There is a need to demonstrate that we don't just believe and love in word, but in word and deed.  There is parable about two sons that Jesus told in Matthew 21 where the first refused to obey and the second said, "Oh yes, I will."  However, he did not.  But the first son who first refused, repented and did the work.  None of us in our flesh want to obey God, our flesh will not and cannot please God.  It requires a choice, by the power of the Spirit, to put to death the deeds and desires of the flesh.   

God also promises to refine us as fire, so don't think it strange when the fiery trial comes but rather rejoice.  James would give the same instruction, to count it joy when various trials come because they produce patience, that we may be "perfect and complete, lacking nothing."  Psalms, as well as Isaiah and Zachariah, explain that God refines us as silver is refined.  Silver is melted over a fire so the impurities float to the top.  Then the master skims off the impurities.  The fire continues, and the master continues to skim off the impurities until He can see the reflection of His own face in the silver. 

So trials are necessary steps to help us get rid of the baggage of fallen nature and choose to walk in the Spirit.  God, being God, is a very present help in times of trials and openly offers the Spirit's help to will and to work for His pleasure.  Truly, God works all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

We will be tested by fire.  Rather than dreading the trials, we are invited to see the joy set before us, as God uses these as opportunities to demonstrate the genuineness of our faith and to let Him perfect us through them.  Notice the purpose and fruit of trials in this end-time passage in Zachariah (13:9) about the effect of trials for the people of Israel, "I will bring the one-third through the fire, will refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘This is My people’; and each one will say, ‘The Lord is my God. ”  Trials by fire refine us to declare and confirm that Jesus is Lord of our lives.  

He Opens My Ear

God is not quiet.  He wants to speak to you and direct your steps today.  "He awakens me morning by morning, He awakens my ear to hear as the learned, the Lord has opened my ear..." according to Isaiah 50:4.   While this is obviously describing the Father speaking to Jesus and giving Him the fortitude to go through the torture of paying for sin, it is also very directly addressed to you and me.  God hasn't changed and is no respecter of persons.  

Jesus, in His overcoming temptation in the wilderness, also spoke this truth in a different way.  Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word (rhema - the spoken word for the exact situation and time) that proceeds (verb tense - constantly proceeding) from the mouth of God.  Just as bread sustains the physical man, the spoken word from the Father gives life to the spiritual man.  This ever-flowing voice is what makes us live, or if you will, enables us to overcome with the abundant life.  

Often when we wake up, our thinking and feelings are very fleshy, so taking time to read the Word and letting the giving-life rhema transform our thoughts and feelings to His thoughts and ways is essential.  Psalm 23 would confirm this: He leads me beside the still waters, He restores my soul (my thoughts, emotions, and will).  We let the Spirit renew our mind and re-fill our faith as faith comes by hearing, and hearing, the Word of God. We live by faith, which is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen.

Many Christians deny or confuse whether they hear God.  Hebrews 5:14 would suggest that we grow or become mature by practice, having our faculties trained to discern good and evil.   Therefore, the more we consistently take time to wait on God and receive a word from Him, the more our ability to hear grows and the clearer His voice becomes.  It is good to force ourselves to decide what God is saying by writing it down in a journal.  God is the One who "opens our ear to hear" so He is also the One who will confirm His word to help us know His voice.  

We grow from being children born of the Spirit (John 1:12) to becoming mature sons of God (Romans 8:14) when we are led by the Spirit.  Therefore, take time today to read and hear the Word, waiting upon Him to discern His spoken word to you, and write down what, to the best of your knowledge, is from Him.  Review it later and begin the simple practice of hearing His voice each morning to let Him give you His life.  God is faithful and He who opens your ear will help you learn to hear.