Foundation Scriptures Acts 2:17 & Acts 20:24
The Lord always works when His people meet his conditions. The first condition is oneness of mind among the persons who are seeking God's presence. How wonderful unity is within the body of the Lord Jesus Christ! Unity often precedes blessing, and this can be demonstrated over and over again throughout the Bible.
Joy means the perfect fulfillment of that for which we were created and regenerated, not the successful doing of a thing. Our joy, like that of Jesus, should be doing that which we were sent/created to do. Jesus said: "As my Father hath sent ME, even so am I sending you." Have I received a ministry from the Lord? If so, have I been loyal to it, to count my life precious only for the fulfilling of that ministry? Just think of the satisfaction it will be to hear Jesus say: "Well done, good and faithful servant"; to know that you have done what HE sent you to do.
"Lovest thou Me?" Then- "Feed My sheep." There is no choice of service...only the absolute loyalty to Our Lords commission!
Remember how much the Lord Jesus Loves you!
Your definition of joy-the perfect fulfillment of that which we are created for-is great. I think may times as Christians we talk about the Joy of the Lord and the Joy of Jesus and speak on how true Godly joy is different from worldy happiness, but we rarely have the words to explain this. but what could be more joyful than following the will of the One who loves us most?? Spectacular. I also enjoyed the foundation scriptures. Acts 20:27-28 is also very relevant to what you wrote on.
ReplyDelete"27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God[a] which He purchased with His own blood."
We are called to shepherd the church of God, the Holy Spirit has appointed (or perhaps anointed us) us as overseers of Christ's church. If we are not joyful, perhaps we should look into whether we are fulfilling the role of shepherd and overseer.