“he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast” – Prov. 15:15
The joyful person’s condition is an unceasing banquet.
The joyless person’s condition is an unceasing famine.
True joy is found in the Lord.
Rev. Patrick Vincent
“he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast” – Prov. 15:15
The joyful person’s condition is an unceasing banquet.
The joyless person’s condition is an unceasing famine.
True joy is found in the Lord.
“The Lord is near.” – Phil. 4:5
This is true in both time and space.
Jesus is near in time (His return is immanent.)
Jesus is near in space (His presence is close).
Never forget the nearness of the Lord.
“In speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.” – 1 Timothy 4:12
What example are you presenting?
“Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand.” Acts 26:22
That’s my testimony too.
Here is the theology of thanksgiving.
“Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.” – Psa. 100
“I’m a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I’m a disciple of His and I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I’m done and finished with low-living, sight-walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, or first, or tops, or recognized, or praised, or rewarded. I live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by Holy Spirit power.
My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven. My road may be narrow, my way rough, my companions few, but my guide is reliable and my mission is clear.
I will not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.
I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice or hesitate in the presence of the adversary. I will not negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won’t give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ.
I am a disciple of Jesus. I must give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And when He does come for His own, He’ll have no problems recognizing me. My colors will be clear!”
– Author anonymous
“Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” – 1 John 2:15
Walking in the light excludes all love of the world.
“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” – Eph. 5:16
Time once lost can never be recovered. Redeem it.
“He said to me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?‘ And I answered, ‘O Lord GOD, You know.'” – Ezekiel. 37:3
God alone has the power by which such a wonder could occur.
“Little children, keep yourselves from idols!” – 1 John 5:21
“Keep” in Greek means a military guard; preserve by having an eye on; referring to the uninterrupted vigilance shepherds show in keeping their flocks.
That’s the level of security we should employ in defending ourselves from idols.