Word for Today, Wed, 26 Jun 2002: From Mourning to Rejoicing

#1 · June 26, 2002, 2:17 pm

Quote from Forum Archives on June 26, 2002, 2:17 pm
Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

During the past day, I received a message from someone I do not
know who resides somewhere in India - at least that's what the
message indicated. I'll share it with you at the end of today's
message.

This message is important to me. I have to keep it always close
in my mind.

In recent years, some of the scripture passages that have been
nearest and dearest to my heart are these:

Matthew 22-34:40
Romans 12:1-2
Ephesians 3:14-21
Philippians 2:1-11
Philippians 4:4-9
James 1:2-4

At least two of these passages speak directly about having a
joyful attitude, even when the events in our lives seem to give
us very little to rejoice about. Another of the passages reminds
us to love God unreservedly, with every ounce of energy that we
have, and to love one another with that same intensity. Wow, am
I doing that?

At least two of these passages also tell us to earnestly seek God
and pray constantly. Another passage I know of, 1 Thessalonians
5:16-18, covers this same ground. Is this what I am actually
practicing in my life? Lord, help me, so that I can answer "Yes"
to that question!

Another of these passages gives a description of the nature,
character, and attitude of Jesus Christ.

Here's something that I want to be able, in all honesty, to say
about each one of you:

"Thanksgiving and Prayer

3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers
for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your
partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being
confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will
carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is
right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you
in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and
confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. 8
God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of
Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound
more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you
may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless
until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of
righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and
praise of God." (Philippians 1:3-11, NIV, courtesy of the Web
page link below):

bible.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/bible?passage=PHIL+1&language=english&version=NIV&showfn=on&showxref=on

My friends, I've been feeling discouraged today. Perhaps you are
doing well; perhaps some of you are discouraged, too. Let us not
lose hope. Let's fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher
of our faith. Those kind of words can be found in scripture ---
do all of you know where to find them? If not, use the search
tool at bible.gospelcom.net/ to help you to locate them.

I mourn with those who mourn. I rejoice with those who rejoice.
Every time I think about my own struggles, I realize that I am,
by no means alone. Still, it helps to be encouraged.

Wherever you may be today, if you are a person of faith, it is
important to take grasp of the Word of God and allow it to be
practical in your life. First, you have to read it, you have to
think about it regularly and often, and you also have to practice
it in your life; otherwise it becomes nothing more than a bunch
of words. We KNOW that's not all it is, for the Word of God
contains power! The Bible says that God SPEAKS and things
HAPPEN! Which of us can do that? Certainly not by our own
might, but by God's Spirit all things are possible.

Therefore, I use the power of God's Word and the reach of the
Internet (apparently a tool that God can use through ordinary
people) 🙂 to reach out to each of you.

I'd like to repeat the prayer I shared yesterday, that we may
each examine ourselves and allow God to work in our lives!

Dear Lord,

Show us today how we may spur one another on to love and good
deeds, just as Your Word tells us. Help us to encourage one
another, remind us to read Your Word, impress on us the
importance of building relationships with one another. Please
forgive us for our negligence in all of these matters, and gently
lead us to a much better place. I ask these things humbly, in
Jesus' Name. Amen.

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian

NUR UL ALAM MINISTRY. P.O.BOX.15.MANJERI 676121 KERALA.INDIA

He went on his way rejoicing. Acts 8, 39.

Isn't that what we all wish for? That every day on life's
pathway should be filled with joy? Since our experience tells us
that this is not the case, however, we seek every opportunity and
occasion to enjoy ourselves to the full, as they say, where we
can forget all the stress, the problems and fears of our
life. But lasting joy simply cannot be bought with money. The
time always comes when disappointment sets in.

The person referred to in today's scripture was such a seeker,
although he held high office in the service of queen Candace of
Ethiopia. He must have tasted pleasures galore beforehand, for
people were not ignorant as to earthly enjoyment even in those
days. But it was the ultimate fulfillment that brings true,
unceasing joy that eluded him, just as it does ourselves.

He had attended services of worship in the honorable city of
Jerusalem. Had he reached his objective thereby? Unfortunately,
no! In order to understand how God intervened to come to the aid
of this Ethiopian minister, you should read the interesting
account in the book of Acts.

A man of God was sent to explain the passage of scripture on a
parchment that he had procured and was reading on his homeward
journey. That brought about a momentary change: he made the
acquaintance of Jesus Christ, who alone can grant lasting joy.

That happened through the printed word! You may smile
incredulously. Then read for yourself what that man experienced
and how joy entered his life. Then ask yourself if that isn't
what you yourself want.

=====
--
Brian Masinick, "The Mas", mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! - Official partner of 2002 FIFA World Cup
fifaworldcup.yahoo.com

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

During the past day, I received a message from someone I do not
know who resides somewhere in India - at least that's what the
message indicated. I'll share it with you at the end of today's
message.

This message is important to me. I have to keep it always close
in my mind.

In recent years, some of the scripture passages that have been
nearest and dearest to my heart are these:

Matthew 22-34:40
Romans 12:1-2
Ephesians 3:14-21
Philippians 2:1-11
Philippians 4:4-9
James 1:2-4

At least two of these passages speak directly about having a
joyful attitude, even when the events in our lives seem to give
us very little to rejoice about. Another of the passages reminds
us to love God unreservedly, with every ounce of energy that we
have, and to love one another with that same intensity. Wow, am
I doing that?

At least two of these passages also tell us to earnestly seek God
and pray constantly. Another passage I know of, 1 Thessalonians
5:16-18, covers this same ground. Is this what I am actually
practicing in my life? Lord, help me, so that I can answer "Yes"
to that question!

Another of these passages gives a description of the nature,
character, and attitude of Jesus Christ.

Here's something that I want to be able, in all honesty, to say
about each one of you:

"Thanksgiving and Prayer

3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers
for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your
partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being
confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will
carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is
right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you
in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and
confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. 8
God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of
Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound
more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you
may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless
until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of
righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and
praise of God." (Philippians 1:3-11, NIV, courtesy of the Web
page link below):

bible.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/bible?passage=PHIL+1&language=english&version=NIV&showfn=on&showxref=on

My friends, I've been feeling discouraged today. Perhaps you are
doing well; perhaps some of you are discouraged, too. Let us not
lose hope. Let's fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher
of our faith. Those kind of words can be found in scripture ---
do all of you know where to find them? If not, use the search
tool at bible.gospelcom.net/ to help you to locate them.

I mourn with those who mourn. I rejoice with those who rejoice.
Every time I think about my own struggles, I realize that I am,
by no means alone. Still, it helps to be encouraged.

Wherever you may be today, if you are a person of faith, it is
important to take grasp of the Word of God and allow it to be
practical in your life. First, you have to read it, you have to
think about it regularly and often, and you also have to practice
it in your life; otherwise it becomes nothing more than a bunch
of words. We KNOW that's not all it is, for the Word of God
contains power! The Bible says that God SPEAKS and things
HAPPEN! Which of us can do that? Certainly not by our own
might, but by God's Spirit all things are possible.

Therefore, I use the power of God's Word and the reach of the
Internet (apparently a tool that God can use through ordinary
people) 🙂 to reach out to each of you.

I'd like to repeat the prayer I shared yesterday, that we may
each examine ourselves and allow God to work in our lives!

Dear Lord,

Show us today how we may spur one another on to love and good
deeds, just as Your Word tells us. Help us to encourage one
another, remind us to read Your Word, impress on us the
importance of building relationships with one another. Please
forgive us for our negligence in all of these matters, and gently
lead us to a much better place. I ask these things humbly, in
Jesus' Name. Amen.

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian

NUR UL ALAM MINISTRY. P.O.BOX.15.MANJERI 676121 KERALA.INDIA

He went on his way rejoicing. Acts 8, 39.

Isn't that what we all wish for? That every day on life's
pathway should be filled with joy? Since our experience tells us
that this is not the case, however, we seek every opportunity and
occasion to enjoy ourselves to the full, as they say, where we
can forget all the stress, the problems and fears of our
life. But lasting joy simply cannot be bought with money. The
time always comes when disappointment sets in.

The person referred to in today's scripture was such a seeker,
although he held high office in the service of queen Candace of
Ethiopia. He must have tasted pleasures galore beforehand, for
people were not ignorant as to earthly enjoyment even in those
days. But it was the ultimate fulfillment that brings true,
unceasing joy that eluded him, just as it does ourselves.

He had attended services of worship in the honorable city of
Jerusalem. Had he reached his objective thereby? Unfortunately,
no! In order to understand how God intervened to come to the aid
of this Ethiopian minister, you should read the interesting
account in the book of Acts.

A man of God was sent to explain the passage of scripture on a
parchment that he had procured and was reading on his homeward
journey. That brought about a momentary change: he made the
acquaintance of Jesus Christ, who alone can grant lasting joy.

That happened through the printed word! You may smile
incredulously. Then read for yourself what that man experienced
and how joy entered his life. Then ask yourself if that isn't
what you yourself want.

=====
--
Brian Masinick, "The Mas", mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: http://www.geocities.com/masinick/

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! - Official partner of 2002 FIFA World Cup
fifaworldcup.yahoo.com