The Pursuit of Joy

Although our Ladies Bible Study will not be meeting this week, I am sending you two quotes concerning our pursuit of joy. For many years these thoughts have been the source of profitable meditation for me.

"Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased." CS Lewis

And then some thought provoking words from John Piper.

"...we do not make a god out of joy. We show, rather, that whatever we find greatest joy in is our God. And the greater the joy in him, the greater the glory we give. Where our greatest Treasure is, there is our heart’s greatest pleasure. ...No conflict! God’s glory and our joy rise together. For God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him."

What a rich, thriving soul we can have if we turn whole-heartedly to the God of the Universe for forgiveness and new life—and ultimately, joy.

Basic Christian Living Part 1

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Quite a direct list of commands concerning true Christian living finish off the final chapter of 1 Thessalonians. I would even dare to say the these directives likely seem strange to the average person today. However, no one who has had their soul redeemed by the death and resurrection of Jesus should ever view what God says here lightly.

F.B. Meyer brilliantly summarized the completion of this chapter in the following two paragraphs.

The remainder of the chapter is filled with brief sentences of exhortation, like cablegrams from our Heavenly Captain to his soldiers, who, in the previous section, are described as wearing the breastplate of faith and love. As we endeavor to put them into practice, we become conscious of a new and divine energy entering and quickening our nature. It is the God of peace who is at work, co-operating with our poor endeavors and sanctifying us wholly.

Each soul has a ministry to others, 1Th 5:14. A sketch is here given of the ideal believer, 1Th 5:16-22; full of joy, constant in prayer, giving thanks in everything, loving with the unquenched fire of the Holy Spirit, willing to listen to any voice that may bear a divine message, testing all events and utterances with a celestial solvent, steadfast in good, and persistent against evil. This is a high standard, and impossible of realization apart from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. But when the inner shrine is truly surrendered to Him, He will possess the whole temple, even to our physical well-being. God is faithful and will never fail the soul that dares to be all that He wills.

As we begin the final lesson of 1 Thessalonians this coming Thursday morning won’t you plan to join us and be encouraged by our discussion of this practical portion of Scripture?

Don’t forget the wonderful Good Friday service this week at 6:30. Also Easter will be celebrated with services at 8:30 and 11 on Sunday with a potluck breakfast at 9:30.

Also please note: There will be a baby girl shower for Emily Hunt on April 30th at the Helland’s home at 3pm.

The Culture of Woke-ness and the Christian

This Thursday morning Ernie Zarra will be addressing us on the topic of woke-ness. If you are unfamiliar with this term or would like to understand it better from a Christian perspective, please plan to join us. Husbands are also welcome and any friends that are not normally part of our study group; feel free to invite anyone you wish. Some questions Ernie will be answering include these: What does it mean? What are its characteristics? Woke Christians? How does Scripture apply?

It looks like our Livestream is working again. So, if you are unable to join us, you should be able to watch the class live at 9:30 or archived later in the week. I’m so thankful for the ladies that are part of our group online. If you have any questions email me at nancysuko@gmail.com.

See you on Thursday.