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Tag Archives: joy

I Need Thee every Hour.

20 Monday Jun 2016

Posted by Ron Thomas in Uncategorized

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holiness, joy, pain, peace, temptation

“What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me–practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you….And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:9, 19 ESV)

Peace and tranquility in life is very important to each of us. Sometimes, however, it seems to be missing. In Scripture there is a peace from God that is never missing. Paul reminds us of that in the two verses from Philippians 4. We are also reminded of this in the song we sing, “I need thee every hour.” Let us reflect on a few thoughts from the song.

1) No tender voice like thine can peace afford. There is nothing like the soothing voice of a mother to help when the pain of life is so great it makes one immobile. Jesus’s voice is tender (Matthew 11:28-30), but let us not think it is so tender than He does not demand that we turn from our sins and live righteously (Ephesians 5:17, 17). It is unfortunate that many in this world look upon Jesus as only a tender voice that calls us from despair, and while He is that, I am glad the He is certainly that and more.

2) Temptations lose their power when thou art nigh. When you are tempted, and the temptation is overwhelmingly powerful, to whom do you turn is this time of crisis? Or, perhaps, a better question might be, do you turn away from the temptation? Temptation hits us all differently, but also with a good deal of sameness (if you will). In times of weakness, it is the time when the Lord’s name is not only on our lips, but in our heat. Though we are vulnerable, He is our strength. Sometimes the temptation is so great the ability to withstand seems impossible. Consequently, we just say to ourselves, “I will pay the price later.” The problem is, when later comes, the price is every bit as oppressive as the original temptation. The weight of guilt is oppressive, and those who give in are called to run from the continuing danger in soupy mud two feet thick.

3) In joy or pain, come quickly and abide or life is vain. There is no person like a Christian who has life laid out in such a way the path is clear. Some who try to live without the Lord can turn to a loved one to help in time of need, but sometimes that loved-one has no answer, no solution to the deep and dark counsels of one’s heart. To who, then, does a non-Christian turn? The Christian turns, and continues to turn to the Lord, for only He can give an answer and solution to most emptiness of life, taking the “vainness” away and giving hope. Sometimes, however, the taking and giving experience can be painful. What will you gain for your pain?

4) O make me thine indeed, thou blessed Son. God’s love is so great that His Son came to this earth to not only give us relief from sin, but hope to tread our way thought this life. More than that, however, He came to give us life, life in Him, in the Father’s Son. “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:26-27, KJV).

Does peace flow like a river through your soul? It won’t if the love of God is not center-seat in your heart. It may be a challenge for each of us to find that desired peace, but the peace we should desire is the peace that comes from God, surpassing all understanding.

 

A Merry Heart and Joy (A Word to the Wise)

27 Thursday Aug 2015

Posted by Ron Thomas in Uncategorized

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heart, joy, merry, Word to the Wise

A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken (Proverbs 15:13, NKJV). The word “merry” should be understood as “joyful.” Thus, a joyful heart affects one’s disposition (attitude) in such a way that the radiance of the joy within can’t help but to come out. On the other hand, when the heart is sorrowful or experiencing a good deal of pain, then the disposition will also show itself. These are normal emotional responses in the life of each of us. For a Christian the joy of the heart is much greater than that which affects it on the outside. Whatever it is in the experiences of man that brings joy, it is one’s joy in the Lord that supersedes them all. This joy is related to “peace” (Romans 5:1). What is in your heart? RT

And They Laughed

28 Tuesday Oct 2014

Posted by Ron Thomas in Uncategorized

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joy, laughing, Manasseh, penitence, sorrow

Hezekiah was king over Judah (the southern kingdom); the northern kingdom (Israel) was suffering much as a result of their rebellion to the Lord and His way. Judah’s kings were inconsistent in implementing the Lord’s way for the nation, but when Hezekiah became king he was determined to eradicate this inconsistency and serve the Lord with vigor. Throughout Judah and into the areas where the remnants of the Israelites resided Hezekiah sent “runners” to proclaim a feast to the Lord, appealing to the godly heritage of the nation. Some heard this appeal; “So the couriers went from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, and as far as Zebulun, but they laughed them to scorn and mocked them” (2 Chronicles 30:10, ESV).

Those who laughed at the Lord’s servants exhibited wisdom that had its origins in the bowels of Satan. These were the people confused politically, beaten time and again militarily, and corrupted both spiritually and morally. These were the people whose heritage loudly proclaimed the Lord’s glory, but these were the people who remembered not their past. Their past was antiquated, old-fashioned, and certainly less sophisticated than “today’s current demands” required. You think we might have heard such things as this before?

While they laughed them to scorn, on the outside of the city, traveling from a distant land, was an empire, a military that had a reputation for cruelty—and Israel had no idea! Those in their wisdom who laughed the king’s servants to scorn never enjoyed the Lord’s favor and, of course, how could they in such a state of rebellion? In truth, they masked their uncertainty within and exhibited bravado. Much good it did them!

It could be said that the Lord had the last laugh, but does one really think the Lord takes pleasure is laughing last (or first) at the stupid rebellion of people? Hezekiah’s son, Manasseh was as vile a king as either the southern or northern kingdoms had, and yet the Lord saved him—all because the Lord takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 18:23). Manasseh was incarcerated for his sinful rebellion, but in his affliction he turned to the Lord, and the Lord heard him (2 Chronicles 33:12-13).

Rather than laughing and mocking man’s foolishness, the Lord “laughs” with joy and man’s penitence.

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