March 8th - Digital Scavenger Hunt
On The Fringe
by Julie Akerman Link,our Daily Bread
God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. —Philippians 4:19
When butterflies hatch at Frederik Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids, Michigan, they do so in an indoor tropical paradise perfectly suited to meet their every need. The temperature is perfect. The humidity is perfect. The food is a perfect balance of calories and nutrition to keep them healthy. No need to go elsewhere. Yet some butterflies see the bright blue sky outside the conservatory and spend their days fluttering near the glass ceiling far away from the plentiful food supply.
I want to say to those butterflies, “Don’t you know everything you need is inside? The outside is cold and harsh, and you will die within minutes if you get what you are longing to have.”
I wonder if that is the message God has for me. So I ask myself, Do I look longingly at things that would harm me? Do I use my energy to gain what I don’t need and shouldn’t have? Do I ignore God’s plentiful provision because I imagine that something just beyond my reach is better? Do I spend my time on the fringes of faith?
God supplies all our needs from His riches (Phil. 4:19). So instead of striving for what we don’t have, may we open our hearts to gratefully receive everything we’ve already been given by Him.
Why is there death and suffering in the world?
Many reject God on the basis that he must be a cruel god to allow the terrible events and suffering that we see in the world today. Could you answer this?
Find out how you can use this question, and more, as a powerful tool to reach others for Christ. Remember to bring a friend when you hear Dr. Jonathan Sarfati giving one of his dynamic messages at The Markham Bible Chapel 7:00pm on Friday April 5, 2013
Scottlea - final session (Sunday)
In Psalm 51 David wrote, " against You, and against You only have I sinned", demonstrating the attitude of a man after God's own heart... Only God can put back together the brokenness that David desired
Conclusion: God will give multiple ways of escape Conclusion: cover-ups never cover up anything, it just multiplies the problem Conclusion: a person involved in sin can recognize/condemn 'rights' and 'wrongs' in others while not seeing their own Conclusion: ready to admit their wrongdoings
Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel. So David said to Joab and to the leaders of the people, “Go, number Israel from Beersheba to Dan, and bring the number of them to me that I may know it.” And Joab answered, “May the Lord make His people a hundred times more than they are. But, my lord the king, are they not all my lord’s servants? Why then does my lord require this thing? Why should he be a cause of guilt in Israel?” Nevertheless the king’s word prevailed against Joab. Therefore Joab departed and went throughout all Israel and came to Jerusalem. Then Joab gave the sum of the number of the people to David. All Israel had one million one hundred thousand men who drew the sword, and Judah had four hundred and seventy thousand men who drew the sword. But he did not count Levi and Benjamin among them, for the king’s word was abominable to Joab. And God was displeased with this thing; therefore He struck Israel. - 1 Chronicles 21:1-7 (NKJV)
• notice Satan's involvement - spiritual nature of the battle - Satan made what was happening to Job look like it was God's fault - God feels the pain of arrows that pierce His children, who dwell within His hand • unbelievers are sometimes used to call-out believers, as did Joab • David trumps Joab • David again confesses that he has sinned and has done wrong - the man of God is consistent when it comes to dealing with his own sin - David chooses the plague as the punishment and 70,000 died • David recognizes that God is merciful • David presents himself humbly • David intercedes (as a good shepherd) that the angel not proceed with Jerusalem • God listens to David • David refuses an offered gift of property, instead insisting on making his own financial sacrifice • David erects an alter to the Lord (v26) • David offers burnt sacrifices and peace offers • David calls upon the name of the Lord • God answers from heaven by fire on the alter - the sacrifice is fully consumed, as David's life is spared - sins (which, as we've seen, are many) totally forgiven, forever, never again, ever, ever, ever to be remembered by a merciful God
Scottlea - Session Three (Saturday evening)
Recap from last time: meekness is strength under control Conclusion: the man of God waits for the Lord to take up his cause Conclusion: the Lord will work to keep the man after his own heart from sin
IN DISHONOURING SIN
2 Samuel 11-12 • Setting: politically - year before (10:14) - springtime (11:1a) - the king (11:1) - early success (11:1c) • just because you're successful once, doesn't guarantee success the next time • it is inappropriate to be spiritually lazy • knowledge is not the same as doing (action) • a lack of engagement leads to serious problems
Setting: personally - insomnia (v2) - typical when too much time is at hand - imperfect occasion - - inquiry (3) • it is unacceptable to flirt with sin, like David did • he desires, he sleeps with another man's wife, a baby happens as a result • this starts an avalanche of lies
Cover-up plan #1 - report: fake interest in the welfare of the battle and the troops - David fails to be convicted by Uriah's gentle rebuke
Cover-up plan #2 - asks Uriah to stay - tries to get him drunk - Uriah doesn't go home
• David plays Uriah like a pawn in his devious scheme to get him killed on the front line of the battle • David is now caught in his sinful spiral of deceit and hypocrisy • we all have issue of trying to cover since
• enter Nathan to bring David's sin to light • suddenly David has a sense of right and wrong • sin causes us not to be able to focus and to create more and more cover-ups to disguise sin
• David admits,"I have sinned." - the hardest words in one's life to speak - Saul never said anything like this...but David does - the man (person) after God's own heart confesses his (their) failures and faults
• God still desires the posture of brokenness (admission, confession, repentance)
Saturday Afternoon Seminar - Jake Peters: 'Encouragement'
What encouragement is Brainstorming ideas: • complementing • going out of your way • being helpful • how christians stay strong • being accountable
How to encourage
Brainstorming ideas: • talking • helping • caring • giving
Why encourage?
Brainstorming ideas: • grow • make others feel good • show love • show them an understanding
Acts 15:32 Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words. • used many words to encourage
Acts 16:40 So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed. • often people who have recently been through dark times themselves offer the best encouragement to others
Acts 28: • Paul is now the one to be encouraged • Paul had gone through a lot • they went to see him
Colossians 4:7-8 Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts... • was sent by Paul to be an encouragement • support • lend a listening ear
1 Thessalonians 3:2-3 and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. • so their faith may not be shaken • they were being afflicted • given perspective to their situation • being an example
1 Thessalonians 3:7 therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. • to let them know they were being thought of
2 Chronicles 32:6-8 Then he set military captains over the people, gathered them together to him in the open square of the city gate, and gave them encouragement, saying, “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. • be strong and of good courage • reminding them of God and His power
1 John 3:1-3 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
1 John 3:13-14 Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.
1 John 3:16-18 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. • we are to encourage the ones we love • love allows us to encourage much more effectively with 'doing' not just in words
Encourage one another daily!!
Scottlea Seminar - Colin Ritchie - Prayer is Vital!
Colin spoke to us passionately about our need for prayer as Christians.Scottlea Seminar - Colin Ritchie - Prayer is Vital!.pdf
Saturday Afternoon Session: Joel Stapley
1 Timothy 4:12 — Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Who should be the example in the church? • teens can set the pace and be an example to others • marathon runners follow a pace-setter • young people should be the pace-setters in their church • it's not the older folks that should be left to be the example
Speech: • who Jesus is (Word) is what we need to be talking (word/speech) • what do we communicate and why do we communicate it? • the words we use need to be purposeful for Christ • Matt. - we are accountable for our speech/words
Conduct (conversation): • you can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk? • Colossians 3:7 - in all you do • I will be faithful; I will be thankful; I will honour • the journey, and how we live it, is important
Love: • we think love more than we 'do' love • 'doing' love often requires personal sacrifice • Mark 12:29-31 • people should know about our love for God because of our love shown for others • do we spend time showing love? • we can be an example in our love • do we love others as we love ourselves
Energy (emotion): • are we engaged in the difficult times of others to be an encouragement • we need to invest ourselves emotionally in the lives of others • this too may require personal sacrifice, be prepared
Faith: • your relationship with God • your standing in Christ • stand firm in the face of approaching/raging adversity
Purity: • moral purity • Philippians 4:8 - whatsoever things are....think on those things • purity of life
Teens should be the example to others, independent of what others are doing and what kind of example they are being.
Would your church fall apart if they were to start following your example?
Do we set the example among our friends by drawing lines about right/wrongs?
Scottlea - Session Two
A man after God's own heart: In hostile situations• David finishes (52) • David rallies (52) • David blesses (53) • David's recognition (55-57) • David's humility (58)
A person operating properly is conscious of the "fear of The Lord
Conclusion 4 - Recognizes the futility of operating in the flesh Conclusion 5 - Confidence in God Conclusion 6 - Runs to the danger Conclusion 7 - Encourages others
David becomes a fugitive (on the run from Saul)
David: In hunted scenarios (encounter at En Gedi)
- Saul seeks to kill David - on opposite sides of the mountain - capture was imminent - Saul enters the cave, David has a perfect opportunity to kill him right there - but David does not, calling Saul "God's anointed" (v6) - David is immediately convicted because loyalty to his God was more important to him that operating in the flesh (v5) - David restrains his men - in the Christian life you can be a 'fire starter' or a 'fire quencher' (to gossip or not to gossip) (v7)
Conclusion: spontaneously obedient to God Conclusion: wait on the Lord
- David's request to Nabal (v2) - David rightly reminds (v6-8)
- Abigail keeps David from a natural fleshly reaction to totally annihilate Nabal's entire house - David reacts be listening to the advice - God avenges David with Nabal's heart attack shortly thereafter - illustration used: Paul's reaction (after being slapped) by the High Priest's servant after he found out who the man was - the anger of man never works the righteousness of God
David's meekness was not weakness; he was a man under God's control and authority
Scottlea - Session One (Friday night)
David: A man after God's own heart In wholesome sensing In hostile circumstances (tonight's session) In hated circumstances In hounded scenarios In honouring incidents and hallowed strategies In dishonouring sin
1 Samuel 17 Description: the battle (17:1-7) - 10+ feet - bronze helmet (everything protected) - 125 lbs. armour; bronze leggings - spear with 17lb. head
Defiance: the champion - employed terror by screaming his challenge twice daily - the simple threat emotionally defeated the Israelites - belittled, blasphemed, boasted - many people are still under the control of the enemy of God - many live in the fear of death - we need to be introduce to the Mn who defeated the one with the power of death
David: the servant (v12-22,26) - humble - selfless - obedient - diligent - likely a teen at the time; the youngest - loyal - David was a man of character - he was pure (28-29) - he was willing (32b) - he was dependant (33-37) - he was meek (38-40) - courageous
Dumbfounded (23-30) - observes - remarks - David's brother criticized David
Doubtful - hing's meeting (31-32) - king's doubt (33) - kingly response (34-37) - kingly suggestion (38-39)
Drawing near (40-45) - he wasn't hung up on what he didn't have, but was reliant on what he did have - David doesn't lose focus of what the battle was about; the battle is the Lord's
Defeat - David didn't run from the enemy, but ran towards the fight! - Jesus took the enemy on - Jesus beat the enemy taking away the enemy's power: the fear of death
Conclusion 1 - walked in obedience Conclusion 2 - Conclusion 3 - no self-defences
Why won't they listen?
Have you wondered why your witnessing falls flat and people fail to respond? Many comment that science has disproved the Bible and therefore it is not relevant to today's modern world.
But what's the answer? Can the majority of scientists really be wrong?
Discover the answers with Dr. Jonathan Sarfati, PhD Chemical Biology, Creationist expert from Creation Ministries International when he brings his powerful message to the Markham Bible Chapel at 7:30pm on Friday April 5, 2013.
Info for the Scottlea Youth Conference
Well, the weekend is nearly here. Here is a brief overview of the info you'll need. We'll be meeting at MBC on Friday at 4:30 PM. We should get back to MBC on Sunday around 3:30 PM.
Pack what you normally would for a weekend away, like sleeping bags, pillows, toiletries (we want you clean) and your Bibles. On Sunday morning, we will be at Scottlea for their normal services, so if you have something to wear that's kinda nice, it would be good. We're not talking suits and dresses here, but NOT yesterday's t-shirt either.
Full details are in the email sent a couple of weeks ago.
Scotlea this coming weekend!
Last year we looked what it means to be part of the Bride of Christ. The weekend was full of personal challenges, seminars, events, food, fellowship at was loads of fun!
This year the speaker, Steve Price, will be exploring and unpacking the theme, "A man after God's own heart." It's no doubt going to prove to be another great weekend in God's word.
Parents can follow our live blog over the weekend's sessions right here on this site.
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The Real Power of Forgiveness
Jeff HadenGhostwriter, speaker, Inc. columnist - Harrisonburg, Virginia
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Back then you didn’t always stay in your car when you were pulled over by a policeman. Sometimes you got to take the walk of shame to the officer's vehicle while other people drove smugly past.
So I trudged back, settled into the passenger seat of the unmarked police car, and sneaked a peek at the radar display.
94 mph.
All-righty-then.
I looked at the officer. He was wearing a suit instead of a uniform. He carefully straightened his tie and adjusted his cuffs as he began to speak.
“I may not look it,” he said, “but I’m a gamblin' man. When you took off at the stoplight back there I thought, hey, I bet he didn’t notice me.
“I was right. When you hit 65 miles an hour I thought about pulling you over but I thought, nah, wait, I bet he’ll go faster.
“Then you hit 75. I should have hit my lights but I thought, you know what? There aren't any cars around, he’s not really putting anyone in danger, and I don't think he's done yet.
“Then you hit 85 and I was really, really tempted... but then I thought, no, hang on, call me crazy but I do believe this boy’s got a little more in him.
“And sure enough,” he said laughing, “you did!”
You know how just after you do something stupid you desperately wish you could turn back time and do things differently?
That's what I did. I mentally replayed pulling up near his vehicle at a stoplight. While it had looked like an unmarked car there were no lights, no antennas, no snarl of equipment on the dashboard, he wasn't wearing a uniform… so I didn't give it another thought until I looked in my mirror and saw the lights flashing in his car's grill.
Boy did I want those few seconds back.
In the meantime his expression had turned serious. “Now,” he said. “You want to explain why you were going so fast?”
“My alarm didn’t go off this morning,” I answered, “and I was afraid I'd be late for work.”
I shrugged and shook my head. “I know. It was stupid. I'm sorry.”
He sat quietly for a few moments as I considered the future. I wasn’t sure but I figured forty-four miles an hour over the speed limit meant I'd be begging friends for rides for about six months.
The officer raised his eyebrows. “That’s it? That’s all you’ve got?”
“Yes sir,” I said, turning away to look down. “That’s it. I was in a hurry and went too fast.”
“Huh,” he said. I waited for him to start writing the ticket. Instead he sighed.
“Fair enough," he said. "Next time just go ahead and be late. Showing up late for work isn’t the end of the world.”
I nodded and sat waiting. “Go on, son,” he said, pretending to be frustrated. He pushed the reset button on the radar. “You’re going to be late.”
I whipped my head up. “Look, I know that thing is fast,” he said, nodding towards my bike. “Just keep it down. Don’t get yourself hurt.”
I said thank you at least fifty times in ten seconds and jumped out before he could reconsider. As I was starting my bike he rolled up beside me, passenger window down, and leaned across.
“You can still make it to work on time,” he yelled. “Follow me. I'll at least get you to where I turn off for the courthouse.” So for the second time that day I was speeding – only this time while following a policeman.
And here's the funny thing: I had gotten tickets before but getting caught didn't change my behavior. I focused on the punishment. However foolishly, I resented the punishment. I didn't think about the fact police officers just want to keep people safe. I didn't think about the risks I was creating for other people.
Forgiveness made me think about myself and my actions in a way punishment never had. In five minutes I went from an "us" versus "them" attitude to thinking, "You know, I really should slow down..." And from then on, I did.
It was a day I never will forget -- the same way the people you lead, work with, and care about will never forget the day your first reaction was not to scold or punish but to forgive.
"Forgive and forget"?
Not in this case: When you forgive, other people may never forget.
In the best possible way.
Open invitation to watch October Baby on big screen
On Saturday evening, February 9th MBC will be showing a film called OCTOBER BABY.
The film takes on the topic of abortion and provides a great conversation piece for both teens and adults in a time where Christian ethics are constantly under attack.
Steve will be wrapping up the evening with a brief message on the subject.
We invite you to join us at the chapel at 6:30pm.
Synopsis:
"You saw me before I was born." Psalm 139:16 (NLT)
As the curtain rises, Hannah hesitantly steps onto the stage for her theatrical debut in college. Yet before she can utter her first lines, Hannah—unscripted—collapses in front of the stunned audience.
After countless medical tests, all signs point to one underlying factor: Hannah's difficult birth. This revelation is nothing compared to what she then learns from her parents: she was actually adopted … after a failed abortion attempt.
Bewildered, angered, and confused, Hannah turns for support to Jason, her oldest friend. Encouraged by his adventurous spirit, Hannah joins his group of friends on a Spring Break road trip, embarking on a journey to discover her hidden past … and find hope for her unknown future.
In the midst of her incredible journey, Hannah finds that life can be so much more than what you have planned.
Scottlea Youth Conference - March 1-3
Last year we looked what it means to be part of the Bride of Christ. The weekend was full of personal challenges, seminars, events, food, fellowship at was loads of fun!
This year the speaker, Steve Price, will be exploring and unpacking the theme, "A man after God's own heart." It's no doubt going to prove to be another great weekend in God's word.
Parents can follow our live blog over the weekend's sessions right here on this site.
Everyone is encouraged to come! Let us know if you can!
God is...our friend
Last session: Ron Hughes There is a concern sometimes that we treat God as a buddy. There should be respect when we think or talk about Him, but we can be assured that He is our friend.
There are different kinds of friendships based on mutual affection, trust, etc.
At a certain point we can become friends with people who on on a higher social plain than we are (ie. parent, teacher, leader, etc.)
Our friendship with God is a relationship that we need to consider. It is important that the friendship with God be mutual. The Lord spoke with Moses as a 'man speaks with his friend', and yet Moses was always referred to as God's servant.
Think of the relationship between Abraham and God. It's not a peer-to-peer friendship but is based on a mutuality of working toward a common goal (being on the same team). Examples: coach's relationship to the players; conductor to musicians in an orchestra.
Love is simply not enough without the response of the one (person). God can love us, but unless we respond to His love we cannot benefit from his friendship.
It is possible for God to love us and not love (even hate) what we do. Yes, even Christians can be involved in things in parts of their lives that they refuse to submit to God. Obedience to God makes the friendship better.
God loved us when we were (naturally speaking) 'enemies'. His offer of friendship is conditional on our positive response.
God is...Present
Topic: God is...Present - Tonight, a different approach - a list - to help us grow in our Christian life - Most will agree that in a general way that God is present, but will go further to see how we must be aware of the presence of God
To do so, we must do certain things:
1) We must accept that we are accepted
- We can see ourselves as difficult to love - We can wonder how God would accept us - Yet He knows we are broken and He accepts us based on Christ
Hebrews 10:19-22 - Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
- We do not always want to draw near to God - We should be drawing near to God and we can, in the full assurance of faith
2) Be conscious of the facts of God's presence
- Sometimes we do not have all the information - The Bible is clear about the presence of God in general creation and specially in the lives of individuals
Jeremiah 23:23-24 - “Am I a God near at hand,” says the Lord, “And not a God afar off? 24 Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?” says the Lord; “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the Lord.
Psalm 139:7-12 - Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10 Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,” Even the night shall be light about me; 12 Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You.
Isaiah 57:15 - For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
- God is present whether we sense it or not - For the believer, not only is God present with us in our physical environment, but we are also already present with God in the spiritual environment
Colossians 3:1-3 - If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
- We live our lives in the throne room of God - God is also present within us as believers
3) Be intentional in our thoughts and actions
- Spiritual maturity does not come by accident - We cannot sit around waiting for something to happen, we must be preparing ourselves to be used by God - We need time to be with God, to communicate with Him - Often there are too many distractions - The more aware you are of the presence of God, the more likely we are to develop love for Him
4) Be alert to the signs of God moving around us
1 Kings 19:11-12 - Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.
- The presence of God is not always blatant and dramatic - He is often found in the quiet places - We can talk to God as we talk to a friend
A practical note: Pray out loud, because it is harder to lose focus
5) Rest in the fact of His presence
- We need not worry that He is not there - Failure to rest is to doubt God's promises
Final note - The presence of God is not punitive, there to find fault to punish - He says He will not leave us or forsake us - His presence is to support and encourage us
We should seek His presence as a good and joyful thing
God is...a Person
Ron Hughes Although we easily think of Jesus as a person because of His incarnation as a human, we don't usually think of God in the same way.
However, throughout the Bible we are presented with characteristics of God that lead us to be able to see Him as a Person - someone who is connected to us as a person in a very personal way, not a cosmic stranger.
Earlier we saw Him as being happy but that's not to say that He doesn't have other characteristics. This session we explored His characteristics that we humanly associate with male personalities: father, warrior, shepherd, etc., but the Bible also mentions other characteristics God has that are a bit different. God is explained as a person who shows certain maternal characteristics towards His own.
God is...Happy
Here are notes from Ron Hughes first message here at Graphite for Winter Weekend 2013. - Big misconception that God is angry - As if He is waiting to find someone to punish - Not only is God happy, but He wants us to be happy - In OT, He commanded His people to celebrate - In OT and NT, word translated as "blessed" is also "happy" - Why would God be unhappy? - General state of the world might be one reason - Perhaps due to rebellious sinners - So many wayward believers - God is happy because He is getting it His way - Making His plan come to fulfillment - Ephesians 1:11 - ...Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will... - One of the themes is the redemptive nature of what God does - There are people whose terrible experiences God has redeemed to use for His glory - The "god of this world" is unhappy - Satan - His time is limited and set - His power is limited - Satan can only offer happiness for a short time - God can offer happiness forever - God is also happy in His children - Jeremiah 32:41 - Yes, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will assuredly plant them in this land, with all My heart and with all My soul. - Speaking about Israel, but this tells us of His character - When God looks at us, He wants to make us happy - He wants to establish us in a heavenly land - Zephaniah 3:17 - The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. - God is present with us - God does love us, He made us and He loves us, even though we botched it up - He will quiet us - His love comforts us - He makes us the subject of His song - Matthew 25 - Enter into the joy of your master - John 15 - These things I have spoken to you that My joy may be in you - Jesus was a happy man - John 17 - He prayed that His disciples would have His joy fulfilled in them - Story of the prodigal son - Father is God - He throws a party with feasting, music and dancing - Will throw the greatest party the universe has seen when His Son gets His bride
Questions to ask in regard to His happiness 1) How could God be the source of our happiness and joy if He were not happy and joyful? 2) How could the children be happy if the Father is not happy - He is happy and He puts the desire for that in His children 3) Do we think of God as being happy? - God is happy - He is happy with us - He wants us to be happy
God tells us how to be happy - Being selfish is Satan's program, not God's - Job 5:17 - Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty. - If we let God correct us, we will be happier in life - Proverbs 3:13 - Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding - Tolerance is a great thing, but we cannot turn our brains off - There are very dumb ideas - We must be discerning - Proverbs 28:14 - Happy is the man who is always reverent, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity. - When we disrespect others, we can no longer connect with them and get no benefit from them
Q and A 1) OT says "God's anger burned...", so He must be angry - God is angry about certain things, such as sin, but His general disposition is joy - His anger is momentary, but He is not characterised by anger - He is characterised by joy and the other fruits of the spirit 2) It's easy to be joyful when we're perfect, so how can we be joyful - God knows that as long as there is sin, we will be unhappy - However, when we believe in Christ, God has already set us on the path to perfection - When we reach heaven, we will be perfect and fully experience joy as God intended - The more we defeat sin, the happier we will be