Just started to read the book of Philippians this morning. It is four chapters; it will probably take me a couple of weeks to get it read.

Here are the introduction paragraphs:

"The word 'happiness' evokes visions of unwrapping gifts on Christmas morning, strolling hand in hand with the one you love, being surprised on your birthday, responding with unbridled laughter to a comedian, or vacationing in an exotic locale. Everyone wants to be happy; we make chasing this elusive ideal a lifelong pursuit; spending money, collecting things, and searching for new experiences.

"But if happiness depends upon our circumstances, what happens when the toys rust, loved ones die, health deteriorates, money is stolen, and the party's over? Often happiness flees and despair sets in.

"In contrast to happiness is 'joy'. Running deeper and stronger, joy is quiet, confident assurance of God's love and work in our lives, that He will be there no matter what! Happiness depends on happenings, but joy depends on Christ."

I

It was written by Paul, while he was in jail. Not exactly an opportunity for JOY. Each chapter has a heading with JOY;  'in suffering, ;in serving, in believing, and giving'.

KEY VERSE: 
"Always be full of joy in the Lord;
I say it again, rejoice!" - (Philippians 4:4).

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Thank you, Jesus,
for giving us JOY...
Your Way!
AMEN.

From Max Lucado:

HEART-SHAPING PROMISES

This morning I received this Anne Graham Lotz email in my computer inbox. It talks about 'turning on the light'.

Here in north central Iowa, we have lots of snow cover! While it is dark in the early evenings now; with longer nights and shorter days, I noticed the first evening of the 'white covering' how much lighter it was! The 'white' tended to make the 'dark' lighter! Sort of like the difference God makes in each of our lives!

TURN ON THE LIGHT

"The unfolding of your words give light;
it gives understanding to the simple."
~ Psalm 119:130 NIV

"In the beginning there was no dawn to end the night,

no sun to warm the day,

no moonlight reflected in the swirling water, 

no horizon,

just a never-ending night!

"God didn't leave our environment in a murky, dusky twilight, 'God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light 'day' and the darkness he called 'night' (Genesis 1:4 NIV)

"While the light described was literal, it has wonderful analogy and personal meaning for you and me, because light in the spiritual sense represents the truth, clarity, spiritual understanding, and discernment we receive from God's written Word.  So....read your Bible and turn the Light on!"

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A couple of verses from Psalms to celebrate the beginning of a new week and as we march toward Christmas:

"Sing to the Lord, all earth!
Sing of His glorious Name.
Tell the world how wonderful He is!

How awe-inspiring are Your deeds, O God!
How great Your power!
No wonder Your enemies surrender!
All the earth shall worship
You and sing of Your glories.
Come, see the glorious things God has done.
What marvelous miracles happen to His people!

He made a dry road through the sea for them.
(Red Sea opening up).
They went across on foot.
What excitement and joy
there was that day!

Because of His great power
He rules forever.
He watches every movement of the nations.
O rebel lands,
He will deflate your pride!

~ Psalm 66:1-7 LAB

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Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

"And while they were there,
the time came for her baby to be born;
and she gave birth to her first child,
a son.
She wrapped him in a blanket
and laid him in a manger,
because there was no room for them
in the village inn."

~ Luke 2: 6 & 7 LAB

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Comments on these verses:  'Although our first impression of Jesus is as a baby in a manger, it must not be our last. The Christ child in the manger makes a beautiful Christmas scene, but we cannot leave him there. This tiny, helpless baby lived an amazing life, died for us, ascended to heaven, and will come back to this earth as King of kings. He will rule the world and judge all people according to their decisions about him. Do we still picture Jesus as a baby in a manger ---or is he our Lord? We need to make sure we don't underestimate Jesus. And let him grow up in our lives."

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A reading shared by a friend at a recent prayer group. It's a writing by Helen Steiner Rice and taken from "Somebody Loves You":

"In God Is My Strength"

"'Love Divine, All Love Excelling'
Make my 'humbled heart YOUR DWELLING,
For without YOUR LOVE DIVINE,
Total darkness would be mine,
My earthly load I could not bear
If YOU were not there to share
All the pain, despair, and sorrow
That almost makes me dread tomorrow,
For I am often weak and weary
And life is dark and bleak and dreary.
But somehow when I realize
That HE who made the sea and skies
And holds the whole world in HIS HAND
Has my 'small soul' in HIS COMMAND,
It gives me STRENGTH to try once more
To somehow reach 'THE HEAVENLY DOOR'
Where I will LIVE FOREVERMORE
With friends and loved ones I adore!"

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I just finished reading the book "The Promise of Heaven:  31 Reasons to Get Excited About Your Eternal Home" by Dr. David Jeremiah.

The last couple of pages of the nearly three hundred page book concludes with these several paragraphs:

"Whoever believes in Jesus will be saved. There is no doubt in that promise No wiggle room. We can be confident of our salvation simply by confessing with our mouth and believing in our heart. That's all it takes.

He then encourages readers to say these words:

"Lord Jesus, I trust You have offered me a place in heaven. I trust You have offered me eternal life---and I accept that gift. Right now I choose to believe in my heart that You died on the cross for my sins and were raised from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that You are Lord. You are Lord of my life. I confess that I have sinned against You throughout my life, and right now I repent of every one of those sins. I accept Your forgiveness for every single sin.

"I speak this prayer in Your name, Lord Jesus. Amen."

He continues:  "I didn't write this book so you would be smarter about heaven. I wrote this book so you would GO to heaven--so you would be sure of your eternal salvation. That way we can meet up one day along the streets of gold within New Jerusalem and talk together about all the wonders we've experienced and all the wonders that still await us in that perfect place. That eternal home.

"I look forward to seeing you there!"

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