JOY
Kristen Sims

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace , longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law" Gal. 5:22-24.

Everyone wants to be happy. Everyone wants a life full of joy and peace. Everyone wants to live life to its fullest. Many people look for happiness, but few ever find the real thing. Most people look for happiness in all the wrong places: money, the opposite sex, entertainment---all worldly things. Few people look to the TRUE source of ALL joy, peace, and understanding---Jesus Christ and His loving Father.

Ecc. 2:26 "For God gives wisom and knowledge and JOY to a man who is good in His sight; but to the sinner He gives word of gathering and collecting, that he may give to him who is good before God."

Psalms 16:11 "You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of JOY; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Psalms 37:4 "Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart."

Joy comes when and ONLY when Jesus Christ is the number one prioriety in one's life. When we put God first, everything else simply falls into place. This is a greater JOY and peace than any man-made source could ever supply. The sad thing is, people don't believe the Father and His Word. They are afraid to let go of what little joy earthly things bring them in exchange for the Father's blessings. But this is only where REAL joy begins---letting go of the world, tieing a knot in your rope of faith, and hanging on. That's where peace is found. That's happiness. That's JOY. Let the Father take all of your worries and cares upon Himself. He WANTS us to be happy.

John 15:11 "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full."

John 10:10 "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the fullest."

Jesus WANTS us to have a happy life. He wants us to live life to the full. But it is our job to believe He will do so. It is easy to believe when everything is going good. It's easy when the wind is blowing with us. But when the wind changes direction and blows against us, we lose hope. We forget that promise of happiness. Then we see the world, in their seemingly happy lives of pleasure and sin. And we doubt. But we must NEVER forget that promise.

John 16:20-22 "Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned to joy. A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, fand your joy no one will take from you."

Acts 20:24 "But none of thses things move me; nor do i coundt my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which i received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God."

James 1:2-3 "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience."

Yes, we are going to fall. We are going to hurt and our hearts will ache. But we must learn to find JOY in these situations, knowing that He is making us STRONGER---knowing that He is drawing us CLOSER to Him---knowing that our hard times will help us to find our JOY. We have to climb the rocks to see the mountain's view. It is on this journey up the mountain that we should find JOY in EACH OTHER.

I Thess. 2:19-20 "For what is our hope, or JOY, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and JOY."

Philemon 20 "Yes, brother, let me have YOU from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord."

Paul found joy in His fellow Christians. Even though they couldn't always be together, it was encouraging just to know that his brothers and sisters in Christ were there, going through similar things and praying for him. As brothers and sisters in our Lord, we should find joy in each other as we strive TOGETHER to live in the world, but not of the world. Together, we must stand strong in our faith, encouraging and praying for one another---knowing that our Lord WANTS us to be happy and things happen for the best to those who truly love Him (Roms. 8:28). Reminding each other that one day He WILL return. And one day He will take us home where there is no more sorrow, death, or tears. This is REAL peace. This is happiness. This is the JOY that can only be found in Christ! :-)

May the Lord bless and keep all of you (Num. 6:24-26). I love you with the Love of the Lord (I John 4:7-11).

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PEACE: HE'S GOT THE WHOLE WORLD
By Joe Gissendanner

Our lives go by today at such a hurried pace that most of us struggle to keep up. Money problems, work problems, family problems, there is always a matter to attend to and most of the time we think we can fix it all by ourselves. We rarely get the chance to step back, look around, and pray to God for help. Brethren, we have something wonderful that anyone outside of Christ could never understand, we have a great and powerful God that is always looking out for us.

Remember as children in Bible class we'd sing "He's got the whole world in his hands" What a comfort it would be for most of us today if we realized this more often! The apostle Paul writes in Philippians 4:10 "for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: " How could Paul make such a statement if he did not put his trust in the God? Our peace must come from the fact that God is in control and not matter how much we don't like it we're not. When Christ said "Come unto me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest" He was saying I WILL GIVE YOU REST but we must come to him first. We'll never find any peace if we're looking anywhere other than Christ. Christ never promised it would be easy but He also said he'd never leave us (Matt 28:20).

So, the next time you're having problems remember: "He's got the whole world in His hands."

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LONGSUFFERING: TIMELINE OR ATTITUDE?
Sandi Woodfin

What does "longsuffering" mean to you? Did you ever think of it as a Christian pink bunny on wheels that just keeps going, and going, and going? He suffers long no matter what! I DID. Could that be the emphasis that God put on "longsuffering"?

While I feel that suffering long for the cause of Christ is part of it, I do not feel that suffering long is the emphasis God is placing on the word longsuffering through the Scriptures. I see the attitude of a Christian here. How could we ever know longsuffering without knowing God? Believing his Word. Repenting and changing our lives, confessing Him as Lord of our lives and telling others and putting Him on in baptism. He was the master of "longsuffering.” What attitude do you have as you look over your life: longsuffering or suffering long? Do you see it as a testing of your faith or suffering hardship for Christ. Read II Timothy 2:3. This passage causes us to depend upon God. Only if our attitudes are right, and our hearts receptive,does our ability to handle trials and tribulations increase. Paul says that we can overcome (I Corinthians 10:13). How many of these quotations have you heard and do you see your attitude in?
1.)Difficulties should make us better, not bitter.

2.)The Lord will mend your broken heart, but first you must give Him all the pieces.

3.) Courage is fear that has said it's prayers.

4.) You must be melted before you can be molded.

5.) God loves us, not for what we are, but for what He can make of us.

6.) You can't make omelets without breaking eggs.

Does suffering long cause us to gain a new perspective?As you can see with the word longsuffering, there could be pages and pages written...I close asking you...have you suffered long? Are you longsuffering? Is longsuffering a timeline or an attitude to you?

Isaiah 40: 31
But those who hope in the LORD will Renew their strength.They will soar on wings like eagles:They will run and not grow weary,They will walk and not be faint.

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GENTLENESS
By Peggy Weaver-Miller

In 1990, as I rushed down the halls of Houston Memorial Hosptital, my mind was preoccupied with trying to remember all the areas of assessment the neo-natal nurse was expected to cover. I didn’t want to miss a thing because an “A” in this rotation would graduate me with a 3.5 GPA, which meant I would be offered some of the most coveted positions in the field of nursing. I pushed through the big white swinging doors marked “Staff and Students Only” and came face to face with a large sign that read, “Do not cross the threshold of this nursery until you can accurately quote and practice the meaning of gentleness.” I have never forgotten the definition.

At the time, I was a little annoyed, but being desireous of that “A” I wasn’t about to take any chances by not looking it up. But, during the last 20 years of being a Christian, I’ve learned to appreciate knowing that definition by heart; and why Paul felt that gentleness was a significant element relative to the fruit of the Spirit. Being “raised in the church”, I’ve heard the Scriptures discussed many times; and, what I assumed to be proper discourse, was, in, retrospect, merely arguing. I can’t remember one time seeing either contender acknowledge the other to be right, not to mention the times I recall brothers and sisters departing from one another in anger.

There are many good Christians who do not hesitate to boldly proclaim the word of God. But, unfortunately, some forget that the fruit of the spirit has to show in order to influence the unbeliever or bring an erring brother back. When Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica commending them for their growth, he reflected back to the way in which the word of God had been presented to them in the beginning, saying, “... we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God amid much contention (1Thess. 2:2). “But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children...” (1Thess. 2:7). This is a clear example that the word of God can be boldly proclaimed with gentleness. Instead of accusing and charging them because of the error of their ways, they took the time to be gentle and kind, even though their very lives were in danger.

I believe most of us, at one time or another, has seen how an ill-tempered attack of anothers belief can close their minds. When writing “to the twelve tribes which were scattered abroad,” James states, “But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, do not be proud, and lie not against the truth (James 3:14). “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated...” (Jam. 3:17). When Paul wrote to Titus instructing him on proper conduct and order within the church, he said to remind them “To speak evil of no man, not to be contentious, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men” (Titus3:2).

Brothers and Sisters, the word of God is a great treasure and should be handled as such. It should never be dishonored by contention, vanity, pride or the need for self-esteem. If a brother is convinced that you may have a misconception concerning the word of God, receive him with gentleness, and consider his counsel with gentleness instead of defensiveness. If you believe a brother to be erring in some manner, approach him with gentleness
without accusation. That is the devisive rationale that leads to distruction as alluded to in 2Pet. 3:16.

When approaching the unbeliever, we should all have a sign go up akin to the one I faced in the nursery, “Handle Them With Gentleness”. Nothing will seal an open mind faster than the accusation that ones belief will lead them to the damnable abyss of hell. Proceed with caution, consideration and kindness; handling a soul which is precious to God with complete gentleness. Our mission on earth is the same as the great commission given to the apostles by Christ (Mk.16:15-16). We are to spread the gospel of Christ to all who will receive it. If the fruit of the Spirit does not shine forth from you, then maybe a self-examination is in order.

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MEEKNESS: IMITATING CHRIST'S HUMILITY
By Martha Dayton

It was March 8th and twenty years ago, but I still remember it as if it happened today. She'd been laying on the bedpan in her hospital bed. Mom heard the doctor coming down the hall. "Martha," she said, with all the dignity that she could muster, "please clean me up. The doctor's coming. I don't want him to see me like this." As I went into the bathroom to wash my hands, I sobbed and thought…“if I could only have her a while longer, I'd always take care of her needs.”

Oh, how it hurts to see a loved one so sick and frail! My mother was in the last stages of cancer and in so much pain. As I held her hands in mine, I bowed my head and cried silently in prayer, "She needs you Lord, please give her comfort that only you can give." Mom started singing Jesus Loves Me in that beautiful voice I loved to hear. She squeezed my hand, prodding me to join her. My voice quivered as it joined hers sweetly singing.... "Jesus loves me, this I know... For the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong, They are weak but He is strong."

In all my childhood Mom had instilled in me a love for God and a trust in His divine providence. Even in my despair and her pain, she was sharing with me a lesson of meekness and humility. Even in sickness she displayed an attitude of humility towards God and put her complete trust in Him. Meekness is not “weakness”; it's power under God's control. Her body was ravaged by cancer, but she was able to endure her longsuffering because she recognized that God was in control. Yes, I was despaired because I had taken my focus off of what lies ahead for those who God finds faithful. Even though I was not ready for her to leave us, she was at peace. She knew she had an early appointment the next morning, knew where she was going and looked forward to an eternal home with our loving Father.

It was shortly before He left to keep His appointment that Jesus prayed to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36ff). As He prayed, His thoughts were not for Himself but for those He would leave behind. His thoughts and ultimately His actions were directed to the Father in obedience (John 17). It was almost time and He was ready!

May we always go to Him in meekness trusting the One who has everything under control. May WE be ready when He calls us to fearlessly stand before His Throne because…Yes, Jesus Loves Us...The Bible tells US so! (Read: Matt. 11:29; Gal. 5:22-23; Eph. 4:1-2; Col. 3:12; 1 Tim. 6:11.).

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