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Gladness

Just now I am in a season of enjoying the truth that we get unique and supernatural joy and happiness from the Lord. It is important to remember that being a Christian is not always joy, gladness and happiness. We are in a continual battle with the world, our flesh and the Devil. We also have chastening and persecution. In the decades since I have been saved there have always been troubles but there have also been joy and happiness. God has won a lot of victories. Memories of the victories grow in significance while the memories of the troubles get smaller. I spend more time remembering the victories and less time remembering the troubles.

My Pastor McBay recently pointed out the truth that happiness is dependent upon outward circumstances of our lives and that joy comes from within. It is wonderful to have Holy Spirit in us providing the joy that comes from within (His fruit). It is also wonderful to know that God is also in control of the outward circumstances of our lives. The greatest circumstance of life is having the Lord in charge of it. He balances the sorrow and difficulty with the happiness and joy.

Psalms 30:5b: . . . weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

Hebrews 12:11: Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Psalms 119:71: It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

2 Timothy 3:12: Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

John 15:18: If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

2 Corinthians 7:10: For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

Godly sorrow is not selfish sorrow. It is sorrow over sin. It is sorrow over the fate of sinners. It is the same sorrow that God has. When a heaven-bound believer has sorrow for himself, it is of his flesh.

Psalms 4:7: Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.

Psalms 30:11-12: Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; 12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

Psalms 45:7: Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

Psalms 97:11: Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

Psalms 100:2: Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

Psalms 105:43: And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness:

Proverbs 10:28: The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.

Luke 1:14: And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

Acts 2:46: And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

Deuteronomy 28:47-48: Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; 48 Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.

1 Chronicles 16:25-27: For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods. 26 For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. 27 Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.

Care to discuss Gladness with Ron?

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