Tag: preseverence

The Joy of Jesus

On By Susan Cort JohnsonIn Jesus, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Jesus went to the cross for the joy set before Him. I know this joy.1 Because He lives, I live.

My greatest experience was the moment I walked into the presence of God. It happened in a split second, as if blinders were pulled from my eyes, allowing me to see Jesus. At that moment I understood who He was. I knew Him.

When I read that all things were created through Jesus and for Jesus2 I understand why I struggled in the ways of the world before I came to know Jesus as my Lord and Savior.

I floundered like a swimmer in water over her head, caught in the current of a world in which I did not belong. This current pulled me into life choices that just did not seem to fit. Now, I no longer struggle to keep my head above water, because my feet are on solid ground.

Because Jesus went to the cross to redeem me from the clutches of this world, I belong. And He is restoring what was lost when Adam and Eve were stumbled by Satan into doubting God prompting them to go their own way. As a result, they experienced death. First spiritual death, and eventually physical death.

We are spiritually dead until we receive spiritual life through faith in Christ. (Eph. 2:1; Romans 3:23)

Life is different after the second birth, the birth of our spirit.3 Once we are reborn, instead of struggling to shape ourselves into the mold society requires, we begin to discover who we were created to be. There is no greater compliment than to be told you are reflecting the attributes of Jesus.

This “joy” is more than a feeling, it is a quality of life.4

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11

There is joy as we mature in Christ. This is a shared joy among all believers. Paul wrote of it in his letter to the Thessalonians telling them that their unwavering faith was his joy.5

This maturity brings like mindedness. We have the same love; we are of one accord and of one mind. We do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than ourselves and look out for the interests of others. This mindset is ours in Christ Jesus.6 What joy this brings to the body of believers.

 Joy may also come out of suffering and sorrow for Christ’s sake, writes Terry Miethe in “The Compact Dictionary of Doctrinal Words.” He sights several Scriptures to back his conclusion.

The apostle Paul suffered to help the church mature, making the word of God fully known.7 The apostle Peter told believers they are blessed when insulted for the name of Christ, because the Spirit of glory and of God rested upon them.8 The author of Hebrews wrote that sometimes Christians are publicly exposed to reproach and affliction and sometimes they are partners with those so treated.9

Of most importance is the fact this inexplicable joy is a gift of the Holy Spirit.10 We are given this Spirit at our rebirth, and He makes it possible to experience “chara,” the koine Greek term translated into English as “joy.”

 C.S. Lewis describes this joy as “an unsatisfied desire which is itself more desirable than any other satisfaction.” He adds that the only thing in common this Spiritual joy has with happiness or pleasure is the fact that anyone who has experienced it will want it again.11 

 Lewis wrote that he found this joy to be a Person. And so, it is. In John chapter 15 Jesus tells us to abide in his love by keeping his commandments. He tells us this so his joy may be in us, and our joy may be full. We remain in his presence by walking in the light as he is in the light. Not going our own way but His. And this walk was made possible when He went to the cross, paying the penalty for our sins and thus redeeming us. And now restoring us for His glory.

     “He is risen!” “He has risen indeed!”

Happy Easter.

©2023 Susan Cort Johnson *All Rights Reserved

Let’s Talk:

1-How have you discovered “joy” in the Person, Jesus Christ?

2-What special ways do you have of commemorating the victory of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ?

References:

1-Hebrews 12:2

2-Col 1:16

3-John chapter 3

4-The Compact Dictionary of Doctrinal Words by Terry L. Miethe published by Bethany House Publishers Minneapolis, Minnesota.

5-1 Thess. 2:19-20

6-Phil 2:2-5

7-Col 1:24-25

8-1 Peter 4:13-14

9-Hebrews 10:33

10-Gal 5:22

11-Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis, as quoted in The Compact Dictionary of Doctrinal Words.

3 Ways to Muscle Through that Unsurmountable Brick Wall

On By Susan Cort JohnsonIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

     I have the urge to quit. I am frustrated, baffled, weary, and confused over the implementation of my email service provider. An ESP is an important element of building community, which is the purpose of this website; to link with like-minded people so we can motivate and encourage one another to put into practice God’s word correctly and effectively.

     Perseverance is required at this time. I know it. But the problems seem unsurmountable. It is not the first time I have crashed head-on into a brick wall when trying to learn something. In high school I didn’t understand chemistry. Struggling, and faced with a low grade destroying my reputation as a good student, I decided to drop the course at the end of the first semester. I quit chemistry and enrolled in something less challenging, choir.

     In this circumstance, there is no choir option. I must persevere with the email list if I am to build community and I love interacting with other Christians, discussing God’s word and its application. Hebrews 10:25 encourages us to meet with one another and I do go to church and hang around after the sermon to know those I worship with. But technology has provided ways to go beyond the limitations of geography and I want to embrace such a time as this.

     And so, I continue to search for teaching videos and instructional sheets to implement the steps I need. There are some directions for things I want to accomplish that seem to be missing. Therefore, I must persevere in my research as well as in the implementation of the instructions I do uncover.

     There are a multitude of instances where we must persevere. Sometimes it is in a difficult relationship such as a boss who just never seems to be satisfied with our work. Or it may be a situation we can’t avoid. A diagnosis that requires dietary and lifestyle changes or a financial crisis that means taking on a second or even a third job. Learning a new skill requires perseverance as well. I remember zigzagging across the bunny hill while learning to ski, falling each time I tried to turn. Eventually, I skied moguls. To keep focused until the mogul stage try putting in place these steps:

**Be mindful of the end results

     Galatians 6:9 reminds us: “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” NLT

     Experience has revealed that effort does produce good results. As I child I faithfully practiced the piano in between my formal lessons and over time became quite skilled. As a freelance writer I consistently sent query letters and eventually had articles published in a multitude of magazines.

Always keep in mind what will be accomplished if we continue to work on our goal.

**Ask for help

Matt 7:7-8 tells us: “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” NLT

The author of the hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” Joseph M. Scriven, encourages us to take our sins, griefs, pain, and burdens to the Lord in earnest prayer.

In addition to seeking direction from the Lord in prayer I have posted my trials and tribulations about the implementation of my email service provider on Facebook writer’s groups in an effort to gather tips that might help me crack this wall. I am confident the Lord will give me direction.

**Celebrate each small victory

     A heart of thankfulness is encouraged in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

     With the help of a friend, I was able to connect a landing page with a tip sheet on spiritual preparedness to my website. This is a victory. I am working on sending an email to subscribers every other Wednesday.

     Looking at what is accomplished versus what is not accomplished keeps us from becoming discouraged. We see that we are making progress.

     This wall I am up against is tough. It may be one of those that is taken down brick by brick.

Let’s Talk

1-What brick walls have you come up against lately? How have you persevered?

2-Sometimes brick walls may be a redirection? How do you determine if a new direction is required or if you need to persevere?