Thoughts on the Christian's Joy

From Oswald Chambers:

Joy should not be confused with happiness. In fact, it is an insult to Jesus Christ to use the word happiness in connection with Him. The joy of Jesus was His absolute self-surrender and self-sacrifice to His Father— the joy of doing that which the Father sent Him to do— ". . . who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross . . ." ( Hebrews 12:2 ). "I delight to do Your will, O my God . . ." ( Psalm 40:8 ). Jesus prayed that our joy might continue fulfilling itself until it becomes the same joy as His.

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I had a great time at the Berean Christian School at Camp Ba-Yo-Ca. I spent the last two nights traveling over to Townsend, TN and spent the evenings sharing the Bible with the 100+ students...what a great group. Dr. Core is an amazing administrator.

The Holiness of the Lord

The Heavens are unclean before Him Job 15:15
The Lord speaks in His holiness Psalm 60:6
God sits upon the throne of His holiness Psalm 47:8
Habakkuk 1:12 are you not from everlasting O Lord my God mine Holy one?
Habakkuk 2:20 the Lord is in His holy temple

God’s holiness would not allow a man to touch the ark, specifically against His rules 2 samuel 6

God’s holiness would not allow people to mock the Lord’s Supper and live 1 Cor. 11
God’s holiness would not allow people to lie to the Holy Spirit even in the honorable action of giving money to the Lord, Acts 5

Today's prayer

We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin —Hebrews 4:15

Heavenly Father,

Please prepare my heart as I minister to the students at Berean Christian School this week. Please also make ready their hearts as we all find Your teaching at the Spiritual retreat.

Please assist Oscar Hyde in his quest to honor You as he makes decisions for college and his career here on Earth.

I pray you would continue to strengthen my wife Jill as she battles fibro myalgia, and continues to be a stellar mother and wife.

Please help me as I face the challenges of the day, knowing that You have also faced these very same roadblocks and trials. I pray that People would see You above all else.

In Jesus' Name I pray,

Amen

Small things

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Praise

Great news has been filling my week!

- my former Christian Academy of Knoxville student, Amanda Brooks, is "breezing through" her college New Testament class. That gives this old teacher a glad heart. The teaching stayed with her! Thanks to the Lord.

- my former Grace Christian Academy student Justin Rhyne is actively telling others about the truth of Christ while a student at the University of Tennessee. His call last night was a great boost to me.

- my former online international student and great friend across the Pond, Oscar Hyde is preparing for college (Princeton? Cambridge?) but let me know that one of his priorities is to stay strong in the Lord by meeting with Christian friends and groups whenever he steps on campus next fall.

3 John 1:4 - I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.