Passing Pleasures or Abiding Joy

-
The pleasures pursued in this life are but momentary. They do not last. Therefore, you must do them over and over, and yet over again. Restlessly wanting ever more, we are never satisfied. Then, one day, we become enslaved. It could be sex, drugs, food, alcohol, work, online activity, shopping, porn, you name it. It could be anything. Some of these are damaging sin, others lead to uncontrolled behavior when it is all we crave. In the end, we are trapped in the cycle of desperately striving for satisfaction, as it flies away with ever stronger force, chained to distraction and pleasure.

In contrast, the joy of Christ transcendentally abides, ever growing as we draw closer to Him. Circumstance matters less, pain draws us even nearer. With the utmost joy of being loved in unmerited grace we have true peace. We delight in our wonderful Lord, knowing a deeply satisfied contentedness which asks what more do we need? This present joy comes to the fullest fruition we could ever imagine when we meet Jesus in eternity.

 I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good besides You.” Psalm 16:2.

 Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.
My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:25-26. 

 How to have a personal relationship with God 

Can I pray for you or someone you know today? It would be a privilege and an honor to so do so. Visit the Share Your Prayer Request page.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Let Go and Let God

-
Image
We have all heard the words, “Let go and let God”. Though oft-repeated phrases can sometimes lose their impact over time and become cliche, the truth resonates.

I have struggled with anxiety most of my life. I have also had debilitating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Because of these, unproductive striving is a great issue for me. Full of agitation, I hold problems to my chest, worrying, fretting, and expending stressful energy. In an effort at control I obsess over details, preoccupied with doing. I find myself caught up with ever more strenuous intensity. This turmoil feeds itself. There is rumination over the future, with what-ifs, fearful of the lack of requirements I perceive are not happening in the present. The unknown brings a nervous fear. I try to pray these moments through, yet often had the experience of prayer itself being an act of flustered stress instead of a meaningful appeal. Thankfully, God is wonderfully patient.

It makes little sense to our frayed nerves we must …
Read more

Mental and Emotional Illness and the Church

-
Image
When tragic circumstances occur in a family or community, many turn to their pastor, leaders, or church connections. This circle of support is important. We can address this suffering with encouragement and hope for things we see with our eyes. It is right to do so. Yet, there is a segment of the church and public I feel are overlooked. There are people who suffer in ways we cannot see, which go beyond familiar experience. I am referring to those with mental and emotional issues, whether temporary trials or long-term disorders. In church settings, care for physical illness or misfortune is available, with little awareness of dealing with emotional and mental distress as an illness. In addition, the observable traumatic hardship and events we readily understand can lead to complications of emotional turmoil. If we turn to the faith community for help with this aspect, there is not much practical outreach, though equally vital.

The Problem
Some mean well, but have never encountered thes…
Read more

Delighting in God

-
Image
At times, the Christian life is hard. Life is full of trials, difficulties, and pain. Our response is to call out to God, often asking Him to remove the difficulty. This is not wrong. Sometimes He does. I wonder, however, instead of wishing hardship would go away, if the answer with much of our walk would be simply enjoying God. The Westminster Shorter Catechism states “man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever”. Forever can begin today, in the here and now.

By delighting in God, I am not talking about a pleasant smile that ignores reality. We do not dismiss our ordeals and think positive. The strength is the object our delight is in, not ourselves. With a deep, abiding joy we appreciate who God is and what He has done for us.

There are many ways to do so. Prayer, praise, worship, Bible reading. The Bible is full of reasons to enjoy God. I will focus on one. You may have many more to ponder.

God is awesome in holiness and almighty power. We need to let this sink into…
Read more