When you make a choice for God, his Spirit moves in, bringing about a major change in your life of which joy probably is the most significant. That is what Paul said about the new Christians in Thessalonica: 6Although great trouble accompanied the Word, you were able to take great joy from the Holy Spirit! […]
Read moreOne’s mood is quickly affected if the things that are important to you don’t go well. We soon become negative when our country and its affairs are not managed well. When our financial affairs aren’t running smoothly. When our relationships are shipwrecked now and then, and we wash up on a lonely beach. Our joy […]
Read moreWhat’s that thing that Emo always says? “Waar’s dit lekker? Hier’s dit lekker!” Meaning where are things good? It’s good right here! People are under so much pressure. It’s as if all that is nice and enjoyable in life is missing all the time. The expectations of the world and also what we expect of […]
Read moreYou can possess everything in the world. You can have all the money your heart desires. You can own the biggest, most beautiful house with the fastest, reddest car in the garage. You could’ve established a business empire. You can have the most beautiful, thinnest or strongest spouse or partner. You can be the most […]
Read moreThe international evangelist, Tony Anthony, recounts the legend of Friedrich Moritz August Retzsch’s painting Die Schachspieler (The Chess Players) often known today as Checkmate. In the painting, two chess players sit at a chess board. One is the devil, very confident, and the other, an ordinary man who looks quite anxious. The winner’s prize? The […]
Read moreSometimes I wonder why God still wants to have anything to do with me. Really. I feel I simply don’t make it. I pull in the wrong direction too often. I often fail the keep calm test. I’m more lukewarm than hot. I often do wat I know I shouldn’t do. Then I wonder why […]
Read moreNataniël has a way of putting things. He said this about gratitude: “Get a dog and call him ‘Thank you’. Every time you call him will remind you how grateful you need to be for everything you have and everything you receive undeservedly, by grace.” 8 … if we have bread on the table and […]
Read moreGod’s idea is that we should walk through life filled with joy. We shouldn’t walk around with long faces. That is not how God meant it to be. But we struggle. We struggle to find our joy in all the hardship. We struggle to make Paul’s command part of our lives: 16Be cheerful no matter […]
Read moreWe are emotional beings. God made us that way. That is why we are so easily influenced emotionally by our circumstances. It is difficult for me to be joyful when someone close to me is in pain. I can’t laugh when I know my friend is hurting. I feel depressed when my cash flow looks […]
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