Practice Truth

Saturday, March 23, 2024

Good morning, Lord

Verse of the Day:    Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin. (1 Peter 4:1)

Memory verse: Romans 8:32 ►He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?  

Today's reading:  JOSHUA 16-18 LUKE 2:1-24

Practice Truth

1 Timothy 1:11 (ESV)

11 in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.

This 'blessed' is translated as 'happy'- 'makariou'(happy, blessed), 'Theou'(God).

We hear so much in the media about 'happy'-"Happy tastes good"-happiness is the right car-happiness is knowing you have the best retirement package...

All happiness derived from earthly things or things created by the ingenuity of man is never anything but temporary.

Our God is completely happy. He did not create us so to make Himself happy-He created us so we would share His happiness in His complete love. God is delighted in Himself-not in any earthly way of understanding-but God created us to know His joy in ourselves.

This takes us to the 'great separation' or the 'fall of man' when man was driven from the garden of Eden-separated from God due to sin. God wants us to know His happiness and we could not because of sin, so, Jesus died for us to be reunited with God so that His joy might be full in us.

John 15:11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

Knowing God is knowing His divine happiness-so why are so many unhappy?

Our happiness comes from Him-from seeking God-happiness is in His presence, His light. Not being with God is walking in darkness.

1 John 5: 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

Practice the truth and walk in the light. This is how we enjoy fellowship with each other-we know God's happy heart. This is how we earn the right to be heard in a pagan world-our joy is real because we walk in His light. This is how we are strong in our greatest weaknesses-the joy of the Lord is my strength.(Nehemiah 8:10)

Practice truth-walk in His light-know His happiness.

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

Forgive me my lazy attitude toward seeking You. I want to know you the way You want me to. Help me practice light.

Wise and truly happy God,

In the name of Christ Jesus,

Amen