I like that song, “I Feel Good” by James Brown.
Feelings are not all bad. Sometimes we can have a sense of danger which is a
warning that we need to heed impending doom. We are not to be ruled by our feelings. There have been many days
that I am jumping up and down in the seat of my car, and these two girls pulled
up next to me at a stop light and rolled down their window and started singing
with me. It was the Christmas song “Joy to the World” that was in a rap song.
My current feelings have nothing to do with my present circumstances in life!
My pastor did a good sermon on joy last week after the shooting at the Connecticut elementary school. He talked about how joy is supernatural.
I just went and saw the movie “The Hobbit” in 3D and I wonder if heaven is in 3D. On books I have read about people who have died, gone to heaven and come back, they said there is a 3-part harmony of music that is going on before the throne of God continually. Paul was caught up to the third heaven. Others who have tasted of glory (the 90 Minutes in Heaven book) who come back, have a problem focusing on this life, especially since he had physical pain in his legs he had to overcome. It was not his family that “pulled him back to earth” it was the calling of God that pulled him back. I find that has been a key to my struggle now as far as the ministry and calling of God that keeps me going in life.
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 1 Peter 1:8
There are several counterfeits joy and highs that the world has to offer us. I almost tried all of them in my younger years. They gave me a high/buzz/or a euphoric feeling. It is interesting because I am high on life at times when things are going well in my life. I have learned that “despite” my circumstances whether I have five cents in my bank account or $10,000 (I prefer the second) that I can still be joyful because no longer is my joy based on my circumstances it’s been a key in staying off of anti-depressants in a critical period of my life.
Much of what I thought was joy in my life was happiness because it was based on pleasant circumstances –how I felt at the time when things are going well for me. How others accept me or please me or when things go smoothly in my life. Someone being mean or critical like an ex-spouse or difficult teenager could ruin my day.
I am learning to “reign” over my circumstances in life (not let my feelings rule me.)
For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17
Now, I can help others who go through depression, because I never experienced it in 35 years as a Christian like I did in losing my spouse. I had a happy childhood and have been an extremely positive person all my life up until this last death of a loved one. Even with losing three family members to cancer and going through divorce, I stayed positive.
I believe Moses could have stayed on the mountain top with God, but God sent him down and told him that the people were sinning. The people in the valley got him angry and robbed his joy so don’t let people “get your goat.” I read a while back that when someone gets you angry, than they have control or mastery over you so I constantly bless a person who has offended me, cut me off in traffic or made me angry.
An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel. Proverbs 18:19
I had several mean managers in the past at work that would yell at me and take their problems out on me. I worked for this one CFO of a hospital when it was folding financially and I had no idea what I was getting into because I interviewed with the Human Resource director who was a puppy dog. After he yelled at me twice the first week I worked for him, I told him I was not going to put up with it. It was stupid stuff that he yelled at me about. I left that job and went on to other difficult bosses and then learned that I did not have to let another person’s bad day make me have a bad day. Many days when my manager was cranky, I just said to myself, “His problem is not my problem.”
What I have also learned in life is not to get under condemnation about going through trials and difficulties in life. Job’s friends tried to make Job feel guilty for going through trials and I find that when many Christians try to share their heart that they are going through a battle, it’s sort of like Delilah chopped off Samson’s hair when Samson told her his secret. It’s because many people are walking in conditional love. Everyone in this world needs love and acceptance unconditionally, but not many people give unconditional love.
I had someone who left me a voice mail recently that was apologizing about going through difficulty with her teenagers. I was thinking, “Please don’t apologize that you are going through a battle and that you need my comfort and prayer.” The word of God is not to be used to “chop” people down that is not the purpose of it. I’m not to use the sword to chop up my brothers and sisters. The word of God is meant for healing, “He sent his word and healed them.” Psalm 107:20
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18
In volunteering and helping others in life, there is joy of labor that is above working a job as far as Jesus said his meat was to do the will of his Father and it says that everything we do for the kingdom of God is not in vain.
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Cor. 15:58
Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. John 4:44
So I have learned to thank God even when bad things are happening to me and one my greatest day was when I thanked God my life stunk at the top of my lungs. It sort of reminds me of how Elle Woods was so excited about getting her internship on the Legally Blonde movie, and she told her ex-boyfriend it was better than five glorious hours in a hot tub with him. (editorial note: well almost…LOL)
That day a severe depression left me. Than a couple weeks later the Lord gave me that scripture that my life does not stink to him that I am a sweet fragrance in his nostrils. In times of trial when we offer praise when things are going wrong in our life, God loves that smell and aroma of our sweet thanksgiving! It’s truly a sacrifice of praise when all hell is breaking lose in our lives!
For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 2 Cor. 2:15
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name. Hebrews 13:5
There have been many days in my life that I did not feel like going to church, going to a single’s Bible study, or feel like praising the Lord, but I put off my sackcloth myself by praising the Lord and kept going in life when I wanted to stay home and stay in bed. David put off his sackcloth for the baby very easily, but it was more difficult for Absalom his firstborn son who he had a relationship with. What really “set me free” was seeing how much difficulty that Abraham and Jacob had in missing their wives. That set me free from guilt that I was even going through the trial of grief knowing that these were “mighty” men of faith.
I’ll focus on Jesus, helping others and in turn I know that God helps those who help others through loss!
JOY = Jesus, others, you
God turned the captivity of Job --- God did it! God has his timing, it’s different for each person. The below scripture helped me get through divorce and it’s helping me now as far as it says, no weapon formed against me will prosper…my victory comes from Jesus!
No weapon that has been made to be used against you will succeed. You will have an answer for anyone who accuses you. This is the inheritance of the Lord’s servants. Their victory comes from me," declares the Lord . Isaiah 54:17
I Feel Good – James Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzlpTRNIAvc
My pastor did a good sermon on joy last week after the shooting at the Connecticut elementary school. He talked about how joy is supernatural.
I just went and saw the movie “The Hobbit” in 3D and I wonder if heaven is in 3D. On books I have read about people who have died, gone to heaven and come back, they said there is a 3-part harmony of music that is going on before the throne of God continually. Paul was caught up to the third heaven. Others who have tasted of glory (the 90 Minutes in Heaven book) who come back, have a problem focusing on this life, especially since he had physical pain in his legs he had to overcome. It was not his family that “pulled him back to earth” it was the calling of God that pulled him back. I find that has been a key to my struggle now as far as the ministry and calling of God that keeps me going in life.
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 1 Peter 1:8
There are several counterfeits joy and highs that the world has to offer us. I almost tried all of them in my younger years. They gave me a high/buzz/or a euphoric feeling. It is interesting because I am high on life at times when things are going well in my life. I have learned that “despite” my circumstances whether I have five cents in my bank account or $10,000 (I prefer the second) that I can still be joyful because no longer is my joy based on my circumstances it’s been a key in staying off of anti-depressants in a critical period of my life.
Much of what I thought was joy in my life was happiness because it was based on pleasant circumstances –how I felt at the time when things are going well for me. How others accept me or please me or when things go smoothly in my life. Someone being mean or critical like an ex-spouse or difficult teenager could ruin my day.
I am learning to “reign” over my circumstances in life (not let my feelings rule me.)
For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17
Now, I can help others who go through depression, because I never experienced it in 35 years as a Christian like I did in losing my spouse. I had a happy childhood and have been an extremely positive person all my life up until this last death of a loved one. Even with losing three family members to cancer and going through divorce, I stayed positive.
I believe Moses could have stayed on the mountain top with God, but God sent him down and told him that the people were sinning. The people in the valley got him angry and robbed his joy so don’t let people “get your goat.” I read a while back that when someone gets you angry, than they have control or mastery over you so I constantly bless a person who has offended me, cut me off in traffic or made me angry.
An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel. Proverbs 18:19
I had several mean managers in the past at work that would yell at me and take their problems out on me. I worked for this one CFO of a hospital when it was folding financially and I had no idea what I was getting into because I interviewed with the Human Resource director who was a puppy dog. After he yelled at me twice the first week I worked for him, I told him I was not going to put up with it. It was stupid stuff that he yelled at me about. I left that job and went on to other difficult bosses and then learned that I did not have to let another person’s bad day make me have a bad day. Many days when my manager was cranky, I just said to myself, “His problem is not my problem.”
What I have also learned in life is not to get under condemnation about going through trials and difficulties in life. Job’s friends tried to make Job feel guilty for going through trials and I find that when many Christians try to share their heart that they are going through a battle, it’s sort of like Delilah chopped off Samson’s hair when Samson told her his secret. It’s because many people are walking in conditional love. Everyone in this world needs love and acceptance unconditionally, but not many people give unconditional love.
I had someone who left me a voice mail recently that was apologizing about going through difficulty with her teenagers. I was thinking, “Please don’t apologize that you are going through a battle and that you need my comfort and prayer.” The word of God is not to be used to “chop” people down that is not the purpose of it. I’m not to use the sword to chop up my brothers and sisters. The word of God is meant for healing, “He sent his word and healed them.” Psalm 107:20
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18
In volunteering and helping others in life, there is joy of labor that is above working a job as far as Jesus said his meat was to do the will of his Father and it says that everything we do for the kingdom of God is not in vain.
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Cor. 15:58
Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. John 4:44
So I have learned to thank God even when bad things are happening to me and one my greatest day was when I thanked God my life stunk at the top of my lungs. It sort of reminds me of how Elle Woods was so excited about getting her internship on the Legally Blonde movie, and she told her ex-boyfriend it was better than five glorious hours in a hot tub with him. (editorial note: well almost…LOL)
That day a severe depression left me. Than a couple weeks later the Lord gave me that scripture that my life does not stink to him that I am a sweet fragrance in his nostrils. In times of trial when we offer praise when things are going wrong in our life, God loves that smell and aroma of our sweet thanksgiving! It’s truly a sacrifice of praise when all hell is breaking lose in our lives!
For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 2 Cor. 2:15
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name. Hebrews 13:5
There have been many days in my life that I did not feel like going to church, going to a single’s Bible study, or feel like praising the Lord, but I put off my sackcloth myself by praising the Lord and kept going in life when I wanted to stay home and stay in bed. David put off his sackcloth for the baby very easily, but it was more difficult for Absalom his firstborn son who he had a relationship with. What really “set me free” was seeing how much difficulty that Abraham and Jacob had in missing their wives. That set me free from guilt that I was even going through the trial of grief knowing that these were “mighty” men of faith.
I’ll focus on Jesus, helping others and in turn I know that God helps those who help others through loss!
JOY = Jesus, others, you
God turned the captivity of Job --- God did it! God has his timing, it’s different for each person. The below scripture helped me get through divorce and it’s helping me now as far as it says, no weapon formed against me will prosper…my victory comes from Jesus!
No weapon that has been made to be used against you will succeed. You will have an answer for anyone who accuses you. This is the inheritance of the Lord’s servants. Their victory comes from me," declares the Lord . Isaiah 54:17
I Feel Good – James Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzlpTRNIAvc
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