(Artist: Greg Olsen)
[Video link to this blog, with commentary: https://youtu.be/G2Fyftgssk0?si=5BMaM7FPUZrEq9Xw ]
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Joy or Bitterness?
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H8057 – Joy
Hebrew: שׂמחה
Transliteration: ώimchâh
Pronunciation: sim-khaw'
Definition: From H8056; blithesomeness— cheerfulness of disposition (quality of mind or character), glee (great delight): uses— exceeding gladness, joyfulness, mirth, pleasure, rejoicing.
H7442 – Joy
Hebrew: רנן
Transliteration: rânan
Pronunciation: raw-nan'
Definition: A primitive root; properly— to creak or emit a stridulous sound— that is, to shout (usually for joy): cry out or aloud for joy, be joyful, greatly make to rejoice, (cause to) shout for joy, (cause to) sing aloud for joy or triumph.
H8643 – Joy
Hebrew: תּרוּעה
Transliteration: terû‛âh
Pronunciation: ter-oo-aw'
Definition: From H7321; clamor— that is acclamation of joy or a battle cry; especially clangor of trumpets— as an alarm: alarm blowing of the trumpets, joy, jubilee, loud noise of rejoicing or shouting, high joyful sound.
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1 Chronicles 15:25
“And David spoke to the chief of the Levites— to appoint their brethren to be singers with instruments of music— psalteries and harps, and cymbals sounding— by lifting up the voice with joy.”
1 Chronicles 29:9
“So David— and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands– -went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD— out of the house of Obededom— with joy.”
1 Chronicles 29:9
“Then the people rejoiced— for they offered willingly— because with perfect heart, they offered willingly to the LORD: and David, the king, also rejoiced with great joy.”
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Nothing with God is accidental, or coincidental— and here we can see that one thing these people walked in was DELIBERATE, and WILLING OFFERINGS unto the Lord God (those are sacrifices); a whole heart, is a perfect heart— and these offered their WHOLE HEART TO GOD, ‘willingly;’ and in that— they REJOICED with GREAT JOY.
If we want joy, we must REJOICE— and we must rejoice— in the Lord; and that comes from giving him OUR ALL, in our hearts: which means— we FOCUS ON HIM, FULLY, COMPLETELY— not ourselves, and what ‘we’ need, ‘we’ want, ‘we’ don’t like, ‘we’ covet, ‘we’ are not comfortable with— it’s all about him.
If it’s anything other than that— we have ‘god/idol’ inside of us— that takes up residence and precedence above God holy, our Father, Creator, Savior/Redeemer and Lover of our souls.
Rejoicing in the Lord does not mean to simply rejoice in all he provides for us, or accomplishes in us, for us, or unto us— like answered prayers; it means to REJOICE in ‘him.’
The Fact that he IS OURS, and WE— ARE HIS; and that no one can take THAT, away from us— not hardship, not suffering, not calamity, not woe, not loss or any other uncomfortable, and temporary thing in this lifetime.
If we are not WELL PLEASED and FULFILLED IN THAT, in ‘him—’ then we have other ‘affections’ and desires still erected in our hearts, and they are not WHOLE, or PERFECTED UNTO HIM: meaning— he himself, holding the fullness of the heart’s desire.
We can want and ask for things— but when our focus is more so on ‘getting’ those things done, accomplished, provided, secured, and get our way— OVER and ABOVE— the process, the journey with, the struggling together, and uniting in the events themselves— FOCUSING ON HIM, and RELATIONSHIP ‘in the hardships’.....
Then we have lost focus on our Beloved, and our heart is ‘after another’ desire (self, usually): and this is idolatry.
I have had to work very hard with him on this, and not to be focused solely on the ‘struggles’ he is providing to me— but to BEHOLD MY BELOVED, in the struggles and hardships: because what we behold— we become like.
If I behold the struggle— everything becomes a struggle to me; if I behold myself in the struggle all the time, and not him— I am now the ‘god,’ or idol in my heart: and he is not PERFECTED IN THERE, meaning— he is not the desire of my heart— what he can ‘provide’ to me, is: and getting what I want is my focus.
This— is the struggle of throwing down self, and what we think we deserve or need; this is the struggle of being stripped by God, in whatever way he sees fit— to accomplish a STELLAR RELATIONSHIP, on SOLID GROUND, upon the Rock of our Salvation.
Anything that comes between us in that— anything that threatens to separate us from God— will be removed.
If we are focusing on carnal things (including health, bodies, vanity, comforts, etc), and believe we can ‘make it,’ if we retain these things or circumstances —he will remove those things— to refine us, to show us the true state of our hearts— so we can ‘change,’ (which is repent: a mutual change, making a difference) and become AS ONE with him: united, in agreement with HIM— and ‘he’ as the ‘apple of our eyes,’ beholding our TRUE TREASURE— him.
If we are treasuring anything else in this life— he will be faithful to point it out, and strip it from us: and the stripping process is not comfortable; we must learn this, and to embrace the painful suffering of our cross (dying to self desire).
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2 Chronicles 30:22, 24-26
“And Hezekiah spoke comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the Lord: and they did eat throughout the feast seven days— offering peace offerings— and making confession to the Lord God of their fathers.
…a great number of priests sanctified themselves.
And all the congregation of Judah, with the priests and the Levites, and all the congregation that came out of Israel, and the strangers that came out of the land of Israel, and that dwelt in Judah— rejoiced.
So there was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem.”
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Sanctification (we doing it ourselves, unto the Lord, with his help) and confession— are, in part, critical components of walking in JOY, and REJOICING in the Lord God.
Sanctified, here, is— pronounced, observed, made clean morally and ceremoniously, consecrating oneself in dedication, in purity, and wholly— to God.
And Confession, here in Strong’s is— to revere in worship, bemoaning and praising the Lord— casting it upon him by our ‘hand,’ or power and intentions.
When we do this, when we make ourselves clean morally, ceremoniously (meaning, literally do it and pronounce it to God that we are), and consecrate ourselves to him (that’s be separate from the world, unto him, his way, and being conformed to his ways and lead), in a dedication to him of purity of heart— becoming WHOLLY GOD’S…
And confess our sanctification to him, by reverencing him (not self), worshiping him (not self), and bemoaning and shouting and praising the Lord (not self) —and casting this honor, reverence, praise, consecration of sanctifying ourselves to him— at him, upon him, and by our power, strength, intentions and deliberate actions…
We will walk in the Joy of the Lord; for our Joy— IS THE LORD!!
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Ezra 3:8-13
“Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem— in the second month— began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites— and all they that were come out of the captivity, unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites— from twenty years old and upward— to set forward the work of the house of the Lord.
[priests, we are, too— and to be unto the work of the house of the Lord in our lives, whilst here in this realm: on mission.]
Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah— together— to set forward the workmen in the house of God: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brethren the Levites.
And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord— they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets— and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the Lord, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.
And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord; because HE IS GOOD, for his mercy endures forever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout— when they praised the Lord— because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.
[He is our foundation— being the Cornerstone of our building— and we are to praise him, and rejoice in him; for he is ours— and we are his— forevermore, united, and destined.]
But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men— that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes— wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:
[Such joy to be in the house of the Lord again— and to have the ‘foundation’ laid before their eyes (beholding), once again.]
So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy —from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard far off.”
[Their joy and their weeping— were for the same; it was to honor God, and to revere him in the WHOLENESS of their hearts.
For they saw their TREASURE, and were able to WORSHIP HIM accordingly, and to consecrate their lives/hearts unto him— appropriately once again: such delight in the Lord, and the foundation of their faith, and persuasion of their belief in him.]
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Ezra 6:22
“And they kept the feast of the unleavened bread— seven days— with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful— and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them— to strengthen their hands, in the work of the house of God— the God of Israel.”
Ezra 6:13-16
“And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded— and finished it— according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.
And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.
And the children of Israel— the priests, and the Levites— and the rest of the children of the captivity— kept the dedication of this house of God with joy.
[There is ALWAYS a ‘work to do’ in the ‘house of God;’ and we are to sanctify and consecrate our vessels (house of God) —and be separated out of this world (Babylon), and solely unto him.
And to KEEP THE DEDICATION OF THIS HOUSE (vessel) unto God, wholly separate— and in JOY: reverencing, praising and rejoicing in him— no matter what; working out our salvation— with fear and trembling before him.]
20-22
For —the priests and the Levites were purified together— all of them were pure— and killed the passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren— the priests— and for themselves.
And the children of Israel, who were come again— out of captivity— and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land —to seek the Lord God of Israel— did eat— And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the Lord had made them joyful— and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them— to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.”
[The priests (we are), were PURIFIED, ALL OF THEM WERE PURE; and they had COME OUT OF CAPTIVITY (bondage to satan and his ways— spiritually speaking) —and SEPARATED THEMSELVES to God, and AWAY FROM the filthiness of the heathen (not godly nations of people) —and walked in the JOY OF THE LORD GOD.
Because God turned the heart of the king of Assyria to assist them, for one reason— so they could STRENGTHEN THEIR HANDS— TO THE WORK OF THE HOUSE OF GOD.
We have work to do— in the ‘house of God,’ which is our VESSEL: and he will strengthen us to do so— and sanctification (purity process) of being separate and wholly changed by the Lord into his ways— will assist us in this: for the work, in the house of God— must move forward.
He is, after all— resurrecting the ruinous remains of the Tabernacle of David— that has fallen— in us, in the last of days.]
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Nehemiah 8:6-12
“And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered— Amen, Amen— with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground (full reverence, self thrown down, quite literally).
Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites— caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.
So they read in the book, in the law of God, distinctly— and gave the sense— and caused them to understand the reading.
And Nehemiah— which is the Tirshatha— and Ezra, the priest, the scribe— and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people— This day is holy unto the Lord your God; mourn not, nor weep.
For all the people wept— when they heard the words of the law.
Then he said unto them— Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet— and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be sorry— for the joy of the Lord, is your strength.
So the Levites stilled all the people, saying— Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be grieved.
And all the people went their way to eat, to drink, to send portions (to those who had no provisions) —and to make great mirth— because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.”
[The joy of GOD, he himself, and he himself with us— is our strength in all things, all sufferings, all battles, all wisdom, understanding, blessing, provision, and love: even rejoicing in the painful reforming of our person, through trials and testings— as we undergo the fire.]
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H4885 – Joy
Hebrew: משׂושׂ
Transliteration: mâώôώ
Pronunciation: maw-soce'
Definition: From H7797; delight: joy, mirth, rejoice.
G5479 – Joy
Greek: χαρά
Transliteration: chara
Pronunciation: khar-ah'
Definition: From G5463; cheerfulness —that is, calm delight: - gladness, exceeding joy (-ful -fully -fulness -ous).
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Why the Tabernacle of David—
Is the delight— or Joy of the Lord.
And why David’s tabernacling with God—
And vessels like unto him—
will be resurrected in the last days, from ruin.
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H8342 – Joy
Hebrew: שׂשׂן שׂשׂון
Transliteration: ώâώôn ώâώôn
Pronunciation: {saw-sone'} saw-sone'
Definition: From H7797; cheerfulness— specifically welcome: gladness, joy, mirth, rejoicing.
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Psalms 5:11
“Let all those who put their trust in you— rejoice: let them shout ever for joy— because you defend them: let them also who love your name— be joyful in you.”
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Are we trusting him— in EVERYTHING? Are we shouting for joy, in EVERYTHING? Because he defends us, goes before us, and orders ALL OUR STEPS in this life— including the hard reformative ones.
Are we JOYFUL in him— during these reformation processes?
Because if we are truly ‘trusting’ him in all he orders into our lives— we will be ABLE and READILY REJOICING IN HIM: and in all things, we will be thanking him for— because those things, trials and sufferings— are reforming us, and reuniting us to him, as one with him.
Hebrews 5:8-9
“Though he were a Son— yet learned he obedience— by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect [whole/complete] he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them who obey him.”
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Psalms 16:11
“You will show me the path of life: in your presence is— fullness of joy; at your right hand— pleasures for evermore.”
Psalms 21:1
“The king shall joy in your strength, O LORD; and in your salvation— how greatly he shall rejoice.”
Psalms 27:6
“And now shall my head be lifted up— above my enemies round about me: therefore I will offer in his tabernacle, sacrifices of joy; I will sing— yes— I will sing praises to the LORD.”
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He will offer up sacrifices of joy— it’s a deliberate effort to praise God in all things, thanking him for what he has given to us— to reform us, and polish us up into his likeness again— and to suffer as/like he did, learning obedience and how to honor our God and Father, as well.
He— David (in whom we are to learn from) —offered up sacrifices of Joy in his tabernacle (vessel, person, life) —and he praised the Lord: “I will” —is his WILLINGNESS FROM HIS HEART, and our actions follow through, from our will.
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Psalms 32:11
“Be glad in the LORD— and rejoice— you righteous: and shout for joy— all you who are upright in heart.”
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To be upright in heart— is to be WHOLE, and WHOLLY unto God in our hearts: a true love for him, and a life and heart— given to him, in sincerity: the pure hearted, a people prepared of/for the Lord.
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Psalms 42:4
“When I remember these things— I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude— I went with them to the house of God— with the voice of joy and praise— with a multitude who kept the holyday.”
Psalms 43:4
“Then will I go to the altar of God (this is our hearts)— to God— with my exceeding joy: yes— upon the harp I will praise you O God, my God.”
Psalms 48:2
“Beautiful, for situation— the joy of the whole earth— (is) mount Zion, the sides of the north— the city of the great King.”
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Those who walk with the Lord, worship the Lord, rejoice in the Lord— in their hearts, with purity and sincerity— exalting him— will be the people of Mount Zion— the northern city (upward) —the city of our Great King: the people of faith in him— the seed of Abraham.
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Psalms 51:8
“Make me hear joy and gladness— so that the bones which you have broken— may rejoice.”
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He will break us, he will reform us— he will set our bones again, in the shape and form of himself (the bones are the foundation of us, symbolically); and in that— we will suffer in this lifetime— but it is unto our GOOD, for he is a ‘good’ Father, who knows what he is doing— and how it will all benefit us, in the end of the process: may we retain GRATITUDE (thanksgiving) in this process, seeing it is to work a work in us, not of earthly hands— but of GOD HIMSELF; and it will BENEFIT us, and draw us into UNITY WITH HIM, in the culmination of it.
He will reset our FOUNDATIONS (bones), and we will be STRONGER TOGETHER, for it all: “rejoice in the Lord, and again I say— REJOICE.”
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Psalms 126:5
“They who sow in tears— shall reap in joy.”
Psalms 51:12
“Restore to me the joy of your salvation (his saving process— himself); and uphold me with your free spirit.”
Proverbs 23:24
“The father of the righteous— shall greatly rejoice: and he who begets a wise child— shall have joy of him.”
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This is the heart and intent of the lord over ALL Davids— those who have a heart running after him, and a heart ‘fashioned’ as/like his.
He, the Lord— will rejoice greatly— being the Father of the righteous; and he will rejoice for he has wise children, and HE WILL HAVE JOY IN HIM, because of his wise and righteous children: we are, after all— created for his pleasure (that’s his enJOYment).
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Proverbs 12:20
“Deceit is in the heart of those who imagine evil: but to the counselors of peace— is joy.”
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Counselors of peace— shalom being, the ‘at one’ with the Lord again— the atonement (at-one-ment) + rest (resting in him, abiding, living); these people— will walk in Joy.
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Proverbs 14:10
“The heart knows his own bitterness; and a stranger does not intermeddle with is joy.”
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Do we understand that our heart KNOWS its own bitterness??
And that NO ONE— will interject, mess with, or otherwise affect it in JOY, when bitterness is exalted?
That is what this means— no one will alter one’s joy status within— when a heart KNOWS ITS OWN BITTERNESS.
So, I pose this question— Do we KNOW what’s in our hearts??
Do we know whether we are swimming in bitterness, truthfully— in there?
Because many may come to enlighten us, lift us, encourage us, support us, and bring good tidings of hope in the Lord; but if we are BITTER in our hearts— these strangers, these people who don’t know what’s in your heart— will have no effect on JOY in you.
For bitterness— is rooted and exalted within; and bitterness comes from pride: it is self focus, and on injustices perceived.
When we perceive we are getting something done to us UNJUSTLY, we have judged the matter, and believe we know it’s an injustice being done to us; are we viewing what God is doing in our lives, through the sufferings and pain, losses and hardships— as INJUSTICES DONE TO US, of him??
For if so— we will need to see the root of BITTERNESS inside, pertaining to the steps God is ordering in our lives— that is truly for our benefit, in the end of his refinements.
Bitterness— lack of sweetness, and anger and disappointment at being treated unfairly— resentment.
We cannot EXALT HIM, and RESENT HIM— simultaneously.
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Ecclesiastes 2:26
“For God gives to a man that is good in his sight— wisdom, knowledge and joy: but to the sinner, he gives— travail— to gather and to heap up— that he may give good before God.”
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I want to make sure we understand that— the sinner is one who is currently transgressing God, and his way of living and conducting his being— the law in which his kingdom runs on.
God’s goal in heaping TRAVAIL upon a sinner, is that he will TURN (repent) and REFORM, coming back into unity with God; all our hardships are because we are out of alignment with God in areas of our lives— and he knows how to CONVERT/CONFORM every man back into his image again; each life will be through different circumstances.
We will return to his ‘good’ image, and we will gain wisdom, knowledge and joy— through all this.
Travail stops eventually— and we can stop travailing IN THE HEART— any time we desire— it’s a choice to remain in a tormented heart of travail; despite outward travail (like in body sufferings), we can come out of HEART TRAVAIL— by beholding our Beloved again— by focusing our hearts upon him again— and STOP LOOKING AT THE STORM.
(Peters)
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Jeremiah 15:16
“Your words were found and I did eat them; and your word was to me —the joy of rejoicing in my heart: for I am called by your name— O LORD God of hosts.”
Jeremiah 33:11
“The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness— the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride— the voice of them who shall say— Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endures forever: and of them —who shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD.”
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Habakkuk 3:18
“Yet will I rejoice in the LORD— I will joy in the God of my salvation.”
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Zephaniah 3:17
“The LORD your God, in the midst of you— is mighty; he will save— he will rejoice over you with joy; he will rest in his love— he will joy over you with singing.”
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We are called to do the same— rejoice over him— with singing, praise, honor, and gratitude in all things.
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Matthew 13:44
“Again— the Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hid in a field; which when a man has found it— he hides it— and for joy there of it— he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field.”
(Buy the truth [he is], and sell it not— treasure him.)
Matthew 25:21
“His lord said to him— Well done, you good and faithful servant: you have been faithful over a few things— I will make you ruler over many things: enter yourself into the joy of your lord.”
[repeated again, 2 verses later— word for word]
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Luke 15:7
“I say to you, that likewise— joy shall be in heaven, over ONE SINNER WHO REPENTS— more than over ninety-nine just persons— who have no need of repentance.”
[Because ONE SINNER— is one person who was out of alignment with God— and now, through REPENTANCE (turning to face him again) —one more person is in alignment, honoring God’s Spirit, and not kicking against his leadership in their lives— but instead, has SUBMITTED TO HIM, and TO THEIR CROSS of ‘death to self’ leadership, perspectives and ways.]
Luke 24:52-53
“And they worshiped him— and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.”
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The truth is in our hearts one way or another— the truth of lies and non alignment with God in there— or the truth that we are like/same/as in our hearts, and they have fully been given over to him— and HE TRULY IS— the most important thing to us, and in there.
These will CONTINUALLY WORSHIP HIM— in the ‘temple,’ or the HEART— and will praise him and bless him— in gratitude and honor, in ALL THINGS: for he orders our steps, all is for our benefit.
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John 3:29
“He who has the bride— is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him— rejoices greatly— because of the bridegroom’s voice: in this my joy therefore is fulfilled.”
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The groom ‘has’ the Bride— she is his! But the friend of the groom, just stands there, and HEARS HIM ONLY— but REJOICES AT HIS VOICE ALONE— and in this, their JOY IS FULL!!
The friend of the Lord, is a rare gem— a rare bride indeed; a rare partner in covenant with God— for his friends are friendly unto him, give him their affections, comradery, and trust; they are brides of his— who have also BEFRIENDED HIM, and shown themselves FRIENDLY TO HIM.
And in these— they REJOICE— just HEARING HIS VOICE ALONE!!
They need not much more than to hear him COMING TO THEM, NEARBY, and THEY DELIGHT IN HIS COMING: they delight and are overjoyed— just at his VOICE, nothing more needed.
They need not provision, stuff, help— JUST HIS VOICE; and in that kind of relationship, their joy is fulfilled!
God, I pray and ask of you to help your children with this— to help us all regain *focus on YOU— IN OUR HEARTS, FOR REAL: because in this, your joy, and our joy— is FULFILLED!
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John 15:11
“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy might remain in you— and that your joy— might be full.”
John 17:13
“And now I come to you; and these things I speak in the world— that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.”
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Acts 2:28
“You have made known to me the ways of life— you shall make me full of joy— with your countenance.”
Acts 13:52
“And the disciples were filled with joy— and with the Holy Ghost.”
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*Their joy WAS HIM, his SPIRIT,
and HIS COUNTENANCE!!!
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Romans 5:11
“...we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ— by whom we have now received the atonement (at-one-ment + rest = peace and joy).”
Romans 14:17
“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness and peace— and joy in the Holy Ghost.”
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The kingdom is not found in ‘earthly,’ temporal things— meat and drink— provisions to the flesh; but instead— it is RIGHTEOUSNESS (right standing with the Lord, as he is— so are we), and PEACE and JOY— in whom???
THE HOLY GHOST!!
Our joy, peace and righteousness is fulfilled— IN BEHOLDING HIM, and ‘holding him’ as MOST HIGHLY HONORED ONE IN OUR HEARTS.
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Romans 15:13
“Now, the God of hope— fill you with all joy, and peace, in believing— that you may abound in hope— through the power of the Holy Ghost.”
Galatians 5:22-23
“The fruit of the Spirit is— love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
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Bitterness in the Lord??
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H4751 – Bitterness
Hebrew: מרה מר
Transliteration: mar mârâh
Pronunciation: {mar} maw-raw'
Definition: From H4843; bitter (literally or figuratively); bitterness or (adverbially) bitterly: angry, bitter ({-ly} {-ness}), chafed, discontented + {great} heavy.
G4088 – Bitterness
Greek: πικρία
Transliteration: pikria
Pronunciation: pik-ree'-ah
Definition: From G4089; acridity —sharpness of speech or behavior, acerbity— caustic (especially poison) literally or figuratively: bitterness.
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Acts 8:23
“For I perceive that you are in the gall of bitterness— and in the bond of iniquity.”
(regarding Simon— the sorcerer)
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Job 10:1
“My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.”
Job 21:25
“And another dies in the bitterness of his soul— and never eats with pleasure.”
Job 7:11
“Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit— I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.”
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Job was a man who was— “perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.” (Job 1:1)
And yet— he struggled in his battle with God’s enemy, and the battle of the flesh (as he was afflicted in his flesh, his soul and his life in earth), to fight bitterness; he struggled to throw off the temporary, the confusing part of life where he was afflicted, where all seemed to be devastating and ruin— and focus on the eternal, the forever, the treasure stored up for him in heaven: in God.
Much of Job’s struggle was to SEE GOD— ‘through’ —the calamity, conflict, affliction and loss; we will be no different than Job.
We will have to ascend, rise above, see God for who he is— a GOOD FATHER, a GOOD GOD, a PROSPERING Father over us: what we see from earthly logic and reasoning— is not what God sees, or knows to be ‘best’ for us.
His thoughts are higher, meaning— wiser, holier, and well above our understanding, comprehension or capabilities— alone; and so are his ways of how he does, what he does in our lives— as he orders our steps.
Just like Job, we will be tried, tested and proved for what is in us— how we will see things, and how we will ‘be’ toward others, and God— during these afflictions and trials: will we have and practice the fruits of God’s Spirit— when we are tested to our max?
Job, remember, was a man who eschewed evil, was in right standing with God, honored God, and was whole/perfect, or complete; that is what that line means.
And so we too, even if we are in good standing with God, obeying God, honoring God, and are whole or complete in God, meaning— all of our soul, spirit and body (in our deeds) is in alignment and obedience, submission and reverence (fear of the Lord, as our Master) to our God…
We too, will be tried, tested and proved; we are his arrows in his quiver, his polished shafts— and we will be tested and tried, after each refinement process— as a sword is tempered, then tested: we are God’s weapons of choice, against his enemy in this earth, and the angelic partner with us and he— for the win.
We cannot be weapons ‘untested;’ do you want to go buy an ‘untested’ weapon— when your life will be on the line?
Well, as like a weapon in this world, to stop an adversary, like a wild animal, or such— coming against you and your life— God is fashioning weapons of his people, in his heavenly (that’s his kingdom) army— to harvest the lost and dying— into his family and safety (witnessing, the great commission).
We have an adversary— and we must be trained, go through bootcamp, persevere, be tested (spar with the enemy in action, carnal nature and entities), and proven: that reveals what, or whom, and whose attributes and lead are at play within us.
Like Job— God is doing a work in Job, first and foremost; God knew what caliber man Job was, and what he would ‘test out’ like, in the end; and it was to Job’s benefit to go through all he did.
It was never about satan— it was about ascending into a solid relationship with God, knowing his God— and coming to the knowledge of who he was, WITH and IN his God, and their relationship; as well, it was about standing up against his enemy (the true one in the spirit and carnal nature), and it was about FIGHTING FOR HIS ‘flesh and blood,’ humans, who were doing the bidding of the real enemy: for our fight is not against flesh and blood— but against wicked powers and entities behind them.
And in this— Job began to BLESS and PRAY FOR the humans (friends and family) who were being used by the enemy, and ignorant of their God and his attributes: Job became a polished shaft, in the hand of the Lord, and a formidable foe— unto satan— in the finish of it all.
This too is what God is attempting to do inside of us.
His desire is to refine us, so that we will— walk, talk, and move as he does— seeing from his perspective, operating as one with his Spirit— and in doing so— beat satan, the carnal nature, and the agenda of the enemy, in our lives— and in the earth.
But we cannot remain bitter in all God is allowing, or we will fail to gain the victory over the flesh— and satan will gain the victory— for his attribute will have remained in us: we have a job to do with God.
He said— HUMBLE YOURSELVES; this is where we defeat satan, and part of that is to understand— God knows what he is doing, and what you need to be ‘tried’ with, and what ‘pressure’ you need to be under— to come out a polished shaft, an arrow of great strength and fortitude— in his quiver.
Strength— strong, the capacity of an object or substance to withstand great force or pressure, the emotional or mental qualities necessary— in dealing with situations or events that are distressing or difficult, a good or beneficial quality or attribute of a person or thing; root definition— Old English strengthu, from the Germanic base of ‘strong.’
Fortitude— courage in pain or adversity; root definition— Middle English: via French from Latin fortitudo, from fortis ‘strong’.
Isaiah 49:1-3
“Listen— O isles— unto me; and hearken, you people, from far— The Lord has called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother he has made mention of my name.
And he has made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow [defense] of his hand has he hid me— and made me a polished [clarified, examined, selected, chosen, cleansed, purged and pure] shaft [piercing arrow, thunder bolt, or spear]; in his quiver [arrow case] he has hid me; And said unto me— You are my servant [bondman]— O Israel [symbolic name for Jacob (people of faith in God), and means— ‘He will rule as God’]— in whom I will be glorified [embellished, boasted, beautified].”
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His desire is that we will be vessels of honor unto him, we will be polished, cleansed, examined, selected/chosen (few are chosen, this is why), purged of all that is not as he is— and purified, hence— refined and conformed into his image again; and in this process we will become piercing arrows, weapons to be wielded by his hand— kept close to his side (attached at the hip) and concealed on and with his person: we will be his bonded to him, sons.
We— of faithful children of Israel (Jacob, of Abraham), people of the faith— who will ‘rule as God rules,’ meaning— will return to his image, discern and judge as he does, walk as he does, and will be ruled by his person/Spirit— and will do his bidding in the earth.
And in these chosen vessels of honor, his selected people, who were called, sorted, tested, tried and approved of him— selected and chosen— he will be glorified, embellished of his person in them, boasted within them— meaning exalted and revered, and he will be beautified in them and beautiful unto them— and all will see and know this as he will manifest himself through these humble, and refined to his image once again, vessels.
He is strengthening us, and part of that process, is that we must be ‘tested out;’ meaning— we must be used, and practice our godly attributes, for us to see what God has been refining in us, in order to help us gain the victory over the flesh, the enemy satan, and as well— to return to his image, and live as one with him: without testing, trying and proving— we will not be refined, conformed, and return to his image.
It takes a lot of molding us back into shape— to look like God again, in our inner man; and many times, the ‘inner man work,’ will come through trials in the soul and flesh— unto refining us, and strengthening us in our intimacy and trust of the Lord: but we must see him as A GOOD FATHER, HUSBAND, FRIEND, MASTER/LORD, SAVIOR and CREATOR.
He is, after all— ‘recreating us’ in his image, once again.
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Romans 8:29
“For whom he did foreknow— he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son— that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”
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Few are chosen, because few actually submit to the refinement and conformity process that salvation institutes in our lives— as we bow to him in sincere heart posture.
Bitterness in and through the conformity, refinement process, toward what he is asking, instituting and orchestrating— becomes a block to our progress in refinement/conformity to his image, and also— to our intimacy with our God, and being ‘one’ with him, in those areas of our lives: for we are still ‘kicking against,’ and bitter with what he is allowing— instead of ‘rejoicing in the Lord,’ and giving thanks to him in all things.
The Joy of the Lord, is JOY IN THE LORD GOD, as the ONLY IMPORTANT PERSON, FACTOR, or PROVISION NEEDED in our lives.
That when all else seems a loss, hardship, and adversity— we can rejoice knowing WE HAVE HIM, WITH US, FOR US, and IN US UNITED— for all of eternity; we keep our gaze upon our LOVE, and we SINK NOT IN THE WAVES: our eyes are singly fixed upon the ETERNAL REWARDS.
As like the Levites (we are a royal priesthood under Yah’shua himself, the high priest of our confession/profession) —OUR PORTION IS THE LORD HIMSELF: he is our TREASURE.
When we recall this, in the midst of the hardest battles— we win; but we must have this true heart posture; we— like David— must remind ourselves WHO HE IS, and that we HAVE HIM FOREVER, and NOTHING ELSE IN THIS TEMPORARY EXISTENCE— MATTERS,
P E R I O D !!!
If we lose sight of this, if we lose sight of the fact that HE IS THE REWARD, DOING LIFE ETERNAL WITH HIM, our Father, our Creator, our Partner and Love— we lose sight of the VALUE OF HIM, intrinsically— and we focus on ‘things,’ instead of him: and circumstances, are temporary things.
Hardships are temporary in this realm— everything except God, and our brethren who will ascend with us to him forevermore— is TEMPORARY in this realm: we must relinquish all to him, and bitterness must go.
We must REJOICE IN THE LORD, and AGAIN I SAY— REJOICE: for you ‘have’ the Most High FOREVERMORE; and that, he— is ETERNAL, the rest down here— will burn up, and become no more.
He holds MUCH MORE VALUE— THAN OUR COMFORT DOWN HERE.
He holds MUCH MORE VALUE— than circumstances, people’s opinions, wealth material, provisions material (including bodies and states of being), comfort, preferences, pain/suffering/loss/hardships or anything else— that is screaming to be seen, heard and addressed as SO IMPORTANT: ‘he’ is our treasure, our inheritance— is HIM.
I for one need to be constantly reminded of this— and then I go and ‘be’ with him again; doing my best to keep fixed on HIM, and IGNORE the storm, the voices, the thoughts, the feelings, the pain, the suffering, the loss and the likes of— and in this, he sustains me, loves on me, reassures me, supports me, carries me… and becomes MY SAVING GRACE.
HE IS THE SAVING, HE IS THE GRACIOUSNESS OF GOD; HE IS THE ONLY THING, ONLY ONE, and ONLY FOCUS WE NEED: but we do need to have true hearts unto him.
WE— need to be the ones who remove bitterness, and replace it with THE JOY THAT IS— ‘we have God almighty, true and loving’ as our FATHER and CREATOR!!!
Only ‘we’ can do this; only we can slay bitterness (which comes from self focus on ‘issues’ that are temporary in this lifetime), and replace it, subdue it, and kick it out with, and by its nemesis— THE JOY OF THE LORD— LOOKING AT THE LORD, TREASURING THE LORD, BEHOLDING THE LORD.
Bitterness leaves—
when our gaze returns to our beloved.
Trials and hardships, suffering and pain— are NOT our beloved; but, if we can look past, around, beyond these— we will behold his face once again: and PEACE, and JOY returns to us— for PEACE and JOY— is ‘him.’
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Ephesians 4:31-32
“Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking— be put away from you— with all malice: And be kind— one to another— tenderhearted, forgiving one another— even as God for Christ's sake, has forgiven you.”
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Forgiven.
Are we holding offense against the Lord in our trials, in our tribulations, in our sufferings— that are shared with him, as he suffered?
If so— we must let it all go; give it all to him, and ask him to help you focus on him again, and to remember that all this is temporary, and it will all cease to be— but he will not, and we will not: that there is much more eternal treasures to be beholding— namely, he.
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Hebrews 12:15-16
“Looking diligently lest any man fail from the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person— as Esau— who for one morsel of meat— sold his birthright.”
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Falling from the grace of God— is to be looking, focusing, and minded— in our hearts and perspectives— on his enemy, self and self reasoning— counseled by satan: and bitterness— he himself walks in.
Summed up: “Who art man that you are mindful of him!?”
He was scared of our relationship with God, angry because he was not number one in God’s heart and that ‘another’ would be placed in an honorable, favorable position, and he was BITTER about it all: fear and pride go hand in hand— as he’s been showing to me, over, and over, and over again.
A ‘fornicator,’ and a ‘profane’ person— is as like satan was being; a person who works as satan does, with self preservation and interest as the most important— and God, secondary, or way down the line of importance; profane— twisted and contorted, not in God’s image.
So, Esau— sold his inheritance— symbolically, that’s his right standing relationship with God, in spiritual terms— because he walked his person with devils, their attributes, and upon their focuses of what was important: and that was COMFORT.
Who— “for one morsel of meat (comfort, momentary, temporal, and fleeting) sold his birthright. (his inheritance).”
We must learn to allow God to refine us, strip us, hammer away at us in conforming us inside, back into his image; and if that takes hardships in the soul and flesh of us, in this lifetime— so be it— at least we are chosen, refined, purged, and made pure— and will return to him for eternity.
We can do much, enjoy much, be with him much— if we ‘go through the process’ here with him, in returning to him— for all of eternity with him.
But we must be learning to RELEASE BITTERNESS and BLAMING HIM for what he is currently doing in us, FOR US— and learn and practice giving THANKS TO HIM IN ALL OF IT (give thanks in all things), and to REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS, and AGAIN I SAY— ‘rejoice’ !!!
Re— means, do it again, and again, and again; we must encourage ourselves in the Lord, like David.
This does not mean to only be encouraged, again and again— going and praying to God; it means— RECALL HE IS OUR REWARD— WHO HE IS— and that the TRUE TREASURE → IS IN HIM!!!
HE— is the self-existent ETERNAL ONE, Jehovah— in whom we will spend eternity with; and these current circumstances are not to be compared to spending eternity with him: and he is available to us— NOW!
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1 Thessalonians 2:19
“What is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing??
Are you not in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ— at his coming??”
Romans 8:18
“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time— are not worthy to be compared with —the glory that shall be revealed in us.”
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What did he say above?
Who will carry his glory in them?
Isaiah 49:2-3
“And he has made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow [defense] of his hand has he hid me— and made me a polished [clarified, examined, selected, chosen, cleansed, purged and pure] shaft [piercing arrow, thunder bolt, or spear]; in his quiver [arrow case] he has hid me; And said unto me— You are my servant [bondman]— O Israel [symbolic name for Jacob (people of faith in God), and means— ‘He will rule as God’]— in whom I will be glorified [embellished, boasted, beautified].”
*SPIRITUAL ISRAEL— his servant, bonded with him and to him— CHILDREN OF HIS.
The trials, tribulations (shakings) and sufferings— glorify him in us, polish us up as like he operates, strengthens us and fortifies us: we must see the ‘testing’ and the trials and the proving his weapons, as BENEFICIAL (albeit hard) BLESSINGS and PROVISION to us— for it is giving us WHAT WE NEED, and RETURNING US TO HIM, HIS IMAGE, and HIS LIKENESS and UNITY WITH HIM— as ‘one’ in Spirit.
And those things— are the only things that matter; RETURNING TO HIM, NOW AND FOREVER: eternal treasure.
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Hebrews 12:2
“Looking to Jesus— the author and finisher of our faith; who, for the joy that was set before him— endured the cross, despising the shame— and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
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We too must EMBRACE OUR CROSS— not try to remove it, shirk it off, or arrest its purpose in the refining, and conforming of our image into his likeness once again; or in becoming one with him, in harmony with his Spirit, and in agreement with him and his methods— no matter how we see from a lower perspective— the victory, peace and JOY OF THE LORD— will only come to us, when we see from HIS perspective: and that begins when OUR PERSPECTIVE (vision) IS STAYED ON HIM— ‘beholding’ our King, Father, and the ‘Lover of our souls,’ who really does have our best interest at hand, heart and mind.
We must become ‘whole’ again inside, which means healed; and remaining in a satanic, Adam and Eve, ‘garden’ perspective, or fallen satan perspective that ‘God does not have our best interest at hand,’ will have to be defeated, as we embrace the trials, testing, reproof, refinement, purging, purifying and proving of us: we must live from ‘within’ the 2ND ADAM— Christ, and see from his perspective, and EMBRACE HIM IN ALL HE BLESSES US WITH, of sufferings.
It is a heavenly perspective, whilst beholding your King and Lover of you; it is the mature perspective, and it holds peace and joy within it: for all joy comes from beholding our God.
Lord help us to refocus on YOU— and turn away from (which is the definition of repentance) the STORM as the thing that has CAPTURED OUR GAZE and HEARTS— and assist us in REFOCUSING OUR AFFECTIONS, EYES, HEARTS and THOUGHTS— upon ‘you;’ and again— BEHOLD THE LOVE OF OUR LIVES.
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2 Corinthians 3:17-18
“Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is— there is liberty.
But we all— with open face, beholding as in a glass, the glory of the Lord— are changed into the same image —from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
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Did we catch that— returning to him, in heart, REALLY and FULLY— is tied to LIBERTY; liberty from captivity to doubt, unbelief, fear, pride, bitterness, control and everything else!
When we BEHOLD HIM, ‘face to face,’ that COUNTENANCE TO COUNTENANCE— we will go from one glory moment to the next with him, and in him: we will LIVE by the Spirit of the Lord!!!
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G21 – Joy
Greek: ἀγαλλιάω
Transliteration: agalliaō
Pronunciation: ag-al-lee-ah'-o
Definition: From ἄγαν agan (much) and G242; properly— to jump for joy— that is exult: be exceedingly glad, with exceeding joy, rejoice greatly.
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1 Peter 1:7-9
“That the trial of your faith— being much more precious than of gold that perishes— though it be tried with fire— might be found unto praise and honor and glory —at the appearing of (or when he appears) Jesus Christ:
Whom having not seen (bodily yet)— you love; in whom— though now you see him not— yet believing— you rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith— the salvation of your souls.”
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The end of your faith— the FULFILLMENT OF IT ALL— HIM, our Salvation— HIM!!! At his appearance to us, IN SPIRIT!!!
We will be tried, tested, and proved— like the TREASURE and WEAPONS of his warfare that we are: but in all that refinement and conformity— we will regain his shape again, come into alignment with him, and RECEIVE THE SALVATIONS OF OUR ‘souls,’ THE END OF OUR FAITH!
There is a GOAL to all of this!!!
And we must REJOICE IN HIM,
and give THANKS in it ALL!!!
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1 Peter 4:12-13
“Beloved, do not think it strange— concerning the fiery trial which is to try you— as though it’s some strange thing has happened to you: Rejoice— (because) in as much as you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings— when his glory shall be revealed— you may be glad also, with exceeding joy.”
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We cannot be trying to shirk off our cross, suffering, or the stripping process of refinement and conforming back into his image, and alignment with him (unity, at one); it’s no strange thing— he told us he would be doing this.
And as we suffer with him, as/like he did, as Father conformed, and led him to his image— as he sanctified himself to the Father— for OUR SAKES; we too will be raised up, as/like Father raised him up— and we will be JOYFUL and GLAD— because he will be GLORIFIED IN US!!!
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Jude 1:20-25
“But you, beloved— building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost— Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
And some have compassion— making a difference, and others save with fear— pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Now unto him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy— To the only wise God, our Savior— be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”
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BUILD OURSELVES UP— in our faith in him; PRAY IN THE SPIRIT (that takes UNITY to do it, 2 in agreement), and KEEP OURSELVES IN THE LOVE OF GOD: that is ‘in love with’ him, and not losing focus.
HATE the filthy flesh garment, and CLEAN UP, come into agreement with him, and be reformed into his likeness again— inside: and in this, we will not only be saved in OUR SOULS, but we will witness, and influence the saving of others— and assist them in this.
We will be presented faultless before him, by him, and HE IS ABLE TO KEEP US FROM FALLING, that’s INTO SIN and AWAY FROM HIM and his LIKENESS!!!
HE IS ABLE!!!
And he does this, as we COME BEFORE HIS PRESENCE, his Glory.
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1 John 1:4
“And these things we write to you— that your joy may be full.”
2 John 1:12
“Having many things to write to you— I would not (desire) with paper and ink: but, I trust to come to you— and speak FACE TO FACE (with you) —that our joy may be full.”
3 John 1:4
“I have no greater joy— than to hear that my children walk in truth.”
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As John speaks— I hear the heart of our Lord God, and Father of us— through his words he speaks.
As I do in this statement made in Colossians 2:5 ……
“For though I am absent in the flesh— yet I am with you in the spirit— joying and beholding your order— and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.”
I hear him saying— “I may be absent in my own flesh from you— but I am with you all, and in you all, and for you all— IN MY SPIRIT; and I am beholding your ‘order’ within you; and I know what I’m doing— and it’s for you benefit, as I work all things together for your good.”
Again, here as well, in Hebrews 12:11 ……
“Now— no chastening in the present— seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless— afterwards— it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness— to those who are exercised thereby.”
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In this we KNOW he is working all things together FOR US, and IN US, and it’s TO OUR BENEFIT; it doesn’t feel good while we are being ‘molded,’ and ‘contorted’ by his hand and power, authority and ordered steps…
BUT— ‘afterwards’ —it will yield fruits of his Spirit in us that are PEACE, and RIGHTEOUSNESS; we will fulfill his righteousness in us, which was his goal.
He gave his life in the similitude of sinful man— to save us; and he asks for his righteousness to be fulfilled in US, through this YOKING and REUNITING TO HIM: in his salvation process of refinement and conformity.
To those who are exercised in CHASTENING; exercised in being reformed, corrected, molded, obedient and CONFORMED back into his image, and under his RULE.
BUT— if we will, and we will not buck him, as he is ‘for us, not against us’...
We will reap so much PEACE and RIGHTEOUSNESS attained, in him, by him, and as/like him.
EVERYTHING— is unto our good;
but do we RECOGNIZE THIS?
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Our Joy is in the Lord— and IS the Lord
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