When Joy remains after Anger

When joy remains after anger. What is the correct way to handle an argument became my question this morning reading in Genesis 13:5-21 Abram and Lot had an argument break out between them.

1. Abram talked it over with Lot. vs 8
2. They agreed to separate. Due to the argument was about not enough land to support both Abram and Lot with all their flocks and herds living close together.
3. Abram gives Lot first choice of any section of the land he wanted. Lot chose the Jordan Valley in the direction of ZOAR.
4. Abram went the extra mile. “If you want to stay here in this area, then I’ll move on to another place.”
5. Lot chose the land closer to Sodom. The people in Sodom were unusually wicked and sinned greatly against the LORD.
6. After Lot was gone the lord gave Abram permanent possession of land. Abram built an alter to the LORD.

What I find interesting in this passage is that Lot chose land close to sin because it looked beautiful and wealthy.  He party  company with his uncle lot.

Later God gives Abram land. Abram does not pick out his land he receives from God a permanent possession.  He is also given in verse 16 the blessings from God of many descendants to come. “Abam moved his camp to the oak grove owned by Mamre, which is Hebron.”

War broke out and  Lot is captured and all his possessions.  Lot lost everything he owned.

Uncle Abram gathers his allies and in verse 16 recovered everthing that had been taken.  Lot women children and all their possessions!

God is acknowledged in verse 20 as the one who helped Abram conquer his enemies.

The story doesn’t stop there  the King of Sodom speaks with Abram.  What do you think happens next to all the possessions and Lot?

 

Psalm 4: 1-8

vs 4 Don’t sin by letting anger gain control over you.

Think about it overnight and remain silent.

Peace and Safety

Psalm 4:1-8

I will lie down in peace, and sleep, for you alone, O LORD will keep me safe.

7  You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and wine.

Share this:

Thinking on the word favor today! Psalm 1:1-2 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with scoffers. But they delight in doing everything the LORD wants; day and night they think about his law.

 

JANUARY 1, 2016

http://www.biblestudytools.com/kjv/genesis/1.html

GOD CREATED, GOD CALLED,  GOD MOVED, GOD DIVIDED, & GOD SAW THAT IT WAS ALL GOOD!

How fitting to begin the new year with…In the beginning from Genesis. “Let there be light”! God placed light in the darkness. He placed in Matthew chapter 1.. the Light of a star announcing Jesus’ birth, who came to save the people from their sins verse21. Immanuel God is with us!

Things I have notice from my reading today.  The words GOD DIVIDED…darkness and light. The train of thoughts move forward to more things he divided. The wicked and the godly are divided. Good and evil.  Those who follow after Jesus and those who believe in Him and those who chose another path.

Genesis 1

1 In the beginning God created * the heaven and the earth.

2 And the earth was without form, and void;and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

3And God said , Let there be light: and there was light.

4 And God saw * the light, that it was good: and Goddivided * the light from the darkness.

5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

6 And God said , Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.

7 And God made the firmament, and divided thewaters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.

8And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.

9 And Godsaid , Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear : and it was so.

10 And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called heSeas: and God saw that it was good.

11 And God said , Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yieldingseed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.

12And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whoseseed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

13 And the evening and the morning were the third day.

14 And God said , Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:

15 And let them be for lightsin the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.

16 And God made two greatlights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.

17 AndGod set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,

18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.

19 And the evening and the morning were the fourth day

Psalm 1:1-6

1Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, norsitteth in the seat of the scornful .

2But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth hemeditate day and night.

3And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth hisfruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither ; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper .

4The ungodlyare not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away .

5Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

6For the LORD knoweth the way of therighteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish .

Yesterday we spoke of those who feared and did not fear God and in Proverbs today we see the results once more spoken of what happens when choices are made.

Proverbs 1:1-6

1The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;

2To know wisdom and instruction; to perceivethe words of understanding;

3To receive the instruction of wisdom , justice, and judgment, and equity;

4To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

5A wise man will hear , and willincrease learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

6To understand a proverb,and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

7The fear of the LORD is thebeginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

8My son, hear the instruction of thyfather, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

9For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, andchains about thy neck.

10My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

11If they say , Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:

12Let us swallow them up aliveas the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:

13We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:

14Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:

15My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:

16For their feet run to evil, and make haste toshed blood.

17Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird *.

18And they lay wait for their ownblood; they lurk privily for their own lives.

19So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

20Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:

21She crieth in the chief place of concourse , in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth herwords, saying,

22How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in theirscorning, and fools hate knowledge?

23Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.

24Because I have called , and ye refused ; I have stretched out myhand, and no man regarded ;

25But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:

26I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh ;

27When your fear cometh asdesolation * , and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.

28Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer ; they shall seek me early , but they shall not find me:

29For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:

30They would none of mycounsel: they despised all my reproof.

31Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filledwith their own devices.

32For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of foolsshall destroy them.

33But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear ofevil.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNqo4Un2uZI

RADIANT LIGHT

It’s New Years Eve and the journey begins. Sharing my thoughts this year 2016 as I read through the Bible.  Share a verse and a thought.

Today’s thoughts come from Malachi 3:1-4:6.  It starts with the word “Look!” in the NLT version.  I can’t help but think of people Looking up toward the sky tonight in anticipation of  fireworks! The bright lights bursting and cascading in the dark night.

Malachi holds my attention in not what will be celebrated but in what will be refined. The old year is gone-with it dross is burned away from my flesh. God molding me to be more. The passage speaks of …

The Lord you are seeking…”the Lord for whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming.” says the LORD Almighty. But who will be able to endure it when he comes? Who will be able to stand and face him when he appears? For he will be like a blazing fire that refines metal or like a strong soap that whitens clothes. He will sit like a refiner of silver, watching closely as the dross is burned away. He will purify…”Malachi 3:2-6

The passage speaks of placing the Levites on trial and says “for these people do not fear me,”  My favorite verse is in  3:6 “I am the LORD, and I do not change…” Verse 16

Verse 7. “Now return to me and I will return to you,” says the LORD Almighty.

There is so much in this passage to take note of. The word Come is writtne on my heart.  How beautiful verses17-18….”They will be my people,” says the LORD Almighty. “On the day when I act, they will be my own special treasure….”

” In His presence,  a  scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and loved to think about him.”

What beautiful thing to record what I think about him this year. A promise is bestowed on those who fear God.

Did you know that in Revelation 22:7   the word “LOOK” is repeated?

“Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the prophecy in this scroll.”  What is even more amazing is verse 22:3.

No longer will anything be cursed. For the throne of God and the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. and they will SEE his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. And there will be no night there-no need for lamps or sun-for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever.

Malachi 4:2 But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out of a pasture.

How fitting to end the year with this image of leaping with joy!

My new year will be filled with the warmth of this image and the newness coming. Celebrating with Psalm 150:1-6 in mind. Praise the LORD!

JOY-THE PROSPECT

One of the definitions of JOY is the prospect of Possessing what one desires 🙂 What is your Desire Today?  JESUS ONLY YOU!

EXCEEDING JOY

As tthe day comes to a close. I am reminded tonight of so many posts this past month on the topic of Joy.  I believe Gods spirit is leading his children in a renewing of our spirits during a time when life  is difficult for many.  I Praise God  in the Theme of Joy for this year.  Meaning Jesus Only You! You father bring out the light that resinates with us spilling forth an emotion that is glorious. We give you God the Glory! Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto 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.

Tonight I am thinking on the words for the joy that was set before him.  Jesus seton the end results of the immediate circumstances  ENDURED! I had been reading a commentary and wondered when it said “for the joy . . . set before him–namely, of presently after sitting down at the right hand of the throne of God;including besides His own personal joy, the joy of sitting there as a Prince and Saviour, to give repentance and remission of sins. The coming joy disarmed of its sting the present pain.
cross . . . shame–the great stumbling-block to the Hebrews. “Despised,” that is, disregarded.” (http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/jamieson-fausset-brown/hebrews/hebrews-12.html)

This commentary caused me to stop and wonder about Jesus’s personal joy!   Have you ever wondered what brought Jesus Joy? Go with me on a what if Bunny trail for a moment. One thing I am in wonder of is what if there were a limit to the height of joy obtained what would the peak be? If so maybe Jesus is the one who has experienced the highest level of joy possible! Do you ….  exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ask or think  includes our emotions? 🙂

I found the matthew Henry commentary interesting in light of emotions.

“The persevering obedience of faith in Christ, was the race set before the Hebrews, wherein they must either win the crown of glory, or have everlasting misery for their portion; and it is set before us. By the sin that does so easily beset us, understand that sin to which we are most prone, or to which we are most exposed, from habit, age, or circumstances. This is a most important exhortation; for while a man’s darling sin, be it what it will, remains unsubdued, it will hinder him from running the Christian race, as it takes from him every motive for running, and gives power to every discouragement. When weary and faint in their minds, let them recollect that the holy Jesus suffered, to save them from eternal misery. By stedfastly looking to Jesus, their thoughts would strengthen holy affections, and keep under their carnal desires. Let us then frequently consider him.”

Think about it everlasting misery the very opposite of Joy!  I chose joy today. How about you! Thank you Jesus for the exceeding joy You displayed in Your word that comes to those who endure!  Thank you God that your emotions are stated as being pleased in Christ. “This is my Son in whom I am well pleased.” and in the foreshadowing of the cross in Isaiah you Loved us!  This gives me exceeding joy!

Isaiah 53:10New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁰ Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him;
He has put Him to grief.
When You make His soul an offering for sin,
He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days,
And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.

FEELING DOWN-LOOK AROUND

Some days are days of great joy and some days are filled with trouble.  As a result worry can set in.  If you are have a day that is bringing with it a sigh in your heart.  Look up!

God has his eyes on you.  Then look around! Yesterday was one of those days for me where I needed a1 break from all the demands of the day.  There are times when I have moments that are silent God sends little things in my surroundings to brighten my day.  Yesterday as I sat at my desk I had tree frogs appear.  I also had a rosebush that grew curiously 7 1/2 feet tall with buds at the end that turned into a bouquet.  Then a free book off of amazon with chocolate in Paris the topic.  God knows me he knew they would bring a smile to my face.  A leap in my heart.  Truly He is there.  Smiling down in the smallest of details.  I pictured Him looking down at me and saying no need to feel down, I am sending you something to put a smile on your face!  Our Father delights in our joy!  So how about you?  What have you noticed that was sent your way this week to put a smile on your face just at the right time?

TRUST GIVES REASONS TO REJOICE

There are so many areas in our lives trust plays a part in.  My trust comes from the Lord.  My hope comes for the Lord. My trust comes from Him leading me Faithfully.  He never stumbles.  He is consistent.  Because of his Love I can be joyful. Enjoy Kari Jobe’s video below.  “Joyfully.”

Psalm 5:11

But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

WHERE JOY BEGINS

Have you ever wondered where joy begins?  At what point in your life did you recognize this emotion?  Where you born with it? The word joy/enjoy is in the King James Bible 201 times. I searched the Bible to see where the word first started.  It was difficult to find the first reference but what I did notice was early in the listing of verDeuteronomy 28:47 came up.  This verse showed the importance of serving God with joyfulness.  It shows not only the importance of joyfulness, but with glandness in the heart for the abundance of all things.  This was a message to those who did not show their gratitude or appreciation for the abundance that God gives.  I believe this is where joy begins.  Seeing all that God has provided!  His son on the cross for our forgiveness of sins to the world he has created and the provisions he has provided.  I cannot help but be feel joy in knowing Gods forgiveness, receiving his Love. JESUS ONLY YOU!

Deuteronomy 28:47

Viewing the King James Version. Click to switch to 1611 King James Version of Deuteronomy 28:47.

Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things;

¹joy

: a feeling of great happines1

: a source or cause of great happiness : something or someone that gives joy to someone

: success in doing, finding, or getting something

noun \ˈjȯi\

Full Definition of JOY

1

a :  the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires :  delight

b :  the expression or exhibition of such emotion :  gaiety

2

:  a state of happiness or felicity :  bliss

3

:  a source or cause of delight

— joy·less \-ləs\ adjective

— joy·less·ly adverb

— joy·less·ness noun