Moira

What is the basis of Christian joy that is "inexpressible and glorious"? God's Word which quickens the Spirit. How does this joy interplay with human emotions? A feeling of excitement, of joy, of freedom to be oneself. A state of being outside of this world where nothing within this world can touch me. Is it essentially emotional? NO How does it differ from what is generally regarded as the pursuit of "happiness"? The pursuit of happiness is something we strive for. This joy is freely and totally given by God. It lifts one up when things try to pull one down. How can you tell the difference? Joy in God is an inner peace, deep, sustaining.

Yes, I remember difficult circumstances I have suffered. My daughter ran away from home at age 18 at a time when we were so droughted out that we were feeding 1,000 head of cattle every second day and mowing, baling raking hay on alternate days. I was laid low with vomiting and dysentry (how do you spell it?) on the day that she just disappeared. I chased her all over Queensland trying to find her and after six months she finally came home and we now are closer than we ever were. During that time, I was feeling so bad about myself - it was all my fault - until one day I sat on the back steps, cried my eyes out, poured my heart out to God and gave my children to Him on that day realizing that He was the best parent for my children to have. I began attending worship with others who helped me through this difficult time. I began attending retreat weekends with other Christian friends and this was where I really met God face to face. I discovered what a wonderful God He really is. Since then I have had my head, heart and mind in His written word and am still discovering more about Him. I love Him and I praise Him for pulling me through this circumstance. It really changed my life and me. To God be the glory!

God's part - When we accept God's call to become one of His children, we come under the protective cover of our Father. Just like a human father who provides, protects, and will do whatever it takes to carry this out, God also provides, protects, guards us, loves us and hurts so much if we slip out from under His wings. My part? While in this human state we may face persecution, trials of all sorts, circumstances that are not easy nor comfortable, but through all of this we need to hold fast to the faith that God has given us. The end result will be our promised inheritance that we will receive at the end time.

When the Israelites were in Egypt under the ownership of slavery, God came to their rescue giving Moses instructions to "sprinkle blood on the doorposts and lintels and to stay inside". The angel of death wiped out the firstborn of all those whose homes did not have the covering of blood. None of the Israelites' firstborn died that night because they obeyed God's instructions. Consequently they were safely led out of Egypt and eventually into "the land flowing with milk and honey". The sacrificial lamb's blood cleanses and forgives us in order that we can be free from the burden of sin and its consequences and obedience to God's voice and His Word keeps us on the right path. We are responsible for our own attentiveness and actions and if we think that we can have the blood but not have to obey the Word, we need to reread Exodus and the journey through the wilderness where through the disobedience of the Israelites, they had to wander much longer and on a journey that God did not intend them to endure. So easy for someone to do the hard bit for us, but in this affair we must pull our weight as well if we want to experience a love affair with God. Our faith in a loving, living God who is our Master, Redeemer, Provider, Creator, Father assures us that He and He alone knows what is best for us and He has a purpose for each one of us.