ODJ: too hot to handle
Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good (Romans 12:21). READ: Judges 15:1-8 It’s hard to imagine that a guy would choose to blow his apartment to smithereens. Still, it happened in Lisbon, Portugal, as a man did just that—collapsing part of the 5-story building where he lived. The mad-bomber had recently [...]
ODB: deadly sins
January 25, 2010
READ: John 16:17-24
You now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. —John 16:22
You may be familiar with the list of seven deadly sins that was formulated during the sixth century: lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, vengeance, envy, and pride. But you may not know that the original list compiled during the fourth century also included the sin of sadness. Over the years, that emotion was omitted from the inventory.
Some people are blessed with a cheerful disposition. They always seem to be happy. They wear a perpetual smile almost as if they were advertising toothpaste. But then there are others who seem to be chronically sad. They continually complain about life and its burdens. And who can deny that afflictions are discouraging?
While we acknowledge that not everybody is blessed with a bright outlook on life, we need to remember that joy is one of the gifts Jesus promised to His followers. And we need to resist any tendency to let sadness dominate our emotional lives.
Jesus promised His disciples on the night Judas betrayed Him, “Your joy no one will take from you” (John 16:22). Remember that joy is the fruit of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22). Let’s ask the Lord to help us look beyond our sorrowful circumstances and encourage our hearts by the vision of joy that awaits us (Heb. 12:2). — Vernon C. Grounds
Joy is a fruit of the Spirit that’s always in season.
Source: Our Daily Bread
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Loading ...A Lesson from Jonah
By Cindy Tan, Malaysia “I have come to call sinners to turn from their sins, not to spend my time with those who think they are already good enough” (Luke 5:32 NLT). It is a great honor to be chosen to lead. However, an honored leader may face the dilemma of having to carry out [...]
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