Joy

Galatians 5: 22-23
By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.

Plain and simple: Joy is a fruit. . . it must be grown.

So let me help you understand. Joy, like all the other fruit, is grown from a small seed which is the Word of God (Mark 4: 14). It must be planted in the soil of your heart (Luke 8: 15) and then watered from heaven either by a direct downpour or some gentle teaching (Deuteronomy 32: 2) so that the roots go down deep. Then, at the appointed time, a tree will spring forth and grow. Wow! a miracle because it issues forth from God's design and exists only because of his "doing" (1 Corinthians 3: 7). He gives it life by placing his Spirit within (2 Corinthians 3: 6). Do you see? It is fruit of the Spirit. The fruit comes from Him (that is, God the Holy Spirit), and by no other means. And when the sun shines down on us because Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, and his Righteousness is lifted high like the noonday sun in our lives, our fruit begins to ripen.

So 'Yes' there is a purpose because his fruit is meant for sharing. . . . so that others may taste and see that the Lord is good! . . . and more seeds may be planted.

Aha! I'm back to Evangelism and nothing less.

Psalm 1: 1 - 3
Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.

There's Something More

I can't stop thinking about the human spirit which yearns for something more. This plea is inside every human being. It's apparent in the world. It's prevalent inside all the church walls. There's no getting around it except by faith.

So I ponder this conundrum:

Why is it? . . . while many christian workers speak of a God-shape vacuum inside of us that nothing else can fill or fit, and therefore we must ask God for help; yet it remains that so many believers in Jesus Christ still yearn for something more.

My thoughts are these:

Though like a student who already knows the material I have bold confidence. I can pass this test for I read the text, studied it, memorized it, etc... I have also practiced writing down the perfect answer to any open-ended question.

Likewise, in a similar vein, I have found that valuable mainstream publishers always provide help or companion materials authored by little known individuals. They write lesson plans, examples, and answer keys to go along with their textbooks so that professors may read it, possibly use it, share it, and print it.

Yet God has done better. He is the author and perfector of our faith. He has given us something more!!

Listen to his text, study it, examine it, memorize it:

• "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever (John 14: 15 - 16).
• I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you (John 14: 18).
• Jesus answered him, "Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them (John 14: 23).
  
• But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you (John 14: 26).

So the answer has already been given.

The Master is now patiently waiting for you . . . perhaps even silent and perfectly still . . . waiting . . . waiting for you . . . waiting for you to ask him for something more.

As a teaching assistant:

Let me shine some light to help expose the underlying problem of this conundrum. The conundrum is promulgated by unbelief.

Do you see it now? The question is related to your beliefs about God's own character. Do you believe what the world says? Either 'He is a harsh taskmaster with too many laws to obey' and 'He punishes' or Do you believe what God says? "I Am Who I Am" and he is "Our Father - Daddy God - who abounds in steadfast love and mercy." Both can not be true.

Therefore, I shall conclude that our belief - or unbelief - determines our response to him.

Supplementary Reading

‘So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’ Luke 11: 9 - 13 Ask for God's good gift of the Holy Spirit

‘Why do you call me “Lord, Lord”, and do not do what I tell you? I will show you what someone is like who (1) comes to me, (2) hears my words, and (3) acts on them. That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, immediately it fell, and great was the ruin of that house.’ Luke 6: 46 - 49 Take Action based upon his words.

The Master is now patiently waiting for you . . . perhaps even silent and perfectly still . . . waiting . . . waiting for you . . . waiting for you to ask him for something more.