Great Joy

James 1

2 Dear brothers, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

I have a LONG way to go before I am perfect and complete. I know that there is much in the way of patience I must learn. I prayed for patience many years ago, and God continues to provide opportunities for me to endure and have great joy. May I be found worthy of the test, and may God be glorified by my actions and reactions always. I know that this is not always the case right now, so I also know that I still have much to learn, as my endurance has a chance to grow!

Great Joy

Luke 3

21 One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”

I like the way the NLT translates this passage. Can you imagine hearing God say that you bring Him great joy? I mean, I know that God is speaking of Jesus here, but think about it: we are to be like Jesus, we are to follow His ways, so we should live in such a way as to bring God great joy. That is my goal this day and every day of my life from here forward: to bring God great joy. I can think of no better way to express my love for God than to live to bring Him great joy.