risingwiththeson

Don’t be a Party Crasher

“Count on it—there’s more joy in heaven over one sinner’s rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue.” (Luke 15:7 MSG) The Pharisees and religious scholars of Jesus’ day were such party crashers. When they saw “a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation…hanging around Jesus, listening intently,” they wereContinueContinue reading “Don’t be a Party Crasher”

Be Sympathetic

When others are happy, be happy with them, and when they are sad, be sad. (Romans 12:15 CEV) It’s easy to rejoice or mourn with the people with whom we get along, but how about the ones with whom we don’t? Can you honestly say that you’d be happy or sad for someone who hasContinueContinue reading “Be Sympathetic”

Haters Can’t Rejoice

By Marlene Tavares Be happy with those who are happy. (Romans 12:15 NLT) One of the keys to happiness (in my opinion) is contentment. People who are content and grateful with what they have will never be disappointed because they realize the value of what they have and appreciate it. As a result, these sameContinueContinue reading “Haters Can’t Rejoice”

Be an Isaac

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. (Job 8:21 NIV) When God told Sarah that she would bear Abraham a son at an old age, she laughed. So God named their son Isaac, which in Hebrew means “laughter.” Of course, there was nothing funny about what GodContinueContinue reading “Be an Isaac”

Rejoice

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. (Romans 12:15 NIV) There will always be those who would rather mourn than rejoice with you. Those who would rather offer their condolences than their congratulations. Don’t take it personally. People can’t give what they don’t have. Those who lack joy can’t rejoice with you.ContinueContinue reading “Rejoice”

Happy Endings

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. (Job 8:21 NIV) Job was misjudged by his friends, yet one of them, Bildad, spoke more accurately than he realized when he said to Job, “[God] will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.”ContinueContinue reading “Happy Endings”

Rejoice in the Lord!

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4 NIV) From his prison cell, Paul penned the well-known verse, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” In fact, Philippians has come to be known as the epistle of joy because of its repeated emphasis on joy. IfContinueContinue reading “Rejoice in the Lord!”

The Source of Joy

You will fill me with joy in your presence. (Psalm 16:11 NIV) God is truly our source of joy. Every time I run out of joy, I know exactly where to get it refilled again–by being in His presence. I slip away to a quiet place where I can be alone with Him, to talkContinueContinue reading “The Source of Joy”

From Sorrow to Joy

By Marlene Tavares When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. (John 16:21 ESV) In this passage, Jesus tells us that although certain thingsContinueContinue reading “From Sorrow to Joy”

Getting Our Joy Back

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. (Psalm 51:12 NLT) Only someone who has known the joy of being God’s friend can understand David’s plea in Psalm 51:12. After his sin with Bathsheba, David’s soul was troubled and saddened. He confessed his sin and asked God toContinueContinue reading “Getting Our Joy Back”