risingwiththeson

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”

Walk the Talk

“So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?”’ (Luke 6:46 NLT) Jesus’ followers still face a similar problem today. While giving Him the supreme title of “Lord,” we struggle with putting His words into practice. That’s why in his letter, the apostle James addressed this problem. HeContinueContinue reading “Walk the Talk”

Hush, Little Baby

But for right now, friends, I’m completely frustrated by your unspiritual dealings with each other and with God. You’re acting like infants in relation to Christ, capable of nothing much more than nursing at the breast. Well, then, I’ll nurse you since you don’t seem capable of anything more. As long as you grab forContinueContinue reading “Hush, Little Baby”

The Power of the Word

What God has said isn’t only alive and active! It is sharper than any double-edged sword. His word can cut through our spirits and souls and through our joints and marrow, until it discovers the desires and thoughts of our hearts. (Hebrews 4:12 CEV) To counter bullying, little children were mistakenly taught to quote andContinueContinue reading “The Power of the Word”

Handle With Care

Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him. (Psalm 127:3 NIV) God loves and cares very much about children. Jesus lovingly welcomed the little children that came to Him, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these”ContinueContinue reading “Handle With Care”