"All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast" (Prov 15:15; KJV). To be afflicted is to be distressed, miserable and troubled Often our minds want to think on the wrong things, but the word says that we can train them to think on the right things (Rom 12:2). According to 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, we can take our thoughts captive and exchange negative thoughts with the word. We can have a have a merry heart despite what’s going on in our life.

The word has many positive things to say about rejoicing. In Proverbs 17:22 we are told that a "merry heart" acts like a medicine. Nehemiah the prophet wrote that: “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh 8:10).

The apostle Paul actually commands us to: "rejoice in the Lord alway” (Phil. 4:4). We find joy in God's presence (Psalm 16:11) and this joy is different from "happiness" which is based on our circumstances. Joy is also a fruit of the Spirit which develops as we spend time abiding in the vine or pressing into Jesus in prayer, fellowship and time in his word. Don’t let the devil steal your joy.

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The above verse is from Lamentations 3:22-23 (KJV). There are several places in the Old Testament that talk about God's compassion. In Psalms 78:38 we are reminded of God's mercy on the children of Israel. In Psalms 86:15 we are told that God is full of compassion and is gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth. King David said that: “God crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies” (Ps 103: 4).

In the New Testament we learn about the compassion of Jesus; we are told in Matthew 14:14 that Jesus was: "moved with compassion". The meaning of that phrase is pity or sympathy coming from deep within. In this particular instance his compassion led him to heal the sick.

In Matthew 9:36 we read that Jesus was moved with compassion for the lost. In Mark 8:2 Jesus showed great compassion because the multitude was hungry and he fed them. The apostle Mark also recorded the compassion of Jesus for a leper that he healed (Mark 1:41).

In Luke 7:13 is the beautiful and compassionate story of Jesus in the town of Nain, where he raised the widow’s son from the dead. This was the widows only son. Are you getting the picture?

I believe that as we share the compassion of Jesus with those, we come in contact with each day we will be shining our lights for Jesus and will bring hope and encouragement to those that need it. Compassion is what it's all about.

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 God met with Moses in the desert at the burning bush and told him he would send him to bring Israel out of Egypt (Ex 3). Moses did not feel adequate for the job and did not feel the people of Israel would listen to him. God asked Moses what it was that he had in his hand. He told Moses to throw down his rod and it turned in to a snake (Ex 4:1-4). God said this will be a sign to the unbeliever. God used Moses mightily to deliver his people.

Often, we doubt our abilities and the giftings God has given us; we want God to do it all for us. God wants us to have faith in him but he wants us to do our part and often asks what we have got that he can use?

Elisha ministered to a destitute widow and asked her, what she had in her house (2 Kings 4:1-7)? It was only a pot of oil. He told her to borrow vessels to pour oil into. The oil poured until the last vessel was full and so she had oil to sell. The miracle was only limited by the number of vessels.

Elijah challenged a widow to use her last oil and flour to feed him and when she did God caused the oil and flour to miraculously last and feed the widow and her son throughout a long period of famine (1 Kings 17:8-16).

What has God given you that you can use for his glory, to get the job done, to meet your needs? God made us and gifted us; we all have a rod or some oil he can use. We are all important and loved by him; he wants to care for us and he has things for all of us to do to further his kingdom

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Ephesians 2:8 and 9 tell us that we are saved by grace and not by works. However, in verse 10 it says that once we are born again, we are God's handiwork and recreated so we can do good works. It is only because we have a brand-new spirit that we can do those good works which don't come naturally to our flesh.

In 1 Timothy 6:18 we read: "That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate". And in Titus 2:14 we are told to be zealous for good works. To be zealous about something means to be red hot about it. There are many admonitions in the New Testament to do good so it must be important to God. The apostle James discusses the issue of faith and works in James chapter 2. In verse 17 and 26 of that chapter he says that faith without works is dead. Faith isn’t faith without corresponding confession (Mark 11:23) and actions. If we are believing God for healing but our words are just saying how sick we are, there is a problem. Similarly, if we say we are praying in faith for a friend to be blessed but don’t allow God to use us to bless him or her, we would have to check our faith. 

Opportunities usually present themselves every day for us to do good works; if they don't then we can intentionally create those opportunities. So, be creative and enjoy being a blessing. 

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 “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” (Matt 11:12; KJV) This verse does not talk about evil attacks but those who are spiritually hungry pressing in to have and experience all God has for them; to be all that God wants them to be. 

Jesus said that those who: “hunger and thirst after righteousness” (Matt 5:6) or right standing with God, will be blessed, will be filled; filled with his nature, character and life. To be filled here carries the sense of being filled abundantly.

Jesus promised that he and the father would dwell with us and be in us (John 14:23; 15:5; 17:21). We as Christians cannot be complacent, we must hunger for all of God. This isn’t something we do with the strength of the flesh but by humbling ourselves before God (1 Peter 5:6) in prayer, fellowship and spending time in his word.

It’s God that will work the changes in us and fill us with his fullness (Eph 3:19). We just have to cooperate with him and allow him to change, mold, and meld us to be more like Christ each day and to glorify his name (1 Cor 6:20). Don’t ever get satisfied, press in (Phil 3:14).

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