Good morning and welcome. It is Thursday, February 4, 2021. I can already pick up on a theme from the mainstream press in their coverage of the new administration. It will generally fall into this category: There is nothing to see here. Missteps that would have produced outrage in their reporting on the Trump administration can't even get a yawn in their coverage of the new world order they have promoted for so long. That may sound over the top but I'm giving you my impression of what I am seeing on my Twitter feed and other news blurbs from different sources. Some of the people being put into important jobs is very chilling. We will have folks responsible for the security processes that protect our nation who as recent as 5 years ago wrote an op-ed saying the greatest threat to America's security is the police departments throughout our country. They emphasized this was a greater threat than terrorism or threats from China or Russia. Radicals will now be in positions of power and they will be making and shaping policies that will eventually impact us all. Of course, the fallback plan will be to blame everything that goes wrong on the previous occupant of the Oval Office. For instance, candidate Biden said he had a solution to the Coronavirus on day one. Now he is saying it is perhaps the greatest threat ever faced by our nation and the fact they are not able to make progress is the fault of President Trump. Obviously, day one and solution have a different meaning to these people.
I know there's a movement afoot encouraging people of faith to just totally ignore any news. They say that as a way for folks to keep their joy. First of all, seeing the news or not seeing the news is not the basis of or source of our joy. True joy comes from knowing God through His Son. Period. I do think we should be informed but in a balanced way. Our pastor recently talked about how his family used an app to report back to each one how much time they use their cellphone and what cellphone apps utilize the most of their time. His point? For those who make the excuse of not really having time to read and study God's Word or to spend time in prayer, well, he recommended those with that excuse to run that app and see how much time they have for other things. The Bible has much to say about Godly joy in the day by day living of those who identify themselves as Christ-followers. I copied these from a website devoted to this subject:
#1 – James 1:2-3 – Pure Joy In Trials
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."
#2 – 1 Peter 1:8-9 – Joy Unspeakable
"Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls."
#3 – 2 John 1:12 – Joy In Relationships
"I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete."
#4 – Luke 15:7 – Joy In Repentance
"I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."
#5 – Nehemiah 8:10 – The Joy Of The Lord Is My Strength "Nehemiah said, 'Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.'"
#6 – 2 Corinthians 6:10 – Rejoicing In Our Sorrow "Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything."
#7 – Psalm 30:5 – Joy Comes In The Morning
"For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning."
#8 – Galatians 5:22-23 – Joy Is A Fruit Of The Spirit "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
#9 – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
10 – John 16:24 "Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete."
I was helped by reading these verses. My prayer is they will speak to you as well. May God add His blessings. Amen. .....More later.
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