Rooster

Our Daily Bread
While studying the New Testament, I read the story about Peter denying Christ three times the night he was betrayed.  I have always wondered how Christ's most faithful disciple could do this.  The description of his bitter tears when the rooster crowed made me realize -- he was human!  I decided that I probably need a rooster following me around all the time.  He would probably get hoarse from crowing after all the times I deny Christ in my life!  Yikes!

How the life of Peter changed when he met Jesus!  How his life changed when Christ died and was resurrected!  How his life changed when the Holy Spirit came down!  Peter and most of the disciples did the best they could to cope with all these things.  I don't know about you, but that encourages me to be faithful to God through all the changes in my life!  It is comforting to know that God's mercies and love are never withdrawn from us during these times.  He is there for us if we just call on him!

Lord, thank you for your love and mercies even when we deny you.  Please use each denial to strengthen our call to love and serve you!

Simply Saturday
Joy
noun - a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. - Google dictionary

Is joy just another way of saying "happiness"?  I found this interesting article about joy when I was researching this entry.  I am not familiar with the background of this site, but I liked the posting about joy.  Check it out.  It talks about how joy is much more than happiness.

If you read my Tuesday entries, I read Surprised by Joy by CS Lewis over the summer.  His realization of what true joy was in the Lord was an extraordinary story!  Check it out sometime!

As I understand it, joy is more than just happiness for Christians.  It is less fleeting with happiness.  Joy is a deeper feeling, a deeper knowledge of the certainty of God's presence.  We develop joy by loving and trusting God more and more.  It is a spring the wells up from within and can't help springing forth from you!

Realizing joy is a process for many, like the writings of CS Lewis discussed.  For me, the joy is down deep.  I know it is there.  I don't always tap that spring and let it out day by day.  I think that is a prayer for all of us!

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Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13