LEARNING DAILY

Hebrews 1:8-9, But of the Son He says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness beyond your companions."

Pastor Ed Newton reminded us this weekend that happiness is the pursuit of stuff and depends on one’s circumstances. Joy is dependence on a concrete anchor, on something that does not change. “That anchor is Jesus because Jesus never changes” (EN). He said, “How you view Jesus is how you engage with Him.” Take a moment to really consider that statement. Be careful not to think that Jesus is mad at you for your behavior. He does not want to punish you whenever you make a mistake or walk too close to the edge of the narrow way, or even when you try to live with one foot off the narrow way. He is not disgusted at you. Instead, He offers you His hand to pick you up and set you back on the narrow way – just like He offered a sinking Peter when Peter got out of that boat (Pastor’s illustration). Consider walking with Jesus knowing He loves you more than you know and he watches over you with a smile on His face.

The statement in Hebrews states Jesus was anointed with the “oil of gladness.” Believers need to stop listening to what others say about them or allowing social media to tell them how they should live or what they should think about themselves and listen to or read (God’s Word) about what God says about them. “Psalm 139 tells Believers they are fearfully and wonderfully made; God made their inward parts. Stop comparing yourself to others – nothing can separate you from the love of God” (EN).

When walking on this earth Jesus ate and drank with people (Matthew 9:15); “He loved hanging out with people and having fun” (EN). One of the things I love about the series, The Chosen” is the portrayal of Jesus enjoying being around people. It portrays Jesus having fun and I laugh at the comments made by Jesus in the series. Children enjoyed being around Him. As Pastor Newton said, “You cannot fool a child. Jesus is joy! He wants Believers to have His joy!” Pastor Newton explained that Jesus could walk with joy because He knew His death would not be the end of the story for those who would believe in Him. He knew exactly what was going to happen – the cross, burial, and resurrection. That meant Believers could walk with joy because they can trust Jesus Christ with their future. The problem for Believers is we want to know what is going to happen today, tomorrow and next week. When Believers believe God holds the future and Romans 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose,” they also can walk in joy. Believers can walk in joy because Jesus will help them “endure whatever they are facing so they will be able to enjoy the next season of joy with Him” (EN). Jude 1:24, “Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy.”  Psalm 16:11, “You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Knowing and believing this will change the way you face each day!