I am so encouraged. In all my troubles, my joy knows no bounds. It has been so good to start a new year encouraged. My life is overflowing with good things, bright futures (for my friends and me) and hope. Irrepressible constant hope!
As I continue with my studies, I read things like the following quote from my Biblical Interpretation class, and I am encouraged.
“Accordingly, more necessary than familiarity with ancient peoples and their cultures, more basic than learning the biblical languages, and more essential than good techniques in interpretation are such dispositions and postures and gestures as acceptance, devotion, attention, and trust.”*
I hear of a friend who is receiving checks in the mail (literally), and I am greatly encouraged.
Another friend inquires about an assistant position and is asked to apply for the director position. By this I am greatly encouraged.
My joy knows no bounds. The road hasn’t always been smooth, but I am learning to dance around all the obstacles.
I pray that today you may be encouraged. Allow your heart to fill with hope over all the good things in store for you.
Saint Peter once wrote to those in pain, “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 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.” 1 Peter 1:6-9
Today may this same inexpressible and glorious joy fill your spirit and soul! In the middle of the struggle, may your joy know no bounds!!!
*Green, Joel B. Seized by Truth : Reading the Bible As Scripture. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2008.