tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19432945.post6126561687936355363..comments2024-01-08T10:14:29.844-08:00Comments on Roots by the River: Joy is not CircumstantialJameswilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483244887550163733noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19432945.post-2126862998736391572009-02-20T12:26:00.000-08:002009-02-20T12:26:00.000-08:00Zach,It is really cool that Jim still blogs. As J...Zach,<BR/>It is really cool that Jim still blogs. As Jim would say, coolness is defined by love not by the sweater vest and tie he still dons daily. <BR/><BR/>As a follow up on circumstantial joy, Psalm 32 teaches that the ONLY thing that stand between us and JOY is unconfessed sin. We know it can't be sin alone, because all our sins have been "nailed to the cross." The problem is unconfessed sin.<BR/><BR/>We don't want to agree with God about our sin (1 John 1:9) and receive the cleansing that is promised. If or when we do, we are promised Joy....Joy that is our strength. <BR/><BR/>Another way to look at it is that Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. If I'm full of Joy, I likely am full of the Spirit. If I'm full of the Spirit then I have the power to be obedient joyfully that Paul talks about in Colossians 1:29 that was working in him.<BR/><BR/>MattJameswilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13483244887550163733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19432945.post-91095633006401841042009-02-19T12:17:00.000-08:002009-02-19T12:17:00.000-08:00I just happened across your blog when I was googli...I just happened across your blog when I was googling "circumstantial Christianity."<BR/><BR/>I'm a 24 year old believer in Jesus Christ and I definitely believe the Lord has been disciplining me as of late. I believe He is answering my prayer and wanting to bring me to the point where He truly is the only need in my life and where He truly is my greatest joy-and that I would TRULY LOVE Him and that I would know that He TRULY LOVES me. I know that is the end goal, but it just hard to remember that at times...<BR/><BR/>Thank you for your example in the faith. I really hope I will see a harvest in the knowledge of God the longer I am on this earth-that I somehow would be able to say like Paul "to live is Christ and to die is gain," and that there isn't anything or anyone that can compare with the love of God. It gives hope to see someone in their 80's living this out. <BR/><BR/>And on a side note-its really cool to see someone in their 80's who has a blog. <BR/><BR/>I really don't write on blogs and don't have a blog of my own, but I just felt compelled to write on your's. <BR/><BR/>Your brother in the faith,<BR/><BR/>ZachRiver Cross Youthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04139402730731243417noreply@blogger.com