This morning I was reminded that it is important for me to encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ. Yes, those that have found Christ. I have to remember that it is my fellow Christ followers who are running into adversity and are being persecuted daily and are struggling as I am with making it through each day.

“¹¹Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)

I may struggle daily with the work I am doing for Christ. It is difficult when it seems that I do the work and get little to no acknowledgment of the work. I seem to do and do and do and all I seem to get is more of the same. It is frustrating and frankly it hurts to feel as though there is no appreciation for that which is done. I am not looking for my name in lights, no. I would like to at least have some appreciation sent my way. But, that is not why it is that I do the work. It is not for the appreciation or acknowledgment. It is for the work and the idea that it is the right thing to do and continue doing. I need the encouragement of the work and knowing that I am doing it for Christ and not for me.

I have to remember that there are many others that are likely struggling with the same. It is my duty to give them encouragement and do the work to help them. I have to make sure that I am lifting them up so that they will have some of the same weight I experience removed so they will see the good in what they do and not just that work being the work. I have to remember to give them the reward of appreciation and acknowledgment to get them through so that they will be willing and able to continue doing the work of Christ.

It is not about me. It cannot and should not be. I have to remember my fellow Christians and build them up so that they will continue the work and not grow weary in doing so. The lost world needs Christ, and my fellow Christians need to know that they are doing the right things in working to bring Him to that world. “Encourage one another” is not just for the world, it is for Christians everywhere as we look to do the work of Christ. We will feel defeated, we need to be built up for that shot of energy needed to continue.

Who are you encouraging and for what reason? Are you looking to build others up for accomplishments in the world? What about your fellow Christians and encouraging them to continue with the work of Christ?

Over the past week I have been seeking to be satisfied. I have had a rough time of things and am looking for some satisfaction with where I am and where I am going. I was looking to find that satisfaction in others and their interactions with me. I was looking for others to display their gratitude to the work that I have been doing for and around them. I have been looking for the chance to be recognized for making a difference and longing for the satisfaction of seeing the success in others and knowing that I was part of the reason for that success.

“⁴Some wandered in desert wastes,

finding no way to a city to dwell in;

⁵hungry and thirsty,

their soul fainted within them.”

— Psalm 107:4-5 (ESV)

This morning I was reminded that I was not alone in my seeking to be satisfied. I was wandering and hungry and thirsty and was not finding what I was looking for. I needed a place to look and find it, so I turned to God this week and asked simply for comfort and guidance.

“⁶Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,

and he delivered them from their distress.

⁷He led them by a straight way

till they reached a city to dwell in.

⁸Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,

for his wondrous works to the children of man!

⁹For he satisfies the longing soul,

and the hungry soul he fills with good things.”

— Psalm 107:6-9 (ESV)

After reading this morning, I realize that I turned the right way. Over the past couple of days as I remembered to turn to God, I have been able to move past the need to be satisfied by others and their actions. I have found the gratitude from God in all that He has given to me. He is giving me comfort and guidance to seek satisfaction in Him and what He provides as opposed that which man cannot. I have to remember my actions and know that I will find satisfaction on in God and not in man.

Where are you seeking your satisfaction? Are you looking to find it in the realm of man? What if you turned to God to give way to Him and all that He provides for your satisfaction?

I am satisfied with what. I believe that I am blessed and that I am satisfied and content in my existence here in this world. But, with what am I satisfied.

“⁵who satisfies you with good

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

— Psalm 103:5 (ESV)

It is with good that I am satisfied.

Good: b (2) praiseworthy character – Merriam-Webster, Online

The above definition is only one of the many found based on whether an adjective, noun, or adverb usage of the word. Yet it is the one that I believe is meant here. I have been satisfied with praiseworthy character. I have been recognized and “good”. I have been identified with integrity and love and care. I have and should be raised up for all that is from Christ as he was the example of that “praiseworthy character” in the face of all.

I have been blessed by the Lord and now is my turn to bless Him in return. I have to remember where it all came from. Not from anything that I have done (except that I accepted the gift given). I have the example to shape from and that example is Christ. I have to remember to turn that blessing back to Him and give all glory to Him for saving me from the pit of despair that is this world as I await arrival in my forever home in heaven.

I have to bless the Lord with payment forward to others to ensure that they have the same opportunity for satisfaction. I have to give the blessings afforded me to others. I have to be generous with all that I have as I remember that which I am satisfied and content with are just the good “praiseworthy character” provided to me by Christ.

I am satisfied with what, that “praiseworthy character” that was given freely to me by Christ. I am responsible to bless Him with all I am as I thank Him for the gift.

What are you satisfied with? Are you still looking for the monetary things to bring you happiness in the moment? What if you were to accept the blessings given by God and then give that blessing back to Him for your satisfaction?

“⁶Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” — Matthew 5:6 (ESV)

I read this morning the beginning of “The Sermon on the Mount”. I was reminded that we, as Christ followers are blessed. Not due to all of the great monetary wealth and power that society touts as winning in the world, but through the spiritual wealth that comes with being a follower of Christ.

What is it that give satisfaction, it is being hungry and thirsty for righteousness. Not money and power. It is seeking righteousness. And where is it found, right here with me, in me, given by Christ, thanks to the salvation He gave. Jesus tells us that we are blessed as we are poor in spirit, mourning, meek, hungry and thirsty for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, persecuted for righteousness, and reviled. I am not going to get “rich” in this world as a follower of Christ. But, I will be blessed.

I want to stop for a moment and make it clear that being wealthy is not wrong. God will provide and we are to be doing the work of the LORD in all that we do. For some, God will provide wealth that is to be used for His work, so there is nothing wrong with the wealth and/or the pursuit of it. It is the pursuit of it “at any and all costs” where there has to be caution. Satisfaction will not come from the wealth, but from the work done for the LORD.

Be blessed and be satisfied with all that God provides. He knows best what is needed and will make sure that we have those things here in this world. Being poor or mourning, or meek or hungry are not the end of it all. When we are doing the work of the LORD, we are blessed with those characteristics and can be content and satisfied with the results of the work we are doing for the LORD. Jesus called us blessed and I have to know that I am and be satisfied.

What are you looking at as satisfaction? Are you still looking at monetary gain as that which satisfies? What if you looked more at those characteristics of those identified as blessed by God and accepted that as satisfaction?

Knowing it was worth it is always something to behold after the fact. All of the work, all of sweat, and all of the tears are suddenly accepted as part of the process and then celebrated once the results have been realized. But what about before.

“¹⁰Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him;

he has put him to grief;

when his soul makes an offering for guilt,

he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;

the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

¹¹Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;

by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,

make many to be accounted righteous,

and he shall bear their iniquities.”

— Isaiah 53:10-11 (ESV)

Here I see that the Lord knew of the sacrifice of Jesus well before it was to happen. I see the grief and sorrow being experienced. I see the pain. Yet, I also see the fact that with all of this, God knew it to be worth it in then end for me. God gave into the anguish and allowed Jesus to suffer through the agony of death for me. It was worth it for all of this to take place.

It was worth it to Abraham to follow the direction of God and move to the sacrifice of Isaac. The anguish that can be felt in Abraham is something that I hope I never have to endure. Yet, he did as asked regardless of the pain he was feeling or would feel. It was worth it to fulfill the actions and allow God to do His will.

Too often I believe that doing the right thing is too hard, maybe not in action, but in the suffering of the consequences. I do not want to be held to account for something that could be avoided. Yet, I have to also believe that is the point. I have to be willing to do the right thing in spite of the suffering. I have to know that the consequences are worth it in the end due to the rightness of the choices and actions. I may not realize in the moment the satisfaction of the actions, yet I have to know that God will only put me in positions that bring Him glory and allow me to serve Him for His good.

What are you avoiding due to the consequences? Are you not taking action because there is a lack of seeing or feeling the satisfaction? What if you had faith that doing the right thing was worth it in the end and that due to doing the will of God will bring about satisfaction?

There is such a difference in what is believed to be the good things. Even reading the passage this morning in God’s word, it could be confused if only reading a few of the words. I begin with this verse:

“⁷All the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied.” — Ecclesiastes 6:7 (ESV)

At first glance, it appears that the appetite for success and gain is what is important and that when it is not satisfied there is loss for the individual. But what is that success? In the first part of the verse, there is the statement of toil is only for the surface and little fulfillment. I have to look to the verses before to find where the satisfaction should come from.

“³If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not satisfied with life’s good things, and he also has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he.” — Ecclesiastes 6:3 (ESV)

Now I get more context and am pointed to where the satisfaction should be coming from. Not from the gathering of things or wealth or status, but in the gathering of goodness. Satisfaction in the soul, not in the wallet or for all to see.

The good things are those that may not really have the monetary value as that value is fleeting. As of my writing this morning, inflation is through the roof and salaries are stagnant for those of us in what may be considered stable jobs. Wealth is fleeting with the inflation and the fact of lower value. Yet, there are plenty of good things to be satisfied. Life with Christ, family in your presence, friends to fellowship, and many more, of which do not immediately bring a financial windfall.

I have so much to be thankful for and to be satisfied. I have to remember that satisfaction is not in the monetary and those things specifically that others can “see”, but in the good things that impact the soul and bring the joy of the LORD.

Where are you looking for satisfaction? Are you looking for the monetary value of things for your “happiness”? What if you looked at the satisfaction from the good things that build up the soul and not necessarily the wallet?

I have heard it said that laughter is the best medicine. Well God’s Word says something that is similar, and much more long term impactful.

“²²A joyful heart is good medicine,

but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

— Proverbs 17:22 (ESV)

Notice that it is the joyful heart that is the good medicine. Having the joy of the LORD in your heart is what keeps us going for the long term. Yes, laughter will relax you and bring forth the endorphins that aid in healing. That laughter lasts for the time that it is manifest through the event you are in. Joy on the other hand is a lifestyle and as noted in Merriam-Webster Online, “a source or cause of delight”. Joy is the source of the laughter and not just the result of the event.

I may not always be laughing as all situations are not laughable, and if it is the laughter I am looking for as the source of healing, I will only have it in doses periodically throughout my time. Joy on the other hand is something I can have with me at all times and will use to generate healing regardless of the situation or circumstance.

Where are you looking for medicine? Are you looking to the individual events that lead to laughter? What if you dug in and captured the joy of the LORD in your heart and fed on it for your medicine?

I have heard the phrase “sharing is caring” for a long while now. In fact, I have used it with my boys over the years while they were younger. Shouldn’t we embrace the same phrase as we are adults as pertains to Christ.

I have continued my study of the word “joy” this morning and have come to 1 John and read through the first four verses and have been reminded of the sharing of Christ and all that He has to offer with those around me. I am to ensure that those of like mind know that which I know and we share with each other.

“¹That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— ²the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— ³that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.” — 1 John 1:1-3 (ESV)

I know, this is only the first three verses. I wanted to first show that we are called to share all that is Christ to generate fellowship with others as brothers and sisters in Christ. I have to be willing to let everyone know of what I believe and what I have gained so that they have the same opportunities. And what do I get in return for this sharing:

“⁴And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.” — 1 John 1:4 (ESV)

And there it is, the reward for sharing the joy of the LORD, complete joy for me and you. As I originally read, I see the word “our” in verse four and consider it being meant for John and those around him. As I dig deeper into study, I realize that the word “our” is to be John and those around him, and, the receiver of the letter and sharing. John is sharing Christ to gain joy in the LORD and to ensure that we have the joy of the LORD as well. I have received and have shared in the Christ and therefor I have the complete joy of the LORD just a John and those around him and all of the rest of those of like mind here in the world.

As a follower of Christ, I have the duty to do His will. I have tasks to complete in bringing the gospel to the world. I have to share Him with the world. In doing so, I have brought a smile to the face of God and have been rewarded with complete joy in my heart. I have given joy to others and they to have the joy of the LORD in their lives through my sharing with them. Sharing is indeed caring.

What is your approach to sharing? Are you holding on to Christ for yourself and your personal gain? What if you shared Him with others for complete joy for you and them?

“⁸Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, ⁹obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” – 1 Peter 1:8-9 (ESV)

Joy in belief of our Lord Jesus Christ. I do not have to see Him to love Him. I do have to see Him to believe in Him. I only have to love and believe in Him. With that, I will be filled with joy. With that love and belief, I have received my salvation. With that love and belief I will receive my reward in heaven.

To often we find ourselves in the mode of “I have to see to believe” and in reality, that is not true. Even while Jesus was in this world, there were those that felt they needed to see to believe. Take the apostle Thomas. He needed to see Jesus for himself to believe that He did rise from the dead.

Jesus does not need to be revealed to me physically for me to believe. I only need to believe that He is real and accept the salvation He has provided for me through His death and resurrection. I do not need to see Him to love Him and do not need to see Him to believe.

My belief reveals my joy. My joy allows me to accept. Jesus lived in this world to experience that which we experience. Jesus died in this world to experience that which we experience. He accepted that death to be the example for us in this world. Jesus rose again to demonstrate that He rules over this world with God. It is in Him that I believe and that belief leads to the joy of knowing all that He is and provides for me in this world and in my home to come, heaven.

I do not need to see Him to love Him. I do not need to see Him to believe in Him. I only need to love and believe to experience the joy He provides.

Where are you looking to find your joy? Are you needing to see to believe? What if you just accepted that you do not need to see and only need to love and believe to experience the joy of the LORD?

I am going to have trials and adversity in my life. And, I should count myself blessed to meet those trials.

“²Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, ³for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” — James 1:2-3 (ESV)

I know that it is hard to understand that I should have joy with regard to meeting up with trials. I should want for smooth sailing and ease of life as opposed to the difficulty that comes with trials. But, trials is where I am able to get better. One goes to the gym, not to simply walk in, no. One goes to the gym to be challenged to get better. And when coming out of the gym a number of times and seeing the results of that challenge, there is excitement in the results that have come.

The same should be said of the trials that come in life. I should be seeking out trials to experience the growth the getting better. I have to have joy in the fact that I have the opportunity to get better. And after a while of spending the time in the trials of life that I have walked into, I will be able to experience the excitement in the results of growth that came through.

I have to embrace and look forward with joy the trials that are coming to me. Without those trials, I will not have the distinct chance to grow in my faith in God. I need those trials to keep me grounded and moving toward Christ at every turn in my life as opposed to skating by on easy street and trying to find joy in that which has past and will not come again.

How are you progressing through this life? Are you looking to skate by on easy street? What if you embraced the idea of experiencing trials and went into them with the joy of knowing you will have the opportunity to grow in Christ from them?