Category Archives: Joy / Happiness / Rejoicing

Hope, Joy / Happiness / Rejoicing, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Psalms, Seeking God

Longing for God’s Presence (Psalm 84)

Have you ever felt a deep longing for something—perhaps a sense of belonging, peace, or fulfillment that seems just out of reach?

Psalm 84 resonates with the yearning of the soul for God’s presence, portraying a heartfelt desire to dwell in His courts.

Background Context: Psalm 84 is a song of pilgrimage, traditionally sung by worshippers journeying to Jerusalem for the annual festivals. It expresses a profound longing for communion with God and the joy of being in His presence. The psalmist reflects on the beauty of God’s dwelling place and the blessings found in worshiping Him.

(Summarized and continued after scripture)

Psalm 84

Longing for the Temple Worship.

For the choir director; on the Gittith. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.

1How lovely are Your dwelling places,
O LORD of hosts!

2My soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the LORD;
My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.

3The bird also has found a house,
And the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young,
Even Your altars, O LORD of hosts,
My King and my God.

4How blessed are those who dwell in Your house!
They are ever praising You.

Selah.

5How blessed is the man whose strength is in You,
In whose heart are the highways to Zion!

6Passing through the valley of Baca they make it a spring;
The early rain also covers it with blessings.

7They go from strength to strength,
Every one of them appears before God in Zion.

8O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer;
Give ear, O God of Jacob!

Selah.

9Behold our shield, O God,
And look upon the face of Your anointed.

10For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside.
I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God
Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

11For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
The LORD gives grace and glory;
No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

12O LORD of hosts,
How blessed is the man who trusts in You!

Message: In Psalm 84, the psalmist paints a vivid picture of the sanctuary, where even the sparrows find a home near God’s altars. The blessedness of dwelling in God’s house and the joy of praising Him are central themes. It speaks of the strength and refreshment found in God, likening Him to a sun and shield, bestowing grace and glory on those who seek Him.

Summary Key Points:

  • Longing for God’s Presence: The psalmist passionately desires to dwell in God’s presence and finds joy in worshiping Him.
  • Strength and Blessing: God provides strength and favor to those who trust in Him, guiding them on their journey.
  • The Beauty of Worship: The sanctuary is a place of refuge and blessing, where God meets His people and grants them His grace.

Call to Action:

  • Seek God Diligently: Like the psalmist, cultivate a longing for God’s presence in your life. Spend time in prayer, worship, and reading His Word to deepen your relationship with Him.
  • Find Joy in Worship: Embrace the joy and blessings of worshiping God, whether individually or in community. Let your heart overflow with gratitude for His faithfulness and goodness.

Applying in Our Lives: As we meditate on Psalm 84, let us cultivate a deeper hunger for God’s presence. May we find joy and strength in worshiping Him, knowing that He graciously meets us wherever we are. Let us be encouraged to seek Him earnestly and experience His blessings in our daily lives.

Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the privilege of seeking Your presence and worshiping You. Stir within us a deep longing to dwell in Your house and experience Your grace and strength. Help us to worship You in spirit and truth, finding joy and fulfillment in Your presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Greed, Joy / Happiness / Rejoicing, Money / Finances / Wealth, Peace / Rest

He Who Loves Money Will Not Be Satisfied With Money

Riches and wealth by themselves have no lasting significance. This seems contrary to what our culture today testifies and covets. However, really it changes when you stop thinking only about this world and start thinking about eternity. We can take none of this wealth with us.

Ecclesiastes 5:10-20

The Folly of Riches

     10He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income. This too is vanity. 11When good things increase, those who consume them increase. So what is the advantage to their owners except to look on? 12The sleep of the working man is pleasant, whether he eats little or much; but the full stomach of the rich man does not allow him to sleep.

      13There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: riches being hoarded by their owner to his hurt. 14When those riches were lost through a bad investment and he had fathered a son, then there was nothing to support him. 15As he had come naked from his mother’s womb, so will he return as he came. He will take nothing from the fruit of his labor that he can carry in his hand. 16This also is a grievous evil—exactly as a man is born, thus will he die. So what is the advantage to him who toils for the wind? 17Throughout his life he also eats in darkness with great vexation, sickness and anger.

      18Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat, to drink and enjoy oneself in all one’s labor in which he toils under the sun during the few years of his life which God has given him; for this is his reward. 19Furthermore, as for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to receive his reward and rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God. 20For he will not often consider the years of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the gladness of his heart.

For those who love money and seek to be satisfied by it, there will never be enough. There is always more to pursue.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Contentment, Faith / Trusting God, Joy / Happiness / Rejoicing, Money / Finances / Wealth, Peace / Rest, Provider

God’s Provision Is Not Always Easy, But It Is Always Enough

Paul learned how to be content in all circumstances, and he faced some very difficult ones. He rejoiced when others expressed concern for him because for having brothers in Christ who were concerned for him.  When he was amply supplied, he said so. He did not keep asking for more.

These are all important aspects we should pursue in our lives as well.

Philippians 4:10-23

God’s Provisions

      10But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. 11Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 14Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.

      15You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; 16for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. 17Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. 18But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. 19And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

      21Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. 22All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.

      23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

When Paul says he can do all things through Christ, he is not talking about literally moving mountains or flying or anything silly like that. He is pointing out that Christ has helped him to deal with real life situations with contentment and even joy. Most of us have so much abundance of things, and always have, that we may struggle if we were to suddenly do without them. Paul experienced that and overcame it through Christ.

Let us ask the Spirit to help us be content in all circumstances and to rejoice that we have brothers and sisters in Christ that care for us.

Let us not constantly exert our efforts always seeking more worldly things or wealth but rather to focus our efforts seeking an ever growing relationship with our Lord.

Ask the LORD to show you areas where you need to find contentment in your life. Take time to reflect. Consider discussing with someone close to you who can act as an accountability partner to help you change.

Thank God for His provision, even if it is not all you would like.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Joy / Happiness / Rejoicing, Learning To Pray Effectively, Protector / Deliverer, Submitted / Servant, Thankfulness

Rejoice in the LORD; Be Anxious for Nothing!

Don’t miss this advice for all Christians.

  • Live in harmony with the Lord.
  • Help fellow believers.
  • Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS
  • and again I say, rejoice
  • Dwell on what is true, honorable, right pure, lovely, and of good repute.

Philippians 4:1-9

Think of Excellence

      1Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.

      2I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. 3Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

      4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

      8Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Take a few minutes to stop and rejoice specifically reflecting on your life and your walk with the LORD. Make it personal. Give thanks and rejoice.

What are the things you are anxious about today? Picture yourself putting them in a box and giving them to God. Release control of those things and any anxiety associated with them. Trust in God to handle them.

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Complaining, Joy / Happiness / Rejoicing

Do All Things Without Grumbling or Complaining

Once we choose to serve and follow Yeshua, let us do so without grumbling and complaining. Let us follow Him with rejoicing, even through tough circumstances. In this way, we will glorify Him all the more and set ourselves apart from the world.

Philippians 2:14-18

      14Do all things without grumbling or disputing; 15so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, 16holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. 17But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. 18You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.

Take time for personal prayer and reflection. Ask God to show you any areas where you are grumbling and complaining instead of finding joy. I have certainly experienced this (and still do, at times)!

Make an effort to focus on what is good and trust in God for the rest. Ask Him to help you. Sometimes it is also helpful to ask someone(s) you trust and know well to help bring to your attention when you are grumbling in a way that can challenge you to turn your attitude around toward rejoicing.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Envy / Jealousy / Coveting, False Prophets / Teachers, Holy Spirit / Ruach HaKodesh, Joy / Happiness / Rejoicing, Selfishness, Share the Good News, Strife, Study the Word, Thankfulness

Rejoice When the Gospel Is Preached

Ask the Spirit to help you share with boldness the truth of Christ. Give thanks for those who bring the truth of God’s word to people. Recognize, however, that there are many who teach it from false motives and sadly, many of them do not preach it in truth, but rather tell people what they want to hear.  Test everything you hear against the truth of scripture and keep that which is good and true.

Philippians 1:12-20

The Gospel Is Preached

     12Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, 13so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, 14and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. 15Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; 16the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. 18What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will rejoice, 19for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

Rejoice that the gospel is preached. Pray for discernment in understanding the truth of the gospel. Do not just accept whatever is said about Christ, but test everything against the Bible. False teaching tickles the ears but leads people away from Christ, all the while they believe they are following Him.  Pray for the Spirit to be with those who share the gospel and give them wisdom and discernment and boldness and courage. Pray for Yeshua to be shared with the world boldly and truthfully, without filtering the message for fear of offending people with truth. Pray that the Lord would use even our personal suffering to His glory and the glory of the gospel of Christ.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Joy / Happiness / Rejoicing, Teachable, Thankfulness, Traditions / Holidays

Embracing Sukkot by Increasing Our Understanding

Once again, I am focused on Yahweh’s appointed time of Sukkot, or Feast of Tabernacles. It is a fun celebration that reminds us how God led His people out of bondage in Egypt and looks forward to the return of our King, Yeshua, when He will dwell among us again.

Today I am highlighting two resources for you to consider that can help to broaden your understanding of Sukkot and how to celebrate it. I encourage you to explore both and test them against scripture. Both present a view of this appointed time in the context of scripture and our Messiah. You do not have to agree with everything they say and do in order to learn from the material which is well laid out and I find very helpful.

119Ministries.com will provide a video to watch. SetApartPeople provides personal insight into their journey celebrating this appointed time. You can refresh the search to get more recent articles on their page by searching “Sukkot”.

I include a few additional links below. However, be sure to validate everything you read against the truth of scripture. As a last encouragement, note that Yeshua even set an example by celebrating the Feast of Booths, or Tabernacles, despite people seeking to kill Him (John 7). I encourage you to click the link and read all of John 7.

Have fun with it. This is a celebration! Our Messiah returns! Consider even some easy online searches for songs or music videos associated with Sukkot. We have found some that are very cheerful and fun and some that are more spiritually focused and meaningful. Do not be discouraged from these resources because Sukkot is celebrated by Jews. It can be observed by anyone who rejoices in our Creator and His appointed times. With Christ, we have even more reason to celebrate these appointed times.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to embrace Your appointed times. Help open the eyes of Your followers everywhere to Your celebrations and their purpose in drawing us closer to You. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Holy / Set Apart, Joy / Happiness / Rejoicing, Peace / Rest, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Traditions / Holidays

Dive Into Scripture to Embrace the Meaning of Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles)

Rather than write another article today, I encourage you to review the following links from TheMoedim.com. There is much useful information. Remember to test everything. I may not agree with every detail, but pay particular attention to the scripture itself. It is very well laid out. Also, remember to keep separate in your mind scripture from traditions. Both may have value, but traditions should point back to scripture and not be taken with the same importance as scripture.

I encourage you to do some more personal study on this celebration. I include a few links below. However, be sure to validate everything you read against the truth of scripture. As a last encouragement, note that Yeshua even set an example by celebrating the Feast of Booths, or Tabernacles, despite people seeking to kill Him (John 7). I encourage you to click the link and read all of John 7.

Have fun with it. This is a celebration! Our Messiah returns! Consider even some easy online searches for songs or music videos associated with Sukkot. We have found some that are very cheerful and fun and some that are more spiritually focused and meaningful. Do not be discouraged from these resources because Jews celebrate Sukkot. It can be celebrated by anyone who rejoices in our Creator and His appointed times. With Christ, we have even more reason to celebrate these appointed times!

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to embrace Your appointed times. Help open the eyes of Your followers everywhere to Your celebrations and their purpose in drawing us closer to You. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Holy / Set Apart, Joy / Happiness / Rejoicing, Peace / Rest, Seeking God, Traditions / Holidays

Celebrate Sukkot (Tabernacles) – Dwelling in His Presence

Sukkot, or the Feast of Tabernacles (also Booths), is at first strange to those of us growing up in a Christian church or non-Jewish culture because so much of the Old Testament is not taught or is not taught as relevant anymore. As the Lord has revealed more to me in my study and prayer it has become quite a meaningful celebration for my family. My children look forward to it every year, sometimes months in advance. The celebration is coming up soon, so I encourage you to take some time to learn more and consider participating with your family, or even by yourself.

In a quick summary, the festival is about celebrating dwelling in the presence of our God. It looks back on the past as He dwelt with His people as they left Egypt for the Promised Land and also looks forward to when Yeshua returns to dwell among us at the second coming of our Lord. Who wouldn’t want to celebrate that!

From a practical perspective, it also reminds me to be thankful and humble, not to take for granted the nice home and secure lifestyle my family is blessed with.  I am reminded that He provides! He leads me, even if it seems like I am in hard times, like the 40 years in the wilderness.

Leviticus 23:37-44

    37‘These are the appointed times of the LORD which you shall proclaim as holy convocations, to present offerings by fire to the LORD—burnt offerings and grain offerings, sacrifices and drink offerings, each day’s matter on its own day— 38besides those of the sabbaths of the LORD, and besides your gifts and besides all your votive and freewill offerings, which you give to the LORD.

      39‘On exactly the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the crops of the land, you shall celebrate the feast of the LORD for seven days, with a rest on the first day and a rest on the eighth day. 40‘Now on the first day you shall take for yourselves the foliage of beautiful trees, palm branches and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days. 41‘You shall thus celebrate it as a feast to the LORD for seven days in the year. It shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations; you shall celebrate it in the seventh month. 42‘You shall live in booths for seven days; all the native-born in Israel shall live in booths, 43so that your generations may know that I had the sons of Israel live in booths when I brought them out from the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.’” 44So Moses declared to the sons of Israel the appointed times of the LORD.

We have not taken to live in booths in the wilderness as yet for this celebration, but we do set aside the Sabbath days of rest and pitch the tent to go camping. We started by camping in our own family room in a tent and have now moved outside on our property.  It creates excitement for the kids and questions about why and what we are celebrating and it all points back to our Father who provides for us and a reminder that Yeshua will return and dwell among us.

Consider taking steps to start celebrating God’s holy days. They consistently focus on our relationship with Him rather than worldly things like so many man-made holidays.  Take small steps at first to start observing and grow from there. Don’t be intimidated so that you put it off.

Invest time for personal study of this celebration. I include a few links below. Take a link a day and explore it over the next few days.  Validate everything you read against the truth of scripture. It is helpful to distinguish tradition from scripture.

As a last encouragement, take note that Yeshua even set an example by going to celebrate the Feast of Booths, or Tabernacles, despite people seeking to kill Him (John 7). I encourage you to click the link and read all of John 7.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to embrace Your appointed times. Help open the eyes of Your followers everywhere to Your celebrations and their purpose in drawing us closer to You. Thank You for the joyful reminder each year that Yeshua is going to return to dwell among us! Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Joy / Happiness / Rejoicing, Love, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Psalms

Love And Honor To The King of Kings

Often we may consider our Lord, Jesus Christ, in academic terms. We can acknowledge who He is, what He is like, and what He asks of us… but do we truly look upon Him with love and admiration? Psalm 45 provides a moving view of our Messiah… before He came to walk among us! The Psalmist looks forward to the coming of Messiah with joy and praise, love and admiration.

Psalm 45

For the choir director; according to the Shoshannim. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. A Song of Love.

      1My heart overflows with a good theme;
I address my verses to the King;
My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

      2You are fairer than the sons of men;
Grace is poured upon Your lips;
Therefore God has blessed You forever.

      3Gird Your sword on Your thigh, O Mighty One,
In Your splendor and Your majesty!

      4And in Your majesty ride on victoriously,
For the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness;
Let Your right hand teach You awesome things.

      5Your arrows are sharp;
The peoples fall under You;
Your arrows are in the heart of the King’s enemies.

      6Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;
A scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom.

      7You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You
With the oil of joy above Your fellows.

      8All Your garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia;
Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made You glad.

      9Kings’ daughters are among Your noble ladies;
At Your right hand stands the queen in gold from Ophir.

      10Listen, O daughter, give attention and incline your ear:
Forget your people and your father’s house;

      11Then the King will desire your beauty.
Because He is your Lord, bow down to Him.

      12The daughter of Tyre will come with a gift;
The rich among the people will seek your favor.

      13The King’s daughter is all glorious within;
Her clothing is interwoven with gold.

      14She will be led to the King in embroidered work;
The virgins, her companions who follow her,
Will be brought to You.

      15They will be led forth with gladness and rejoicing;
They will enter into the King’s palace.

      16In place of your fathers will be your sons;
You shall make them princes in all the earth.

      17I will cause Your name to be remembered in all generations;
Therefore the peoples will give You thanks forever and ever.

It took me awhile to digest this Psalm. It is a different, and beautiful, portrait of our Messiah, Jesus Christ. I do not often reflect on Him in this way. His word is a light unto our feet and this Psalm challenges me to consider Jesus from yet another perspective. He truly is King of Kings. Praise God for His holy word.