Love and joy

Were does lasting joy cone from? Does it come from health, money, fame, or power? I submit to you that it comes from none of the above. Certainly health is not lasting. We all know of cases were a person was in good health and within a short time they in poor health, dieing, or were dead. I can think of no better example of the non-lasting nature of money than the current economic problems that are gripping the U.S. and the world. In terms of His earthly ministry our Lord is and excellent of the non-ladting nature of fame. At one point the crowds were crying "hosana to the King", Mark 11:8. But not long thereafter they were screaming "crusify Him" "crusify Him", Mark 15:13. We all know that power is fleeting, President Nixon is and example of this. In his second election to the presidency he carried forty-nine of the fifty states. Within two years or less he was ask to resign by leaders of his own party. Regardles of differences of opinion concerning Watergate his experience illustrates the non-lasting nature of power.

Now that we have discussed examples of what doesn't even bring lasting joy. Let us turn to source of everlast joy. Love i.e. God is that source. Who is God and what does he do for us that causes us to rejoyce. This question is answered by the following Bible verse: "For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life", John 3:16. It is inconcieable that we could have life everlasting and not experence everlasting joy. How can we not rejoyce when we think that since Christ is God, God in the person of Christ died on the cross for us. Joy should fill our hearts when we think that He died so that all who believe in him "should not perish but have everlasting life". We have every reason to be joyful forever in God who loves with His everlasting love. The Bible says that "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son", but the promise of everlasting life was only to those who believe in Him. Those who believe in God's Son are encompassed in His everlasting life. What more can be said as to the source of everlasting joy. Since, "God is love" 1 John 4:8, and nothing and no one is greater than Him He is the only source of everlasting joy. I pray that everyone, who is usaved, that reads this will find Christ. I also, pray that may fellow believers will come to a deeper understanding of Him.