All About the Joy

~~~ Acts of the Apostles 19:1-8 ~~~ Psalm 68 ~~~ 

~~~ John 16:29-33 ~~~

In the world you will have trouble,

but take courage, I have conquered the world.

Jesus tries to prepare his disciples for the realities of the world.
They had seen how he suffered and was persecuted.
Now he was telling them that they too would have
many hardships to bear in the world.
Those who follow Jesus...
those who were and are believers
have never been spared hardships, pain, and suffering.

Even today it is not for us to question why
we have troubles in our life.

It is precisely when we are facing pain and suffering
that we must remember his words of courage.

We cling to this world because it is all that is visible.
We long to cling to heaven, but it is invisible to us.

Saint Paul tells us in his letter to the Colossians...

If then you were raised with Christ,
seek what is above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of the God.

We can take courage to keep our focus on what is above
because Jesus came into the world...
Jesus conquered the world on your behalf.

He is never far away from you.
He is with you...he loves you

None of us will escape this world without facing
 some heartaches or physical suffering.

It is the way of the world.
Take courage,
for the way of heaven is
all about the joy.

You are Blessed because
Jesus came into the world.
Jesus conquered the world for you.
Take Courage!
~~~Peace~~~