Happy Friday!! I'm so excited to have TWO blog posts today!! Can't say as I've ever done that before. I really wanted to be a part of the Stampin' Addicts Sale-A-Bration Blog Hop, but I also wanted to share what I learned this week in Psalm 4. And in order to accomplish that, I decided to have two blog posts today!!!
Psalm 4:6-7 "Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?" Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord. You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound."
FABULOUS PHRASES
Stamps: Fabulous Phrases
Paper: Melon Mambo, Whisper White
Accessories: Heart to Heart Punch, Perfect Polka Dots EF, Petal Card die (retired), LOTS of current and retired ribbon!!
Quick how-to on this technique. Super easy. I covered a piece of "chipboard" (really just the white piece of backing that comes in our Designer Series Paper packs) with lots and lots of adhesive, then layered strips of ribbon on it, then ran it through my Big Shot!!
These verses caught my attention right away. They are the "happy" part of the passage. Wendy Pope kind of went a different direction with the study, but these are the verses that I kept coming back to. I love knowing that our joy comes from the Lord.
Here is what my NIV Life Application Bible has to say about verse 7:
"Two kinds of joy are contrasted here - inward joy that comes from knowing and trusting God and happiness that comes as a result of pleasant circumstances. Inward joy is steady as long as we trust God; happiness is unpredictable. Inward joy defeats discouragement; happiness covers it up. Inward joy is lasting; happiness is temporary."
That new outfit, or purse, or stamp set ;) may bring us temporary happiness, but only God can fill our hearts with pure joy. Joy that goes beyond our circumstances and day-to-day "life". We can all "put on a happy face" to get us through the day. But real joy is a reflection of God's light shining through us. It is something that can be seen and felt. It comes from the heart. Thus the heart on my card today. That's also why I made my heart bright and colorful and fun. That's how I look at joy. As bringing color to the world.
My hubby is a seminary student and he bought this fancy schmancy Bible program. Bummer is, he has a Mac Book and this program was only available for PC (which he didn't realize until he tried to download it). Lucky me!! It's called BibleWorks and it is well beyond my scope and sphere. It has Greek and Hebrew and a gazillion translations and cross references. But I was excited to read this about verse 7 from the Matthew Henry Commentary:
"This is what, above any thing, they rejoice in (v. 7): "Thou hast hereby often put gladness into my heart; not only supported and refreshed me, but filled me with joy unspeakable; and therefore this is what I will still pursue, what I will seek after all the days of my life." When God puts grace in the heart he puts gladness in the heart; nor is any joy comparable to that which gracious souls have in the communications of the divine favour, no, not the joy of harvest, of a plentiful harvest, when the corn and wine increase. This is gladness in the heart, inward, solid, substantial joy. The mirth of worldly people is but a flash, a shadow; even in laughter their heart is sorrowful, Prov. xiv. 13. "Thou hast given gladness in my heart;" so the word is. True joy is God's gift, not as the world giveth, John xiv. 27. The saints have no reason to envy carnal worldlings their mirth and joy, but should pity them rather, for they may know better and will not."
(Hafta say that I LOVE the beautiful, rich language.) "True joy is God's gift..." Yesterday I chatted with our next door neighbor who told me her battle with cancer has returned and with a vengeance. Her doctor has given her only 2 months to live. As we stood talking on my front porch, I could sense joy in her, even though her circumstances are so utterly grim. That is a gift from God. That is not something you get by just determining to "look at the bright side". Yes, I'm sure she has her down days, we all do, but it is that "inward, solid, substantial joy" that keeps her heart shining for Jesus. I pray that you will find that kind of joy this week!!!
Thanks for stopping by!
Happy Stamping!
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