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Joy in the Midst of Sorrow

Joy in the Midst of Sorrow

The Bible tells us that on earth, Jesus “was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not” (Isaiah 53:3 NIV84).

We know that Jesus’ life was not one of fun and games, not filled with amusements and distracting entertainments, frivolous activities, or pleasure-seeking distractions. Jesus became human for the most serious of reasons—to eliminate sin, to stop rebellion, to eradicate falsehood, to be our Savior.

And Jesus knew that in order to win, to eliminate sin, destroy Satan and his power of death (Hebrews 2:14; 2 Timothy 1:10), He Himself would have to suffer many things, be rejected, despised, and ultimately crucified. He knew that the path He would walk would not be easy—yet despite all the heartache, pain, struggles, and suffering, our mighty Savior did not falter.

Why? Because He truly loved. And His love focused His heart not on self but on what His actions would accomplish and, therefore, despite the pain of His sojourn, it was “for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2 NIV84).

In the midst of abuse, rejection, betrayal, injustice, torture, and crucifixion, Jesus saw joy. There was joy not in the experience of being betrayed, falsely accused, rejected, despised, tortured and killed—but, rather, in the fulfilling of His mission, on accomplishing what He came to accomplish. There was joy in knowing that His choice to live the truth of God, to love completely, to stay faithful to His Father, to practice only the design law methods of heaven, truth, love, and freedom, despite His mistreatment, He would reveal heavenly light. He would vindicate the Father. He would demonstrate the truth of His own character of selfless love. He would expose Satan as a liar and fraud. He would destroy the infection of fear and selfishness contaminating humanity. He would develop a perfect sinless human character. He would provide the remedy needed to save every human being who trusts Him; and His actions would provide the means to eventually eliminate all sin, suffering, and death from God’s universe and, thus, restoring all things to perfection.

And we can experience this same joy in the midst of the sorrows and struggles of this sinful world. If we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus as He kept His fixed on the Father, and if we remember the truth of the Great Controversy (that we are in a universal war), the design-law methods of God, and our power to choose loyalty to our Creator by applying to our own lives His design-law methods in how we govern ourselves in the face of worldly injustice, then we, like Jesus, can know that we are lights in a dark world, that our witness, like so many of God’s friends through history—such as Daniel, Stephen, Paul, and the many Reformers. We will give testimony to Jesus, to the God of heaven, and to the methods and principles of life and health. We will know with confidence that our sorrows, our struggles, our difficulties cannot prevent the higher purpose or impact of heaven’s love, truth, and principles shining forth through us; and we can know the joy of revealing heavenly light to the lost and reaching souls for God’s kingdom! We, like Jesus, can experience the joy of purpose, the joy of mission, the joy of advancing God’s kingdom in the face of earthly sorrows, and thereby know that our transient pain and struggles are working together in God’s hand to hasten the coming of our Lord (2 Peter 3:12).

So,

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart (Hebrews 12:2, 3 NIV84).

 

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We listen to your bible studies lessons in our class in Montana. You actually were the main reason I decided to get a laptop, so I can go to your site and listen, read, learn, and print the class notes. I am so grateful to learn the correct view of God and his character. Now, to just have others have an interest in knowing, so I can share it with them. Good thoughts your way.

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After reading your book, ‘Could It Be This Simple,’ someone was explaining Christianity in a way that made sense to me for the first time in my life. One morning, I simply prayed “I’m sorry and I love you.” As soon as I silently said that, I could literally feel God’s presence and light flood down on me from above and fill me up with love and joy. I sat there crying my eyes out, because I was so overpowered with this feeling of love and joy. It was just so incredible. I hope that more people can read this book and get a blessing from it. It’s really amazing.

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The blessings of clarity and understanding you and your class inspire me to take from the word of God have impressed upon me so greatly the true, loving character of our Creator. I have found amazing freedom and joy through building a stronger, more intentional relationship with Him. What is new is that this is now a relationship built on love, reverence and respect rather than fear and obligation, and as such my eyes have been slammed OPEN as I am continually impressed by the manifestations of God’s true character in His provisions for fallen man.

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I am just writing to say that I have been so blessed by the teachings of Come And Reason Minitries recently. I watched last week’s bible study lesson on Youtube and am thankful that the error in the printed lesson guide you use was pointed out and this week’s study was of equal benefit, if not more so. My understanding of God’s nature has been very confused of late and I am so grateful for clarity in this matter. I have never really fully understood previously how a good God can cause bad things to happen and now I realise that He doesn’t, it’s a natural consequence of sin. May the almighty Father and His Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, continue to bless your ministry.

Laura P., United Kingdom

 

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I have been watching your videos in The Power of Love seminar and I must say these have liberated me and have improved my relationship with the Lord. I am no longer terrified of him as I was before following your teachings.

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I wanted to thank you very much for presenting your understanding of God. I’ve always been troubled by this question: Why did Jesus have to die? Since my conversion I understood that The Father & Jesus are one, I did not have issues with that. But was there not any other way to save us than for Jesus to die? I guess I actually had a question about God – if He is so wise, how come He did not find another way? I did not see the real ‘beauty’  in the cross. Only when you explained the picture in the medical context, Jesus providing medicine for my selfishness, have I started to finally ‘see the light’. Thank you so much. Your seminar, “Healing the Mind,” are absolutely marvelous & have shared them with my family and many other people, including colleagues at work. Thanks, thanks, thanks. May God bless you abundantly in your ministry.

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I’ve been very blessed by “The God Shaped Brain” and this ministry, through video and podcast, over the last few years. It’s truly opened up my eyes more to the truth about God and the importance of that truth in the present world. The message is so inviting, freeing and enlightening and MORE people need to know about it. I believe it is the last message that can truly, not only prepare a people for salvation and translation, but vindicate the character of God.

Michael V., Yonkers, NY, USA

 

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I just wanted to personally thank you for your teachings and insight into scripture. I came across your website via my cousin who suggested I look into “Healing the Mind” information. My youngest daughter has been struggling over the last couple of years and it all came to a head this spring. When I started listening to the “Healing the Mind” lectures my own life began to be transformed. I began sharing with all my daughters the concepts you laid out so clearly. I ordered your book and soaked it up. I just want to say “Thank You!” My walk with the Lord has been refreshed and renewed. Your obedience to the Lord is a blessing to so many.

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I am blown away by the truth that you present. God’s Design Law makes so much sense! You have validated my impression that, if God is love, He would not kill those who don’t want to know him. If God gives us choice, then how can He destroy us if our choice is not to follow him. Thank you for opening my eyes and heart to the pure love of God seen through Jesus. The love I now have for Jesus is deeper and free from condemnation. My heart has been opened to love others as Jesus loves me. May God continue to bless your God-given insight into His word and your ministry. The truth has set me free!

H. Miller, Centereach, NY

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Jason H.

 

Testimony 33

I was invited over a friend’s house to see the “God and Your Brain” seminar today. I became [a christian] 36 years ago at the age of 19, but have struggled with the concept of God taking His ‘pound of flesh’ out on His Son to be appeased. Wow. Your seminar has been an incredible revelation and breath of reason and fresh air! I have your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” and it is SO eye opening. Finally, after 36 years enlightenment has come! Praise the Good Lord! What can I say, but that the Real Gospel is truly “Good News!” Thank you for your efforts in giving the Gospel a clear sound!

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I can’t even begin to thank you and your ministry enough for introducing me to the Truth about a loving and merciful God! I have my daughter and her in-laws to thank for sharing with me “The God-Shaped Brain” as well as your website. I listen to the Bible study class lessons on my daily walk. May God continue to bless your thirst-quenching ministry!

Liz H., Port Angeles, WA, USA