Encouragement

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(written 12-02-02)

From a Christian who has been hurting:

Dare I speak against the pain? Would the Lord support my declaration?
I have found the answer that speaks against the pain. He calls it Joy.

Against the bitterness-Joy of being forgiven and being forgiving.
Against the persecution-Joy in knowing I am counted amongst the prophets of old.
Against the abuse-Joy in knowing He has suffered abuse greater than I could ever know-for my sake!
Against the pain of loneliness-Joy in knowing I can share in the fellowship of His sufferings.

Dare I myself to be radical?
There is radical joy!

Against the pain of hatred-Joy over being loved eternally-a love not limited by my performance.
Against the pain of rejection-my joy is set by the parameters of my knowing my God-I am accepted in the Beloved.
Against the pain of dissappointment-Joy in knowing His faithfulness.
Against the pain of sin-Joy in repentance.
Against the pain of a lackluster life-Joy in obeying the God of Joy-abundant life!

Radical truth? Radical Joy. Radical healing in the God of Joy.

Understand this: He saved us with Joy in His heart! For this He will not bear regret!

What can one expect from an infinite God and Lord but infinite joy. Those who have Him have this, they may only need to realize it. One cannot have a part of Him. He does not give in measure. There is no such thing as a fraction of the infinite. To have the Lord is to have Him all!

If I am too radical, let me die radically!
Let me be found before a radical God who holds radical joy!

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