So what are Christ\u2019s interests<\/em>? Digging into the passage more, I see Paul is comparing Timothy to others. And in the verse before, I see my answer. Speaking of Timothy, Paul writes.<\/p>\n \u201cFor I have no one else of kindred spirit, who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare.\u201d[1]<\/a><\/p>\n What are you showing me God? <\/em><\/p>\n Following is what I hear in my heart:<\/p>\n \u201cRobby (this is my childhood nickname and I hear God speak to me tenderly as speaking to His loved child), you see I\u2019m teaching you slowly, but very deeply that you can truly rest in what I\u2019ve done. Those lies you woke up with can\u2019t penetrate My love. Before they would have landed, taken root and spread. I\u2019m healing your heart from deep lies and making you whole.<\/span><\/p>\n What I want to show you this morning is that you can trust Me with you. I\u2019ve got you. I always had you and nothing can disrupt My incredible love for you. Being loved and cared for by Me completely frees you up for the work I have for you.<\/span><\/p>\n Look at every person I put in your path, starting with your wife and family, as my invitation to you. When you are with a person, or a person comes to mind, know these are from me. Don\u2019t worry about what you think your work is. Trust all that to me.<\/span><\/p>\n My work for you is this:<\/span><\/p>\n Love them as I have loved you.[2]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n I\u2019ll show you how.<\/span><\/p>\n And it\u2019s not really you doing it. As you yield to My Spirit in you, I\u2019m the one really loving them.<\/span><\/p>\n And by the way, \u201cThese things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be made full.\u201d John 15:11<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n You will stay rooted in My love and walk around in full joy as you love others as I have loved you.” <\/span>[3]<\/a><\/p>\n Challenge: <\/strong>Think of an area of your life which consistently makes you feel like a failure, an area you blew it big time. It’s okay if there’s more than one.<\/p>\n Assuming you are a believing child of God<\/strong>, does God see you as a failure in this area?<\/p>\n The answer is no. Remember, When God sees you, He sees His Son Jesus Christ, in whom He is well pleased.<\/p>\n You have a choice. Do you want to assess your value based on what God thinks about you? Or do you want to assess your value based on what you perceive others think about you because of your failure?<\/p>\n Based on your answer, either joy<\/strong> or sadness<\/strong> awaits you.<\/p>\n If you are not a child of God<\/strong>, this one failure does not define you either. In fact, feel free to replace the failure you’ve been thinking about with your most shining achievement. The result will be the same. Or, feel free to use the moral record of Billy Graham or Mother Teresa. Same.<\/p>\n All fall short of the glory of God. If it weren’t so God wouldn’t be God. And the penalty for not being perfect is separation from God. Sounds very harsh if you don’t understand Christ’s rescue and deliverance.<\/p>\n Without Christ<\/strong>, we live with our failures. We aren’t identified as His children. We can’t be with Him now or ever. We’re left to fight for purpose, identity and hope in the roller coaster of the human struggle to survive in a world filled with evil.<\/p>\n With Christ<\/strong>, all our failures are taken away as far as the east is from the west. Our past, present and future is swallowed up in His great love. We have moment by moment purpose, joy and hope.<\/p>\n There is great joy in resting in what Christ has done, forgetting failures and delighting in His everlasting love for you.<\/p>\n [1]<\/a> Philippians 2:20<\/p>\n [2]<\/a> John 15:12<\/p>\n [3]<\/a> John 15:9-12<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I started the morning bemoaning. Rather than focusing on Christ and His work, all I could think about were my failures. They were like pesky gnats swirling around. But these unwelcomed intruders of my peace and joy found nowhere to land. God is doing a deep work in my heart. Father is teaching me that … Continue reading Turning Failures into Joy<\/span> ![\"cross-66700_960_720\"](\"http:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/cross-66700_960_720.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"trees-1376724_1280\"](\"http:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/trees-1376724_1280.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"harvest-1603122_1280\"](\"http:\/\/joy-in-the-journey.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/harvest-1603122_1280.jpg\")
<\/p>\n