Jesus’ prayer for us is that we might have His joy full in us. That joy is entirely possible despite the fact that the world hates us. Their hate is due to the fact that we are not like them.

Somehow, we want the world to love us – but they can’t – they won’t without the light going.

We can pray for each other that we “be filled with the knowledge of His will” which is what we would all like to know. But to know what His will is not enough.

A believer who rejoices in God’s word should not do so only in his mind, but in his body as well, and that would mean obedience.

To think of others first is the key - your own interests last. This is so easily said and so difficult to practice. The key is to imitate Christ, who is the epitome of humility.

It takes only a little trouble, a bit of persecution and the previous joyful receiver of good news is not seen. He has disappeared, like tumbleweed, with no root to keep him in joyfully in place.

Our gentleness should be evident to all. We say, my close friends know how soft my heart is. When someone gets to know me, they will find it out. Well, that is not the point here. It says it should be evident, i.e. obvious, and plain as a pike staff. To whom should it be obvious? Our close friends? Relatives? No! This quality should be evident to all.

For some reason, we put all responsibility on the offender rather than the offended. I have no intention of excusing the uncontrolled tongue. The tongue must be controlled. But until it is, do I have a right to be hurt? Must I remain susceptible to hurt feelings until everybody else is perfect?

We want the joy without obedience, but it doesn’t work that way. We are calculating creatures that weigh up the pros and cons. This one is no -brainer; …

If we think of a meal that we love and are thrilled when we get the chance to eat it, then maybe we can see how Jeremiah viewed the LORD’s words.

Let us approach the Word of God like a prime rib meal, or vegetarian fare, as you wish.

We line up our excuses ahead of time. When angry we are ready with excuses such as not enough sleep; hard day at work; lots of things going wrong at work or in the home.

There are no excuses for sin, although there are reasons. But …

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.