Journey to Gladness; Day816; Day001

They who sow in tears shall reap in joy and singing. Psalm126:5
A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken. Proverbs 15:13
Your words were found, and I ate them; and Your words were to me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart, for I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts. Jeremiah 15:16
Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are enrolled in heaven. Luke 10:20

KEYPOINTS:
1. Gladness progression is from tears to joy; heartbroken to being whole
2. Gladness starts from the inside. When the Holy Spirit touches/speaks to you in a special way
3. Gladness is found in His Words-the heart rejoices when we consume His Words
4. Gladness motivation-our membership in Heaven is counted. [no other reasons]
5. Gladness source-Christ Himself and no other

“God made us: invented us as a man invents an engine. A car is made to run on gasoline, and it would not run properly on anything else. Now God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other. That is why it is just no good asking God to make us happy in our own way without bothering about religion. God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.”  Mere Christianity p.30  C..S. Lewis 

Regarding keypoint #2, I had been shown in my heart by the Holy Spirit and He is trying to communicate with me through strange circumstances lately.  The other day during my 1-mile swim, I normally just execute my swimming training thinking and praying to God and sometimes brainstorming about work problems.  I had 30 minutes to do it since I have to pickup my son from his tennis practice.  I had my stopwatch running and I normally ends at :35 minutes, this time I stopped at :30.  When I went to my backpack and get my phone to check if Brent had called, the phone rings and my wife told me that Brent is ready to be picked up.  I did not pay attention to it but then in a few minutes the Holy Spirit explained to me that there is an “appointed time” that He set and if I pay attention closely, I can recognize it.  My day went on and forgot the whole experience.  On Monday the next day, I did my normal 40mile cycling route but added an extra 2 miles just to climb an extra hill for training purposes.  When I got home, I reached out for my phone from my back pocket and as I began to turn off the MapMyRide app, the phone rings again at the precise moment-the end of my workout-it was my daughter who was just asking a few questions regarding a water filter at her apartment in San Antonio.  This time, I did not even argue/self doubt and I know what he meant by “appointed time” – He is showing me something.

I’m switching to my own daily devotional using the youversion application. For some reason, I wake up this morning with this idea – “find your own revelation”.  As I follow my intuition, I was surprised of how everything is already laid out for me at youversion.  Check it out when you get a chance.  Consider this message as your “appointed time” revelation.

Step By Step:
1. At your desktop, Go to http://www.youversion.com/
2. Sign up
3. Go to the Reading Plans [pick your own plans]
4. At your iPhone or Android Smartphone, download the youversion app
5. Sign in
6. Enjoy your synchronized Bible Reading Plan.
7. Turn on Email Alerts

http://www.youversion.com/reading-plans?category=topical

 

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PLAN:
Daily Bible Devotional
Journal
2.4-Mile Swim
2-Minute Ping-pong Drill
2-Minute Stay Ball Exercise
2-Minute Sword Practice
2-Minute 15-lbs Dumbbell

READING LIST:
Book-Permanent Innovation p.123
Mere Christianity p.35
Surprised By Joy p.00

TIMELINE:
0500, End of Sleep,
1100, 2.4 Mile Swim
1200, 2.4 Mile Swim
1500, Nap
1600, Reading-Mere Christianity and listening to Hillsong Live
1700, Reading
1800, Grocery shopping
1900, Cook for Brent
2000, Reading
2100, Reading