Joy Then Triumph; Day817

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows) John 10:10
Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others’ joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others’ grief]. Romans 12:15
But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as trophies of Christ’s victory] and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere, 2 Corinthians 2:14
Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice! Philippians 4:4

KEYPOINTS
1. We have a real enemy and his objective is to steal our joy.
2. We have an companion and His objective is to keep/increase our joy and enjoy life
3. We are commanded to be with the same emotion with others.  Not mourn when they are celebrating victory and not celebrating when they are down in the bottomless pit.
4. God leads us in victory. When we are sick in body, facing terminal illness, finances is low, losing our job, unable to find work, rebellion in our family, chaotic relationship, brethren accusing us, confused about life,  loneliness, bitterness, lost – keep your eyes focused to the finish line-we will triumph in the end.
5. Regardless of any negative circumstances – express great joy to God

I was in the neighborhood pool by myself [11am and 90’F] doing my routine 2.4 miles swim training.  This is an 80 minutes non-stop easy to hard pace.  I wish I can just close my eyes and count the number of strokes in every lap and then do it over and over for 80 minutes.  I’ve been doing this weekly routine since 2006 and sometimes its getting boring especially when there is no one in the pool except the clear water and the wind.  The solitude fits my need of being in a conversation mood with God. The swim itself is not hard and in fact it is very easy for me.  What is hard is trying to get to the last lap – the very end of the 2.4mile and I struggled in focusing to finish mentally.  But with all the struggles that I have in my mind, I told myself that I will continue to perform this task regardless of any negative circumstance affecting me – that I will finish to the end.

Swimming has similarities on how we live our life.  We set goals and objectives and there are times that  we face difficulties.  Most of us just give up and try another activity when we are hard pressed.  But there will be a time that giving up is not option and we try to keep going no matter what.  In my swimming struggles, what fuels me is joy.  The joy of being able just to float freely in the water and swim across the pool back and forth until I reached my desired distance.  It’s not the victory at the end why I do what I do in my life, it is the joy of doing it that lead me to victory everyday.  If the trophy at the finish line is what we are after, then what happens next after you win it all.  There are many examples we can draw from the top athletes in the world, if winning is the ultimate goal, then reaching it ends the joy.  The joy is in the “doing part”, it’s in the journey, it’s in the struggle – reaching the goal or objective in life is irrelevant.

 

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PLAN:
Wednesday:
Daily Bible Devotional
Journal
Workout-Rest
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.45
Surprised By Joy p.00

TIMELINE:
0500, End of Sleep,