March 8:  Joy to the World.

His Wisdom Brings Joy.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.  She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.--Proverbs 3:17, 18, ESV

THE WISE MAN SAYS that wisdom's "ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace."  Proverbs 3:17.  Many cherish the impression that devotion to God is detrimental to health and the cheerful happiness in the social relations of life.  But those who walk in the path of wisdom and holiness find that "godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come."  1 Timothy 4:8.  They are alive to the enjoyment of life's real pleasures, while they are not troubled with vain regrets over misspent hours, nor with gloom of horror of mind, as the worldling too often is when not diverted by some exciting amusement.--Counsels on Health, 627.

True religion ennobles the mind, refines the taste, sanctifies the judgment, and makes its possessor a partaker of the purity and the holiness of heaven.  It brings angels near and separates us more and more from the spirit and influence of the world.  It enters into all the acts and relations of life and gives us the "spirit of a sound mind," and the result is happiness and peace.--Counsels on Health, 629.

                   They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them.
                   For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky.
                   Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities--
            his eternal power and divine nature.  So they have no excuse for not knowing God.
                                                                                       --Romans 1:19, 20, NLT

March 7:  Joy to the World.

God Is Our Source of Wisdom.
Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding.  For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold.--Proverbs 3:13, 14, NLT

NEITHER BY SEARCHING the recesses of the earth nor in vain endeavors to penetrate the mysteries of God's being is wisdom found.  It is found, rather, in humbly receiving the revelation that He has been pleased to give, and in conforming the life to His will.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, 280.

Those who hunger for knowledge that they may bless their fellow men will themselves receive blessing from God.  Through the study of His word their mental powers will be aroused to earnest activity.  There will be an expansion and development of the faculties, and the mind will acquire power and efficiency.--Christ's Object Lessons, 334.

Let none think that there is no more knowledge for them to gain.  The depth of human intellect may be measured; the works of human authors may be mastered; but the highest, deepest, broadest flight of the imagination cannot find out God.  There is infinity beyond all that we can comprehend.  We have seen only the glimmering of divine glory and of the infinitude of knowledge and wisdom; we have, as it were, been working on the surface of the mine, when rich golden ore is beneath the surface, to reward the one who will dig for it.  The shaft must be sunk deeper and yet deeper in the mine, and the result will be glorious treasure.  Through a correct faith, divine knowledge will become human knowledge.--Christ's Object Lessons, 113.

Our Father in heaven is the source of life, of wisdom, and of joy.--Steps to Christ, 9.

                If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.
                                                                                                     --James 1:5, NLT

March 6:  Joy of the World.

God Answers Our Prayers.
"Until now you have asked nothing in My name.  Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full."--John 16:24, NKJV

PRAY, BELIEVE, REJOICE.  Sing praises to God because He has answered your prayers.  Take Him at His word.  "He is faithful that promised."  Hebrews 10:23.  Not one sincere supplication is lost.  The channel is open; the stream is flowing.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7, 274.

The Lord has been waiting long to impart the greatest, truest joys to the heart.  All those who look to Him with undivided hearts, He will greatly bless.  Those who have thus looked to Him have caught more distinct views of Jesus as their sin bearer, their all-sufficient sacrifice, and have been hid in the cleft of the Rock, to behold the Lamb of God who takest away the sins of the world.--Councils to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 369.

The gifts of Him who has all power in heaven and earth are in store for the children of God.  Gifts so precious that they come to us through the costly sacrifice of the Redeemer's blood; gifts that will satisfy the deepest craving of the heart, gifts lasting as eternity, will be received and enjoyed by all who will come to God as little children.  Take God's promises as your own, plead them before Him as His own words, and you will receive fullness of joy.--Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 133.

                            Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering,
                                                 for He who promised is faithful.
                              
                                                             --Hebrews 10:23, NKJV

March 5:  Joy to the World.

Truly Happy.
Light shines on the godly, and joy on those whose hearts are right.  May all who are godly rejoice in the Lord and praise his holy name!--Psalm 97:11, 12, NLT

IT IS NOT WEALTH or intellect that gives happiness; it is true moral worth and a sense of duty performed.  You may have the overcomer's reward and stand before the throne of Christ to sing His praises in the day when He assembles His saints; but your robes must be cleansed in the blood of the Lamb, and charity must cover you as a garment, and you be found spotless and without blemish.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, 125.

"For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.  For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil."  Those who have an experimental knowledge of this scripture are truly happy.  They consider the approbation of Heaven of more worth than any earthly amusement; Christ in them the hope of glory will be health to the body and strength to the soul.--Testimonies for he Church, vol. 1, 566.

                        God has given me the responsibility of...proclaiming his entire message to you.
                            This message was kept secret for centuries..., but now it has been revealed
                        to God's people.  For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ
                                are for you Gentiles, too.  And this is the secret: Christ lives in you.
                                                 This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.
                              
                                                                      --Colossians 1:25-27, NLT

March 4:  Joy to the World.

Immanuel, "God With Us."
"Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come and I will dwell in your midst, declares the Lord."--Zechariah 2:10, ESV

GOD COMMANDED MOSES for Israel, "Let them make Me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them" (Exodus 25:8), and He abode in the sanctuary, in the midst of His people.  Through all their weary wandering in the desert, the symbol of His presence was with them.  So Christ set up His tabernacle in the midst of our human encampment.  He pitched His tent by the side of the tents of men, that He might dwell among us, and make us familiar with His divine character and life.  "The Word became flesh, and tabernacled among us (and we beheld His glory, glory as of the Only Begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth."  John 1:14, R.V., margin.

Since Jesus came to dwell with us, we know that God is acquainted with our trials, and sympathizes with our griefs.  Every son and daughter of Adam may understand that our Creator is the friend of sinners.  For in every doctrine of grace, every promise of joy, every deed of love, every divine attraction presented in the Saviour's life on earth, we see "God with us."--The Desire of Ages, 23, 24.

        Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,
      prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying,
                  "Beloved, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them,
             and they shall be His people.  God Himself will be with them and be their God.
             And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death,
                                nor sorrow, nor crying.  There shall be no more pain,
                                         for the former things have passed away."
                              
                                                         --Revelation 21:2-4, NKJV

March 3:  Joy to the World.

Trusting in the Lord.
Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of foreigners, whose mouths speak lies....Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall!  Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord!--Psalm 144:11, 15, ESV

WE SHOULD NEVER give to the world the false impression that Christians are a gloomy, unhappy people.  If our eyes are fixed on Jesus, we shall see a compassionate Redeemer, and shall catch light from His countenance.  Wherever His Spirit reigns, there peace abides.  And there will be joy also, for there is a calm, holy trust in God.--The Desire of Ages, 152.

It was God's purpose that by the revelation of His character through Israel men should be drawn unto Him....All who, like Rahab the Caanaanite, and Ruth the Moabitess, turned from idolatry to the worship of the true God, were to unite themselves with His chosen people.  As the numbers of Israel increased they were to enlarge their borders, until their kingdom should embrace the world.

God desired to bring all peoples under His merciful rule.  He desired that the earth should be filled with joy and peace.  He created man for happiness, and He longs to fill human hearts with the peace of heaven.  He desires that the families below shall be a symbol of the great family above.--Christ's Object Lessons, 290.

                                    "Happy are you, O Israel!  Who is like you,
                                               a people saved by the LORD,
                                                   the shield of your help,
                                                and the sword of your triumph!
                                            Your enemies shall come fawning to you,
                                                 and you shall tread upon their backs."
                              
                                               --Deuteronomy 33:29, ESV

March 2:  Joy to the World.

Rejoicing in the Gifts of Life.
Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.--1 Timothy 6:17, NKJV

TO THE INFINITE LOVE of the Redeemer every human being is indebted for the gifts of life.  Food and raiment and shelter, body and mind and soul--all are the purchase of His blood.--Education, 139.

All power is given into His hands, that He may dispense rich gifts unto men.--Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 91.

Every day they are surrounded with the tokens of God's love; every day they are enjoying the bounties of His providence.--Steps to Christ, 121.

The plan of redemption begins and ends with a gift...."God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son."...And as the crowning blessing of redemption, "the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, 730.

He has given us the Light and Majesty of heaven, and with Him He has bestowed all the heavenly treasure.  Much as He has promised us for the life to come, He bestows princely gifts in this life.  As subjects of His grace, He desires us to enjoy everything that will ennoble, expand, and elevate our characters.--The Ministry of Healing, 405.

                  "Look at the birds....They neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns;
               yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not of more value than they?...
                 ...Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;
       and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."
                              
                                                           --Matthew 6:26, 28, 29, NKJV

March 1: Joy to the World.

Happiness Is a Gift From God.
For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in his sight; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting, that he may give to him who is good before God.  This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.--Ecclesiastes, 2:26, NKJV

GOD IS THE SOURCE of life and light and joy to the universe.  Like rays of light from the sun, like the streams of water bursting from a living spring, blessings flow out from Him to all His creatures.--Steps to Christ, 77.

Look at the wonderful and beautiful things of nature.  Think of their marvelous adaptation to the needs and happiness, not only of man, but of all living creatures.  The sunshine and the rain, that gladden and refresh the earth, the hills and seas and plains, all speak to us of the Creator's love....

"God is love" is written upon every opening bud, upon every spire of springing grass.  The lovely birds making the air vocal with their happy songs, the delicately tinted flowers in their perfection perfuming the air, the lofty trees of the forest with their rich foliage of living green--all testify to the tender, fatherly care of God and to His desire to make His children happy.--Steps to Christ, 9, 10.

                                You shower him with blessings that last forever;
                           he finds joy in knowing Your presence and loving You.
                                                                                          --Psalm 21:6, VOICE

                                              For with You is the fountain of life;
                                                     In Your light we see light.
                                                                                           --Psalm 36:9, NKJV

February 29: Glad Tidings.

The Good News of Salvation.
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation..--Isaiah 12:3, NRSV

THE TRUE PRINCIPLES OF CHRISTIANITY open before all a source of happiness, the height and depth, the length and breadth of which are immeasurable.  It is Christ in us a well of water springing up into everlasting life.  It is a continual wellspring from which the Christian can drink at will and never exhaust the fountain.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, 565.

Why do we stay away from the fountain, when we can come and drink?  Why do we die for bread, when there is a storehouse full?  It is rich and free.  O my soul, feast upon it, and daily drink in heavenly joys.  I will not hold my peace.  The praise of God is in my heart and upon my lips.  We can rejoice in the fullness of our Saviour's love.  We can feast upon His excellent glory.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, 98.

The last words spoken by Christ to John were: "The Spirit and the bride say, Come.  And let him that heareth say, Come.  And let him that is athirst come.  And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."  Revelation 22:17.  When we respond to God and say, "Lord, we come," then with joy shall we draw water out of the well of salvation.--Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 370.

                              For God alone my soul waits in silence;
                                          from him comes my salvation.
                                     He alone is my rock and my salvation,
                                          my fortress; I shall never be shaken.
                                                                             --Psalm 62:1, 2, NRSV

February 28: Heavenly Happiness.

He Delighted in Serving Others.
"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."--John 15:11, NIV

OUR SAVIOUR'S JOY was in the uplifting and redemption of fallen men.  For this He counted not His life dear unto Himself, but endured the cross, despising the shame.--Steps to Christ, 77.

Ever before Him He saw the result of His mission.  His earthly life, so full of toil and self-sacrifice, was cheered by the prospect that He would not have all this travail for nought.  By giving His life for the life of men, He would win back the world to its loyalty to God.--The Desire of Ages, 410.

The accomplishment of the mission which He had left heaven to perform strengthened the Saviour for His labor, and lifted Him above the necessities of humanity.  To minister to a soul hungering and thirsting for the truth was more grateful to Him than eating or drinking.  It was a comfort, a refreshment, to Him.  Benevolence was the life of His soul.--The Desire of Ages, 190.

The spirit of Christ's self-sacrificing love is the spirit that pervades heaven and is the very essence of its bliss.  This is the spirit that Christ's followers will possess, the work that they will do.--Steps to Christ, 77.

                             "If one of you wants to be first, you must be the slaves of all.
                                    For even the Son of Man did not come to be served;
                              he came to serve and to give his life to redeem many people."
                              
                                                                --Mark 10:44, 45, GNT