Overjoy

This week I went to an all-day training session about computer programming for my job with a person who worked at Microsoft. It was nice to take a break from the every day work and to learn more about some of the good practices about coding.

I was a bit worried that I will be bored and fall asleep (since I haven't attended a lecture for a while), but the presenter made it very interactive, and we had some good group brainstorm activities (we were seated in tables). We also took 7-minute breaks every hour, and after every break the presenter will show us some interesting pictures that are a puzzle, as we need to guess what words of phrase those pictures represent.

I wasn't able to find anything in the internet, so I tried reproducing the most simple ones:

These ones are quite easy to get (if you can't get it, the answers are in the end of the post). There are others that were almost impossible to get, and some that were very neat, but I forgot most of them now!

I have a friend who like to use the word "overjoy" which I don't hear much nowadays. He often applies this word during prayers or deep conversations about our faith to convey how joyful we should all be because of the grace and mercy shown to us by the cross of Jesus Christ, and that the gospel that has saved us is still affecting us every day because the Holy Spirit is continuously working in us to be more like Christ, and He is filling us with joy and peace.

I am always encouraged by Paul, especially in the book of Philippians (which many know it's my favorite book). When Paul wrote this letter, he was in jail and not knowing if he will die the next day, probably going through many hardships, probably missing some of his closest fellow workers (like Timothy), probably not doing great in health. In spite of his circumstances, he was able to write some of the most encouraging words I have heard:

• I thank my God every time I remember you (1:3)
• In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy (v4)
• to live is Christ and to die is gain (1:21)
• Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ (1:27)
• I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord (3:8) 
• Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (4:4)
• Do not be anxious about anything (4:6)
• And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (4:7)
• I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation (4:12)
• I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (4:13)

In a bible study in grad cell, a sister shared her insight that Paul was not thinking of his circumstances at all, but always thinking about God, about how good He is, and about how much He has blessed him and the fellow saints in Philippi. Because of that he was able to be joyful despite his circumstances; even more, he was able to encourage others to be joyful because his mind is set on God.

In this exam time, I hope that fellow brothers and sisters will commit themselves to the Lord, and be joyful in this mental and physical challenging times.

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Guess what this means:

Answers:
first 3 pictures: J-walking, breakfast, circular reasoning.
last picture: always overjoy