​​Welcome  to    Joy By Surprise

Our world is awash with trouble. It comes in a seemingly endless stream. Peoples of all faiths, irrespective of color, class and intelligence are experiencing trouble of one kind or an other. After all these years mankind is still incapable of eradicating trouble. Indeed our troubles appear to be on the increase. And so we have: wars, famines, disease, persecution, unemployment, violence, greed and a host of other problems too numerous to mention. The root problem of course is sin. Sin is an attitude of mind which manifests itself in rebellion against YaHuWaH 's commandments.

In the beginning mankind was offered a choice between life on the one hand and knowledge on the other (Genesis 2:16-17). Our first parents rejected the Tree of Life YAHUSHUA the Messiah and chose Satan: the one who had the knowledge and personal experience of good and evil. Their decision plunged the whole world into troubles so great that they now threaten to engulf us. Our first parents wanted to know about good and evil - by personal experience. Mankind's present plight some 6000 years later is simply the result of their tragic decision to 'see for themselves.' Problems are the evil part; the part of which the whole human race now has full knowledge. Bear in mind that the root cause of all our problems is sin, the rejection of YaHuWaH 's directions and the violation of His commands. The sin may be in ourselves, in others, in society at large or may even go back several generations to our ancestors. But you can be sure that at the root of every problem is sin. Somebody, somewhere along the line has transgressed the Torah of the Most High and human suffering is the result.

Is there any salvation from this sad state of affairs, this roundabout of rebellion, this treadmill of trouble? We are happy to say, there is.

Many sinners suppose that they are worse than all others. This is an understandable reaction to strong conviction, but it is wrong in every case. In any event YAHUSHUA the Messiah came to save all sinners.

No matter what the problem is, and it may not be your fault, for its root cause may go back a hundred years or more, Messiah YAHUSHUA can help you. He is 'Elohim in human flesh' and he can save you from problems of every kind. As Abraham Lincoln once said to a friend in great trouble: "Go to Him and pray, for He alone can save you."

By far the most important piece of information ever to be transmitted to the sons and daughters of men is the answer to the question: What must I do to be saved? Saved, please note, not just from one's temporal problems which come to believer and unbeliever alike - but from the end result of sin - condemnation and everlasting death!

From these passages we can see that faith in YAHUSHUA is the way to salvation. In short, the sinner, no matter how bad he may think he is, must have faith in YAHUSHUA the Messiah. He must believe what YaHuWaH has categorically promised. And he must rest assured that what the Almighty has promised - He will do. The whole universe would descend into absolute chaos if YaHuWaH failed to keep this single promise. So we can have absolute confidence in Him that He will not break His word. Trust Him. He will do what He says.

Salvation from sin and its consequence is guaranteed to those who have faith in YAHUSHUA the Messiah. But what about the present problems (physical ills, persecution, poverty, starvation, homelessness, unemployment, loneliness etc) which are not automatically removed when a person believes? Let us consider some examples.

Job's experience proves that even a godly person can have troubles. And they may not be speedily removed even after prayer. But faith can win through every trouble no matter how bad it may be. When you fell that your troubles are too much, think of Job. See Lesson 15.

All the Apostles suffered enormously; far more than is generally known. And in the end almost all suffered a martyr's death. They had troubles, no one will dispute that fact. But YaHuWaH allowed them to experience trouble for a very good reason. He was with them throughout their trials. He did not remove trials; but provided the strength to bear them.

From it we learn certain facts:

• A believer's faith or greatness does not exempt him/her from suffering.
• And the reason is that Messiah's power to overcome evil is best demonstrated in the midst of trouble. The greater the darkness the more effective is His shining grace and glory.
• YAHUSHUA's grace is all you need as you obey Him.