Here is a short sharing of the enjoyment I had at the University Conference in Doncaster with the theme “Two Joys”, as seen in the verse:
“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” (John 15:11).
The conference helped me see something precious: the Lord’s joy is us, His church.
One question that stood out to me was:
What does God value, or what gives God joy?
The answer was both humbling and uplifting: God values His church, His bride, His counterpart. He treasures us so much that He gave everything for us—just as described in Matthew 13:46, where a man sells all he has to purchase a pearl of great value. That pearl is us, His church.
Then came the second question, which was a personal wake-up call:
What do we value, and what gives us joy?
This question challenged me to reflect deeply on whether I am giving God the first place in everything. Is God truly my joy?
One thing I really enjoyed during the conference was the reminder that to enjoy the Lord is to fulfill God’s desire—to be with His counterpart, the church. This means choosing God above all else, living a holy life without blemish, and prioritizing Him over the fleeting pleasures of the world.
A brother shared from his personal experience that making God our sole joy often comes at a cost. Just as Moses chose eternal joy over the temporary pleasures of sin, we too are called to look toward eternal treasures—Christ Himself—rather than the treasures of this world. It is an active choice we must make daily.
The main points I took away from the whole conference were:
- God’s joy becomes our joy when we abide in Him and drink deeply from His Word. This transforms us, enabling us to experience lasting joy regardless of external circumstances.
- The joy of the Lord isn’t just for us to enjoy; it becomes our strength as we grow closer to Him.
- To experience this fullness of joy, we must remain in His presence and let His Word richly dwell in us.
This conference was a beautiful reminder that the Lord desires a deep, intimate relationship with us as His bride. By prioritizing Him above all else, we not only find true joy but also fulfill His heart’s desire.
Sharing by Daniel N. (London) from his top enjoyment in the recent 2024 Autumn University Conference in UK. If you were at this conference and you want to share your enjoyment, email us or place a comment below.
