THE JOY OF THE LORD
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“….The JOY of
the Lord is your strength…”
(Nehemiah 8:10 KJV). Going through trials and tribulations affect one’s moods
or feelings, but “NOT” their God-given JOY. “…my JOY …. REMAIN in you …”
(John 15:11 NIV).
MOODS, FEELINGS, PEOPLE, or SITUATIONS
cannot DICTATE your JOY. JOY is a CHOICE. “…REJOICE always…” (1
Thessalonians 5:16 NIV). “…I can do ALL THINGS
through Christ which
strengtheneth me…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV).
JOY is a CHOICE, and depends LARGELY
upon the believer’s OWN volition and obedience to God. “…REJOICE in the Lord always…”
(Philippians 4:4 NIV). “…choose LIFE…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “…Choose you
this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).
Many people have the ability
to control their emotions and direct those emotions to applicable or useful behaviors.
“…TRUST in the Lord with all thine
heart; and lean not unto
thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall
direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV).
However, feeling sad,
sorrowful, disappointed, or depressed as a response to certain situations or
circumstances can’t always be easily regulated. “…Job arose and tore his robe
and shaved his head (OT expressions of
sadness or sorrow…” (Job 1:20-22 NASB). Job said, “..though he (God) slay me, yet
will I trust in him…” (Job 13:15 KJV).
On the other hand, happiness,
gladness, delight, or laughter are responses to situations or circumstances too.
Sadness and happiness will take you to either the darker side of life or into
the light. “…David danced before the LORD with all his might…” (2 Samuel 6:14 KJV).
The way to avoid the pendulum
of experiencing happiness one moment and sadness the next is to FIX your
attention upon TRUTH and maintain a regular state of stability. “…my JOY …. REMAIN in you…”
(John 15:11 NIV). “…God will generously PROVIDE all … [the JOY] … you need. …” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT).
Having Jesus’ JOY is a
TRUTH that was intended to keep you STRONG and GLAD no matter what is happening
with people or situations. “….The JOY
of the Lord is … [my] … strength…”
(Nehemiah 8:10 KJV).
Focusing on MOODS, FEELINGS, PEOPLE, or
SITUATIONS centers your attention on self; what people are doing or are not
doing; on what’s happening or what is not happening INSTEAD of fixing the MIND
on God, his love, his grace, his mercy, and his POWER. “…Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are
true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever
things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good
report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things…”
(Philippians 4:8 KJV).
You can CHOOSE to FILL your mins with
JOYFUL TRUTHS or allow the enemy to LIE to you. ). “…Thy WORD is truth...” (JOHN
17:17 KJV). “…the
devil …he is a liar and the father of lies…”
(John 8:44 NASB).
If you ALLOW your thoughts to be occupied
with FEELINGS, MOODS, PEOPLE, or SITUATIONS expect JOY to dissipate or
disappear altogether. “…The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill,
and to destroy…” (John 10:10 KJV).
Bring your thoughts into submission to the
TRUTH. “…Casting down imaginations, and
every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing
into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ
(the WORD, TRUTH)…” (2 Corinthians 10:5
KJV).
If you ALLOW your thoughts to be occupied
with GOD, his TRUTH, his WORD and his POWER you can expect to experience JOY
and PEACE over the GREAT things he has DONE! “…may
the God of hope fill you with all joy and
peace in believing…” (Romans 15:13 NASB).
JOY is a CHOICE. “…choose LIFE…”
(Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “…It is the SPIRIT who
gives LIFE…” (John 6:63 NASB). “…But the fruit of
the Spirit
is love, JOY, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…”
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).
JOY is a biblical mandate. “…REJOICE in the Lord always…”
(Philippians 4:4 NIV). “…REJOICE always…” (1
Thessalonians 5:16 NIV). “…Always be JOYFUL…”
(1 Thessalonians 5:16 NLT).
JOY is a side effect of the indwelling
Holy Spirit. “…But the
fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY…” (Galatians 5:22-23
KJV).
We can’t regulate every MOOD, FEELING,
PERSON, or SITUATION, but can ABIDE in God-given JOY. “…abide in me, and I in
you. As the branch cannot
bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye
abide in me…” (John 15:4 KJV).
The world will offer its temporary lusts,
pride, or glitz and glam as if to tease the believer that they are missing
something or missing out on all the FUN. “.. For everything in the
world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes
NOT from the Father but from the world.
The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”
(1 John 2:16-17 NLT).
God-given JOY is true and everlasting
gladness. “…everlasting JOY will crown their
heads…” (Isaiah 35:10 NIV). It is the believer, who is the witness of true,
indwelling HAPPINESS, FULFILLMENT, FORTUNE, and MIRTH! ).
“…Ye shall know them by their fruits…” (Matthew
7:16 KJV). . “…the fruit
of the Spirit is love, JOY…”
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).
Having the right perspective on God-given
JOY makes a BIG difference. “…my JOY …. REMAIN in you…” (John 15:11 NIV). It is important to KNOW God-given JOY is a
GIFT that originates from the INDWELLING Spirit and is NOT dependent on the
believer. Jesus’ JOY was imparted to the believer, so it is NOW YOUR JOY. . “…God will
generously PROVIDE all … [the JOY] … you need. …” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT). “…that YOUR JOY …. MIGHT BE
FULL…” (John 15:11 NIV).
Believers have moments of WEAKNESS, but it
will NEVER weaken their indwelling JOY. “…when I am weak,
then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10 KJV). “…MY POWER IS MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS...” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV).
Jesus is the believer’s sufficiency of JOY
and he will NEVER change or reduce their supply of JOY. “…NOT
that we are sufficient OF
OURSELVES to think any thing as
of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God…” (2
Corinthians 3:5 KJV). “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…”
(Malachi 3:6 KJV). “Jesus Christ is the
same
yesterday and today and forever”
(Hebrews 13:8 NIV).
CHOOSING JOY is challenging without a
DEPTH of TRUTH and REALITY of God’s WORD regarding indwelling JOY. “…My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” (Hosea
4:6 NIV). “Keep this Book of the Law
always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to
do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful”
(Joshua 1:8 NIV).
Without studying about God-given JOY, most
believers will have a deficiency of JOYFUL experiences in their Christian
journeys. “… Whatsoever things were written
aforetime were written for our learning…” (Romans 15:4 KJV). “… They
are written for our admonition…” (1 Corinthians 10:11 KJV). “…Study to shew thyself approved unto God…” (2
Timothy 2:15 KJV).
Most Christians have NOT experienced
God-given JOY as a STRENGTH and may not even truly KNOW what it means. “…My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” (Hosea
4:6 NIV).
Not KNOWING God-given JOY is a deficiency
of one’s understanding of their spiritual GIFTS. “…Every man to whom God has given
riches and wealth, He has also empowered
him to eat from them and to receive his reward and REJOICE in
his labor; this is
the gift of God…” (Ecclesiastes 5:19 NASB).
You are affected by the company you keep. When
the amount of quality fellowship with God is small or shallow JOY or the lack
of JOY is a SIGN. “…Do not
be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals…"
(1 Corinthians 15:33 NASB).
A sure TRUTH is that the closer and more
intimate one is to the love and indwelling Spirit of God; JOY and PEACE of
telltale SIGNS. “…The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing…” (Romans 15:13 NASB).
God-given JOY is a BESTOWED GIFT “…What do you have that God hasn’t given you?...”
(1 Corinthians 4:7 NLT). If you do not experience
God-given JOY it is time to search your heart for possible doubt, distance,
unbelief, and the absence of his presence in your life. “…I DO believe; HELP me overcome my unbelief!...”
(Mark 9:24 NIV).
God-given JOY is a BOLD approach to God’s
many spiritual GIFTS. Believers do not often go to the throne of GRACE for HELP
in their time of NEED. “..Let us therefore come
boldly unto the throne of GRACE, that we may obtain mercy, and find GRACE to help in
time of need…” (Hebrews 4:16 KJV).
Believers have a RIGHT to God-given JOY,
but often take a position of timidity, doubt, apprehension, cowardliness, or
fear. “…God
is able to make all GRACE abound toward you; that ye, always having all
sufficiency in all things…” (2 Corinthians 8:9 KJV). “…God
hath not given us the spirit of fear;
but of power,
and of love, and of a sound mind…” (2 Timothy 1:7 NASB). “..come
boldly unto the throne of GRACE…”
(Hebrews 4:16 KJV).
JOY is not simple a future experience, but
it is meant for TODAY. “…Beloved, NOW we are
children of God…” (1 John 3:2 NASB). We are accepted as his children
and can lay CLAIM to ALL spiritual blessings! “…he hath made
us accepted in the beloved…”
(Ephesians 1:6 KJV).“…Blessed be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ, who HATH blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ…”
(Romans 1:3 KJV).
Do you deserve his JOY, or have you earned
it or merited it? NO, but it is yours anyway! Therefore, “..come
boldly unto the throne of GRACE…”
(Hebrews 4:16 KJV).
Be
CONFIDENT and SECURE in regard to his LOVE. “…I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is
able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day…” (1
Timothy 1:12 KJV).
You belong to God, but God also BELONGS to
you wholeheartedly!! “…The
LORD is MY rock and MY fortress and MY deliverer, MY GOD, MY
rock, in whom I take refuge; MY
shield and the horn of MY salvation,
MY stronghold.…" (Psalms
18:3 NASB). Like Soloman you can say, “…My beloved is mine, and I am
his…” (Soloman 2:16 KJV).
God has given
generously to his people and he wants them to ENJOY abundant LIFE “…His divine power hath given unto us
ALL THINGS that pertain unto life and godliness…” (2
Peter 1:3 KJV). . “…It is the …Holy
Spirit who gives all these
gifts … (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…I came that they
may have LIFE, and have it abundantly...” (John
10:10 KJV).
“….The JOY of
the Lord is your strength…”
(Nehemiah 8:10 KJV).
“…A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a broken spirit
saps a person’s strength…”
(Proverbs 17:22 NLT).
Godly JOY was imparted,
to the believer, through the indwelling Holy Spirit. “…But the fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY,
peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…”
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).
It is the believer’s
CHOICE to be stabilized by TRUTH or rattled by unstable or wavering MOODS,
FEELINGS, PEOPLE, or SITUATIONS. “…The highway to hell is broad, and its gate
is wide for the many who CHOOSE that
way. …”
(Matthew 7:13-14 NLT). “…choose LIFE…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….”
(Joshua 24:15 KJV).
JOY is a STABLIZER that KEEPS the believer
STRONG and CONTENT whatever they are experiencing. “…be content with what you have, because
God has said “Never will I leave you; never
will I forsake you…” (Hebrews
13:5 NIV). “…I have learned to be
content whatever the circumstances.
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have
plenty. I
have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry,
whether living in plenty or in want…”
Philippians 4:11-12 NIV).
JOY is the SECRET of
contentment for the saints, because they can do ALL things through Jesus Christ
who STRENGTHENS them! “…THE SECRET of the Lord is with them that fear him…” (PROVERBS 25:14). “… but HIS SECRET is with the righteous…” (PROVERBS
3:32). God has “… [MADE] KNOWN… [TO YOU]...the RICHES of the
glory … which is Christ IN YOU…” (Colossians 1:27 KJV). “…Jesus Christ IS IN YOU…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “…Christ in you, …” (Colossians 1:27 KJV). “…THE SECRET of
the Lord is with [YOU]…”
(PROVERBS 25:14).“…I can do all things through Christ which
strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13 KJV).
“….The JOY of
the Lord is your strength…”
(Nehemiah 8:10 KJV). In the 8th Chapter of Nehemiah, the Israelites
were celebrating their return from exile. They were exiled from their homeland
because of their disobedience to God.
After returning to their homeland they
began meeting in the square, at the West gate, to listen to the Word of God.
Listening to the Word of God convicted them and they became upset over
disobeying God.
However Ezra, the Levites, and Nehemiah
told them and encouraged them to celebrate instead. They had returned to God,
to obedience, and to the covenant relationship.
God had granted them grace and mercy, the
full embrace of his blessings, and his JOY. This JOY would be their strength
going forward. “….The JOY of the Lord is your strength…” (Nehemiah 8:10 KJV).
The Israelites had returned from exile.
You have returned from spiritual exile. When you realized you are a sinner, it
causes guilt, but if you repent God will forgive your sins. Instead of
continual sadness about your sins; you can NOW REJOICE over the free “gift of salvation.” Like the Israelites,
“….The JOY of the Lord
is your strength…” (Nehemiah 8:10 KJV).
IS YOUR JOY YOUR STRENGTH?
GODSPEED,
DR. PENSACOLA
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