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JOY
“…Always be full of joy in
the Lord…”
(Hebrews 11:1 KJV).
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JOY is often described as gladness, merriment,
dance, exultation, well-being, great delight, gleeful shouts, cheerfulness, leaping,
exuberance, excitement, sparkling, happiness, rejoicing, or laughter.
People experience many of the above
emotions when they hear the “GOOD NEWS” of the Gospel on Sunday mornings. “… [The]…good news that will cause great JOY for
all the people…” (Luke 2:10 NIV).
This response is called
“the JOY of the Lord” which stems from the heart and comes from being “IN”
Christ. “…The JOY of your salvation…” (Psalms 51:12 NIV).
“…and
though you have
not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe
in Him, you greatly REJOICE with JOY inexpressible and full of glory…” (1
Peter 1:8 NASB).
JOY
is an emotional response that stems from the HEART, when one believes they
possess that which is GOOD. “…His divine power
hath GIVEN unto us ALL THINGS that pertain
unto LIFE and godliness…” (2 Peter 1:3 KJV). “…The …Holy Spirit …“GIVES” ALL THESE GIFTS and powers…
(1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…unspeakable
GIFT(S)…”
(2 Corinthians 9:16 KJV).
This possession of GOOD may include love,
health, trusting relationships, fulfilled dreams, answered prayers, victories over troubles, receiving
expected hope, enjoying your labors, having family, having friends, and finding
pleasure in what you have been given.
For some, JOY includes possessing the
present benefits of a life “IN” Christ and the HOPE of future benefits of
eternal life. “…The GIFT of God is
eternal life
through Jesus
Christ ….” (Romans 6:23 KJV).
This ADDITIONAL “JOY” includes the
possession of God’s free gift of salvation, his promises that are yes and amen
“IN” Christ, and sharing in the riches of God’s glory, which is Christ, the
indwelling spirit. ”… ye [are]…saved by grace through faith…it is the GIFT
of God…” (Ephesians 2:8 KJV). “…As many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes …also … Amen …” (2 Corinthians 1:20
NASB). “…The
RICHES of the glory…CHRIST IN YOU…”
(Colossians 1:25-28 KJV).
JOY is also the response of the HEART to
pleasurable events and experiences. Some believers are, especially and
exceedingly, JOYFUL over the experience of deliverance from the bondage of sin. “…Who will free me
from this life that is dominated by sin? …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…The
answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans
7:14-25 NLT).
Some believers are also exceedingly JOYFUL
for experiencing the OPPORTUNITY to have a RIGHT and covenant
relationship with God. “…A right relationship with God…by faith…” (Romans 4:13 NASB).
Some believers are JOYFUL to be able to
KNOW God, be ONE spirit with him, and be in his PRESENCE. . “…The
people who KNOW their
God will be strong…” (Daniel 11:32 NLT). “…He that is joined unto the Lord is ONE spirit…”
(1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV). “…you will fill me with JOY
in your presence…” (Psalms 16:11 NIV).
Some believers are
JOYFUL because they truly UNDERSTAND God is the SOURCE and OBJECT of true JOY.
“…fill my heart with JOY…” (Psalms 4:7 NIV). “…Restore to me the JOY of your salvation…”
(Psalms 51:12 NIV). “…I will REJOICE
in the Lord. I will be GLAD…” (Psalms 35:9 NLT). “…The humble will be filled with fresh JOY
from the Lord…”
(Isaiah 29:19 NLT).
JOY is a command. “…REJOICE in the Lord…”
(Philippians 3:1 NIV). “…REJOICE in the Lord always…”
(Philippians 4:4 NIV). “…REJOICE always…” (1
Thessalonians 5:16 NIV). “…Always be JOYFUL…”
(1 Thessalonians 5:16 NLT).
Therefore, God’s JOY
does not STEM from emotions, people, or circumstances, but from TRUTH. “…I say
these things
….so that they may have the full measure of my JOY within them...”
(John 17:13 NIV). “…I
have told you this so that my JOY may be in
you and that
your JOY may be complete…”
(John 15:11 NIV). “…Ask
and you will receive,
and your JOY
will be complete…” (John 16:24 NIV).
“…Rejoice and
be glad…”
(Matthew 5:12 NIV).
JOY has a supernatural origin.
JOY is a fruit or side effect of the indwelling spirit.
“…The
fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY,
peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…”
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). Since
JOY is given BY the Spirit, NOTHING can TAKE it away! “…That my JOY might REMAIN
in you, and that your JOY might
be full…” (John 15:11 NIV).
JOY is
a HALLMARK of the people of the Kingdom of God. “…The Kingdom of God is …a matter …of righteousness, peace and JOY in the Holy Spirit…” (Romans
14:17 NIV). “…God’s kingdom …[is about]… what God does with your life
as he sets it right, puts it together, and completes it with JOY…”
(Romans 14:17 MSG).
Godly JOY doesn’t erase
or eliminate trials and tribulations, but it HELPS or STRENGTHENS you to ENDURE
them. This kind of JOY helped Jesus. “…Because
of the JOY
awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame…”
(Hebrews 12:2 NIV).
“…We can
REJOICE, too, when we run
into problems and trials, for we know that they
help us develop endurance…” (Romans 5:3
NLT). “…When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great JOY…” (James 1:2 NLT). “…We give great honor to those who endure
under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can
see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy…”
(James 5:11 NLT). “…Be very GLAD—for these trials make you partners with
Christ in his suffering, so that you
will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed
to all the world…” (1 Peter 4:13 NLT).
When going THROUGH
trials and tribulations indwelling JOY is the SOURCE of contentment. The Lord is my shepherd; I SHALL not want. … …”
(Psalms 23 KJV). “…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). “….I can do (be JOYFUL) all things through Christ which
strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13 KJV).
Instead of hindering
our walk in the Lord, during trials and tribulation, indwelling JOY can enhance
it. “…The
jailer put the (God’s people) into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in
the stocks. Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God…” (Acts
16:24-26 NLT).
“…God
has sent forth the Spirit of His Son “INTO” OUR HEARTS…”
(Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…Christ [is]…in
you …” (Colossians
1:27 KJV). “…The Spirit of God dwell[s]… in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). “…The Holy Spirit gives birth to… SPIRITUAL LIFE (which includes JOY)…”
(John 3:6 NLT). “…The fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY…”
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).
“…Those
the Lord
has rescued will return … singing; everlasting JOY will crown their heads. GLADNESS and JOY will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away…”
(Isaiah 35:10 NIV). “…That my JOY
might REMAIN in you, and that your JOY
might be full…” (John 15:11 NIV).
So no matter what you are going through,
or how long, or how you FEEL let you God-given JOY keep you glad, merry,
delighted, gleeful, cheerful, excited, happy, rejoicing, leaping, dancing, and
laughing. “….The JOY of the Lord is your strength…” (Nehemiah 8:10 KJV).
They say the WORLD didn’t give you this
JOY and the world CAN’T take it away!
Dr. Pensacola H.
Jefferson
Professional Pastoral Counselor
YADA Counseling Ministry
YADA Counseling Ministry
THE MOUTHPIECE FOR HIS HEART
Colton’s Point,
Maryland
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