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 something “TRULY” 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, for some, 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. These are GOOD things too, but they are NOT everything.
For others, GOOD includes possessing the present blessings of a life “IN” Christ and the HOPE of future blessings of eternal life. “…The GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ ….” (Romans 6:23 KJV).
This ADDITIONAL “GOOD” 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, within the HEART. ”… 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 the response of the HEART to GOOD, to pleasurable events, and delightful experiences. Some believers are, especially and exceedingly, JOYFUL over the blessing of being FREE from 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 the blessing of having a RIGHT and covenant relationship with God. “…A right relationship with God…by faith…” (Romans 4:13 NASB).
Some believers are JOYFUL for the opportunity to KNOW God, to be ONE spirit with him, and to 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 GLAD to truly UNDERSTAND and be AWARE that 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).
God-given JOY is always available, but it is a choice. “…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 indwelling POWER. “…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).
God-given JOY has a supernatural origin. God-given 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).
God-given 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).
God-given JOY doesn’t erase or eliminate trials and tribulations, but it HELPS to 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 weakening our walk in the Lord, during trials and tribulation, indwelling JOY can strengthen it. “…The jailer put … [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 you’ve been going through it, or how you FEEL about going through it, let your God-given JOY keep you glad, cheerful, excited, happy, rejoicing, 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!
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