|
|
Post by Bronson on Jun 3, 2023 5:05:18 GMT -8
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22–23
So why is joy listed as a unique element in the fruit of the Spirit? How is the Christian’s joy different from the world’s joy? Our joy is founded on Christ. It is a consecrated joy. It is a supernaturally empowered joy. As followers of Jesus we have been changed by the Holy Spirit in the core of our being. We have been given a heart with a greater capacity for joy. More than that, we have been indwelled by the Holy Spirit, who brings His omnipotence to bear in every part of our life.
Our joy is a testimony to the reality of a reborn heart and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Life can sometimes get us down and that's when we need to remember the joy of the Lord is our strength.
William Gurnall wrote that “Christ takes no more delight to dwell in a sad heart, than we do to live in a dark house.”
The key to not losing your joy is to abide in the Light.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bronson on Jun 3, 2023 5:37:25 GMT -8
As believers we are to have continuing joy. The Bible tells us “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Psalm 30:5 We are Overcomers through Christ Jesus.
“Rejoice in the Lord always.” Our joy is founded in the Lord, not in circumstances. Thus, this joy can be a constant in our lives. Joy is easily expressed when you are enjoying a beautiful morning and all winds are favorable. It is not so easy to say, “This is a day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
God promises to work even the darkest acts we may face for the good of His children are current and valid.
We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. Romans 8:28
|
|
|
|
Post by Unmerited on Jun 3, 2023 14:09:57 GMT -8
Psalm 16:11
You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.
This powerful Psalm describes beautifully what life in Christ both looks and feels like. There is a “path of life” that God calls us to and grants us to walk on where he stands as a safe and sure refuge. By faith we know we are safe and secure. It is a blessing to feel the truth that those who put their hope in Christ to save have that promise.
We are hopefully aware like the Psalmist that every good thing we have comes from the generous hand of God Psalm 16:2. The world runs after other gods and other comforts, but we know with the Psalmist that the way of sacrificing to false gods is totally bankrupt.
With the Psalmist, we can search our hearts and see if we want anything but God and whatever God in his goodness ordains for us to have and to do. We need to root out anything that would cause us to look away from the source of all goodness and life.
|
|
|
|
Post by Obadiah on Jun 4, 2023 4:39:25 GMT -8
Your words were found, and I ate them; and Your words were to me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart, for I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts. Jeremiah 15:16
Jeremiah wishes he had never been born. He is an innocent bystander who has been caught in the fierce clash between God and his people (Jeremiah 15:10). He has committed himself to feed on and deliver God’s word (Jeremiah 15:16), but it gives him terrible pain. He feels betrayed—like someone who comes to a water source and finds it dry (Jeremiah 15:18).
God promises to strengthen Jeremiah for the task of being his mouth and speaking his messages (Jeremiah 15:19). His prophet may suffer verbal and physical attack, but God will defend and deliver him. God will make Jeremiah immensely strong—like a bronze wall (Jeremiah 15:20–21).
|
|
|
|
Post by Obadiah on Jun 6, 2023 6:41:48 GMT -8
“Shout for joy to God, all the earth” Psalm 66:1
Sometimes we struggle to grasp the biblical view of joy because of the way it is defined and described in Western culture today. In particular, we often confuse joy with happiness. Of course, there are times when we are filled with sorrow. Jesus Himself was called “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” Isaiah 53:3
In his letter to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul speaks about joy and about the Christian’s duty to rejoice over and over again. For example, he writes, “Rejoice in the Lord always” Philippians 4:4
This is one of those biblical imperatives, and it leaves no room for not rejoicing, for Paul says Christians are to rejoice always—not sometimes, periodically, or occasionally. He then adds, “Again I will say, Rejoice”.
Paul wrote this epistle from prison, and in it he addresses very somber matters, such as the possibility that he will be martyred, poured out as a sacrifice Philippians 2:17.
Yet he tells the Philippian believers that they should rejoice despite his circumstances.
That brings us back to this matter of how we can be joyful as a matter of discipline or of the will. How is it possible to remain joyful all the time? Paul gives us the key: “Rejoice in the Lord always”. The key to the Christian’s joy is its source, which is the Lord. If Christ is in me and I am in Him, that relationship is not a sometimes experience. The Christian is always in the Lord and the Lord is always in the Christian, and that is always a reason for joy. Even if the Christian cannot rejoice in his circumstances, if he finds himself passing through pain, sorrow, or grief, he still can rejoice in Christ. We rejoice in the Lord, and since He never leaves us or forsakes us, we can rejoice always.
|
|
