Joy

Joy

Joy is a delight that comes from focusing on Jesus.

It is independent of our circumstances or His gifts . Joy does not come from personal comfort or emotional highs. It only comes as a response to the person of Christ.

The counterfeit of joy is happiness or elation. You feel good as long as you have money, health, affirmation, success, and a schedule that’s just like you want it. It’s a feeling based on the gift instead of the Giver. It’s not liking your spouse’s attempt at showing love because it’s not how you wanted it to be, or being angry at a good friend because they forget your birthday.

One of our greatest gifts as a believer is joy,

Nehemiah 8:10

The Joy of the Lord produces a strength in us that will lift us above the storms of life, and enable us to walk on top of the troubled waters

Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for [this] day [is] holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Can you be saved from sin and yet have no Joy?

Yes. because joy is not automatic.

We know: Joy is not circumstantial (Sulnilai)- Based on external circumstances.

But what we may not be aware of is: Joy is Conditional

(Meaning the Joy of the Lord comes to us through channels that he has established)

Illustration

Then there’s the story about a little boy in church with his mother. He was a good little boy, quiet and well behaved. He didn’t cause any problems. But every once in a while he would stand up in the chair, turn around, look at the people behind him and smile at them. His smile was infectious, and soon everybody behind him was starting to smile back at him, too. It was all going fine until the mother realized what the little boy was doing. When she did, she grabbed him by his ear and twisted it a bit, told him to sit down and remember that he was in church. Then he started sniffling & crying, and she turned to him and said, "That’s better."

It’s sad, isn’t it, that many people have the impression that when we come to church that it is all gloom and doom, and that there is nothing here to really bring joy into our lives?

2 Cor1:24

Paul the Apostle said we are helpers of your Joy.

Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

Because the Joy of the Lord produces inner strength. A joyful church is a healthy church and a healthy church is a strong church.

1. The Joy that comes from making Gods word personal (Jer 15:16).

Jer 15:16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

2. The Joy of whole hearted service (1 Chro 29:9).

Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.

3. The joy of faithful service (Matt 25:23 ).

His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

4. The Joy of knowing that your heart is right with God(Psalms 32:11 )

Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

5. The Joy of winning souls (Psalms 126:5 ) They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

This is normal life of the believer, If the cup is not overflowing then something has been allowed to enter in that has quenched the Spirit or grieved the spirit.

The way to restoration of the Joy of the Lord is the simple proven pathway called repentance.

If Your are blessed

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Rev. NORMAN BERNAD

BANGALORE, INDIA

+919036696832

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