The Joy of The lord. Acts 20:21-29. The Bible states that The Joy of the Lord is My strength my rock and my shield. I am witness to many a tribulation and suffering in this life. Many are persecuted and beaten for the sake of the Gospel and many are killed. A friend of mine from India reported that a couple of His evangelist friends after witnessing for Jesus were on a road returning home, when two gunmen jumped them and beat them severely. But the Joy of the Lord sustains them and I in this world of Indiscision and hate. Two Ministers went to a village and prayed for a blind man, the man became lost in the country side, no one could find Him, day after day they looked. The villagers were about to turn on the Ministers and the Gospel, but after the Ministers prayed again, the man was found alive, in a culvert, staying alive by drinking the water. They all were filled with Joy of the Lord for the man was safe. They Glorified God for His Mercy-s and Strength. I keep recieveing word of 100s being saved and converted. Paul was witness and partaker of suffering in the Gospel, but his resolve became stronger with each heart ache, with every tear and with every persecution. This is a man whom we can immulate and copy with our desires to serve the Lord in spirit and truth. And where did Paul receive His strength, where did Paul receive His inspiration, from Jesus. Acts 20:21-29. Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. And now, behold, Such strong words, such powerful words. What sustains us as Christians in our daily walk with God? What is The Joy of the Lord? The joy that keeps us on that narrow road, sometimes filled with pain, suffering and persecution? What is The Joy of the Lord? That keeps us looking at a cross, to many a sign of pain, death, humiliation?What is The Joy of the Lord? That keeps us away from Idols, that man carves from, wood,stone and Gold, which can neither, talk, hear, nor answer prayers? Have these Idols sustained them in this life, have these Idols answered prayers, have these Idols protected them from sudden destruction ,earth quakes, floods, fammon, tsunami? Have these Idols, ever feed, clothed or housed a singel person? Ask yourself, where is their joy in their Idol worship? Just stop and look around, every nation on this earth that rejects Jesus, suffers, every nation that worships Idols suffers, draught, fammon, petulance and yet they continue to worship a god made of stone. What is The Joy of the Lord? The Joy is being assured that our daily needs are met, the joy is that no matter what befalls a believer God is always there, the Joy is that all we have to do is reach out a febil hand and touch the Hand of God. The Joy is knowing that even if we loose our life for Him we shall gain far more in the House of God. Think about it, what other religion offers eternal life, what other religion offers peace and safety, what other religion offers Love for all man? Psalms 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”Is this our joy, is this our source and supply, is this a God of Promise? Yes, He is a God not only that will make promises but who is also abel to deliver. I have never seen an Idol send down bread nor water to its followers, I have never seen an Idol comfort the widows, orphans nor the sick, I have never seen an Idol raise the Dead. But all these things I have seen Jesus provide from the Father. I have seen the dead raised, the hungry fed, the naked clothed, the homeless provided with shelter. That is our Joy in the Lord. Thru pain, suffering, persecution, hatred of our Lord, we still stand firm in our Joy. Hab 3:18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
Psa 27:6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD. Sacrifices of joy; not of burnt offerings, not unaided pain, not of idols made by the hand of man, but sacrifices of Joy, singing, laughter and tears. Raising our voices in song, not for Just Our God but Our Father in Heaven. Not because we are just servants but because He has made us Joint Heirs to the Kingdom of Heaven with His Son Jesus. Neh 8:10 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. “neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Not in sorrow but in Joy, not in loneliness but in company of the Angels of Heaven. Psa 35:27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favor my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant. we serve a God that not only sends to us Joy in our heart but a God that is partaker of our Joy, meeting our needs and wants and the desires of our hearts. Isa 66:5 Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed. Zep 3:17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. have the Idols of this world ever sang for Joy over His Children? Our God and Father does, His Joy is ours to share. Mat 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou 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. 1Th 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? And with all this Joy what does Our Father require of us? ” thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Faithfulness in our Love for Him and His Son Jesus the Christ. He doesn’t want us to go to war, He doesn’t want us to Kill those that don’t believe, He doesn’t want us to Hate our enemies, but just to Love and be faithful to His Word. That is the Joy of the Lord. ars.
