Where IS Your JOY of the Lord?

SF, Stagecoach, NV

Dear Brothers & Sisters

Before we can find JOY, 

let’s determine what it is...

Strong’s Concordance says:

       1) joy,  gladness                                        =  Being HAPPY – Inside & Out

1a) the joy received from you                     =  When we give help to others

1b) the cause or occasion of joy                 =  Celebrations, holidays, sharing

1b1) of persons who are one's joy         = Family and friends

• It’s rare that different translations translate the same word exactly, but the Authorized Version, New King James, King James 21^st Century and American Standard Version – all have the word JOY listed in them 155 times.  That alone is unique!

How can we express our JOY...

 1 Samuel 18:6 ¶ “And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music.”

• 1^st joy mentioned and it’s a party to rejoice the kings safe return! 

1 Chronicles 12:40  “Moreover they that were nigh them, even unto Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, and meat, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly: for there was joy in Israel.”

• Sharing what we have.

Ezra 3:13  “So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.”

• Some wept in their joy others shouted.

 Reasons for expressing JOY...

 Esther 8:17  “And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.”

• A life altering situation turned around to our benefit, like when we pray for healing.

Job 29:13  “The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.”

• Sharing wisdom and receiving blessings.

Matthew 2:10  “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.”

• The fulfillment of a promise and/or the end of a journey.

Matthew 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.”

• Knowing we obeyed the Lord and it pleased Him.

Matthew 28:8  “And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.”

• Fear of what they would find and “great joy” in finding the tomb empty as Jesus said.

Acts 20:24  “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.”

• Focusing and attaining the goals God has called you to – should all be done in Joy!

2 Corinthians 1:24  “Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.”

• Faith will release an action.  Then God responds and the JOY comes in helping others see our Lord.

 Beware of Ungodly JOY...

Job 20:5  “That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?”

• Joy in “self-gratification” or joy that brings no glory to God will always be temporary.  It’s not a spiritual joy that will make the candle within you brighter, but fade away to nothing.

Why we must seek JOY...

 Nehemiah 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.”

• Being happy in our Lord, is the difference between us and the non-believer.  Truly, when we’re happy it takes a lot for the twerp (devil) to depress us – so it’s our STRENGTH in the Lord.

John 15:11 “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”

• It’s a Choice you must make.  You can loose your joy or be full of it!

Hebrews 13:17  “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”

• Joy and blessings only come to those who joyfully help others.  Those who willingly obey the word.  Those that are happy with what they have and hope for more.  Remember, not only is the pastor accountable – BUT EVERY born again believer!

1 John 1:4  “And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.”

• The Bible itself was written to you concerning all things pertaining to life and Godliness.  That means knowing God and the enemy.  Learning “How To” walk in right-standing with God and the trick the twerp will use to detour you.

How can I get JOY...

Psalms 5:11 “But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.”

• Don’t take God for granted!  Trust in Him and BE HAPPY as you see this manifest in your life. You can also remember your first Love, when you found Jesus.

Psalms 30:5 “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”

• Don’t take God for granted!  Even when we sin, His anger leaves when we repent.  Find the Joy in the morning, by forgiving yourself and rejoicing in the covering blood.

Galatians 5:22  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law”

• Joy is the second fruit listed and must be developed in your spirit.  The fruit of the spirit is also the character of God that we should be seeking. 

2 Corinthians 7:13  “Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.”

• You can receive joy from others, just as Paul was comforted and received joy when he saw Titus – because he was joyful and refreshed in his spirit and ready to do more for the Lord.  Seeing the joy of others is addictive, especially when you helped them see the truth.  It makes you want to run out and tell others to help them get happy too!

How to keep your JOY...

Phillipians 2:12-18  READ...

• Obey the Scripture (Lord) whether you’re with Christians or not.
• Act and speak as if the Holy Spirit is there with you – For He is!
• Don’t grumble in what you do.  Do everything happily as if you’re doing if for Jesus.
• Be above this perverse generation, shinning a light of hope to the world.
• Hold fast in all you do for Him, because no word will return void if you keep the faith.
• Rejoice in your knowledge, wisdom and faith as you follow Him and receive the joy in His fullness.
• Share your joy with others, Remember:  Revelation 12:11  “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” ALWAYS – Seek Him FIRST and the rest shall follow.

Let’s start with asking Him
to increase our JOY....

Lord, forgive my sins.  Forgive me for taking for granted the gifts You’ve given me daily. 

 Lord, I claim Psalms 51:12  and ask You to “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.”

 Lord, give me the eyes to see your mighty works.  Let me joyfully praise You from this day forward,

for every answered prayer.  For the family You’ve given me, for the job I have and especially for those You send my way.  Teach me to rejoice in You while in the valley or on the mountain. 

Lord, I know without You I can do nothing – but with, ALL things are possible, so I can rejoice that You are my Lord and Savior – IN JESUS NAME AMEN!

God Bless & GRACE GRACE (Zech 4:6-7)

Sandy F.

This scripture is from the Authorized Version (AV) Bible.