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"Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart." Psalm 32:11
Who's Got the Joy
Randy Writer
Where has all the joy gone? The Bible speaks of it. Christians are supposed to have it. But do you see it in Christians around you?
The Bible says that the joy of the Lord is our strength. Does our ministry for God feel like a burden? Are you just trudging through - doing your duty for God? Without God's joy it will be drudgery!
Happy are the pure in heart. (Matthew 5:. Is your pastor happy? Your deacons, are they happy? How abut you? Do others see a light and joy in your face that makes them desire the relationship you have with God?
One answer to the dull drums is being in the presence of God and opening yourself up to however He would use you. A lot of Christians are unhappy because they really don't know how God would like to use them - seek His wisdom. Other Christians are unhappy because they do know what God wants them to do and they've failed to do it.
Are you open to the correction of God? Many times we lose our joy simply because we need to repent of a wrong attitude. Maybe we need to make amends with someone that we have spoken harshly with.
How about "burnout" - what an ugly word? Christians who are suffering from burnout aren't especially inspiring to be around. Many of us are simply worn out because we haven't sought for God's hand to weed out the un-necessities in our ministry.
So how abut a little smile? A little laughter will do. Let's get right with God. Seek to please Him. He will show you how. He will bring strength. He will bring JOY. Selah!
God's Warrior
Sr Marie Laetitia
Christian joy is not something that lasts only as long as our earthly pleasures but is a deep joy that no trial can shake. For a Christian, even suffering can bring joy, a joy that witnesses that Jesus is alive.
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. (Psalms 100:1-2)
The Apostle Paul said, "If we are going to draw our life from the Spirit, let us stay in step with the Spirit."
Psalms 35:9 And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.
Psalms 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Psalms 43:4 Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.
Psalms 66:1 Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:
Psalms 95:1 O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Psalms 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. Psalms 95:3 For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
Psalms 98:4 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Psalms 98:5 Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. Psalms 98:6 With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.
Psalms 98:7 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Psalms 98:8 Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together.
"...I am joyful with all of you.
So you too should be glad and joyful with me." Philippians 2:17b-18
The apostle Paul is writing to his Christian brothers and sisters. He was full of joy because Jesus lives in his heart. He shared his joy with them. He reminds them to share their joy too. We all need to be encouraged. God reminds us to share the joy He puts in our hearts. He has given us the gift of joy as one of the Fruits of the Spirit. One way we share joy is to put Jesus first in our life. Then we can love others and care for them the way He cares.
"Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart."
Psalms 97:11
Joyful Heart
God's light is in His children. One way we can live with joy in our hearts is by doing what God says is right. God shines a light of grace and forgiveness when we know Jesus. When we keep our hearts and minds filled with good things, we please God. He knows our hearts. He makes His light shine in us so others will see and know that He is good. The more our minds and hearts agree with God, the brighter His light can shine.
"You always show me the path that leads to life.
You will fill me with joy when I am with you." Acts 2:28
In His Presence
Knowing God is with us will bring us a joy for life. When He is guiding our path, He leads us to a better way to live. Jesus can fill our hearts with joy just by being in us and with us every day. Praising God is one way we can feel and know He is near. The Bible says that God lives in the praise of His people. God's heart is joyful when He knows we love Him. We can watch for God's direction. He can lead us in His ways. We can know what God wants by reading and studying His Word.
"LORD, you make me glad by what you have done.
I sing with joy about the works of your hands." Psalms 92:4
Joyful Song
We are joyful because of what Jesus has done for us. We can also be full of joy when we look around at all the works of God's hands. We can sing with joy because we love God. He is God and He loves us. When we begin our day we should start it by being happy for what the Lord has done. We can sing a joyful song to God in our hearts and our minds. We can sing a joyful song to our Lord with our voice.
"God's kingdom has nothing to do with eating or drinking.
It is a matter of being right with God.
It brings the peace and joy the Holy Spirit gives." Romans 14:17
Kingdom of Joy
It's important we learn to do what God says is right. It is one way we can know Gods peace and joy. We also need to know Jesus as our Savior and Lord. When He lives in our hearts, He makes us right with God. Only God can be perfect. Only Jesus lived on earth without doing wrong in God's eyes. He is God's Son and He came to bring God's heavenly kingdom to earth. His kingdom is in us and it is a kingdom of peace and joy that is given to us by God's Holy Spirit.
Who's Got the 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.
Ecclesiastes 7:14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.
Isaiah 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Isaiah 12:3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:4 And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. Isaiah 12:5 Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.
Isaiah 49:13 Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.
Habakkuk 3:18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.
Luke 1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. Luke 1:14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. Luke 1:15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. Luke 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. Luke 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Luke 15:8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? Luke 15:9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
John 15:9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. John 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
John 16:24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
Acts 13:52 And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.
And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Acts 20:23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. 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.
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Thessalonians 1:5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. I Thessalonians 1:6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
I Thessalonians 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? I Thessalonians 2:20 For ye are our glory and joy.
I Peter 1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: I Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: I Peter 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: I Peter 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
I John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. I John 1:4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
III John 1:3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. III John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
Jude 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, Jude 1:25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
. Is your pastor happy? Your deacons, are they happy? How abut you? Do others see a light and joy in your face that makes them desire the relationship you have with God?
