Dear God,
Help us to know your joy. Help those of us who lack it to know why and help us to learn to have more joy in our lives. We know your joy is our strength.
In Jesus Christ’s name,
Amen
Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
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Garden of God
God is giving me a mental picture of our hearts being the garden of God. Before I get into the subject of joy as the fruit of the Spirit, I want to discuss this a little bit. I apologize if this study goes a little long, but I want to share with you everything God is showing me as I am studying this subject.
Galatians 5:22-23 is the list of the fruits of the Spirit. However, right before this, the works of the flesh are also listed. I want you to picture these if you will as the weeds or thorns or tares in the garden.
Galatians 5:19-21 ▼
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Bare with me and take a look at the parable of the shower in Matthew chapter 13.
Matthew 13:3-8 ▼
3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
Matthew 13:18-23 ▼
18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
And here is the next parable Jesus told the disciples.
Matthew 13:24-30 ▼
24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
If I am manafesting the works of the flesh, they quench the Spirit of God. Therefore they can hinder the production of the fruits of the Spirit. Another thing, fruit is produced or grown naturally. The works of the flesh are works. They are weeds, and interfere with the good fruit. We need to remove as many of those weeds as possible so that we can have the fruit of the Spirit grow in our lives and hearts.
Jesus is the vine. His Father is the husbandman/gardener. It is like the Holy Spirit shines the Son and the Father waters us with the Word as we remain connected to Christ. When we abide/live in Christ, the fruit is produced naturally by God the Father and the Holy Spirit in us. Our hearts become the good ground in which the seed is planted.
John 15:1-8 ▼
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
It is through the Holy Spirit and the Word of God joy is conveyed to men.
Psalms 119:111 ▼
Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
Jeremiah 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.
What is joy?
Here is the definition of joy.
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/joy
Joy Is A Choice
Here is someone’s personal testimony about choosing joy.
The Bible tells us in many places to rejoice. God desires us to be joyful. Rejoice means to feel or show joy or delight.
Our joy is to be consistent, and it is not to be based upon our circumstances. Our joy is a result of being in a relationship with the Holy Spirit. Being in God's presence is what produces the consistency of our joy.
The world seeks joy by dismissing or eliminating sorrow. They fill their lives with pleasurable things. They seek material wealth and items that are only temporary. Sorrows are always going to be a part of life. Jesus even tells his followers that they will have sorrows in their life.
I Googled, “Happiness is a choice.” I have heard this phrase many times in my adult life. Researching this phrase can give you insight into how the world pursues happiness. While there was some interesting information in some of the articles, there were some choice words too. That is why I am not sharing them here. I will sum it up in general. Basically, thinking positive is a big idea mentioned. Another article mentioned 40% of our life is our life activity. We can achieve happiness by making better choices for our life activity. As I read through some of these scientific facts about how our brain works and “happiness” is produced, I can not help but think that these are actually biblical principles worded differently.
Think positively and make better choices about our life activity. Follow Christ! The happiness/joy that comes from the world is temporary. It must be worked for to be obtained. We may have to choose to have the joy of the Lord, but it comes naturally as a gift from the Holy Spirit as we make our focus on Jesus.
Happiness demands a reason. True joy from the Holy Spirit is continual.
THE JOY OF THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH!
https://youtu.be/h2ourQYqOyU
The joy of the Lord and the joy of our Salvation motivates, strengthens, and satisfies us.
Nehemiah 8:8-12 ▼
8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.
9 And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the Lord your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.
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.
11 So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.
12 And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.
I have always thought of “the joy of the Lord” as something he gives. It never occurred to me that God is joyful. God is always portraited as angry, serious, and unhappy it seems. Yes, he experiences negative emotions just as we do. We are made in his image. God is Joyful? That's interesting.
Joy of God, the Father
I think it is safe to say, you can not give away what you do not possess. Therefore, I believe it is safe to assume if God the Father gives us joy, he possesses it in order to give it. The kingdom of God is founded upon peace, joy, and righteousness.
Romans 14:17-18 ▼
17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
God is our father because he has adopted us through the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Any good parent wants their child to be happy and joyful. God is the best possible parent and perfect example of a loving and good father. He wants us to have joy. What pleases God will also bring us joy. Knowing God's will is not as difficult as doing his will. Doing God's will works against the nature of the flesh.
If the lord over the servant here in this following parable represents God the father, this is an interesting comparison. Notice the faithful servants are told to enter into the joy of thy lord. Enter into thy Lord’s joy. (God's joy)
Matthew 25:14-30 ▼
14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
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.
22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
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.
24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
In a prophecy about the coming messiah, God the father is delighted in (has joy because of) the Messiah.
Isaiah 42:1 ▼
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
In Luke 15, we find the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. In these stories, the joy of the Father is expressed over a lost sinner turning to him and away from their sins.
Luke chapter 15 ▼
1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
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.
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?
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.
10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
God the Father has joy by delighting in his creation, in his children, in his chosen people, in his works, in his laws, in promoting and establishing his people, in giving blessings, in spiritual growth, in loyalty, in love, in justice, in truth, in faithfulness, in goodness and good works, and in righteousness. (Psalms 149:4; 1 Chronicles 29:17; Hosea 6:6; Micah 7:18; Jeremiah 9:24; Proverbs 3:12; Hebrews 12:3-13; Proverbs 11:1; Proverbs 11:20; Proverbs 12:22)
Joy of Jesus, the Son
Jesus was also joyful even though he was considered a man of many sorrows.
Isaiah 53:2-5 ▼
2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
In Jesus Christ’s prayer to the father in John 17, Jesus claimed to have joy that he wanted to give his followers.
John 17:13 ▼
And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
In Psalms 45, the future Messiah is described as being anointed in the oil of gladness.
psalms 45:6-7 ▼
6 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
7 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
In Hebrews 12, Jesus was able to endure the cross because of the joy set before him. This implies there was a greater joy set before him than the suffering he was to endure.
Hebrews 12:1-3 ▼
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
The rest of Isaiah 53 goes on to explain that the joy set before Jesus so he could endure the cross was the Salvation of sinners. It also explains that God the Father was pleased to bruise him for the same purpose.
Isaiah 53:6-12 ▼
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Jesus talks of giving fullness of joy to his disciples in John 15.
John 15:11 ▼
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
Joy of the Holy Spirit
Since joy is a fruit of the Spirit, it is safe to assume the Holy Spirit possesses joy to give as well as the Father and the Son.
The gentiles became followers of the Lord because of the Joy of the Holy Ghost.
1 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.
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.
We have joy continually, regardless of our circumstances, when we Have the Holy Spirit living in us.
Acts 13:52 ▼
And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.
Biblical Reasons For Joy and Rejoicing
When you are persecuted for Christ’s sake
Matthew 5:10-12 ▼
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Because your name is written in Heaven
Luke 10:20 ▼
Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
When God accepts your works
Ecclesiastes 9:7 ▼
Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.
When the gospel is preached and when someone is led to Christ
John 4:35-38 ▼
35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
37 And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.
38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.
No man can take your joy away from you
John 16:22 ▼
And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
When others rejoice
Romans 12:15 ▼
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
With God's people
Romans 15:10 ▼
And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.
When someone else receives honor
1 Corinthians 12:26 ▼
And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
Rejoice in truth
1 Corinthians 13:6 ▼
Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
Rejoice when barren (This one is a difficult one for some women, but the Bible says it.)
Galatians 4:27 ▼
For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
When Christ is preached
Philipians 1:18 ▼
What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
In the day of Christ
Philippians 2:16 ▼
Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
Upon the sacrifice and service of faith
Philippians 2:17-18 ▼
17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.
Rejoice in Christ
Philippianss 3:3 ▼
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
When suffering for Christ’s sake
Colossians 1:23-24 ▼
23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
In the faith of other believers
1 Thessalonians 3:7-9 ▼
7 Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:
8 For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
9 For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;
When you take part in the sufferings of Christ.
1 Peter 4:13 ▼
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
At the marriage supper of the lamb
Revelation 19:7 ▼
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
For the abundance of all things
Deuteronomy 28:45-47 ▼
45 Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed; because thou hearkenedst not unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee:
46 And they shall be upon thee for a sign and for a wonder, and upon thy seed for ever.
47 Because thou servedst not the Lord thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things;
Rejoice in the Lord, Always!
I find it interesting that this is mentioned in the beginning of the same chapter that tells us to think positive (verse 8), to be content (verse 11),that we can do all things through Christ (verse 13), and that God will supply all our needs (verse 19). We are first told to rejoice always.
Philippians 4:4 ▼
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
The lack of joy can lead to sin.
Psalms 51:10-13 ▼
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Praising and rejoicing in God changes our focus from ourselves and our circumstances to God, what he has done for us, and what he can and will do for us. It also helps activate our faith. The next time you are feeling down, begin praising God from the heart. Continue doing it until you feel his joy and presence.
Isaiah 61:2-3 ▼
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.
A merry heart is good medicine. It causes a cheerful appearance. A sorrowful heart breaks your spirit.
Proverbs 17:22 ▼
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Proverbs 15:13 ▼
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
It is not a sin to seek pleasure within the will and Spirit of God. It is wrong to seek pleasure in sin and to fulfill the lusts of the flesh. We are able to have joy and rejoice because of the grace of God. God wants us to be joyful. In his presence there is joy and pleasure.
Psalm 16:11 ▼
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
To have the Holy Spirit and to know Christ as your Savior is to have everlasting life full of joy.
1 Peter 1:8 ▼
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
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:
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:
9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
Rejoicing always is even rejoicing through trials and suffering and when things don't go our way. Enduring trials reaps good rewards. Suffering produces and builds endurance. We can know that all things will work together for good.
James 1:3-4 ▼
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Romans 5:1-6 ▼
1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
I’ve got the joy, joy joy down in my heart!
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