JOY

Everyone wants joy… and they are looking everywhere to find it. What people don’t seem to understand is that Joy is a choice...you make the decision whether or not you will be joyful each and every day.

You may say "But what if I have a bad day, or something bad happens? How do I be joyful then?"

THAT is the problem right there, because you are looking at Joy in the wrong way, thinking that Joy is dependent on what is happening to you RIGHT NOW, but it’s not.

As proof, let us consider the Apostle Paul...a man who was beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, snake bit, imprisoned, etc...

2 Corinthians 7:4 says "Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorifying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation"

*exceeding joyful in all our tribulation* Wow....

Now, If you read on in verse 5 he tells us "For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest; but we were troubled on every side; without we're fightings, within were fears"

Sounds pretty rough...but look at verse 6 "Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us..." And it goes on through the next couple verses.

How was it that Paul was joyful through everything? First, Paul realized that Joy comes from God. Galatians 5:22 says "But the fruit of the spirit is love, JOY..." & 1 Thessalonians 1:6 says "And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with JOY of the Holy Ghost" Second, Paul had joy through faith. Romans 15:13 says "Now the God of hope fill you with all JOY and peace in believing..." & Philippians 1:25 says "And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you for your furtherance and JOY of faith."  Third, Paul knew that it was a command in the Bible to be Joyful. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 tells us "Rejoice evermore" and Philippians 3:1 says "...Rejoice in the Lord..." Fourth, joy comes from belonging to the kingdom 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"

As a side note, let’s consider that phrase, the kingdom of God, for a moment. People often think that this is referring to Salvation, but it is not. "The kingdom of God…” is a  phrase that is used 68 times in the NT, and I believe by its usage it refers to Christianity as a doctrine— We become Christians by believing in Christ, but the actual actions we do… the pure and undefiled actions… i.e. “true religion” is not simply partaking in/or in some case NOT partaking in, certain meat and drink, or any ceremonial observances whatever—it is a product of our righteousness; the righteousness of submission, sanctification and service to each other and Christ… WHICH IN TURN gives us peace and JOY through the Spirit!

Next, let's talk about some of the many reasons we have to be joyful! Here are just a couple...

•Joy in Salvation

If you can't find joy in ANYTHING else, be joyful in salvation! That precious sacrifice that Jesus made for YOU! You don't have to spend eternity in Hell. That right there is enough to make me joyful!

•Joy in serving God

You can be joyful in doing what God has called you to do! Going to church, soul winning, etc...

•Joy in Family

Whether it's blood family or spiritual family, you can joyful in, and grateful for them!

So, now that we've talked about joy being a choice you make...let’s plan to wake up every day purposing to be joyful!

-Elizabeth