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by Timothy Whitt  |
What
is joy? The dictionary defines joy as: an intense and especially ecstatic or exultant happiness or to be filled with ecstatic
happiness, pleasure, or satisfaction
What do you think joy is? Sure it is to be filled happiness but I think
the true feeling of joy as described in the Bible goes much deeper than that.
In the Bible the word joy is used to
describe any range of human experiences from the birth of a son or daughter to sexual love. In our society joy is often found
in these same types of experiences. The problem with this type of joy is that it is fleeting. When the excitement of the experience
is over the joy seems to end with it.
This type of joy is based on emotions. I think God intends for our joy to go
much deeper than just an emotion. God wants us to not only feel joy, but also to know God’s true joy. Feeling joy is
only temporary and goes away when the feelings end but knowing joy goes beyond the feeling. True joy is with you no matter
what happens. This is the type of joy that keeps a person who is ill, smiling or a person who feels that life is nothing,
hoping.
Our joy is not found in someone or something that looses it’s luster after a few days, months or years
our joy is found in God and the truth of love, which was shown on the cross. Lets look at a few passages that show us where
our joy should rest. These verses I think sum up what Paul intended for the word joy to mean when he laid out the Fruit of
the Spirit.
The first thing you notice about the word joy in Galatians is that it is listed second to love. I think
this was intentional because without love you cannot have joy.
The Bible says in Proverbs 29:3 “A man who loves
wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth”
This verse has different
interpretations but I think this verse in proverbs show that when our love is placed on the Father’s wisdom not on the
ways of the prostitute (the world) we will have true joy: joy that cannot be taken away from us. You see when we make the
wise choice and accept the love offering of Jesus, which is to give our life to Him for what He has done for us we will have
joy. First comes love then comes joy.
This is why I think Paul’s list of the Fruit of The Spirit is written in
a specific order first must be a love for God and His Word which brings wisdom and the wisdom of what God has done for us
will manifest as true joy in our lives.
This idea is also brought forth in verses such as Psalm 45:7 which states
that “ love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing
you with the oil of joy”
This verse shows that of we first love God and righteousness we will be anointed with
joy. Again first we have love and then we have joy. Think about it if you take way love what do you have hate and misery.
So with love you have joy without love you have hate and misery. The choice is yours.
So the answer the question of
what is joy would be knowing God and experiencing His love which moves us from a place away from God to a place by His side.
This is joy an intense and especially ecstatic or exultant happiness or to be filled with ecstatic happiness, pleasure, or
satisfaction because of love and what love has done for us. Do not confuse God’s joy with world’s joy because
without the love of God, joy is just a fleeting moment in the sun that leaves with coming darkness and waits for renewal at
the coming sun of whatever comes along.
The question that must be asked of us is what are we going to do with our love
and joy.
If you like this Bible Study, you can find more at www.teachmyneighbor |
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by Marcus Kimber |
23
Psalms – Part I
The Lord is my Shepard; I shall not want.
God is my keeper and my watcher. He is my parental
care. He is my compass in life. He is my strong tower. He is my guardian. He is my lover. He is my healer. He is my peace.
He is my promise. He is my dream. He is my present help. He is my doctor. He is my lawyer. He is my therapist. God is my all
and all. With Him my needs have already been met. I can ask and it shall be given to me. I can think it and God will grant
it. I can speak it and it shall be done. There is no worrying with my God. Never will I doubt if I will eat today. Never will
I doubt if I will have a roof over my head. Never will I fear what tomorrow holds because everything I need is already in
place.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.
He restoreth my soul.
The Lord causes me to take a break
from this world. He isolates me to a place of tranquility. He gives me peace in the midst of the storm. He provides a get-away
from my troubles. He requires me to take a vacation from life. He then empowers me from within. He breathes a breath in me
to revive me. His instructions are given to me to work things out. He refreshes my body. He fills me with his spirit to win
the race.
He leadth me in the path of righteousness for His name sake
After He has restored me, he brings me
back with new directions. He has shown me my errors and has corrected them. He provides a map to His kingdom. He gives me
a traveler’s pack for the journey I am on. It contains His word for me to study and know for myself the ways of the
Lord. I see some living water to give me the nutrients I need to keep walking and faint not. There is a shield from danger,
harm and Satan’s snares. I see mustard seeds to help measure my faith so I never doubt my journey. Here is a pair of
glasses to magnify the distance to know what’s ahead of me. In my journey, will He get all the glory. My soul will cry
out in praise for my appointed victory. In Jesus’ name will I succeed and fulfill my destiny |
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though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death;
I will fear no evil.
Even though I have dangerous obstacles
in my way,
Even though I can’t see the light of day,
Even though my family and friends are mistreating me,
Even
though the work on my job is consuming me,
Even though some co-workers are trying to stab me in the back,
Even though
my car sometimes doesn’t run right,
Even though my health is starting to go down hill,
Even though my goals and
dreams seem too far to reach,
Even though my prayers don’t seem to get answered,
Even though my money is at an
all-time low,
I have absolutely nothing to worry about. I don’t have to dwell on my present situation and become
fearful. These things are only temporary. This won’t be my end result. I’m not be moved by all the snares. I can
and will make it.
For God is with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
I will make it because the captain
of my life is in control. In the midst of all my struggles He sends His spirit to reside with me. The troubles that come can’t
kill me because God is there protecting me. When I’m lonely in the natural, I become occupied in the spiritual. He promised
to keep me and never to leave me alone. So, I believe in His promises. I stand firm on what He has told me. When Satan attacks,
I don’t have an ounce of worry because this battle isn’t mine it’s the Lords. I don’t have to retaliate
because vengeance is mine saith the Lord. I will find peace regardless of where I am in my storm. There is comfort in knowing
God has my situation in control. I shout out with a humble heart of praise for my victory. Satan is defeated at the command
of the Lord. I know without any doubt that God is bringing me out.
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