| JOY OF THE LORD | | | | author andfinisher of our faith, who for the joy |
| The word means different things to different | | | | that was setbefore him endured the cross, |
| people. | | | | despising the shame, and isset down at the right |
| Is it simply an emotion or feeling? Do we only | | | | hand of the throne of God." |
| feeljoy when life seems to be going good, when | | | | This one blows my mind! Jesus had joy in the |
| ourcircumstances are favorable? Or is there | | | | midst offacing being crucified, one of the most |
| somethingmore? I'd like to explore what the | | | | painful deaths onecould endure. His crucifixion was |
| Word of God saysabout this topic. | | | | right ahead, he knew it,and he was joyful! Why? |
| Psalm 16:11 says "Thou will show me the path of | | | | Because He saw beyond the cross,what it would |
| life,in Thy presence is fullness of joy, at Thy right | | | | accomplish. It would accomplish the right for |
| handthere are pleasures for evermore." | | | | ANY person to be His child and go to heaven if |
| Psalm 43:4 says "Then will I go to the altar of | | | | they want. |
| God,unto God my exceeding joy...." | | | | He did it for us because He loved us so much and |
| Nehemiah 8:10 says ...."the joy of the Lord is | | | | wants togive us so much, if only we will receive |
| mystrength". | | | | Him. |
| What these scriptures say is that God Himself is | | | | Here's some other really awesome thoughts of |
| thesource of our joy. And that joy gives us | | | | how Godviews us: |
| strength. | | | | Zephaniah 3:17 says, "The Lord thy God, in the |
| Have you ever noticed when you're feeling blue, | | | | midst ofthee is mighty, he will save, he will rejoice |
| thatyou tend to feel weak and tired too? | | | | over theewith joy, he will rest in his love, he will |
| Here are some promises God offers us | | | | joy over theewith singing." |
| concerning joy: | | | | God sings joyfully over us?! That's what He says. |
| Psalm 30:5...."weeping may endure for a night, but | | | | Haveyou ever thought that we could make Him |
| joycomes in the morning." | | | | happy? All Hewants is our Love, because He loved |
| Isaiah 35:10 "And the ransomed of the Lord (His | | | | us first. |
| children)shall return and come to Zion with songs | | | | In closing one more view of God, Luke 15:4-7 |
| and everlastingjoy upon their heads, they shall | | | | says, |
| obtain joy and gladness,and sorrow and sighing | | | | "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he |
| shall flee away." | | | | lostone of them, would not leave the 99 in the |
| Isaiah 61:3 says "To appoint unto them that | | | | wildernessand go after the one that is lost until he |
| mourn in Zion,to give unto them beauty for | | | | finds it? |
| ashes, the oil of joy formourning, the garment of | | | | And when he has found it, he lays it on his |
| praise for the spirit ofheaviness, that they might | | | | shouldersrejoicing. And when he comes home, he |
| be called trees of righteousness,the planting of the | | | | calls togetherhis friends and neighbors, saying unto |
| Lord, that He might be glorified." | | | | them, Rejoicewith me, for I have found my |
| Joy is also one of the fruits of the Spirit. | | | | sheep that was lost. |
| He WANTS to give us joy! Sometimes we think | | | | I (Jesus) say unto you, that likewise joy shall bein |
| of God asheavy handed wanting to give us a hard | | | | heaven over one sinner that repents, more than |
| time anytime wemess up, but that's not His heart | | | | overthe 99 which need no repentance." |
| at all, He wants to giveus joy. But will we receive | | | | Jesus cares so much He seeks out to find the |
| Him in order to receive thejoy He offers us? | | | | oneswho are lost, and it gives Him great joy |
| Isaiah 12:3 says "therefore with joy shall ye draw | | | | when Hefinds that one. Even all of heaven throws |
| waterout of the wells of salvation." | | | | a party! |
| Psalm 51:12: "Restore unto me, the joy of thy | | | | If you don't know this loving, kind and joyful |
| salvation,and uphold me with thy free spirit." | | | | Jesusof Nazareth, I'd encourage you to simply ask |
| In salvation (the term used when we ask Jesus | | | | Himinto your heart. Receive everything He so |
| to be our | | | | wantsto give you. Eternal life, joy, and the peace |
| God, our savior) there is joy. I found this true as | | | | ofknowing you're right with God. Just a simple |
| well. | | | | prayerto Him anywhere of what's on your heart |
| As soon as I prayed and gave my life to Him, I | | | | will do, andwatch the joy flood your soul! And |
| felt realjoy for the first time in my life. It was like | | | | know also thatyou've given Him great joy too. |
| coming home. | | | | By Valerie Garner-Get resources to get traffic to |
| It is beyond description! | | | | your website at nocost to you, plus ideas for |
| Hebrews 12:2 says "Looking unto Jesus, the | | | | earning income at home. |