Friday, August 11, 2017

Fruit of the Spirit: JOY

Fruit of the Spirit: Joy

‭”The Joy of Jesus is not something we can fake. It is not happiness that depends on our circumstances or moods but rather the fruit of a Spirit-filled and controlled life. Consequently, it does not fluctuate with conditions. It is by the Holy Spirit (1) who dwells within us, we can have the joy of Jesus in the midst of trials. Again, it is the third person of the trinity God the Holy Spirit that brings the Joy of Jesus into our lives!” - Hal Warren
  1. Jesus is our joy provided through the Holy Spirit.
    1 Thessalonians‬ ‭2:19-20‬ ‭ESV‬‬
    For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.”

    1 Thessalonians‬ ‭1:6‬ ‭NET
    “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, when you received the message with joy that comes from the Holy Spirit, despite great affliction.”

    Romans 14:17 NET
    “For the kingdom of God does not consist of food and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

    Romans 15:13 NET
    “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in him, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

    John 15:11
    “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
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  2. Joy doesn’t depend on our moods or circumstances.

    Luke 1:47 GW
    “Mary said, “My soul praises the Lord’s greatness! My spirit finds its joy in God, my Savior, because he has looked favorably on me, his humble servant. “From now on, all people will call me blessed because the Almighty has done great things to me. His name is holy.”

    ‭‭Although Mary is a young girl, engaged to Joseph, and never had relations with a man, she chooses to be joyful in God’s plan in her life. She will become the talk of the town and she is unsure of the road ahead but she trusts and believes God has chosen the best for her.
  3. Joy through the Lord gives us strength in all circumstances.

    Nehemiah 8:10 (NLT)
    And Nehemiah[a] continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”

    John 16:33 (NET)
    I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage—I have conquered the world.”

    Revelations 12:11-12a (NET)
    “But they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.  Therefore you heavens rejoice, and all who reside in them!”
What does Satan use to steal our joy?
  1. Anxiety

    Jeremiah 17:7-8 GW
    “Blessed is the person who trusts the LORD. The LORD will be his confidence. He will be like a tree that is planted by water. It will send its roots down to a stream. It will not be afraid in the heat of summer. Its leaves will turn green. It will not be anxious during droughts. It will not stop producing fruit.”

    I Peter 5:6-10 ESV
    “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”

    Matthew‬ ‭6:34‬ ‭HCSB‬‬
    “Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

    ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭94:19‬ ‭NIV‬‬
    ‭‭“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”

    ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:6‬ ‭NIV
    “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
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  2. Resentment from hurt
    ‭‭Job‬ ‭5:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬
    “Resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple.”
     
    ‭‭Mark‬ ‭11:25‬ ‭ESV‬‬
    “And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses."
  3. Confusion ‭‭Acts‬ ‭19:32‬ ‭ESV‬‬ “Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together.” PSALM‬ ‭115:5-9‬ ‭AMP‬‬ “They have mouths, but they cannot speak; They have eyes, but they cannot see; They have ears, but they cannot hear; They have noses, but they cannot smell; They have hands, but they cannot feel; They have feet, but they cannot walk; Nor can they make a sound with their throats. Those who make them will become like them, Everyone who trusts in them. O Israel, trust and take refuge in the LORD! [Be confident in Him, cling to Him, rely on His word!] He is their help and their shield.” Ephesians‬ ‭4:26-29‬ ‭CSB‬‬ “Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, and don’t give the devil an opportunity. Let the thief no longer steal. Instead, he is to do honest work with his own hands, so that he has something to share with anyone in need. No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.”

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