THE JOY OF THE LORD

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                                                  THE JOY OF THE LORD

"Thou will show me the path of life: in Thy Presence is fullness of joy, and at Thy right hand are pleasures for evermore." Psalm 16:11

 "...for the joy of the Lord is your Strength." Nehemiah 8:10

"...Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, you love; in Whom, though now you see Him not, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory." 1 Peter 1:7-8

"As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Continue in My Love. If you keep My commandments you shall abide in My love even as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things have I spoken to you that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." John 15:9-11

"...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2

  One of the beautiful treasures we receive as a fruit of our faith in Jesus Christ is His Joy. Of all the messages, testimonies, and exhortations that I have heard over the years, this is one that I do not recall being expressed very often. I have personally enjoyed it as a huge part of my walk with Jesus. It is important that we do not focus on those treasures that tickle our fancy (so to speak) lest our motives become shallow, self-centered and we become deceived; however, I do wish to encourage everyone to love and enjoy the Lord with all your heart, and you will find yourself complete in Him regardless of your life's circumstances. 

  The Joy of the Lord, as with the other attributes of the Spirit of Christ, is that it flows independently from our circumstances. We can be in the most dire of natural situations, and like His love and peace, we can be overwhelmed by it. His love, joy, and peace, as with anything of Himself is beyond understanding ("And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7), but are dispensed richly and freely in Christ as we abide in Him, and often He surprises us with them when we least expect it (meaning we are not always aware of it/them while we are abiding in this flesh).

   Any person can experience joy in life, regardless of age or status, but the Joy of the Lord as described in the Bible is only something that comes from Him and is found by faith in a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. As with everything, our circumstances and efforts have little to do with it, other than perhaps whole-hearted faith, love, and obedience.  If we have not experienced His love, peace, or joy, something within us might be hindering us. What I am saying here is not that we do everything perfectly, that is presumptuous and why we need Jesus, but, if our faith and efforts are whole-hearted these experiences are consequent. "Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly; because with a perfect heart they offered willingly to the Lord, and David the king also rejoiced with great joy." 1 Chronicles 29:9

  Dear friends, I am not advocating pursuing joy or any other experience. We do not pursue experiences as disciples of Jesus. We pursue faith and obedience in Christ and that which glorifies our Heavenly Father. All I am saying is that if we devote ourselves to whole-hearted faith and obedience to Jesus Christ our joy will be full. Keep your focus Heavenward and fixed on Jesus. He loves us so much! "Now the God of hope fill you with all JOY and Peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." Romans15:13



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