GOT JOY?

They say that if you have to ask how much something costs, you probably cannot afford it.  If you have to ask if someone has joy, they more than likely do not.  Joy is easy to recognize.  However, those who don’t know what joy really is, often mistake it for “energy” or “too many cups of coffee”.    

    As a young believer I first learned that J O Y was Jesus, Others, Yourself.  If you use the joy rule and think of Jesus first, then others, then yourself, you will truly feel real joy.  However, as my life experienced some very deep valleys, I realized that just thinking about the Lord and others did not make me feel especially joyful.  That’s because joy is not a feeling and does not come from conditions or circumstances.  Happiness depends on happenings, joy depends on Jesus. 

    By totally trusting Jesus, is the reason I can be going through extremely hard situations and still have joy.  I came to realize that if I ever wanted to truly know and show the joy of Jesus, I had to live by faith and not by feelings (Romans 1:17).  I discovered the more that faith grows, the greater joy becomes.  As a result, the display of exuberant joy is a testimony of faith to the sinner and saint alike.  Mother Teresa said, “One filled with joy preaches without preaching”. 

    It is this joy that has become an integral part of me.  My life bears witness that as my faith grows in God and His Word, His joy spills over into an outward expression of sheer delight.  Because it is easily noticed, is why joy is second only to love, as part of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).  Since it is the will of God to always be joyful (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT), I am reminded this virtue should always be evident in me.

    Actually, this deep-seated inner gladness ought to be a marked characteristic of every believer.  The world should see and desire what we have.  Other Christians especially, should be able to spot a person filled with the joy of the Lord.  Since I have an abundance of joy, I am constantly asked, “How do you get to be so joyful?”  To answer that, the Lord gave me five ways from the Word of God.

    Joy is associated with faith (Philippians 1:25).  Since you cannot have the joy of the Lord without faith in God, we will use the word F A I T H to show you how to get joy:

FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD – Fellowship is the Greek word koinonia. It is a word of intimacy which means “communion; close relationship; participation; sharing.”  Fellowship with God is a warm, comfortable relationship in which we are aware of being close to Him in heart and mind.  When you truly fellowship with God your joy will be full (1 John 1:3, 4).

ANSWERED PRAYER - Any close relationship will involve sharing your hearts and minds in pleasant conversation.  Intimately conversing with God is simply called prayer.  The more you pray (1 Thessalonians 5:17), the more He will answer you so your joy may be full (John 16:24).

IN HIS PRESENCE - Spending time in His presence will cause ecstatic expressions of heartfelt praise and worship with abandon.  Joy is the not only the natural outcome, but it is the most infallible sign of the presence of God.  Truly being in His presence is the fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11).

TIME IN GOD’S WORD - Rejoice at His word as one who finds great treasure (Psalm 119:162).  What you treasure most is where you will spend the most time.  This treasure is your spiritual food that you live by (Matthew 4:4), and keeps you strong and healthy. So, splurge and be generous with your time and connoisseur the Word of God by feasting on it daily.  His Word will be the joy and rejoicing of your heart (Jeremiah 15:16).

HAVE A HEART FOR GOD - Having a heart for God is to love and serve Him with everything you are.  It is living an upright life that gives your undivided attention to observe and do all that He tells you.  If you diligently follow His heart and obey His voice, blessings will come on you and overtake you (Deuteronomy 28:1-2).  So, shout for joy, all you upright in heart (Psalm 32:11)!

    When you choose an intimate relationship of faith in God, you can experience this inexpressible joy (1 Peter 1:8) and your life will be taken to joyful heights.  Then, no one will ever have to ask if you,  

“GOT JOY?”