The Joy of the Lord is not the same as happiness. Being happy depends on our circumstances being favorable to us. We are happy because everything is going well with us.
But Joy is solely based on us allowing the Spirit of God to manifest in our lives. Joy is one of the nine fruits of the Spirit. When we accepted Jesus as our Savior, we also got the nine fruits of the Spirit too. Because they are the attributes of the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5: 22-23 NKJV
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
We have to remember who we are in Christ and what we have in Him, if we are going to allow the Joy of the Lord to flow in our lives in adverse circumstances.
Romans 8: 31-32 NKJV
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
Romans 8: 37-39 NKJV
We have to remember who we are in Christ and what we have in Him, if we are going to allow the Joy of the Lord to flow in our lives in adverse circumstances.
Romans 8: 31-32 NKJV
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
Romans 8: 37-39 NKJV
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
So you see if we remember that we are victorious through Christ Jesus, we will be able to maintain our Joy in spite of living in adverse circumstances.
We must make sure that we are seeking the lord and fellowshipping with him on a daily basis. Because without that, we will not be able to flow in the fruit of Joy.
John 15: 4-5 NKJV
4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
I am not saying it is an easy thing to do, but with God's help we can do anything. We have to fight the good fight of faith in order to keep our Joy when times are tough. But it's possible with God.
Philippians 4:13 NKJV
13 I can do all things through Christ[a] who strengthens me.
We must make sure that we are seeking the lord and fellowshipping with him on a daily basis. Because without that, we will not be able to flow in the fruit of Joy.
John 15: 4-5 NKJV
4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
I am not saying it is an easy thing to do, but with God's help we can do anything. We have to fight the good fight of faith in order to keep our Joy when times are tough. But it's possible with God.
Philippians 4:13 NKJV
13 I can do all things through Christ[a] who strengthens me.
So make a quality decision today to allow the Joy of the Lord to flow in your life. Because that is an awesome witness to those who don't know the Lord. When they see us going through difficult times and we are walking in His peace and Joy. That's when they will see that we have something that money and success can't buy. And then they will be open to hear what we have to say about our awesome God!
That's right Sir. Happiness is a personal decision but joy is of the Lord. Thank you Sir.
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