Joy – A declaration or assurance by which a person undertakes a commitment to do or refrain from doing a specific act. A divine assurance of future benefit or blessing.
(Oxford Dictionary)
Joy, what a word! Unfortunately, we all too often restrict the word joy to Christmas. The Christmas season is the time that we say ,”joy to the world,” but there are many other times that we should be overflowing with joy. A feeling of joy overtakes us when we see a child walk for the first time, a person experience healing after being ill, or even when we succeed at a difficult task. I believe joy has a supernatural quality about it. The feeling of pure joy cannot be easily explained but must be experienced.
Paul said to the Philippian church,” Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice!” Joy is not an option for a Christian but should be a state of being. It is with a profound joy that I can say that I am a creation of God and saved sinner by the grace that Jesus attained for us. There are so many things to be joyous about that we really can’t be sad. but we are sometimes.
Our sadness comes because we have neglected the gift of the spirit that we received at our baptism. That Holy Spirit is “God with us,” and he never leaves. Our challenge is to believe that fact from the bottom of our beings. We must not allow ourselves to be dragged into the pit by the evil and negativity of the world. That evil, that mistrust, that negativity is the devil’s way of winning, and we must not allow him to win. The scripture also reminds us,” For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” The devil is a “joy thief” and God is an extravagant giver of peace and joy.
This week go out and experience joy to the fullest because you are a child of God who bears the presence of the spirit within you. That is a most unbeatable combination.
There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.
—Khalil Gibran
Grief can take care of itself, but to get the full value of a joy you must have somebody to divide it with.
—Mark Twain
Joy is the holy fire that keeps our purpose warm and our intelligence aglow.
—Helen Keller
Joy lies in the fight, in the attempt, in the suffering involved, not in the victory itself.
—Mahatma Gandhi
We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in joy.
—Joseph Campbell
If you carry joy in your heart, you can heal any moment.
—Carlos Santana
Let your joy be in your journey—not in some distant goal.
—Tim Cook
Find a place inside where there’s joy, and the joy will burn out the pain.
– Joseph Campbell
When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.
– Buddha
Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.
– Mother Teresa
If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. ‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
~~~John 15:10–12
For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place.
~~~1 Chronicles 16:26–27
And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
~~~Matthew 2:9–10
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
~~~Psalm 16:11
And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
~~~Luke 1:43–44
May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans! May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions!”
~~~Psalm 20:4–5
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
~~~Luke 2:10–11
Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”
~~~Psalm 30:4–5
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
~~~Romans 15:13
For you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.”
~~~Psalm 63:6–7
Lord, I praise you for the gift of inner joy. That is the gift You bestow upon me by the presence of Your spirit within me. You are never far from me, because You are always present in me. Let me tap into that source of joy each day and never neglect or doubt Your presence, because You are a faithful God who never abandons His creation.
Amen
A Pastor's Thoughts 