Abound in hope

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15.13

Our hope is that one day our tears, fears, sorrows, worries and all sorts of trouble that we have suffered in this world will be transformed into joy, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. So let us stand firm in this faith until the day of our departure to be with our Lord Jesus Christ.

Tough work

"For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure." John 3.34

Imagine the joy of achieving the greatest and most important dream of your life. Now, imagine the sacrifice you made in order to achieve it. This is it...
To make His dream of dwelling in us come through, God had to send and sacrifice Jesus, His Dream, to wash us and cleanse us. Only then could He send His Spirit.
Jesus had to do the "tough work" so that we can be possessed by the Spirit.
And what have you been doing to match such a great sacrifice?
The Daniel Fasting of Daniel is not for the curious or adventurous.

JOY DURING TIMES OF TRIAL

"... count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."     James 1.2-4

Joy during good times is normal.
Joy during times of trial seems contradictory. Doesn't it?
Tests of faith only happen in the lives of those who live by faith.
They live by faith because they are of God. This does not give them a reason to be improperly joyful, but to be filled with a great joy.
This is the joy of being a child of God.

STEAL, KILL AND DESTROY

"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."          John 10.10

Followers of the Lord Jesus chose to follow Him. This means that they will no longer be subject to the kingdom of darkness. Though they have trials and battles, they keep their faith because they are guaranteed to have their life restored with inner peace and joy, and the salvation of their soul.
On the other hand, those who reject their salvation have nothing left but theft, death and destruction.

JOY

"Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."          Nehemiah 8.10

Just like their child's success brings a parent joy, the joy of the Lord is our strength. Therefore, don't let your everyday problems neutralize God's joy. Be strong and courageous because He is with you.

RESTORE

"Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit."    Psalm 51.12

The biggest and most difficult thing to attain in this world is the salvation of the soul. Jesus compared it to a hidden treasure buried in a field, and when someone finds it, they are willing to sell EVERYTHING THEY OWN to buy that field. However, it is even harder to get back the joy of salvation after it has been lost. If you, dear reader, doubt this is true, just ask anyone who has been through a similar experience. 

SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

"But to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; and you shall go out and grow like stall-fed calves."   Malachi 4:2

Those who are born of God possess a priceless joy. Their separation from the world is reflected in their communion with the Almighty. They sing like birds at daybreak, jump through meadows like animals running freely... It is all for the glory of the Lord of your life.

Forget

"Because you would forget your misery, and remember it as waters that have passed away..." Job 11:16

When there's a personal experience with the Lord Jesus Christ, there's joy in the present and assurance of the future which makes it easy to let go of the past.

Much Joy

"Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy..." Psalms 43:4

The Altar is a place of offering of sacrifices and also a place to receive the Spirit of Joy, much joy!

Joy and Rejoicing of the heart

"Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts." Jeremiah 15:16

When the human being drinks of the Word of God, his spirit resists the thoughts of doubts. And he overcomes himself, and above all, the devil.

Plenitude with God

"... Behold, I will send you grain and new wine and oil, and you will be satisfied by them..." Joel 2:19

The children of God have the right to a plenitude of life beyond the eternal one. The Lord provides grain (daily bread), wine (joy of His presence), and the oil (the anointing of His Spirit).

A New Song

He has put a new song in my mouth—Praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the LORD. Psalms 40:3 

Through the trust in God, many people have been filled with great joy. Our lips don't get tired of glorifying our Lord Jesus Christ...

People Power

"And He has exalted the horn of His people, the praise of all His saints—of the children of Israel, a people near to Him. Praise the LORD!" Psalms 148:14

The Holy Spirit gives His people joy and pleasure to know Him, experiment His power, and above all, glorious satisfaction to know Him.

God's Joy

"... Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Nehemiah 8:10

Children are either glory or shame of their parents. However, the joy of the parents, just as of God, is the strength of His children.

Emptiness of soul

"The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek Him will praise the LORD. Let your heart live forever! ."

Psalms 22: 26

Emptiness of the heart can only be filled with the joy of the new birth. It's the exclusive work of the Holy Spirit, nevertheless, for it to happen, there must be a desire from all your heart, mind, and soul to receive it.

Joy

"A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken."

Proverbs 15:13


But how do you maintain a happy heart in such a cruel world? Only where the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ is present. How can you receive Him? Tomorrow's post will let you know how...

Joy

"Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." 

Nehemiah 8:10

Just like parents want the best for their children, so does God. His joy is to see His children strong and happy, conquering and blessing others around them.

Joy

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience."

James 1: 2-3

The Christian testing is not made out of health, family, or financial problems, but out of the cause we suffer for the Lord Jesus. Injustice, persecution, criticism because of our faith are just some of the trials we go through which should bring us reasons for joy. Rejoice in suffering for the cause of the Lord Jesus.

Restitution

" Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit..."

Psalms 51:12

This kind of heart points out the humble heart that recognises the need of forgiveness. This is what pleases God and brings us the answer.

Poverty

"They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity."


Neither the rich nor the poor can escape the problems of everyday life. However, those who reach the revelation of the Gospel in the midst of their suffering, know the meaning of true joy. This is what makes them eager to help the afflicted and so rich in kindness and generosity.