Joy of the LORD

1 Thessalonians 1:6 NIV

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You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.

Too often, we let our present circumstances define our mood and direct our emotions. Above, Paul is talking about new Christians finding joy in the Lord in amongst severe suffering. The new Christians imitated Jesus and did not let their anguish determine their mood but rather chose joy in suffering. The powerful message of the gospel filled them up and the Holy Spirit carried them through intense persecution.

Here in North America at this present time, we do not face intense persecution but never the less we can and do face intense suffering. Misery from illness, finances, loss of a loved one, divorce, intense physical and or sexual abuse and so on, can cause us to lose joy. We have to choose joy in suffering and not allow our present circumstances to steal away the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer:
Dear Father,
Please turn my suffering into joy and do not allow my outward circumstances determine my mood but empower this joy by Your Holy Spirit. Allow the joy of the Lord to spread to all who cross my path and help me to be a better example of spiritual joy to those around me. In Jesus' name, amen.

                                                                   

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James 1:2-3 NIV
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.






Blessings,
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Joy In Sorrow?

Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 

How do we find joy in sorrow? Well if we study the above verses we find that, we are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses, who are from the faith chapter, Hebrews 11:1-39. I kind of envision them cheering us on and encouraging us through their stories. The first thing we are to do is keep our eyes on Jesus and do as He did, for He is the perfecter of faith. He set the joy before Him as He prepared and endured the cross. When Jesus was at Gethsemane Luke 22:44 tells us He felt much stress and anxiety that His sweat was like blood. Jesus knew what He was to endure, the suffering and the intense shame of our sins. Jesus despised what He was to go through yet He had joy. How could Jesus have joy? He was thinking of the end result. The forgiveness of sin and reconciliation between God and man.

Jesus understood and looked to the joy of the end results of the cross. We too, can endure trials and hardships if we follow Jesus' lead and focus on the joy of obedience to the Lord. When trials, hardships, sickness and death come our way we too can experience joy if we keep our eye on Jesus and store our treasures in heaven. The joy of the Lord is a wonderful thing to have. It fills you up and spreads to those around you like sunshine.

Hebrews 12:7-8 NIV

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 

  




Christians are children of God, isn't that in itself wonderful? God, the Creator of all is our Father! He knows that if we focus on His word and do as He says then we will be over comers. He will fill us with His joy and reward us on earth and in heaven. Now that is good news indeed!

Blessings,
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