Joy is a supernatural gift of God.

It is a supernatural emotion not dependent upon circumstances that are favorable but internal confidence, assurance that God is in control, present, and works all things concerning me out for my good- eternally, that what He purposes for my life will come to pass ultimately, for His glory! While happiness is hit and miss, depending on what EXTERNAL good things, such as EVENTS and pleasurable things come into my life. Joy is INTERNAL, Supernatural emotion gifted by the Holy Spirit, hat need not succumb to difficult circumstances to dislodge t, Fos Joy is a permanent gift of the Holy Spirit. The gladness of heart is not dependent upon outward circumstances but the indwelling Spirit of God whom Jesus has gifted to all His followers!

JOY IS MAINTAINED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT and is steadfast when we live in submission to the Spirit of God who cultivates it, and we comply with God’s Word. Joy is internal confidence, assurance that delights the heart irrespective of external happenings as we consider God is in control of my life and all things, He is present with me and for me. He is out to conform me to the image of His dear Son. Keeping our focus on Him and eternal matters and pursuing them.

We often lose our joy through unrepented of sin in our lives or when we become more CIRCUMSTANCE Focussed than CHRIST FOCUSSED. and Seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness as Priority in our daily living. We misplace Him and we lose our joy as we lose our focus! We have abandoned the relationship by Replacing Him with lesser pursuits!!

Happiness has to do with extenals that we often cannot be assured of. Joy has to do with Internal.

Joy is Based on the Relationship with the LORD and He is the sphere of this Joy.

THE FOUNDATION OF JOY

JOY is…

1.- THE GIFT OF GOD-

” I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, so that He may be with you forever;  the Helper is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him; but you know Him because He remains with you and will be in you.”-{ John 14:16-17}

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you.” -{John 14:26}

“God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”-{Romans 5:5}

“All the Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had also been poured out on the Gentiles.”-{Acts 10:45}

 

2. – TO THOSE WHO RECEIVE AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL.-{Luke 2:10}

“And so the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;  for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”-{Luke 2:10-11}

“In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”-{Luke 16:10}

“So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord.”-{ 1 Thess 1:6 nlt}

In 1 Peter 1, Peter writes to those who are suffering of the joys of salvation. Salvation’s joy! Three times he refers to Salvation in verses 5, 9, 10. “who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. obtaining as the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”-{v 5}…” obtaining as the outcome of your faith, the salvation of ]your souls.”-{v9}…”As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries,”-{v10}.

Peter reminds them not only of their salvation but the implication of what accompanies it… is JOY. Salvation’s Joy!

In verses 6 and 8 he writes of Joy. These dear believers were suffering greatly, slandered, and accused of burning Rome. Peter begins his letter to them by reminding them of the Greatness of God “1:1-3; and the Greatness of the Salvation He has provided for them-{3-9} and he reminds them of their Great Salvation and reasons they have for Salvation’s Joy!

“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, “- v6}.

“ and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,…”-{v8}. The Gospel message when received, believed acted upon is the Gospel- of Joy! But that as the above verses show does not at times exclude suffering that can accompany it as people react to those who have received and believed it!

 

3. -PRODUCED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT -{Gal 5:22};

4. -As we comply with the Word of God-{Jeremiah 15:16; Psalm 19:8};

5. -IS NOT DIVORCED FROM TRIALS OR SUFFERING!; {AND IS OFTEN ACCOMPANIED WITH TRIALS AND SUFFERING,}-

“So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy”-{John 16:22}

“As sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing and yet possessing all things.”-{2 Corinthians 6:10}

“So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord.”-{ 1 Thess 1:6 nlt}

‘“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”-{James 1:2-4 nlt}

“Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in His suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.”-{1 Peter 4:13 nlt}

6. – AND JOY IN FUTURE HOPE!.-{Romans 12:12}

Consider this…

“5463 xaírō (from the root xar-, “favorably disposed, leaning towards” and cognate with 5485 /xáris, “grace”) – properly, to delight in God’s grace (“rejoice”) – literally, to experience God’s grace (favor), be conscious (glad) for His grace.

5463 /xaírō (“glad for grace“) has a direct “etymological connection with xaris (grace)” (DNTT, 2, 356). S. Zodhiates (Dict, 1467) likewise comments that 5479 /xará (“joy”) and 5485 /xáris (“grace”) are cognate with 5463 /xaírō (“to rejoice”), i.e. all share the same root and therefore the same core (fundamental) meaning.”-{Help Word studied- Greek Lexicon for Philippians 3:1}.

“Joy…Rejoice…grace” all are related, they come from the same ROOT Word! They are relatives.

 Joy is to Deligtht in God’s Grace- The conscious Favor of God! Gladness of heart!

 God Bless,

Aidan