Fruit of the Spirit: Joy But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Psalms 5:11 You might think of joy as happiness. But don’t be confused; joy is not an emotion—it is a supernatural expression given to us by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Unlike happiness, which is a fleeting emotion that often depends on our circumstances, joy is a deep and abiding sense of contentment that provides a foundation for our lives in Christ. Unlike fragile happiness, which can wither during times of testing, joy grows and blossoms in the hard soil of tough times. The Bible is full of examples of those who continued to rejoice even in the face of persecution. For example, the apostle Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians while he was imprisoned, yet his letter is one of joy, exhorting the people of Philippi to rejoice (Philippians 4:4). We will never find joy by seeking self-centered excitement and pleasure. True joy results when we give ourselves to God, wholly and completely, and yield to His will and purpose. True joy is the gift of knowing that our loving heavenly Father holds our future in His hands. Further Reading Psalms 51:12 James 1:2-4 1 Peter 1:8 God Bless You, Pastor Rod Parsley
Posted on: Wed, 07 Jan 2015 08:30:08 +0000
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