From: Ben Kelley
Subject: J.O.Y.
J.O.Y. What is "joy?" It is not
what the world thinks it is. Joy is not found in possessions, prestige,
popularity, power, or anything else having roots in this world. People
seeking to find joy through any of those things never find it
when they attain them. I know the world's children cannot
experience true joy apart from God, but it seems far too few believers are
experiencing it in their lives. When a Christian has joy, they just can't
keep it to themselves, it has to come out in some way; they will be joyful. I would like to
share with you a few of my thoughts on what I believe joy is.
"Father, please speak to our hearts as we read. Bring
back the joy that you desire to be in our lives. Help us to be so
different from the world that they will want to know just what the source
of our joy is. That is our prayer, and that you will receive great glory
in and through our changed lives. We ask this in Jesus' Name. May it
be so."
JOY
It is being
close to our God, worshipping Him as our Lord and Savior.
Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence
is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for
evermore. (Psalm 16:11)
It is being saved and dwelling upon the fact
that I (we) will enter into God's glory when we leave this life.
Restore unto me the joy of thy
salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. (Psalm
51:12)
It is reading, studying, meditating, and learning new truths
in the Word of God.
Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word
was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am
called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. (Jeremiah
15:16)
It is, after a season (night) of suffering guilt and the
knowledge of His displeasure over our sin, awakening (morning) to the fact that
all our sins are forgiven through the blood of Jesus,the Lamb of
God. It is a new day and a clean, fresh start with Him.
For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is
life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the
morning. (Psalm 30:5)
It is a commitment (shall) to turn away from the
world and sin, then to God.
And my soul shall be joyful in the
LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation. (Psalm
35:9)
It is a gift from God, revealed through His Word to
us.
These things have I spoken unto you, that
my joy might remain in you, and that your joy
might be full. (John 15:11)
It is having the right relational order in our lives,
not "me first," or even "family first," but placing
Jesus first
Others second
Yourself last
Take a few minutes to ponder these thoughts.
If joy seems to be eluding you, consider where you might be missing out in
the areas I've mentioned. If you see something that stands out to you,
deal with it by a fresh commitment to God. No one else can give you true
joy.
Ben