Jesus’ Joy – Our Joy
Scripture: John 15:11 – These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
Joy and happiness are so different. Happiness is from happenings. For example, you are happy when you purchase a car or house, when you get a promotion or when someone gives you a gift. Joy is from the Holy Spirit as we sense His presence. When good things happen to you, you will be happy, but you can be full of joy in the midst of good or bad circumstances or trials. That’s so amazing to me! The joy that Jesus had was from Him totally surrendering and sacrificing to His Father. He did what He was sent here to do. The fruit of the Spirit is joy….!! (Galatians 5:22) Hebrews 12:2 says “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despised the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God”. Jesus also has joy when we as Christians are bearing much fruit and/or abiding in Him – which brings Him glory.
From the book entitled “Fight Back With Joy” by Margaret Feinberg, she states that joy emanates out of the abiding sense of God’s fierce love for us, realizing that God is here, and when we continually believe that God is for us!! She also states that joy involves a spectrum of emotions/actions and responses that include: gladness, cheer, happiness, merriment, delighting, dancing, shouting, exulting, rejoicing, laughing… I looked up all of the scriptures in the Bible that talked about joy to see how the word joy was used. I thought there would be maybe 30 or 40 scriptures, but to my surprise there are 149 scriptures that have the word joy in them.
The Lord really wants us to be full of joy, and He wants His joy to remain in us. Philippians 4:4 says “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice”. I Thessalonians 5:16 says “Rejoice evermore”. We experienced joy at our conversion. (Acts 8:39) We can have joy when reading God’s word. (Jeremiah 15:16 – 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 of hosts.) We can also have joy when we pray. (John 16:24 – Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and he shall receive, that your joy may be full.) We can actually have joy in the midst of trials. (James 1:2-3 – My brethren count it all joy when we fall into divers temptations, knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.) We can also have joy even while suffering. (Acts 5:41 – And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.) Do you experience joy when serving the Lord? (II Corinthians 1:2-4)
Is there anything hindering you from being full of joy?
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father: Thank you for giving me joy! Help me to always be full of joy no matter what I go through. I’m trusting in You. All this I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
(by Marsha Williams)
Joy and happiness are so different. Happiness is from happenings. For example, you are happy when you purchase a car or house, when you get a promotion or when someone gives you a gift. Joy is from the Holy Spirit as we sense His presence. When good things happen to you, you will be happy, but you can be full of joy in the midst of good or bad circumstances or trials. That’s so amazing to me! The joy that Jesus had was from Him totally surrendering and sacrificing to His Father. He did what He was sent here to do. The fruit of the Spirit is joy….!! (Galatians 5:22) Hebrews 12:2 says “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despised the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God”. Jesus also has joy when we as Christians are bearing much fruit and/or abiding in Him – which brings Him glory.
From the book entitled “Fight Back With Joy” by Margaret Feinberg, she states that joy emanates out of the abiding sense of God’s fierce love for us, realizing that God is here, and when we continually believe that God is for us!! She also states that joy involves a spectrum of emotions/actions and responses that include: gladness, cheer, happiness, merriment, delighting, dancing, shouting, exulting, rejoicing, laughing… I looked up all of the scriptures in the Bible that talked about joy to see how the word joy was used. I thought there would be maybe 30 or 40 scriptures, but to my surprise there are 149 scriptures that have the word joy in them.
The Lord really wants us to be full of joy, and He wants His joy to remain in us. Philippians 4:4 says “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice”. I Thessalonians 5:16 says “Rejoice evermore”. We experienced joy at our conversion. (Acts 8:39) We can have joy when reading God’s word. (Jeremiah 15:16 – 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 of hosts.) We can also have joy when we pray. (John 16:24 – Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and he shall receive, that your joy may be full.) We can actually have joy in the midst of trials. (James 1:2-3 – My brethren count it all joy when we fall into divers temptations, knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.) We can also have joy even while suffering. (Acts 5:41 – And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.) Do you experience joy when serving the Lord? (II Corinthians 1:2-4)
Is there anything hindering you from being full of joy?
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father: Thank you for giving me joy! Help me to always be full of joy no matter what I go through. I’m trusting in You. All this I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
(by Marsha Williams)
3 Comments
Yes! Amen! Joy comes from being in the Lord's presence.
Thank you Marsha for this devotional! The joy of the Lord is my strength!!!
I have to praise God daily. I thank Him for the strength to let His joy live in me. It is not His will we allow anyone steal our joy. The joy of the Lord is my strength.