"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God..."

Isaiah 61:10

G.R.A.C.E. - Gently Radiating A Christ-like Example

Grief(s):

"What fills you with joy?" Joy and happiness - is there a difference?

Response:

   JOY:

• a great expression of rejoicing from an overflowing heart
  
• an 'inner' gift from God to believers
  
• experienced even in the midst of extremely difficult circumstances
  

   HAPPINESS:

• a feeling or emotion
  
• outward expression of pleasure
  
• experienced over a fortunate circumstance or event
  
• often mistakenly used synonymously with joy
  

My daughter JoLynn should have been named Joy for her contagious zest for life. The joy she and her husband share overflows into their families. We are delightfully captivated by the outward expressions of their inner joy. . .joy that resides in their souls, purified through trials, strengthened in circumstances, and grown in knowledge gained through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Joy roots itself in our lives. . .as we spend time in the Word… listening to and obeying His instruction...outwardly enjoying who God is. . .encouraging believers. . .and sharing our faith so others will experience the joy of knowing God.

Affirm: True joy in the life a believer is not a fleeting emotion.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

Overflow – (def.) abundance to be shared with another; not wasted; poured over into another, as in the giving of a unique gift.

I love Psalm 34:3 "Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together." For generations past and present, the joy of the Lord has been a connecting thread between believers. Rejoicing in the Lord brings refreshment and restoration.

Rejoicing in God restored THEIR souls, restores MY soul, and will restore You!

Connect:

Joy is not an isolated or occasional consequence of faith, but rather part of our relationship to God; part of the fruit of the spirit (love, JOY, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, and self control).

The fullness of joy. . .

"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." John 15:11

Joy is the reflection of God in our life! It is too good to keep to our self. A strong desire to share our experience naturally flows from our hearts full of joy.

Someone once said "Joy is the flag that flies in the castle when the King is in residence."

Equip: What keeps you from flying your flag of joy?

• guilt?
• hurts?
• unconfessed sin?
• lack of time with the Lord?
• just forgetting to rejoice in Him? 

        THEN. . .

• recognize and confess your sin
• renew your mind through studying the Word
• spend time loving Jesus through praise and worship
• think on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy… (Phil 4:8)
                 ...and prepare to receive His gift of Sovereign joy!

G.R.A.C.E. Gem:

The joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

Jesus has made it abundantly clear in John 15:9-14 that joy is connected to love and obedience. During a crisis it is sometimes hard to be joyful, but because we have God’s faithful promises – His covenant with us – we know that nothing will separate us from Him!

Heaven = when we see our Lord, the glorified Lamb of God, on His throne, Then the culmination of our true joy will be expressed as we cast our crowns at his feet!

"Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

"Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory..." Rev. 19:6

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