Powered By Joy ♡♡♡

 

"But the fruit of Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another" - Galatians 5.22 -26

At one time on their missionary escapades, the apostles were given strict orders not to preach in the name of Jesus, because they were found pressing necks with the gospel. We are told that Peter and the apostles refused to take those orders and they were flogged, ouch! - Imagine the humiliation right at the center of what appears to be God's will? But scripture goes on to tell us that the apostles left rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for that name. Just wow! (Acts 5:41)

How is it so, that two people can be fired from a job on the same day, in the same exact situation, yet one is embalmed in joy regardless of what appears to be a threat to livelihood? Friend, the attitude of the kingdom is different, because It is powered by the help of the Holyspirit. Another brother, James of the bible, admonishes that we consider it all joy, when we go through diverse trials and temptations (James 1:2). What gives James the audacity to say this? Does he really understand what "in the day of Suzy's  life" she is going through? Not until we realize that what James is asking, is that we are patient with the work of the Spirit; using each unique situation to bring about our perseverance, our maturity and the perfect completion of our lacking in anything. - Oh! that we may remember every time, these wise words of brother James. Sound teaching!

Hebrews 12:2 tells us very clearly...."who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame". Jesus focused on joy regardless of His suffering, and so can we by the help of the Holyspirit. It's really about our perspective isn't it? But how are we able to share this perspective if we scarcely spend time in God's presence? Sam storms quotes - "Joy isn't the absence of suffering, it is the presence of God" - No wonder, it is a part of the fruit of the Spirit. 

Beloved, we are not over here talking "fake it till you make it" motivational spin off. We are speaking about the provision for supernatural strength, powered by kingdom mind and perspective. I remember being part of a church  a while ago, whose members appeared to be joyful at first sight, only to settle in and realize that even some of the core members silently carried around this "pity party aura" because of the things "they were made" to sacrifice for the sake of the ministry (emphasis on were made). I appreciate that we can be invited to travel some hard roads in our walk with God, but my conviction is that anything the Spirit births, He makes provision for; and this also includes the kind of Joy we see the apostles display, after being flogged for preaching in the name of Jesus. That kind of joy cannot be faked. If there is no tangible Joy in a church or amongst the gathering of believers, it is a red flag for me.

Would you consider yourself to be a joyful person? Carrying around palpable joy even to those who encounter you. We all love to be around joy givers. I know, I do. God's will for you and I is to experience deep joy, no matter what. 

Assuming we are at the center of God's will, He has also made provision for our joy. I invite you to spend more time in God's presence. There are lots of things in this world that look to compete and steal our joy. And we've got to be intentional about guarding it. The psalmist says in Psalm 16:11 "You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fulness of joy; in thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore" .

As you step into the month of October, may God in His loving kindness show you the path of life. May you experience palpable joy, powered by the help of Holy Spirit. May the pleasures at His right hand be multiplied unto you. Joy is yours for the taking brethren!!!!

Lots of Love

Shay!