Faith Family Fellowship

                               

 

Dear Beloved of Faith Family Fellowship,

 

      Greetings in the Name of the Lord. Beloved, this month I would like to share with you on the subject of the Joy of the Lord.

Joy is fruit of the reborn human spirit. It is an attribute of the nature of God. As we release that joy from our hearts it produces a spiritual strength from within that sustains us in life’s everyday situations.

      The word “Joy” in the Hebrew means “to leap,” “to spin around with pleasure.” In the Greek it means “rejoicing,” “cheerfulness,” “gladness,” “calm delight.” Psalm 42:4 shows us how joy is released. Like faith and praise it is released through our words and actions. Joy is released through praise.

     We become joyful on purpose as an act of our will – by faith – not according to how we feel. Jeremiah 31:13 shows Joy being released as we dance before the Lord in praise. Joy is also released through answered prayer. John 16:23 ,24 says, “…ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” 

         There are five main things that maintain our Joy:

•    (1) John 15:7 – Joy is maintained by abiding in Christ.
•    (2) John 15:7 – Joy is maintained by God’s Word abiding in you.
•     (3) John 15:7,8 – Joy is maintained by bearing fruit - answered prayer – (John 16:22-24) Matthew 25:21 tells us that through obedience we enter into the Joy of the Lord and that Joy is made full and complete in us.
•    (4) John 15:9-11 – Joy is maintained by continuing (abiding) in love. Verse 11 shows that Christ’s joy has made us able to stand in God’s presence thus making our joy full and complete (John 17:13).
•    (5) I John 1:3-4 – Joy is maintained by fellowship with God. Fellowship is the source or life of Joy. Joy is the direct result of fellowship with God. If there is no joy it is because there is no fellowship. No fellowship means no Joy, thus no strength.
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As you meditate on the thoughts and Scriptures shared let the Joy of the Lord become more real to you in your heart than ever before. It is that spiritual power that gives you the strength of God to continue in the fight of faith and enforce your victory in Christ Jesus!

 

                                                                                                
                                                               We love you, 

                                                          Pastor Ron and Betsy