Finding JOY in your life

Finding JOY in your life

Text: Isaiah 12:3.

“Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”

          Everyone likes a bit of JOY in their lives. The joy a birth brings, a birthday brings, a wedding brings a good holiday, etc. There is much JOY also found in the Bible.

“But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves” John 17:13.
“Rejoice always” 1 Thessalonians 5:16.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” Philippians 4:4.
“And these things we write to you that your joy may be full” 1 John 1:4.

          Here are some areas of bring JOY in your life.

1.    JOY IN THE SCRIPTURES.

A.    There was great singing for joy when Pharaoh and his army
were drowned in the Red Sea. Hannah said, “My heart rejoices in
the Lord.”

B.    Israel shouted for joy when Saul was crowned king.

C.    The streets were filled with women singing and shouting for joy when David
killed the giant and the soldiers came home.

D.    There was a time of great joy and celebrating when the captured Ark of the Covenant was brought home to God’s people. 

E.    All Israel joined in the rejoicing at the dedication of the Temple.

F.     Nehemiah led the people in a time of great joy when the city walls were finished.

G.    Esther, Mordecai and all the Jews were filled with joy when Haman hanged on his evil gallows.

H.    The birth of Christ was an occasion of joy to the angels, the shepherds, Mary and the others.

I.      When the prodigal son came home, a joyful celebration was held.

J.     The followers of Jesus cried, “Hosanna” or “Joy to the Highest,” when He rode into Jerusalem.

K.    There was great joy at Pentecost.

L.    The lame man leaped with joy after the healing of his body.

M.   Paul and Silas rejoiced and sang praises at midnight in the Philippian jail.

N.    On and on the story goes. The Scriptures are filled with incidents that brought joy to multitudes.

2.    JOY IN SALVATION.

A.    When Philip brought revival to the city of Samaria, many turned to Christ, and we read, “And there was great joy in that city” Acts 8:8.

B.    In the story of the prodigal son, we clearly see the joy of salvation. Notice:

1.    The father’s joy. “His father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him” Luke 15:20. This pictures God, “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” 2 Peter 3:9. The Lord rejoices when sinners come home.

2.    Notice, too, that the neighbours and friends rejoiced. He called them to come and rejoice with him.

3.    Thirdly, see the angels of Heaven rejoicing. They get excited in Heaven over one repentant sinner. “joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance” Luke 15:7.

Then, notice the sinner’s joy. What a relief and blessing to get the load of sin off your back! This poor, sinful boy came back fully expecting to be a bond servant, but ended up as a son again.

3.    JOY IN SOULWINNING.

Angels rejoice more over people being saved than anything else. Surely we ought to agree with them in this matter. “Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy” Psalm 126:5. We must sow the seed of the word of God into the lives of those around us.

“He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him” Psalm 126:6. There was great joy when the lost son came home, when the
lost coin was found and when the lost sheep returned.

CONCLUSION:

The Lord wants us to have joy in our heart and life at all times. The result of dedicated obedience is a filling of the Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit, JOY.

Finding JOY in your life

Finding JOY in your life

Text: Isaiah 12:3.

“Therefore, with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”

          Everyone likes a bit of JOY in their lives. The joy a birth brings, a birthday brings, a wedding brings, or a good holiday, etc. There is much JOY also found in the Bible.

“But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My JOY fulfilled in themselves” John 17:13.
“Rejoice always” 1 Thessalonians 5:16.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice!” Philippians 4:4.
“And these things we write to you that your JOY may be full” 1 John 1:4.

          Here are some areas of bring JOY into your life.

1.    JOY IN THE SCRIPTURES.

A.    There was great singing for joy when Pharaoh and his army
were drowned in the Red Sea. Hannah said, “My heart rejoices in
the Lord.”

B.    Israel shouted for joy when Saul was crowned king.

C.    The streets were filled with women singing and shouting for joy when David
killed the giant and the soldiers came home.

D.    There was a time of great joy and celebrating when the captured Ark of the Covenant was brought home to God’s people. 

E.    All Israel joined in the rejoicing at the dedication of the Temple.

F.     Nehemiah led the people in a time of great joy when the city walls were finished.

G.    Esther, Mordecai and all the Jews were filled with joy when Haman hanged on his evil gallows.

H.    The birth of Christ was an occasion of joy to the angels, the shepherds, Mary and the others.

I.      When the prodigal son came home, a joyful celebration was held.

J.     The lame man leaped with joy after the healing of his body.

K.    The followers of Jesus cried, “Hosanna” or “Joy to the Highest,” when He rode into Jerusalem.

L.    There was great joy at Pentecost.

M.   Paul and Silas rejoiced and sang praises at midnight in the Philippian jail.

N.    On and on the story goes. The Scriptures are filled with incidents that brought joy to multitudes.

2.    JOY IN SALVATION.

A.    When Philip brought revival to the city of Samaria, many turned to Christ, and we read, “And there was great joy in that city” Acts 8:8.

B.    In the story of the prodigal son, we clearly see the joy of salvation. Notice:

1.    The father’s joy. “His father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him” Luke 15:20. This pictures God, “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” 2 Peter 3:9. The Lord rejoices when sinners come home.

2.    Notice, too, that the neighbours and friends rejoiced. He called them to come and rejoice with him.

3.    Thirdly, see the angels of Heaven rejoicing. They get excited in Heaven over one repentant sinner. “joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance” Luke 15:7.

Then, notice the sinner’s joy. What a relief and blessing to get the load of sin off your back! This poor, sinful boy came back fully expecting to be a bond servant but ended up as a son again.

3.    JOY IN SOUL WINNING.

Angels rejoice more over people being saved than anything else. Surely, we ought to agree with them in this matter. “Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy” Psalm 126:5. We must sow the seed of the word of God into the lives of those around us.

“He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him” Psalm 126:6. There was great joy, when the lost coin was found and when the lost sheep returned, but more so when the lost son came home

CONCLUSION:

The Lord always wants us to have joy in our heart and life. The result of dedicated obedience is a filling of the Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit, JOY.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY.

“Jesus said, “Ask and you will receive, so that your joy will be the fullest joy” John 16:24. Someone said “Joy is not the absence of trouble but the presence of Christ.” We often get the wrong impression that our joy depends on our circumstances. When good things happen to us, we smile and have an outward appearance of joy. But real joy is something that even troubles and tears cannot take away our joy in the Lord.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY.

“LORD, You have made me happy by what You have done; I will sing for joy about what Your hands have done.” Psalm 92:4. When a baby sees his/her parents they smile, for their source of joy is the one they love and the one who loves them in return. Joy comes in getting to know God better, up close and personal. He wants to be the source of your joy and delight. So spend time with Him daily.

GETTING EXCITED IN GOD.

GETTING EXCITED IN GOD.

“I was glad when they said to me; let us go into the house of the Lord” Psalm 122:1.

The word “excitement” means: “to be stirred or thrilled, the state of being emotionally worked up, the feeling of active and cheerful joy.”
Some would say they have excitement at times, BUT it all depends on what they are doing, what they are ‘into’ at the moment. ARE YOU INTO GOD AT THIS TIME?

Many get excited at football matches or other sporting events. Some will be thrilled at getting a new outfit, or a good meal out. Everybody gets excited with their gifts at Christmas or a good holiday. BUT, I believe it is time we got excited over the things that will last for all eternity. The things of God.
We fight for front seats at a concert or sporting event. Because we want to part of the action. How about church? Or is it how far away we can sit from the front of the church (the action spot) the better we feel? It is by time seat takers become partakers!
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with your entire mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment” Mark 12:30.

1. JESUS CAUSED EXCITEMENT TO HAPPEN.

A. His birth. Luke 2:14-16 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.”

B. His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Mark 11:9 “Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna!’Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!'”

C. Everywhere Jesus went. The excitement was catching. When the Spirit of God indwells you, it will transform you from a lukewarm log, to a fiery burning Christian.

2. PEOPLE GOT EXCITED ABOUT JESUS.

A. The woman at the well. John 4:28-29 “The woman then left her water pot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?”

B. The blind man in John 9:17 “They said to the blind man again, “What do you say about Him because He opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.”

C. The lame man at the gate in Acts 3 (He asked for alms and got legs!). Acts 3:8-9 “So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them--walking, leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God.”

I think it is time we joined in with those that are getting excited in Jesus.

CONCLUSION:

If excitement means “In God,” then we should consider: Mark 10:27 “But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” “Attempt great things for God, expect great things from God” God’s vision for this place goes beyond anything we have imagined / experienced in the past / or thought possible!