How is the expression of joy connected to our souls? What impact does it have? The journey to discover joy is not an easy one, but well worth it.
Episode Notes:
Christian Hedonism - God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in him
Desiring God by John Piper - https://www.desiringgod.org/books/desiring-god
Joy - The natural reaction to the work of God
https://www.gotquestions.org/fruit-Holy-Spirit-joy.html
Joy and happiness: Both involve emotions, both are pleasurable feelings, and both are mentioned in Scripture in passages that equate the two.
Jeremiah 31:13 (NIV) | "Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow."
The entire book of Ecclesiastes is an experimental pursuit of joy in worldly things.
The TL;DR is that eternal joy can be discovered in knowing and being satisfied in God.
When Christ was under the immense suffering of the cross, did he have Joy?
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV) | "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Joy is found in the simple disciplines in our relationship with God: Daily prayer & reading Scripture
Music - LEX by Peter Spacey
