Joy is different than happiness. It’s not circumstantial. Joy in the Biblical context, is not an emotion. Joy is an attitude of the heart. It is not necessarily based on something positive happening. Joy is something that lasts; happiness is something that is temporary. When happiness fades away, joy remains. Joy is something God deposits into us through the Holy Spirit.
Main Points:
1. Have you ever thought….I’ll be happy when _______________. I’ll be happy when I get married. Happy when I have a child. Happy when I own my own home. Happy when I retire. Happiness is elusive. It’s always at a distance and out of our reach.
2. Joy is given by God. It is a gift. A benefit of our salvation. A fruit of the Holy Spirit. Evidence that the Holy Spirit is in your life. The devil can’t take it away from you. People can’t take it away from you. You have to relinquish it. You can choose to live in the joy of the Lord at any moment, no matter what your circumstances.
3. How is this joy possible? If it sounds impossible, it may be that you’ve never truly experienced joy. How is it possible? Only through Jesus.
Today’s Scripture Verses:
2 Timothy 4:7-8 - “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."
Nehemiah 8:10 - “the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
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