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Living with Jesus ZV7L0238

Study 16: Joy

Meaning:

Joy is a spiritual force. It is one of the spiritual fruits that come with the activity of the Holy Spirit. (See Galatians 5:22-23.)

There are two kinds of good feelings: one is joy the other is happiness.
“Yes, the gladness you have given me is far greater than their joys at harvest time as they gaze at their bountiful crops.” Psalm 4:7.

Joy

  1. Deep excitement from knowing and trusting God. Isaiah 61:10.
  2. Steady while we trust God. 1 Peter 1:8.
  3. Defeats discouragement. Psalm 126:2; John 16:24.

Happiness

  • Response dependent on pleasant circumstances.
  • Covers joy up.
  • Temporary.

Why we walk in joy:

  • Because we are children of God. Psalm 105:42-43;
  • So others will know that Jesus is alive and real today. 2 Corinthians 9:12-15;
  • To show that Jesus can carry us through all circumstances. Philippians 1:4;
  • As this gives us supernatural strength Colossians 1:10-14; Nehemiah 8:10.
  • As this encourages us to give cheerfully. Philippians 4:10-19; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15.

How can we walk in joy?

God’s will for our lives is joy in ALL circumstances: “Always be full of joy in the Lord; I say it again, rejoice!” Philippians 4:4.

“Live within My love… I have told you this so that you will be filled with My joy. Yes your cup of joy will overflow.” John 15:9-11.

Joy comes from walking in the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13; Proverbs 15:13.

Joy comes from being consistent in our relationship with Jesus Christ, who is the source of all joy. Hebrews 12:2; Isaiah 53:4; John 15:11.

Joy comes when we constantly remind ourselves of His amazing love for us – as proved at the Cross. Isaiah 12:3; Ephesians 3:14-21; 1 Peter 1:8; Acts 5:40-42.

Joy comes when we obey the command to “rejoice in all circumstances”. It is irrelevant of our feelings which will change as we thank God and worship Him for our salvation and the joy that comes with it. Hebrews 13:17; 1Thessalonians 5:16-18; John 16.

Joy comes by faith, just like love, when we act in obedience. The feelings follow. Habakkuk 3:17-19.  

Joy comes even if our circumstances are exceptionally difficult. For example, Paul was in chains in prison when he wrote to the Philippians. Philippians 1:12-14; 1 Peter 4:12-13.

Joy comes by entering into celebrations that honour God and not ourselves, strengthening us with His joy. (For example, look at the Philippian jailer in Acts 16:34 and compare Acts 8:5-8; Psalm 126:2; Psalm 27:6.)

Joy comes by having the mind of Christ. Philippians 2:1-5.

Joy comes by speaking God’s word with our mouth, in faith, knowing that God is working in every circumstance for our good. Proverbs 15:23; Jeremiah 15:16.

Jesus is the fantastic example of the power of joy.

“Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:3.

He could walk in such joy because He had a heart overflowing with love for all people and NO selfish ambition. John 17:13.

In every circumstance He knew that it would work for His good (Romans 8:28) so He used joy as a powerful spiritual force to see Him through in victory. Psalm 16:11; Psalm 126:5; Isaiah 35:10; Hebrews 12:2. 

Instant beauty treatment

Proverbs 15:13. A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 15:30. A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.
Proverbs 16:30-31. He who winks with his eye is plotting perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil. Grey hair is a crown of splendour; it is attained by a righteous life.
Proverbs 17:22. A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

“Without having seen Him, you love Him; though you do not (even) now see Him, you believe in Him and exult and thrill with inexpressible and glorious (triumphant, heavenly) joy.” 1 Peter 2:8 AMP.

Joy is promised to all believers, so claim these promises. Nehemiah 8:10; Psalm 16:11; Psalm 132:16; Isaiah 35:10; Romans 14:17; John 15:11; John 17:13.

 

 

 

 

16: Living with Jesus – Challenge Questions

1.  What caused you to ‘think’ from the previous lesson?

 

 

Read the notes about joy

2.  What is the most important reason to you why you should have joy?

 

3.  Look up all the Bible references from the notes. Is there a situation in your life where you need to walk in joy in order for you to have strength to win over the circumstances?

 

 

4.  From the story of Hannah (1 Samuel 1:1-2:11) and the story of Mary (Luke 1:29-56) explain how their joy released their faith to see that the situation was going to turn out well, even before it did?

 

 

5.  Choose one of the following verses to meditate on. This means constantly thinking about every part of it and asking the Holy Spirit to make it real to you. Nehemiah 8:10; John 15:11; James 1:2; Philippians 4:4-5:

 

 

6.  What did you enjoy most from the whole course of Living with Jesus?

 

 

 

7.  From all the lessons that you have done which have you found most challenging?

 

 

8.  Which lesson have you taken into your spirit and are really living by? Explain the change.

 

 

9.  Do you have a testimony of something God has done for you during this study series?

 

 

Answer the following question with True or False. If you have a scripture from the study please add this.