JOY

IF YOURE NOT EXPERIENCING JOY, YOU ARE NOT EXPERIENCING PART OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD ! ! !

Rom 14:17 (KJV)

17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, AND JOY in the Holy Ghost.

Joyce Meyer defined Joy as calm delight .. OK, Ill take that, but thats not the ONLY definition in the Bible . . . Joy was also defined as:

a) mirth, gladness, joy, gaiety, pleasure

b) the joy (of God)

c) a glad result, a happy issue

d) blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)

HOW DO I GET JOY?

The same as point #2 last week in the park - YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN in order to have joy :)

As David said:

Ps 51:12 (NIV)

12 Restore to me the JOY OF YOUR SALVATION and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

(Christians - REMEMBER what it was like when you first gave your heart to the Lord?) :)

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OK, IM A CHRISTIAN ALREADY - HOW DO I GET MY JOY BACK?

There are SEVERAL ways - you may need to do one of the following Bible ways:

#1). YOU MAY NEED TO REPENT OF SIN:

(Same scripture as before, only the emphasis is on RESTORE.)

Ps 51:12(NIV)

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

King David had sinned before God and his heart was convicting him .. its kind of HARD to experience the JOY of your salvation with the Holy Spirit convicting you of sin - REPENT, confess it to the LORD - he will ABUNDANTLY PARDON :)

#2). YOU MAY NEED MORE FELLOWSHIP (FACE TO FACE) WITH OTHER CHRISTIANS:

II Jn 1:12 (NIV)

12 I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you FACE TO FACE, SO THAT OUR JOY MAY BE COMPLETE.

#3). YOU MAY NEED TO ASK SOMETHING OF GOD:

John 16:23-24 (NIV)

23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. ASK and you will receive, and your JOY will be complete.

#4). YOU MAY NEED AN ANSWERED PRAYER:

Same scripture - different emphasis

John 16:23-24 (NIV)

23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and YOU WILL RECEIVE, and your JOY will be complete.

#5). YOU NEED TO READ (YOUR BIBLE):

I Jn 1:4(KJV)

4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

#6.) YOU NEED TO SPEND TIME IN HIS PRESENCE:

Ps 16:11 (KJV)

11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: IN THY PRESENCE IS FULNESS OF JOY; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

#7). YOU NEED TO BECOME A WORSHIPPER OF GOD:

Ps 27:4-6 (NIV)

4 One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.

5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.

6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I SACRIFICE WITH SHOUTS OF JOY; I will sing and make music to the LORD.

#8). YOU NEED TO BECOME AN INSTRUMENT OF OUTREACH:

Ps 126:5-6 (NIV)

5 Those who sow in tears WILL REAP WITH SONGS OF JOY.

6 He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return WITH SONGS OF JOY, carrying sheaves with him.