Joy

Joy

By Joel B.

3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

Does anybody remember the “I’ve Got the Joy” song we used to sing as kids in Sunday school. It spoke of the joy we could have in our hearts with Jesus. This rings very true today as we all need the joy and love of Jesus in our heart to stay. So lets explore some facets of joy a little further. We will just touch on it briefly because there are just so many verses on joy in the Holy Bible to explore.

We are told in Neh 8:10 that the joy of the Lord brings strength. This was especially important to Nehemiah as he was rebuilding the walls. He most certainly needed strength for the task at hand. As Christians, we often have difficult tasks at hands because we live in a harsh world. Even witnessing to others can take a toll on a person. Whether they are a missionary in a third world county with famine or great hostility, or someone living in the United States trying to preach the gospel to their unwilling friends. Having joy in our heart can help break through some of the barriers and open doorways to spreading God’s joy to others.

Sometimes joy can be related to a positive experience. Matt 2:10 tells us that the three wise men rejoiced and had great joy when they saw the star that would lead them to the Messiah. In Luke 1:44, even a baby in his mother’s womb named John the Baptist, leaped for joy over the Messiah to come.

Not only do humans experience joy, but angels experience joy as well. We know from Luke 15:10 that angels experience joy for each and every sinner that repents. Wow, that’s some statement. I mean, picture this. The moment you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you impacted the lives of many angels. Some of the angels were probably assigned to your life and you didn’t even realize it. One day you will get to meet them in heaven and you can ask them about it, or maybe they will just tell you.

In Gal 5:22-23, joy is included as one of the fruits of the Spirit and we are told that there are no law against such things. And why should there be? Joy is a wonderful thing that should be experienced, and is amplified when one has a Christ-centered lifestyle. Even James 1:2-4 tells us we can find joy when faced with trials because it works patience within us and makes us complete.

So, in closing I would just like to encourage you to find the joy of Jesus down in your heart. If you don’t know Jesus, then check out “The Romans Road to Salvation” on our homepage. This will help guide you on what having Jesus in your life is about and provides a sample prayer if you’re not sure what to prayer to ask Jesus into your heart. May you all experience the joy of Jesus in your hearts. God bless.