Fruits of the Spirit: Joy

Wow...Its been way to long since my last post. I have wanted to post something ever day for the last few days but just haven't had the time to do so. So back to the fruits of the spirit.

Chara – joy

Definition – Delight in God and his salvation for sheer beauty and worth of who he is.

Opposite – Hopelessness, despair.

Counterfeit – Elation that comes with blessings not the Blesser! Mood swings based on circumstances.

Today I will be talking about Joy. If you asked me what Joy was seven months ago I could have told you without any hesitation a couple dozen things that brought me joy.  If you asked me a few weeks ago what I found joy in, i would probably tell you nothing and that I would never find joy again. Well, obviously that's crazy of me to say and to think but that's what happens when you put happiness and joy in earthly things and not in Christ.

Psalms 5:11-12 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield.

Se joy, is the delight in God and his beauty, love, and salvation for us. Joy is to delight in Gods character. Joy is finding that no matter what you do, say, or think, Christ will always fill you up. He will always bring you peace, love, and happiness. Maybe not happiness through earthly things but through himself.

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

I see all of this and think to my self, how could I not have joy in the Lord? How could I ever not be satisfied with the love of the Lord and be happy and joyful in Him for what he has given to a very undeserving, unworthy, selfish man like me.

Psalm 13:5 
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.

Times are hard. It hard to find joy right now. But that's me looking at things through what the world tells me to see. As hard as this time in my life has been, I have never found more joy in Christ than I have in the last few weeks. I have never looked for Christ more and he has never given me so much joy in my life. I take joy in his perfect loving plane. I find joy being in the Word, I find joy praying, I find joy in loving others, I find joy sharing the good news with others. I find joy in giving up all I have to Christ. See as always, the world will never live up to Christ. We will never be satisfied with it. We may find joy in it for a time but eventually it will go away. Christ is joy, and He will never go away.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

So I ask you, what do you find joy in? Is the joy you think you are getting out of that more important than Christ? Do you find joy in Christ and in your relationship with Him? My friends the Lord is the true joy of our hearts. Joy is only found though Christ. Knowing that I urge you to take joy in Him. I urge you to share that joy with others.

I love this part of the song All the poor and powerless by All Sons & Daughters. we have joy now do this...

Shout it
Go on scream it from the mountains
Go on and tell it to the masses
That He is God
We will sing out
Hallelujah
And we will cry out
Hallelujah

You are in my prayers daily my friends. Let me stay in yours, I need them. Pray that I continue to seek Christ above all other things. Pray that I am a light to those around me. Pray that I continue to become a man of God. Be joyful my friends because you are Loved!