| Joy by Carol Kenreigh |
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JOY I
thought I had a pretty good understanding of joy before going into this
study. I am a pretty joyful person, happy, content even for the most part.
But there is more to JOY than what is on the surface. God brought me
deeper. The
difference between JOY & Happiness: God gives us joy from within,
happiness is based on external conditions. There
are many Hebrew & Greek words translated JOY in our Bibles. One is
samach. Hebrew:
samach, saw-makh' rejoice:
a primitive root; probably to brighten up, i.e. (figuratively) be
(causatively, make) blithe or gleesome De 12:7 And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and
ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your
households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee. Whatsoever
you put your hand unto, do it heartily as unto the Lord. AND REJOICE!! De
26:11 And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the LORD thy God
hath given unto thee, and unto thine house. This
does NOT say you shall be depressed, oppressed, burdened or sad because of
every bad thing the devil does. There
are times when we are under a trial, under an oppressive attack of the
enemy and that constant pressure is no fun, it is burdensome and hard.
Even King David had extreme times like these and no one is immune to them.
Even though the situation is not pleasant, we can still joy & rejoice
in GOD, because we TRUST in Him. If you do not have confidence that God will see you through
then it will suck you down into a pit of depression, doubt & unbelief.
Next time you find yourself in a place like this, keep in mind some of
these tips. 1
Chron 16: 10 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart [widely
used of feelings, the will & intellect] of them rejoice that seek
the LORD.11 Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face
continually.12 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done,
his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; 13 O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his
chosen ones.14 He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the
earth.15 Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he
commanded to a thousand generations; GLORY
IN HIS HOLY NAME, & LET YOUR FEELINGS REJOICE. LET THEM REJOICE THAT
SEEK THE LORD. SEEK THE LORD & HIS STRENGTH. SEEK THE LORD, SEEK HIS
FACE CONTINUALLY, REMEMBER HIS WORKS, BE MINDFUL OF HIS PROMISE, THE WORD.
When under pressure that threatens to steal your joy, let your feelings
rejoice. I know we often do not FEEL LIKE rejoicing when we are under
pressure and under attack, or dealing with blows that come along at us in
our daily life…the cat barks, the dog runs away, the kids make messes
and the bills need paid Allow yourself to feel His joy ANYWAY. How? Glory
in His holy name & seek Him, seek His strength. WE receive joy IN HIS
PRESENCE. You know how when you are ina
deep dark pit, self pity comes along, adds to the darkness,
depression sets in, adds to it, shame comes, guilt, and on and on until we
no longer desire company of believers, help from our elephants, or even
feel worthy to sit in God’s presence anymore. Break this cycle once and
for all. When under pressure, be deliberate to seek Him even more. Ps 16: 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. James 1: 2 ¶ My brethren, count
it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the
trying of your faith worketh patience A
willing heart goes a long way. This scripture is about how the people
brought gifts to build the temple. 1 Chron 29:9 Then the people rejoiced,
for that they offered willingly, because with perfect [complete,
friendly] heart they offered willingly [presented
spontaneously] to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced
with great joy. WHAT ELSE DO WE JOY & REJOICE IN? 2
Chron 6:41 rejoice in
goodness. Ps
9:2 Be glad & Rejoice in YAHWEH Ps
9:14 I
[my heart Ps 13:5]
will rejoice in thy salvation. Ps
16: 11 in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there
are pleasures for evermore. Ps
19: 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: Ps
31:7 Be glad & rejoice in thy mercy bc you considered my
trouble, known my soul in adversities Ps
31:7 Be glad in the LORD & rejoice, shout for joy Ps
21:1 1 ¶
The king shall joy in thy strength, O LORD; and in thy salvation
how greatly shall he rejoice! Ps
33:21 Rejoice in Him, bc
we have trusted in his holy name Ps
40:16 Let
all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy
salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified. (WHEN
YAHWEH IS MAGNIFIED, you & your problems are MINIMIZED) Ps
63:7Rejoice b/c He is your help Ps
5: 11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let
them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also
that love thy name be joyful in thee. 12 For thou, LORD, wilt bless
the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.
{compass: Heb. crown} Ps
71:23 Greatly rejoice when I sing unto you Ps
89:16 Rejoice In thy name Ps
90:14 Rejoice & be glad in your mercy Ps
97:12 Rejoice in YAHWEH Ps
98:4 Joyful noise unto YAHWEH, rejoice & sing praise Ps
106:5 Rejoice in the gladness of others Ps
118:24 Rejoice & be glad in the day God made Ps
119:162 Rejoice at His Word as one that has found great treasures. Ps
149:2 Rejoice in the Creator God & rejoice in your King Prov
12:20 There is Joy in hearts of counselors of peace Prov
21:15 It is joy to the just to do justice Pr
23:24 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that
begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. Pr
27:9 ¶ Ointment and perfume [FROM ESSENTIAL OILS & NATURAL PLANTS NOT
SYNTHETIC CHEMICALS] rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's
friend by hearty counsel. Ecc
3:22 Rejoice in your works Ecc
5:19 Rejoice in your labour Ecc
9:7 Eat with joy Isa
29:19 The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor
among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel Isa
61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty
for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the
spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the
planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. Isa
61:10 ¶ I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be
joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation,
he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh
himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. Jer
15:16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was
unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name,
O LORD God of hosts Lu
10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject
unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. Joh
15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in
you, and that your joy might be full. Ac
13:52 And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost. Romans
5:2 rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Ro
5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus
Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. Ro
12:12 Rejoicing in hope; Ro
12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, Romans
14:17 righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Ro
15:13 ¶ Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in
believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the
Holy Ghost. Ga
5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy Phil
1:25 joy of faith; THERE
IS JOY WHEN WE ARE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND WALK IN THE
MANIFESTATIONS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, IN THE RESURRECTION POWER OF JESUS
CHRIST, BRINGING DELIVERANCE TO PEOPLE THROUGH CHRIST. Php
3:3 rejoice in Christ Jesus Phil
4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always 1Th
1:6 ¶ And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the
word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: 1Th
2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye
in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 1Th
2:20 For ye are our glory and joy. 1Th
3:9 For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy
wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; 1Th
5:16 ¶ Rejoice evermore. James
1:2 ¶ My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience 1Pe
1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet
believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory 1Jo
1:4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. Re
19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage
of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. De
16:11 And thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, thou, and thy
son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the
Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and
the widow, that are among you, in the place which the LORD thy God hath
chosen to place his name there. Your
whole family shall rejoice in front of YAHWEH in the place He chose to put
His name. Where
has God chosen to place his name in our day and time?
Is it not God, in Christ in you? Are we not Temples of the holy
spirit? Are we not one now as God and Jesus are one? Is His name written
on our hearts? Is this why we are instructed to Rejoice in the Lord
always? Php
4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Ps
30:5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping
may endure for a night, but joy SINGING cometh in the morning.
Here
is one of the first examples of JOY in the OT that boggled my mind. 1 Sam 2: 1 ¶ And Hannah prayed,
and said, My heart rejoiceth [JUMPS FOR JOY] in the LORD, mine horn is
exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I
rejoice [BRIGHTENED UP] in thy salvation. 2 There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside
thee: neither is there any rock like our God. Hannah
prayed this prayer of rejoicing. OMG How? She was about to leave her only
son, a son she had after not being able to conceive, a son she asked of
God, she was about to leave this son
to the prophet when there was MUCH AMISS at the Temple. There was a
lot of perverted stuff going on there. Hannah
was a woman of integrity for she prayed to God for a male child and said
she would lend him to God if He would grant her request.She did it with
rejoicing. I beleive she was able to do it because in these next verses
was her prayer and
confession. She had a different perspective about it. She did not think
...I gave away my son, I dont have a son what am I gonna do, boo hoo...She
knew God would turn things around for her. 1 Sam 2:5 They that were full have hired out themselves for
bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born
seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble. She
ended up having three more sons and two daughters. I
was sad and feeling left behind when 6 of my friends moved in 3 months and
I learned another couple would soon move too. God showed me I WAS NOT LEFT
BEHIND, I WAS STAYING PUT. THIS IS A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE THAT TOOK THE
STING OUT. I CANNOT REJOICE THAT MY FRIENDS ARE MOVING. BUT
I CAN REJOICE IN THE lORD AND IN HIS MIGHTY WORKS. HE IS FAITHFUL. Feeling
depressed and succumbing to sad, depressing thoughts is the exact opposite
of being brightened up and rejoicing in salvation. Just so you don't get
discouraged, there is more to depression besides renewing your mind. There
are REAL physical reasons we get depressed. Exposure to environmental
toxins, lack of fresh air and sunshine, artificial food additives, food
allergies, thyroid imbalances, and B -complex and D vitamin deficiencies,
CAUSE depression. It also causes a weakened immune system. So if you still
struggle with overwhelming feelings of sadness, you are doing all you can
to cast out those depressive thoughts, look at your food and nutritional
intake, and how much exercise do you get, ARE YOU EXPOSED TO PESTICIDES
AND TOXIC CHEMICALS EVERYDAY? Get a good sublingual form of B vitamins and
a good D 3 supplement. Get some fresh air & sunshine. Cod liver oil is
high in natural D & A. D3 was shown to be more effective than anti
anxiety drugs to combat depression. Psalm 43:1 ¶ Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an
ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man. {ungodly:
or, unmerciful} {the deceitful...: Heb. a man of deceit and iniquity} 2
For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I
mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?3 O send out thy light and
thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to
thy tabernacles.4 Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my
exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God. {my
exceeding...: Heb. the gladness of my joy}5 Why art thou cast down, O my
soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet
praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. (KJV) Rejoice
in the Lord always, again I say rejoice. In
case you missed it the first time, it is repeated. Rejoice
is EMPHASIZED. What do we have to be so full of joy about? The
Word Jesus
is the Word made flesh. We have holy spirit now and can do his works with
power! It
is true, He is faithful. WHY
do we need JOY? The JOY of the LORD is our STRENGTH. If you have little joy,
you have little strength, as anyone who has battles depression and
oppression for any length of time can attest. If you faint in the day of
adversity your strength is small. The joy gets you through the tough parts. Jesus
endured the cross for the joy that was set before him. HEBREWS
12:1-4 1 ¶ Wherefore seeing we also are
compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside
[PUT AWAY, LAY DOWN, SET
ASIDE]every weight [MASS, BURDEN] , and the sin which doth so easily
beset us, [(a competitor) thwarting (a racer) in every direction
(figuratively, of sin] and let us run with patience the race that is
set before us, HOW
FAR AND FAST CAN WE RUN HOLDING ONTO A HEAVY LOAD OF BURDENS?
HOW FAR & FAST CAN WE RUN BOGGED DOWN WITH WILLFUL SIN? HOW
JOYFUL CAN WE BE? IT’S HARD ENOUGH TO RUN A RACE BUT WHEN WE ARE
THWARTED BY THE COMPETITION IN EVERY DIRECTION AND BOGGED DOWN WITH A BACK
PACK OF WORRIES, IT’S EVEN HARDER. IT’S NO FUN EVEN. INSTEAD
LETS RUN THE RACE WITH PATIENCE. THAT WORD PATIENCE MEANS:
cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy: We
cannot run with cheerful endurance if we are burdened and thwarted by sin.
2Co 10:5
Cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself
against the knowledge of God and bringing into every thought to the
obedience of Christ. Hebrews 12: 2 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners
against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds 4 ¶ Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against
sin.
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