God's View:
l Pet. 4:12-13
; Heb. 12:2-4
; 12:2
-God wants us to rejoice
even in times of trial. We are not to be unstable, but stable
regardless. Jesus was tempted as we are today and He went through
sickness, oppression, depression and persecution but His character
and disposition never changed. The source of His strength was
joy that He saw beyond the cross. Joy gave Jesus the strength
to overcome and not serve the enemy. We are to look unto Jesus
Who overcame by the fruit of joy.
Hope:
Neh. 8:10
; Jm. 1:2-4
; Ps. 23:1
; 2 Pet. 1:3
; Isa. 12:3
; Prov. 15:23
-The
source of endurance is joy, as we endure we will be complete,
entire and wanting nothing. This is due to my faith being completely
focused on God Who is all things and provides for all things:safety,
soundness, deliverance, preservation and health. Joy is our access
to the benefits of our salvation. God inhabits our praises and
in His presence is the presence of joy. Joy is not based on feelings
or circumstances, it is bestowed by God and resides in our spirit
( Ps. 105:43
).
Rom. 10:17 ; Jn. 1:12 ; 15:10-11; 1 Jn. 1:14 ; Ps. 19:8 ; Jere. 15:16 ; Phil. 1:25 -We cultivate the fruit of joy in our lives by developing our faith, that is, joy, faith and the word are all closely related. We can regain our lost joy by increasing the amount of quality time we spend in the word developing our faith. When times of tribulation come, we would view them through the eyes of faith. Happiness is dependent upon circumstances, but joy is independent of all circumstances and situations.
1 Pet. 1:8 -Before we can experience joy, we must first believe and see, not seeing first then believing. We must saturate the seed of joy in our spirit with the word of God and as faith takes root joy will rise to the surface.
Change:
Phil. 2:17
; 1 Thess. 2:19-20
; Job 42:10
; Ps. 126:6
; Prov. 12:20
;
Jn. 3:27-31
-Believers can cultivate the fruit of joy by giving
of themselves to others. Selfishness chokes out joy. During times
of trials, we should reach out and minister to others. This will
turn self-pity into joy. It is only as we lose our lives that
we will possess joy. Dying to self interest and gains decreases
affection for temporal advantages and puts emphasis on eternal
values.
Ps. 16:11 ; Jn. 16:20-22 ; Ps. 48:1 , 2 -We can cultivate the fruit of joy by seeking God's Presence. Joy of the whole earth is Mount Zion, a symbol of God's presence. The more diligent we seek His presence, the greater is the joy.
Isa. 59:2
; Jm. 4:8
; 1 Jn. 1:9
; Jere. 29:10-14
; Ps. 34:8
; Gal.
6:7-The first way to seek God's presence is simply by an act of
the will, washing our hands, confessing our sins, asking forgiveness,
repenting, and appropriating the blood of Jesus. Our whole attention
must be on God. not just to ease our conscience or to feel good
but because it pleases God and gives glory to Him. All of this
begins at home with the spouse, children, family members, parents,
etc. Then relate to your neighbors manifesting God's spirit in
your spirit.