Joy.....

In my Bible Study this week we are studying "joy" (one of the fruits of the Spirit) and in some additional reading and research here is some further information I wanted to share with you.

When we think of joy, we often think of things that are new - a new day, a new baby, a new love, a new beginning, the promise of a new home with God in heaven.

Rejoicing in these things originates with having joy in the God who makes all the things new. Rather than relying on earthly pleasures to provide happiness, the Scriptures command that we rejoice in God and in each new day He brings.

Joy is a celebration of the heart that goes beyond circumstances to the very foundation of joy - the knowledge that we are loved by God.

When we experience true joy, we will naturally express it. As God pours joy into our lives, we can bring it back to Him.

It seems whatever brings us the greatest joy also brings sorrow. Every mother knows that. We would not feel such sorrow if we did not have such great love for our children.

We can maintain our joy when we remember how faithful and unchanging God is. Focusing on Him brings renewed joy.

There is great joy when lost things are found - lost lambs, lost coins, but especially lost people. Sometimes we lose our joy like the older brother in the story of the prodigal son. The good news is that we can turn to God and find it again.

Joy is the inner celebration that nothing on the outside can change the fact that God loves me.

How wonderful that God wants us to go beyond the pursuit of happiness to experience joy. We can be joyful even when we're unhappy.

We all want to be happy, but joy goes much deeper. Joy is not based on circumstances or feelings, which change like the weather. True joy comes from a celebration of the heart over the things that do not change-things that come from the Lord.

We miss so much joy just because we don't open ourselves up to all there is to enjoy. We can choose to embrace all the joy that today has to bring.

Pressures in our lives can crowd out joy. Let's remember to pray and ask God to help us discover renewed joy.

Your joy comes from what you give, now from what you accumulate.

Psalm 16:11 "In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."