THE SPIRIT OF JOY - PART 2

THE SPIRIT OF JOY - PART 2

Joy is more than a feeling. It is infact the will of God for every of  his created work. This is why in the scriptures we are admonished to at all times put on this garment of joy (Phil 4:4). Proverbs 17:22 talks about the opposite of joy which is a broken spirit and what it will do to the heart of someone who possesses it. We must understand that a  heavy heart is not the Father's intent for us. When we are sorrowful, it is the devil at work in our lives. He is the one who give man reasons to go moody, reasons not to see the good in situations that may surround us. He causes man to withdraw from the very happy state which is God's plan for him. 

The Bible makes us understand the three fold ministry of the devil in John 10:10 "the thief cometh not but to steal, to kill and to destroy". Nothing in these operations of the devil brings Joy to man. He has come to place man in bondage and in captivity; hence it is he that causes a broken spirit in man. But according to the latter verse, the joy of the Lord overpowers this. We are made to understand in Proverbs 17paraphrased "when we possess this merry heart so given unto us of God, it guarantees us life". 

From KJV translation, we see it doeth good like a medicine. A medicine is meant to restore health when one is sick and in turn life unto our dead flesh. This is what happens when we are joyful. We come alive.

Why then do we need the Spirit of Joy?

✓No vision prospers in the absence of Joy: For every vision a man  has, He gets it from a source which is God himself. He made all purposes in the heart of a man. He is the great revealer of truths and secrets. Hence, to receive from the Father, you have to be in communion with Him. The Father who works in the atmosphere filled with joy can only relate with us at that same level. Joy translates into Joy. If you are burdened in heart, there is no room in you to even bear whatever plans He has for you and as such you are deprived of the blessings attached to that vision(Matthew 11:28-30).

✓Nothing works in the absence of Joy:

You cannot be sorrowful in heart and expect  things around to work for you. Why is this so? A sad person cannot see good in anything and if he cannot, then he can't expect to receive anything good. Because how do you expect to receive when you have not first seen. Until you have been able to visualize these things with the eyes of your mind, it can't come to being. One vital tool that makes for success is to have the Spirit of Joy in you. Joel 1:12 "The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men". 

In the  scripture above, nothing was working for these people; those that previously used to work and those things that were expected to work; they all failed. Why? Joy was withered away from the son of men. Joy is very important. Habakkuk 3:17-18

"Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation".

✓Joy is a fruit of the Spirit: This is another very vital essence of Joy. It is a proof of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. You see a believer who is not joyful, always moody and sad; such a person is not showing these fruits. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Joy and according to the scriptures, he gives to any man that will ask of Him. (Matthew 7:7). Even in the saddest situations, you still have this Joy in the Holy Ghost, reminding you of His word and helping you to keep on pushing. It is never you alone. It is you together with the Holy Spirit and sure your victory is accomplishable.

✓In the absence of Joy, God cannot speak to us: The Bible makes us understand that God is omnipotent meaning he has power to do all things. But you ever wonder why in certain situations, it may seem like He is not there. Do you ever wonder why it looks like you have been able to hear God speak to you but recently it's been difficult to approach Him. Then, have you stopped to also check is there something you were doing before or possessed but isn't there any more. Isaiah 12:3 tells us that "with joy shall we draw water out of the well of salvation". One of the benefits we enjoy when we are saved, is this constant communication with the Father and we see in that book of Isaiah that this is breached. He can never speak to us without joy. Let us take a look at the story of Job in the Bible. It wasn't that God didn't know that he was challenged but sorrow in him made God far from him. Not until he realized and then his understanding changed; he began to bless God and also prayed for his friends, then God restored back unto him all He had lost (Job 42).

A happy countenance invites God but a sorrowful one chases away His presence. Instead of seeing the things that are not working, why not see those that have worked and just see how God has helped you thus far, it will help you be full of appreciation unto Him and also foster Joy in Him.

TO BE CONTINUED

THE MEN THAT LEAD

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