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The Joy of the Lord

Galatians 5:22

 

One of the fruits we are to bear as a Christian is joy. Let me remind you we do not bear fruit for ourselves. The fruit we bear is for others. Are you producing the fruit of joy?

 

Psalm 16:11 - In Thy presence is fullness of joy!

 

John 15:11 – These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

 

Are you feeling sad, defeated, discouraged, or disappointed? Think about the salvation of the Lord. Think about His goodness.

 

Paul says in Philippians 3:1, “Rejoice in the Lord.”

In the book of Philippians, 6 times joy is mentioned, 9 times rejoice is mentioned, 1 time rejoiced, 1 time rejoicing. Paul is in jail and he’s talking about rejoicing.

 

What would you and I be doing? Crying, Calling, Criticizing!

 

How do we practice the book of Philippians?

  1. Realize your problems are on the inside. Have you been blaming your unrest and worry on circumstances, other people, or the lack of certain things? Have you been explaining your worry away and blaming it on circumstances beyond your control? Then you will never have God’s peace and joy in your heart. The heart of every problem is a problem of the heart. Your first step toward joy as a Christian is to quit making excuses, quit blaming circumstances, people, and things on the outside, and start dealing with your own heart and mind on the inside.


When we do these things, we can say as Paul said, “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say Rejoice.” Philippians 4:4