THE JOY OF THE LORD !

We sing songs on the Joy of the Lord in church we may hear it being read in  scripture at church, the question is do you really know what it really entails! I am not saying I am an expert, but I can only speak on my own revelation working in my life! In the book of John 15: 11, Jesus said I have spoken these things to you that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, `` That you love one another , as I have loved you.``

When Jesus left to go back to the Father, He did not leave us alone! His love, His Joy, remains in us! Joy can come and go in and out of our lives for so many reasons. It`s when we remain in His Love and Joy, linked to His words, Joy, will not depart! Stop and think about that, that is really saying there are going to be so many opportunities for joy to escape when we drift from His Presence! The Joy of the Lord is your Strength  and stronghold ! Nehemiah 8:10.

If you go and read that full chapter of John 15, it`s talking about remaining in Him, His Love, His Presence, that`s where our real ``Joy`` is in life! If there is no Joy there is no strength, which leads to weakness! In His presence is fullness of Joy, so there will be no burdens for you to carry, why, because Jesus said cast all your care on Him! In His presence of Joy there will not be discouragement !

We are to enter His presence with Joy, with singing, thanksgiving, praise and so much more! We are  to exchange our strength for His strength. It takes a full tank of Joy to fight the good fight of faith, and if its only half full you can only get so far. Its important to remain in Him, keeping His words in your heart. If His words are gone from our heart the Joy is gone, and you become weak and defeated!

Joy to Faith is like dynamite! The fuse to your faith is Joy! We should always have expectation behind our confessions of faith, not a question mark! All of us have to protect our Joy, hold on to it, let no one take it from you. The bible refers to little foxes in the book of Song of Songs 2:15- Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom. I look at that as its going to be the little things that can steal your Joy, not the big things.

 The word comes into our heart, and immediately something can come your way to take that Joy! We can`t be tested joyfully if you don`t know something, but when you know what the word says then you are equipped! James 1:2- Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren , whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.Test equals Joy, we are to count it Joy, why, because we have His Joy remaining in us. When we count it Joy, Faith will follow ! If you don`t have any Joy, then you have no Faith to exercise, protect your Joy at all cost! Think about times you let discouragement take over and you lost your Joy, then you lost your faith! It`s then you had  nothing to stand with. Don`t feel condemnation we have all been there, but there is a better way when we remain in His Joy, His  Love! I am so thankful that Jesus made a way for us, so thankful!

  Habakkuk 3:17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and fields produce no food,  though there are no sheep in the pen and cattle in the stalls, YET I WILL REJOICE IN THE LORD, I WILL BE JOYFUL IN GOD MY SAVIOR.

This was a man that nothing was working for him in the natural. He is obviously a man of Faith the way he is talking! Joy has a voice, and he is making it know with his confession of faith! The voice of Joy will not pull your armor off in times of trouble, so rejoice, don`t quit, continue to praise in times when things don`t appear to be going the way you think it`s to be. The sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,he enables me to go on the heights. Always remember how much he loves you, and THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH! His amazing grace will carry you to new heights in Him!