UNDERSTANDING THE LIFESTYLE OF JOY

LIFESTYLE OF JOY

LESSON 10

THE NATURE OF JOY

Joy is one of the most delightful human emotions that lodges deep within the human heart, and is not necessarily related to one’s personal circumstances. Isa. 12:3.

1.      Joy is the celebration of God and His doings before manifestation. Deut. 12:7, Hab. 3:17-18.

2.      Joy is produced by the Holy Spirit in the heart of a true believer. Matt. 5:11-12, Gal. 5:22, Psa. 4:7, 16:11.

3.      Joy is the attitude for service that is acceptable to God. Col. 1:10-12, Deut. 28:47, 2Cor. 9:7.

4.      Joy is the practical demonstration of absolute faith and trust in God for all things. Psa. 16:8-11, Acts 2:46-47.

5.      Joy is not influenced by the abundance of harvest or increase, rather it is joy that produces the harvest in the heart of a believer. Joel 1:12, Psa. 67:5-6, 4:7.

6.      Joy is the free gift of God to those who walk by faith, and not by sight. Rom. 12:8, Heb. 1:9.

7.      Joy can be expressed in the midst of suffering because it is inert in the believer.      Heb. 12:2, Acts 5:41, Rom.5:3, Jas. 5:22.

LESSON 11

HOW TO EXPRESS YOUR JOY: Rom. 14:17

1.      Joy is expressed in a bright countenance and cheerfulness. Prov. 15:13, Matt. 6:16-18

2.      Joy is expressed in smiles and laughter. Gen 21:6, Job 5:22

3.      Joy is expressed in singing of praises. Isa. 12:2-3, Jas. 5:13, Isa. 35:2.

4.      Joy is expressed when we make sweet melodies in our hearts. Isa. 51:3, Eph. 5:19.

5.      Joy is demonstrated by our dancing. 2Sam. 6:16-22

6.      Joy is expressed by singing of spiritual songs (A new Song). Isa. 42:10-13, Psa. 40:3.

7.      Joy is expressed in Thanksgiving. Col. 1:11-12, Psa. 100:4

8.      Joy is expressed when you set aside all your cares and worries and approach God in true worship. Psa. 100:1-5.

LESSON 12

BENEFITS OF JOY:

1.      Joy lightens the burden of affliction. Heb. 10:33-38

2.      Joy is the outward sign of an inner trust in God and His power capable of overcoming any foe. 2Chron. 20:20-24, 1Thes. 5:16, 2Cor. 7:4

3.      Joy is the life of the word. Any one that receives the word finds Joy. Jer. 15:16,

4.      Joy is a weapon of war. Job 5:22, Psa. 2:1-5.

5.      Joy is a medicine of life. Prov. 17:22, Phil. 4:4.

6.      Joy is a necessary ingredient of whatever must be accepted by God. Col. 1:10-13, Acts 5:40-42

7.      Joy is the proper attitude to receive from God. Eccl. 9:9, Lk. 19:6.

8.      Joy produces inner strength. Neh. 8:10, Heb.12:2.