[GTranslate]
KINGDOM OF JOY ( A short study)

TO BE DIFFERENT IN YOUR JOY

The Bible tells us in Nehemiah 8:10 that the joy of the Lord is our strength.
This word is #4581 in the Strong’s Concordance and its meaning is “fortified place or defense”. The Lord wants every person to be able to stand up and be strong. Strong in his spirit and character … strong in his mind and emotions … strong in body (I Thessalonians 5:23).
[DDET (expand full article)]
How strong are you? Many are exercising their minds and bodies, and yes you do need a good education and good exercise. But what about the most important part of you? What about your spirit? What about your heart? (Hebrews 4:12). Out of your heart flows the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23). Did you know that?

Someone has said that happiness is riding the merry-go-round, but joy is what you have when the merry-go-round breaks down! Everybody has problems, and everybody knows what pressure is. But you can learn to be joyful in your challenges and tribulations (II Corinthians 7:4).

The Kingdom of God is marked by joy (Romans 14:17). The kingdom of darkness is marked by sorrow and anguish. The way of the transgressor is still hard or rough (Proverbs 13:15). To be under the Lordship of Jesus Christ is to know the strength of the Christ who dwells within (Colossians 1:27; Philippians 4:13). How wonderful to know that we can face our daily tasks and never be afraid of failure, for there is nothing that is too hard for the Lord (Genesis 18:14).

How different it is to live in this world without Jesus (I John 2:15-17). People who don’t know Jesus search feverishly for what they think will bring happiness. It is said that people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6). Without the power of the Holy Ghost in their lives, these are not aware of how temporary the pleasures of the world are in contrast to the permanence, stability and strength of the Lord. What men recon to be life is actually the realm of death, for it is passing away. All that money can buy will never produce lasting joy. The cheap thrills of drugs, alcohol, premarital sex or any other lustful pursuit will never compare with the joy of living a clean life or if you are a young person, being married one day as a virgin. Are you living in the realm of the permanent or the passing?

Learn early in life to become a worshiper. Samuel worshiped God as a child (I Samuel 1:28; Ecclesiastes 12:1). Why? Because in God’s presence is the fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11). God is restoring the Tabernacle of David in these days (Amos 9:11-12). This speaks of the restoration of the Church in the areas of praise, worship and ministry. This day is a day of joy according to Isaiah 35:10 and 51:11. Look around you. When you see others who are not truly happy, give them some joy to replace their sadness (Isaiah 61:3).

Jesus loves you. He wants your joy to be full (John 15:11; 16:24). No one or no thing can take this strength from you (John 16:22). The world didn’t give it and the world can’t take it away. Our Lord is creating a people for Himself, A new creation( 2 Cor 5:17) . Each of these new creation people are strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10).

Do you desire to be a greater blessing to yourself? Do you desire to be a greater blessing to your parents, friends all around you? Do your desire to be a greater blessing to your church? Then heed the words of the Apostle John in (3 John 1:3-4) “For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth”. Did you know that Jesus the Apostle (Hebrews 3:1) feels the same way about you? Are you bringing joy to His heart or are you grieving the Holy Spirit? (Ephesians 4:29-32)

The saying is simple, but it is tried and true: the word J-O-Y is spelled “Jesus, Others and You!” Submit yourself to the Lord, resist the devil and he will flee from you! (Jas. 4:7). Dare to be different in your joy! Be strong (Joshua 1)!

Questions we should ask ourselves:
Am I a strong or a weak Christian?
Am I happy? What makes me happy?
Do I bring gladness to Jesus’ heart?
Who has been strengthened by my life?
[/DDET]
[GTranslate]