Joy (The Fruit of the Spirit in You)

Joy                                                                                           Day 32

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Romans 8:37

The legend of Robin Hood (also known as the Prince of Thieves) tells of how he stole from the rich to give to the poor. Today, we will not face the Merry Men of Sherwood Forest. We do, however, have encounters that threaten to steal and take away our joy.

Many people experience the loss of joy for reasons such as broken relationships, sickness, accidents, or a job loss. Indeed, sometimes the things that provide us with the most joy and fulfillment can quickly be gone. Therefore, while we enjoy our lives, let us also place our hopes on those things that are eternal.

When we lose our way and do not feel like moving on, let us turn to the One who will show us how to move forward. In sickness, let us turn to the One who gives courage and healing. When lonely, let us cling to the One who loves us eternally. Let us seek and find joy in our eternal Savior.

God does not have to take from anyone who is rich in joy to bless those who are poor is spirit. In fact, we have access to an abundance of joy in Him. With Him, we can overcome any obstacle. Because He is for us, nothing can stand against us. Through Him, we are not just conquerors. We are more!

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Fruit of the Holy Spirit

Fruit of the Holy Spirit in You - Joy (1 Corinthians 13:6) Day 31 

Joy (The Fruit of the Spirit in You)

Joy                                                                                           Day 31

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

1 Corinthians 13:6

A child custody battle between parents is a sad occasion to observe. In these cases, many good parents often lose sight of and forsake what is best for their child(ren). These parents focus solely on the joy of winning their court case, even if it causes the other parent to have very little, if any, contact with their child(ren). Thankfully, everyone will not have the unfortunate experience of a custody dispute. However, a self-examination may reveal that we too may occasionally desire and rejoice in ungodly outcomes, instead of praying for a godly result.

We may find joy in the pains and downfalls of someone who has committed wrongs against us or with whom we disagree. Some find guilty pleasure in gossiping about other’s sins or in sharing the stories of their own past sins. Some rejoice because of injuries to individuals on a rival sports team. As we get caught up in books, movies, and television programs, we may even find ourselves hoping for ungodly acts, such as pre-marital sex or adulterous relationships.

When we are led by the Spirit, we find joy in things that would bring joy to the Holy Spirit. What brings us joy reveals our true character. Let us have a character that is delighted with spiritual joy.

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Fruit of the Holy Spirit

Fruit of the Holy Spirit in You - Joy (Psalm 34:8) Day 30

Joy (The Fruit of the Spirit in You)

Joy                                                                                           Day 30

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Psalm 34:8

We are often told of various dishes that are pleasing to the tongue. We may hear of many fine cuisines. However, in order for us to know whether these treats truly are delicious to us, we have to personally try them for ourselves.

When we personally try God and sample the goodness that comes through Him, we can see for ourselves just how good He is. His goodness is not one that may appeal to some and be an acquired taste for others. Those who are willing to fully taste of the Lord want more of Him.

It has been said that “faith is the soul’s taste.” Thus, when we apply our faith, have confidence in God, and allow the Lord to be more than just a flavor of the month, we will experience His goodness. Tasting the Lord’s glory and revealing His goodness in our lives can encourage others to trust in Him, too. They may seek to personally know His joy for themselves.

Let us not only listen to others who know of God’s goodness. Let us have our own personal confidence in Him and see His goodness in our own lives. Like a sweet dish, let us enjoy and freely tell others, “Hmmm. . . the Lord is good!” 

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Fruit of the Holy Spirit

Fruit of the Holy Spirit in You - Joy (Psalm 126:3) Day 29

Joy (The Fruit of the Spirit in You)

Joy                                                                                           Day 29

The LORD has done great things for us,  And we are glad.

Psalm 126:3

There are courses to help teenage drivers learn how alcohol affects and impairs their ability to drive. One strategy utilized requires the students to wear goggles that simulate impairment by blurring their vision. The students then attempt to drive golf carts around cones in a parking lot. Usually, the students knock over cone after cone. They do not realize how easy the course is to maneuver until they remove their goggles.

It is easy for us to have the same experience with God. There are times that our vision becomes blurred, and we fail to recognize the great things God has done for us. When our misplaced desires and concerns impair our vision, we may not see how blessed we are. Instead of recognizing and acknowledging all that we do have in our lives, we steal our own gladness. We choose to focus on what we do not have, could have, or what others have.

There are times that we may forget our own pasts and become blind to all that God has brought us through. Some complain about going to work on Monday and forget how they excitedly praised God when they first received that job. Some disregard the loved ones God has placed in their lives and forget their moments of past loneliness. At times, we may even submit to the discouragement of those who suggest that we have nothing to be glad about, even though we can clearly remember all that God has done for us.

Let us strive to remove all that impairs our ability to see the great things God has done for us. Let us take an account of how good He has been in our lives. Let us seek to be glad. 

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