This Joy

 Nehemiah 8:10(b) (NASB)

"Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

John 16:22 (NASB)

"Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you."

Galatians 5:22-23 (NASB)

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

    Have you ever experienced reading scripture, comprehending what is being mentioned, but nothing really has taken root? Or, it has taken root, but no fruit really comes out of it because that seed planted hasn't been watered in awhile, or nothing has been applied? Of course, no one's going to immediately raise their hand and say, "Yep! Definitely me...", so I'll save you the time. This has been me a numerous amount of times...Lord help.

    However, there are seeds that have taken root, are being watered, and are developing fruits to us unaware, and one of those that has been highlighted to me was the joy of the Lord. The actual freedom to be who God has called me to be in Him brings this unmistakable, unshakable joy that cannot be quenched. I have noticed that there is a stark difference between mere, surfaced-based happiness and the deep, rooted joy of God. The joy of the Lord is everlasting, even when I don't feel it emotionally; this fruit has roots because of my proximity in relationship with Christ. 

    A light-bulb turned on as I was praying, meditating, worshipping, etc. that the joy of the Lord really is my strength. The Holy Spirit reminded me of everything God has taken me through to where we are now, and His joy arises something within me to move and give thanks the best way I know how at that moment. God emphasized to me that it is His joy that lasts, and that it is His joy that gives me the freedom to look like a madman and it be a sweet aroma to Him. 

    God, I don't know when this seed was planted, but I thank you for the fruits I see now in action! It is because of your joy that I continue to push and move forward, and your joy that says anything is possible to him that believe (Mk 9:23, NASB). It is all because of your joy! Your joy that lives in me. So much joy indeed that I cannot contain it within myself only for myself. 

    Another pointer in this was the fact that the Lord made me comfortable with me just being me, and being free from the thoughts/opinions of others. Man, is that a prison! Don't get me wrong, every now and then I still question some things, but it's not as bad as it used to be. This was really a hindrance to my joy in Christ, and a blockage to figuring out who I even was in Him. But, thank God I found joy and freedom in my joy! How can you really have true joy in God and still be in chains? Break them chains boo! 

    I am excited for what God is developing in me and others around me. I see that those who are allowing space for God in their lives are really enjoying the results thereof. The fruits are developing, things are being revealed (good and bad), lights are shining, salt is giving taste, revelation, and preservation, growth is occurring, and the children of God are moving up and ahead. Go team! 

***Let's Pray! 💛 Thank you Jesus for your joy! Thank you that this cannot and will not be quenched. Lord, you have not created us to function according to our emotions, but according to you Holy Spirit and your guidance. Let us continually lean and depend on you to guide us. Father, we thank you for your protection during this season and those to come. We thank you and know that those who follow you are targets for the enemy, but also for blessing, protection, security, prosperity, posterity, and more from your heavenly throne room. God we thank you! Father, plant within us your character and we will continue to nourish it. We don't ever want to lose you and your presence. We want to stay in your face and at your feet. Lord, we humble ourselves before you. Wherever you are God, that's where we want to be. We give  up trying to do things on our own. Even if we thought it worked before, God it was your grace that pushed it through, but this is not what we want to lean and depend on. God, we want to partner with you in your destiny for our lives. We want to be your close friend that you can trust to properly steward that which you are ready to release. This we do pray. In Jesus' Name---Amen. ***



Comments

  1. This is absolutely beautiful. I can truly feel the heart of the father in every single word!!!

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