#FiveMinuteFriday, friends, and the word prompt is JOY!! Share it, use it, live it out!
“Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God.”
― Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
Everybody wants to be happy. We want to have a nice home, nice cars, nice job, nice friends and a nice family so everyone will look at us and think we are happy…and nice.
But happiness is fleeting and it depends on our circumstances. If things aren’t going just right then we can’t be happy. If our job is questionable, our kids are brats and our house is falling apart then, most likely, we are not happy.
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Romans 14:17 NIV.
Joy is a Fruit.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law…” Galatians 5:22, 23.
Not an apple, banana or a kiwi but it is a Fruit of the Spirit of the Living God. Therefore it comes from God and God alone. When we are filled with His Spirit then the Fruits of the Spirit are produced in us and show forth as we grow and mature in the our relationship with God.
Joy is a state of being, a result of God’s work in us, the Spirit alive in us and allowing Him to have preeminence in every part of our lives! Joy is not happiness. We cannot always be happy but we can always be joyful if we are content in Him.
The disciples suffered much persecution for preaching the Gospel yet the Bible says in spite of that they would simply shake the dust off of their feet and move on…with joy! “But they shook off the dust of their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 13:51, 52.
They were continually filled with joy and the Holy Spirit!
And we can be too.
No matter what is going on in your life, whether things are perfect or not-so-wonderful, there is JOY in knowing our salvation is in Jesus Christ and He will NEVER leave us, and NEVER forsake us but will be with us until the very end.
That fruit will grow and it will show others that your happiness is not in things, not in circumstances but in Jesus.
“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” Romans 15:13.
Praying you will be filled with Joy today by the power of the Holy Ghost!
Sharing with Grace and Truth, Dancing with Jesus, Modest Mondays
Thank you so much for the words Jennifer and for Grace and Truth! God is so good, He brings JOY all the time, happiness is fleeting but JOY is constant. Blessings!
Thank you for sharing about the disciples’ ability to be joyful in spite of their less-than-ideal circumstances. I sometimes struggle to hold onto joy when I’m having a rough day…or week…or year! But my experience is that that’s a sure sign that I’m disconnected from the Lord. Because as you point out, the fruit of the Spirit is joy! Thanks for linking with us at Grace & Truth!
I loved your tweet! Joy is definitely in Jesus–I’ll take joy any day over happiness!
Hey Cheryl! So glad to have you today. “Not everything in our lives is a pleasant experience, but that joy is there because HE is there…” AMEN!! So glad the prayer cloth was a blessing, you have been that to me as well. My apologies for not visiting as much lately, I hope to be back in the swing of things. ♥
Thank you so much Latonya! It is a gift of God and a permanent one if we stayed wrapped up in HIM. Blessings!
Thank you Cathy. God is faithful to give us much joy through the power of the HOly Spirit! Thank you for visiting!
Thank you for this beautiful reminder that our joy is found in Him and Him alone. I love the way you explained the difference between joy and happiness…it never hit me so forcefully that joy is actually one of the fruits of the Spirit. If He is abiding within us, then joy will automatically flow! Not everything in our lives is a pleasant experience, but that joy is there, because HE is there, praise His name!!! You encourage me so many times, dear friend. May God bless you for being faithful to Him. Last night, I found the sweet card you sent to me with the anointed cloth, and I was touched once again by what you did. May God reward you for all you do for Him and for others. Thank you.
I am grateful that joy is a gift, and not fleeting. I am thankful for the opportunity to fully experience it. I really enjoyed your post this morning and the Scriptures that you included. Be blessed!
Excellent reminder. Thank you.