Finding God’s Joy

Today as we redefine joy and not confuse it with happiness we will better understand what God is providing and what he anticipates as we produce this fruit in our life. 

The fruit of the of the spirit is the character of God in us, we can look like our Father. 

God wants us to experience joy in victory we can have joy in every battle because that's where he will be.  He wants to lead us and guide us through the things that we face so that we find victory. He will help us overcome the things that would try to stop us and destroy our lives. 

In Nehemiah we learned that the joy of the Lord is our strength It came from understanding the instructions for life God's law explained and understood. 

In Psalms we read about how the joy of salvation was restored.  Joy comes from knowing it is well with your soul. Joy is not not happiness.  We can and should have joy despite the circumstance we face. 

in Judges we learn about Gideon's story of double checking to see if God really wanted him to be the one to lead the army.

Joshua ran into the commander of the army of the Lord and he found that he needed to be on God's side.  That meeting instructed him to march around the city for 7 days saying nothing. They could not praise the doubt they could not praise the problem they had to be obedient in silence and this changed their 7th day shout. 

The parable of the talents told us that when we are faithful with what God has given us we enter into the joy of the Lord. 

Before winter trees prepare for spring and they produce a bud that will be ready to burst forth in the spring this many times will be the flower that produces the fruit.

What fruit are you focusing on preparing to produce next season?

What redefining of joy and happiness happened in your understanding or application of these words?

What part of this word came alive to you this week?