The Joy of the Lord is our Strength! (a study on joy)

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mrstrishch	The Joy of the Lord is our Strength! (a study on joy)	Lead	[-]
Posts: 4148 (01/30/03 06:08:38) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Tags : None But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness Galatians 5:22 Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10 Joy it is one of the fruits of the spirit, and the joy of the Lord is our strength. But, this is one of my most consistent and ongoing struggles. The Lord has been bringing it to my attention over and over this past year or so, and yet in the midst of the everyday struggles I lose sight of it again. Is this a choice? Am I deliberately allowing the enemy to steal my joy and in the process steal my strength? I think so. I think I daily give in to the lie that my joy is dependant on my circumstances. Id like to hear what youve learned that has helped you experience joy in the midst of pain, fatigue, and the responsibility of homeschooling. I want to learn how to better experience the joy that is mentioned throughout the scriptures, and I cant think of a better way than with ladies who experience the same types of day-to-day struggles. It starts with the Lord, I know... But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because you defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You. Psalm 5:11 Please, share a verse or tell how youve overcome despite circumstances. Or let us know how you struggle to experience joy we can learn together! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Trish - Daughter of the King, wife of Paul for almost 18 years, mother of Aaron ( 17 ), Jared ( 15 ), & Trevor ( 9 ), 6th yr homeschooling, SI dysfunction ('89), FMS ('91), TMJ ('02) My prayer and sustaining hope: Morning by morning He wakens me and opens my understanding to His will. Isaiah 50:4 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lebenshaus	Re: The Joy of the Lord is our Strength! (a study on joy)	#1	[-]
Posts: 3369 (02/02/03 20:51:30) Gold Member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I'm not a scholar at Greek or Hebrew or any other language for that matter, but I'll tell you how I think of the "joy of the Lord being my strength". Who's joy is it? Is it mine or is it the Lord's? To me, it means the Lord's joy is my strength. As a believer I am a little Christ, so when God looks at me, He sees His Son. And what of the strength? Is it physical strength? For me personally, this doesn't apply to physical strength because most of the time, I have no physical strength, but rather emotional and spiritual strength. And that comes from reading God's Word and finding truths that are there because God has spoken to us and continues to do so. He just wants us to be still, and know that He is God, and listen. Debby Jeremiah 29:11 Wife to Steve for 22 years. Mom of Steven (20 ~ student at NTBI) and homeschool buddy, Geoffrey (14.11) Diagnosed with Lupus, CFIDS, Fibromyalgia 1995
mariejd	Re: The Joy of the Lord is our Strength! (a study on joy)	#2	[-]
Posts: 323 (02/02/03 23:52:30) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I think if it weren't for the joy of the Lord, I wouldn't be able to handle life at all, with all the pain, weakness, and fatigue. To me, the joy of the Lord is in His truth- truth that carried me through an abused childhood- the knowledge of having a Friend at my side who loved me even when my own parents rejoiced in my sorrows and were upset about my successes and happiness- truth which has made my children into people who are such caring, compassionate friends, who have such a heart to reach out to other people. I live to share that truth in our family magazine because it has done so much for our family that I want it for everyone. The Bible is so rich in truth- it's premises really work, and can give us practical solutions to life's perplexities and change lives. I'm so thankful for what God has done in my kids lives, through basic Biblical principles applied in love and tenderness through the years. Sharing those truths is the joy that gets me through the long days of physical pain. www.familydiscipleship.net Joy Marie married 20 years to James, with 5 kids: teenagers Josh, Justin, Judah, and Jennaya, and 10-year-old Jonathan. RA and FM Back smashed up in river-rafting accident--confined to bed most of the time--hurts to sit up long--live with lots of pain. 2 Cor 12:9,10 "I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me...for when I am weak, then I am strong." 1 Cor 1:27,28 "God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong...that no man should boast before God."
Cindy Elliott	Re: The Joy of the Lord is our Strength! (a study on joy)	#3	[-]
Posts: 3963 (02/03/03 05:30:51) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	JOY, a stumbling block! There have been times that a red-flag of concern has waved when sharing of joy to this precious group. A red-flag that carries the cries of those who might define joy by the affects of joy rather than true joy which is often absent of affects and thus feeling hurt or having an already raw wound rubbed sore because of that assumed lack of expression. Last week God moved our hearts separate, but as He so often does together, mine to expound on joy in this RFB and Trish to start a study on joy at the Bible Study Forum. So this RFB is written with hopes to clarify joy. My words here are not all inclusive, not complete, but simply thoughts the Lord has stirred me to share with hopes you might come to the Bible Study Forum and share your thoughts and reflections with the rest of us. Following my thoughts are additional notes from Debbi. I pray you will be blessed! God has placed enough of a concern that Im reaching out with hopes that the words here will act as balm to any inadvertently hurt or irritated with the subject of finding joy in the midst of pain, depression, family frustrations, fractured family and finances, often written about in devotionals or discussed at the forums, or as encouragement for the one who has been frustrated as they find joy an impossible aspiration. It is easy to throw words around and often as Christians we toss words about, without thinking each word completely through or without true understanding. Other times there is simply a misunderstanding as one when talking with another an understanding is assumed. We forget that often Gods definition and meaning of a word are different from the worlds. When we place the worlds limited meaning on the inspired Word, we often will distort and be lead astray. The best way I have of explaining joy is to say we can have a desire of joy and I pray this desire is freshly stroked in each of our hearts. But the desire is not our joy. Neither are the affects of joy actual joy. So what is it you desire? That is your joy! That is what Joy is! And as you aspire to joy, look to your Joy and He will take care of the rest. Looking to my Joy, the Lord, happiness, peace, and other affects will often be an expression of my Joy. But these expressions are not a measurement of my Joy, as my Joy is unchanging. My Joy doesnt depend on, nor is my Joy affected by circumstances. And my Joy lifts my spirit, even when my physical life appears fragile and near broken. Often we look at happiness, delight, pleasure, peaceas joy, but though they may be affects of joy, Joy is the Lord and knowing this helps me to separate the watered down, often self-burdening version that the world holds out as joy. It helps me to move beyond making a god of joy, but rather looking at God as my joy and trusting Him as my Joy no matter the circumstances or my feelings. Sometimes we measure our lives against that of another and find our lives wanting, wanting in what we see as the affects of joy. But dont be deceived. Happiness, delight, pleasure, and yes-even peace can be achieved falsely. They are easily counterfeited. True joy cannot be measured by emotions. But true joy will come as you look to your Joy, wait on your Joy, and fix your eye on your Joy! And just as nothing can separate you from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus; neither can death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, separate you from your Joy, which is Jesus. The joy of the Lord is your strengthNehemiah 8:10 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40: 31 In His precious love, Cindy ~~~~~~~~~~~*~ Debbis added thoughts on joy Joy is a distinctive quality of biblical faith in the Bible. Joy is a gift from God that continues through life. The revealer of forgiveness responds to us when we pray even if we are filled with doubt. God offers grace to the penitent heart and transforms those restless nights of remorse into a slumber of gratitude and grace. The hours of sleep and meditation are quite often the hour of revelation to God's children. We can hear his voice more clearly as anxious petitioners seeking direction from God's word. Often the Bible defines "salvation" as "Joy" in both the Old and New Testaments. Joy is the direct response one has to salvation. God's Joy is greater than any of our earthly desires being meet. Our Spiritual joy leads us to praise for God and His power. God uses that power in love to give us victory. We may never gain a complete understanding of our suffering, but it can empower us still to trust in God, as in Habakkub 3:17-18. Our relationship to God can bring joy even in the midst of crisis and catastrophe. Habakkub the prophet confirmed his confidence in the God of his salvation. Although nature failed to yield her fruit, he would rejoice in the Lord all the more. This is the attitude needed in God's people even when facing trials and sufferings. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 " Be Joyful Always." Times of difficulty can bring us grief, but this grief can turn into joy, just as the joy of having a child overcomes the pain of childbirth. John 16:20-22 The world cannot give or take away the joy Christ gives. Joy comes as we stay in communication with Christ in prayer. Debbi Farmer
DebbiFarmer	Re: The Joy of the Lord is our Strength! (a study on joy)	#4	[-]
Posts: 6825 (02/03/03 06:14:30) Administrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I often standed amazed in the presence of the Lord...in awe...as "He" and my "Salvation" are my "Joy"...... ...the Lord must have been stirring many hearts at the same time about JOY and it's Spiritual Meaning........ I am sharing a devotional from Rest-Ministries that came through over the week-end: HUGS! Debbi ````````````````````````````````` Psalm 145: 18 NIV The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. During the past couple of weeks I have had many conversations with folks who are dealing with chronic pain and chronic illnesses as many have called in reference to the support group which I have started. The concerns follow a pattern. Of course, no one likes pain and illness and that is expressed. However, something even deeper than the pain often surfaces and that is the sense of frustration from losing life as it was once known. Do all the changes that come from illness mean that life cannot be full of joy anymore? Our joy as a Christian should not depend of our circumstances. Joy comes from God and therefore it is not concerned with the body but with the spirit. True joy comes from knowing that God Himself lives within us and has fellowship with us regardless of our physical health or our environment. Real joy comes from the knowledge that our Holy God has completely forgiven us of every sin and even now, He has a home prepared in heaven where we can spend eternity with Him. The circumstances of our life cannot change these truths. Do not allow difficult events to cancel the joy of knowing you are a child of God. Choose to allow God's Spirit to fill you with His unquenchable joy, and your life will be a miracle to those who watch you face the trials that come. God sees us as His frail child, burdened with a load that surpasses our strength. He stands prepared to take our load and carry it for us. If we let Him do this, we will know true joy. Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to always remember that circumstances in our lives cannot take away our joy if we trust in You. Show us how to live above the trials and to know You will always be with us. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Patricia Armstrong lives in Va. Beach, Va., with her husband, Richard. Patricia is a retired elementary school teacher who deals with peripheral neuropathy which brings constant pain. She has a Chronic Pain and Chronic Illness Support Group at her church and trusts the folks in this group will help each other find true joy in Christ. Patricia enjoy reading, camping, gardening and church activities. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Compliments of Rest Ministries, serving people Who live with chronic illness or pain. Rest Ministries, Inc. www.restministries.org PO Box 502928, San Diego, CA 92150 toll-free 1-888-751-REST (737 copyright 2003 Edited just to shorten the dividers so we wouldn't have to scroll left to right.*
mariejd	Re: The Joy of the Lord is our Strength! (a study on joy)	#5	[-]
Posts: 323 (02/03/03 06:23:25) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	"Just as the joy of having a child overcomes the pain of childbirth." I can relate to that statement. I go through so much pain- debilitating daily pain, and sometimes accompanying depression. Sometimes it is hard to get through another day. But at the same time, I am giving birth to so many precious things, in the little bits of time when I am between pain, pain meds, depression, etc. and can sit up and write all that is already in my heart, even in the pain, like a baby in the womb, waiting to be born. Each peice must wait through pain and fatigue until the next moment when I am again able to sit up and write it down in an article or poem or song, for our magazine, for my daughter's magazine, or for our son's magazine, or for a friend who need's encouragement or who might be blessed by what I have to share. These blessings may grow in time, and reach still others- just as my birth children have grown and are reaching others. Much good and blessing may come from them, and I rejoice in them (these messages from God for others) even in the midst of laboring to stay out of depression in the midst of the pain from my smashed up back. Much of each day is spent waiting, as in labor, feeling only the pain, and being pulled down by it. And yet, all the time, these joyous messages are waiting quietly, in some corner of my mind, for their moment of birth on my keyboard, when at last that part of the day comes when I can write them down- each message that the Lord has laid on my heart in its own time. Some days bring no such births, some bring a few, some many. But everyday, i must labor through pain that threatens to pull me down into depression. What keeps me going is the joy of the messages that are waiting to be born, each in their time, each one sharing a new aspect of God's love, wisdom, truth, and what He wants to share to carry us through. Joy Marie married 20 years to James, with 5 kids: teenagers Josh, Justin, Judah, and Jennaya, and 10-year-old Jonathan. RA and FM Back smashed up in river-rafting accident--confined to bed most of the time--hurts to sit up long--live with lots of pain. 2 Cor 12:9,10 "I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me...for when I am weak, then I am strong." 1 Cor 1:27,28 "God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong...that no man should boast before God."
mrstrishch	Re: The Joy of the Lord is our Strength! (a study on joy)	#6	[-]
Posts: 4148 (02/03/03 06:27:29) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Wow, ladies! What I really see many of you saying is that the Joy of the Lord in your lives comes from pleasing Him and focusing on Him. I did a search and that exact phrase "the joy of the Lord" is not anywhere else in the Bible. I had always thought of it as the Joy given by the Lord... but the Bible does also talk about how He joys in us. Joy Marie talked about how her joy is found in God's truth. Debby talked about how her joy is found in the fact that God joys in her. Cindy E. talked about the Lord being her joy. Debbi talked about joy being in our salvation and in praising the Lord. Cindy also talked about the difference between the joy spoken of in the world and the joy spoken of in the Bible. While reading through all the verses on joy, there are many in proverbs that talk about the foolishness of trying to find joy in worldly things. They are not constant, they are all fleeting. But, God is constant... He is the same yesterday, today, and forever! Is this maybe why it is so comforting for us to find our joy in Him alone? I really agree with you, Debby... the strength spoken of is not physical, but is spiritual and emotional. God has really been showing me lately that I am not my body... my body is just an earthly home for right now. This means, no matter what is going on with my body, my spirit can be joyful and focused on Him. In fact, that he allows me this cramped and often painful home because the true me needs those confines in order to grow and become stronger spiritually. Part of that is learning to focus on Him and find joy in Him through it all. (I'm still working on that, though!) About joy being a fruit... what does that mean to you? Are we to seek joy, or will joy be the result of seeking something else? And is joy supposed to be a non-stop thing, as I've heard some say, and if we're not joyful at this moment, then somehow we've failed or are not bearing fruit? What does it mean to "be joyful always" (1 Thessalonians 5:16) as Debbi mentioned? I think much of the guilt put on us by others when we're sick is that we're not appearing joyful all the time. So how does this play out? Does other people's perception of our joy actually mean that they have a wrong definition of joy? Is the joy spoken of as a fruit in scripture an outward happiness no matter what? Or is it more profound and more personal?
mrstrishch	Re: The Joy of the Lord is our Strength! (a study on joy)	#7	[-]
Posts: 4148 (02/03/03 06:38:23) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	How funny... I think we were all posting at the same time - Debbi, Joy Marie, and myself. I posted and went back to review and there were two other messges posted while I was writing! Debbi, thank you for the devotion... as you can see it speaks right to what God has been showing me in my own life regarding my body not being who I am. What a joy it is when God brings confirmation!! My spirit just sings with it at those moments. Joy Marie, what a wonderful picture you've painted of pain turning to joy. How I pray the fruits of your "labor" are increased a hundred fold and that your joy in Him is increased beyond measure!
Cindy Elliott	Re: The Joy of the Lord is our Strength! (a study on joy)	#8	[-]
Posts: 3963 (02/03/03 07:34:27) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Debby I've been reading through all the post and what you wrote has stood out so strongly to me... Who's joy is it? Is it mine or is it the Lord's? To me, it means the Lord's joy is my strength. What a sweet thought to hold in my thoughts today
Deborah Dean	Re: The Joy of the Lord is our Strength! (a study on joy)	#9	[-]
Posts: 1378 (02/03/03 10:43:45) Gold Member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	My dear sweet sisters in Christ, Coming here this morning as been like the wonderful fragrance of a rose. I have been in tears as I read of this Joy that you speak of. It can mean nothing less than of the Lord Himself. If this is not true then what is it that moves me to tears to read of it's definition? I am a simple woman. I cannot give great spiritual "orations" to meanings of things. But I hunger and thirst after Rightousness. It is in those times that I KNOW I am experiencing Joy. The heart's desire to learn of our Lord, to be like our Lord and to share of Him is what Joy is to me. I cannot honestly say that in the midst of a seizure or in the midst of extreme fatigue or pain that every second I am hungering after my Lord. But with God's mercies new each morning I am able once again to give my day to Him and give my heart to him and try once again to die to self. It is in that willingness of our heart's desire that I believe the Lord in His graciousness gives us JOY. I also believe that what we understand as Joy now will be in it's "infant stage" of learning and with serving the Lord each day, with God's mercies, a year from now my (our) understanding will be enhanced. Part of receiving the gift of Joy from the Lord I believe is also in the sharing of it's gift. How can we, if we are limited to anything physical we could do for others? I think in sharing that Joy it would be that other's could see the countenance of the Lord upon our faces. I have been richly blessed this morning being here. Love, Deborah (Wife to Bill 26 years, Mother to 3 adult children: Jennifer (25), Jason (21), Caroline (19 and married to Sean) In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed; deliver me in thy righteousness. Psalm 31:1 God is more disposed to move on an admitted emptiness than a presumed fullness--Tommy Tenny
Lebenshaus	Re: The Joy of the Lord is our Strength! (a study on joy)	#10	[-]
Posts: 3369 (02/03/03 15:03:17) Gold Member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Galatians 5:22 states "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy..." The word 'fruit' is singular, so that makes the combination of qualities what make up the Spirit. Since Spirit is capitalized, wouldn't that refer to the Holy Spirit Who lives in us who are believers? So, it's the Spirit's joy we possess. We used to live at the base of the Appalacian mountains, and our house was very close to an orchard. The owner grew apple, pear, and peach trees. One day I took the boys to learn the secret of this awesome fruit we were buying. Mr. Perdue gave us a tour of his property and showed us the pruning, grafting, planting of 'dead' little sticks and all the other activities that go along with caring for a successful orchard. I'll always remember the him explaining the importance of pruning. A fruit tree does not produce fruit all the time. It lives through seasons, and after the pruning season comes the most beautiful fruit. Isn't that the same in our lives?!?!? Might our fruit (joy) be most obvious after a season of pruning (pain)? By joy, some people may think of laughing, teasing, hip-hip-horray but I believe it's more than that. It's deeper than the surface and it's not something we have to trump up. Debby Jeremiah 29:11 Wife to Steve for 22 years. Mom of Steven (20 ~ student at NTBI) and homeschool buddy, Geoffrey (14.11) Diagnosed with Lupus, CFIDS, Fibromyalgia 1995
ppsbat	Re: The Joy of the Lord is our Strength! (a study on joy)	#11	[-]
Posts: 159 (02/03/03 15:47:30) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Just wanted to add my two cents worth.....after reading Rose From Brier on Joy today. I thought the explanation was very good. WE tend to think of joy in the same way we think of happiness. Yet, joy is so much deeper as Cindy was saying. I have a sign above my computer that reads: "Joy isn't the absence of sorrow, it's the presence of God!" That is how we manage when we are having a tough day physically or our lessons are not going well with our children. We have joy.....no matter what when we have Jesus! Your Forever Friend, Barbara Thayer
Patti	Re: The Joy of the Lord is our Strength! (a study on joy)	#12	[-]
Posts: 1832 (02/03/03 20:36:17) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Dear Sisters in Christ, Thank you all for taking the time to share your thoughts on Joy! I like your sign Barbara! While reading these posts I thought of the verse that says about Jesus, "For the joy set before Him he endured the cross!" (can't remember the exact reference right now.) WE are his joy and HE is ours! Cool huh! That kind of joy has nothing to do with circumstances or emotion. I can choose to rejoice no matter what because my focus is on my relationship with the Lord. Romans 5:2 says we "Rejoice in the hope of the glory of God." There is power in looking forward to and thinking about what God has in store for us. The suffering of today is not forever and it has an eternal purpose. Blessings, Patti Patti -daughter of the KING -4ever- Wife to Tony 18years, Mom to twin dds 14, and ds 12. Meniere's disease 3 years, MCS and possible MS.-- My flesh and heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever. Ps. 73: 26
mariejd	Re: The Joy of the Lord is our Strength! (a study on joy)	#13	[-]
Posts: 323 (02/03/03 23:51:12) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I wanted to answer Trish's question and say something about those of us who don't always seem to be "full of joy" on the surface because of the pain, fatigue, and illness. I have noticed that there are people (not on this board, but many who don't know suffering firsthand) who judge you based on how much giddy-fun you are to be around. These people fill their lives with a giddy kind of happiness, comfort, ease, and just an overall good time. Often they don't realize that their happiness is purely circumstantial- they happen to have health, energy, and the wonderful luxury of being pain free. And they judge others from that luxuriant perspective. But when we know the joy we have is the enduring kind is when we are reeling with the pain and exhaustion day after day after day with no letup in sight, and yet, in the midst of it, deep down inside, there is still something we are excited about that actually makes life still worth living- the love of Jesus and the truth of God's Word. It's an enduring hope that carries us through. Joy Marie married 20 years to James, with 5 kids: teenagers Josh, Justin, Judah, and Jennaya, and 10-year-old Jonathan. RA and FM Back smashed up in river-rafting accident--confined to bed most of the time--hurts to sit up long--live with lots of pain. 2 Cor 12:9,10 "I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me...for when I am weak, then I am strong." 1 Cor 1:27,28 "God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong...that no man should boast before God."
mrstrishch	Re: The Joy of the Lord is our Strength! (a study on joy)	#14	[-]
Posts: 4148 (02/04/03 06:30:59) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I think Deborah hit the nail on the head there! The scripture does say to hunger and thirst after righteousness, and to seek first the Kingdom of God... then God takes care of the rest. And as Debby said, it's the Spirit's joy that comes to us. It seems we may trip ourselves up if we seek joy... that is not supposed to be our focus. We are to seek after GOD and then the fruit of the Spirit will be the result... and also as Debby said, the result of a (often painful) process as we learn to seek Him more and more. But, oh how even more painful to NOT seek after Him and never experience the fruit of His Spirit! Cindy E. talked about our desire being our joy. Isn't this true in human nature? If we desire riches, then we will only joy in riches. If we desire health, then we will only joy in health. But, if we desire God, then we will joy in Him who is constant and never-changing, and He will be our Joy! And passing on the joy to others, shining forth Jesus to world, as Deborah talked about! What a wonderful way to draw others to Him. Like Joy Marie said, not the giddy-fun-to-be-around joy, but the deep inner joy from the Holy Spirit that draws others to Him and helps them to hunger and thirst after righteousness. Oh, Lord Jesus, help me to reflect you more and more in my outward appearance... not the "happy face" that the world expects, but the true joy of You! "Joy isn't the absence of sorrow, it's the presence of God!" --Thank you, Barabara for sharing your thoughts! And Patti... "There is power in looking forward to and thinking about what God has in store for us." You have all been so encouraging and spoken so from the heart. It is such a blessing hear these words from those who experience physical pain, fatigue, and weakness, and yet who rejoice in the Lord of their Salvation!!!
artisty	Re: The Joy of the Lord is our Strength! (a study on joy)	#15	[-]
Posts: 2013 (02/05/03 15:01:03) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Picture me EXCITED!! Some of you might remember seeing (or being) cheerleaders, and the way before a cheer they have to get ready. They go something like: um, readayyy, OKAY! and then they say the actual cheer....well here I go um, readayyy, OKAY! I did a more serious study of Psalm 5:11 for this post. David asks God for everyone who puts their trust in God to be made to rejoice. Because God is defending those who are putting their trust in God, David asks that God keep them shouting for joy. And then David asks God, Fill all who love You with Your happiness. So - Put your trust in God (above others and other things). Now you get joy because God is defending you because you have your trust in Him. Since you love God (over others and other things), you are filled with happiness. Also: 5:11 is not about someone having a joyful, carefree time. It is in the midst of David pleading God for help so that David's enemies not only won't hurt him but will be destroyed themselves. (Sounds akin to our illnesses and overwhelming circumstances.) David is claiming promises and protection from the evil people who would hurt him, yet not forgetting to claim joy and happiness for himself and those others who are godly. Think about knowing someone is going to do something for you that you need. It cancels out the bad that would've happened if they didn't help. Therefore you get to be happy that you were saved from the bad and happy that someone cared and happy that God reached into your circumstance and got it fixed. This is what we with chronic illnesses and any bad circumstances get. We are getting the joy that David asked for. So and So that is getting their joy because life is lovely or because they are accomplishing something in particular or because another person is all wonderful to them, or because they have no major problems, or whatever - is not getting their joy necessarily like this....they are not necessarily getting that close to depending on God, and therefore not reaping the benefits of that.
Cindy Elliott	Re: The Joy of the Lord is our Strength! (a study on joy)	#16	[-]
Posts: 3963 (02/08/03 06:05:49) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	"The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing." Zephaniah 3:17 The topic of the current Bible Study is "The joy of the Lord is my strength", so how appropriate today to hear the verse in Zephaniah. The LORD our God is full of joy over us!! It doesnt matter if we're perfectly whole in body or not. It doesn't matter if we're rich or poor, married or single. He rejoices over us with joy. And He is joyful over us with singing. What an awesome thought that God loves us so much He sings over us!! That's enough to strengthen me in my heart and mind and makes me want to get up and dance for Him. I imagine He'd clap right along. Debby Whitsitt
SandiNStef	Re: The Joy of the Lord is our Strength! (a study on joy)	#17	[-]
Posts: 4 (03/01/03 11:32:02) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Hi, I have greatly enjoyed reading the posts on this. I just joined the list and the first message I read is on Joy! Just thought I'd add in a through or two. Kind of a different view, but my greatest and deepest joy often comes when things appear to be the worst on the surface. When things are hardest to bear, seeking and without fail finding His peace is the greatest joy of all. The joy of knowing the ailments of the body cannot affect my soul ... the joy when my lungs can't get enough air to speak but my soul is singing, dancing and rejoicing ... the joy when I have no strength at all but He lifts my burdens for me ... the joy when I can think of nothing but the unrelenting pain and He lifts my soul to Him shining in triumph over all pain and suffering ... the profound joy in surrendering my pain and torment to Him in return for His peace. It was mentioned that His true joy is a gift of the Spirit. How often do we go around looking for joy, trying to create joy in our lives, seeking things that we think will bring us joy ... all the while not realizing that little work GIFT. Any joy we can find around us pales in comparison to the joy He has GIVEN to us .. a gift .. already ours if we but accept it. Not something that happens or is caused or we find or anyone else can bring us ... but true joy of the soul is given to us by the Lord alone. And that joy cannot be taken away by pain, suffering, circumstances, people, disasters or anything else that happens in this world, all of which are but a temporary stop on our eternal journey to be with Him in Paradise for all time. I take great joy in knowing that when I at last fall into His waiting embrace of love for all eternity, this comparatively short period of suffering will seem like but a moment's sting preceeding eternal bliss. Sorry to ramble, Blessings, Sandi
mrstrishch	Re: The Joy of the Lord is our Strength! (a study on joy)	#18	[-]
Posts: 4148 (03/03/03 06:08:49) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Yes, Kristi, it is a different kind of joy, isn't it?! The joy that comes from God is so much better than the "joy" that we find when seek after the things of this world. He is our joy and the creator of our joy... our joy is made perfect through Him, and Him alone. How I pray for God to flood you with His joy regardless of the circumstances you find yourself in. It is such a witness to His work in your life, and your faith, when I read how you know His joy and seek Him through it all! Debby, what an awesome thought! God joys over us, and with singing!! I wonder what God's singing actually sounds like? I think of times when I've heard a beautiful voice sing and how it can just reach right into my soul and seem to give wings to my spirit. How much more so to hear God sing! And to know that we are the subject of that song!! WOW! Welcome, Sandi! You said, "The joy of knowing the ailments of the body cannot affect my soul ... the joy when my lungs can't get enough air to speak but my soul is singing, dancing and rejoicing ..." AMEN!! My pain, my illness, is not who I am... I am my spirit and soul, and I can be in joyful communion with my God no matter what is going on in my body! "Any joy we can find around us pales in comparison to the joy He has GIVEN to us .. a gift .. already ours if we but accept it. Not something that happens or is caused or we find or anyone else can bring us ... but true joy of the soul is given to us by the Lord alone. And that joy cannot be taken away..." Thank you Sandi for sharing... what a blessing your words have been to me this morning!
Jillian	Re: The Joy of the Lord is our Strength! (a study on joy)	#19	[-]
Posts: 1013 (04/07/03 16:04:41) Silver Member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I love this study on Joy!! I sure need Joy!! I read encouraging messages and books to lift my spirits!! Thank you for all your words of JOY!! I have one maybe to share: (Sing this in a tune) Psalm 51:10-12 Create in me a clean heart Oh God, and renew a right sprit within me; Cast me not away from thy presence Oh Lord, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me: Restore unto me the JOY of thy salvation and renew a right spirit within me. Wow!! Sometimes I lose my joy and get grumbly, negative, miserable. I need to hear these verses and sing this as a song like we do in our church when I can go. David was ready to fall and be despaired, and asked for thy Holy Spirit not to be taken from him. WE fall into bondage and need the Holy Spirit to bring JOY back into our lives. "And the more cheerful we are in our duty, the more constant we shall be to it. What is this but the liberty wherewith Christ makes his people free, which is contrasted with the yoke of bondage?: per Matthew Henry commentary. I fall in that category of not being cheerful while I am in this illness struggle so I need the Lord to clean my heart and renew HIS spirit within me to give me back my JOY!! I hope this makes sense!! Luv and Hugs Blessings, Jillian TN @}----- Psalm 23 The Lord Is My Shepherd (CFIDS/CEBV)
Kathie	Re: The Joy of the Lord is our Strength! (a study on joy)	#20	[-]
Posts: 20 (04/07/03 19:05:55) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	WOW! Everyone has pretty well covered the topic so beautifully. The only thing I can add is joy to me is knowing that through all our individual trials the outcome is in the LORD'S hands. Joy is knowing that Romans 8:28 is real