Joy

Galatians 5:22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another. (NLT)

If you are a child of God His Holy Spirit is at work in you. Romans 8:9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)

Part of the fruit the Holy Spirit produces is Joy. Paul tells us to follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives. He produces joy, if we are to follow Him we should allow that joy to rise to the surface of our attitude. We should allow joy to be one of the buffers in our responses.

I believe it was Warren Wiersbe who I first heard say, "Happiness depends on happenings, but joy depends on Jesus who is the same yesterday, today and forever." In other words, our joy is not dependent on our circumstances, rather firmly planted in our immutable God and the assurance of the promises of God in Christ. 2Cor 1:20 For all of God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding "Yes!" And through Christ, our "Amen" (which means "Yes") ascends to God for his glory.

The fruit is there for the picking. It is a by-product of the Holy Spirit, so joy in Christ. Rejoice!

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr