Retaining Joy
What did Jesus teach about joy? Prophets Russ and Kitty Walden teach on the subject of RETAINING JOY. Joy is a key to finding the will of God for your life. Isaiah said you will go out with Joy and be led forth with Peace. Joy is the GPS of God to direct you into the Father’s placement for your life.
Retaining Your Joy
What Did Jesus Teach about Joy?
[Mat 13:44 ] Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
Joy is about going all the way with God. There are always dimensions of cost in following Christ. If we see the cost but refrain and hesitate then we lose our joy. Some call this a “backslidden state”. Hosea 6:3 tells us that following Jesus is about “knowing” and then “following on to know” the Lord in ever deeper dimensions. Don’t every adopt a static position in spiritual things. Always be a learner – moving on to deeper challenges in God. This is a key to joy.
[Mat 25:21 ] His lord said unto him, Well done, [thou] good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Joy is about discerning your ministry portion and being faithful in it. Every Christian whether a full time minister or not has a call. 2 Peter 1:10 says we are to make our calling and election sure. Disregarding the suggestion that there is a deeper call to Christian service will rob you of your joy. You are to be more than a consumer of the ministry you are called as well to be a producer – this is what “Seek first the kingdom looks like …”
[Luk 6:23 ] Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward [is] great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
In preparing His disciples for persecution Jesus tells them to rejoice as an act of their will. There is a physicality to joy. Move your body. Let the body language of joy over rule the heaviness of your heart. Particularly when under pressure in relationships regarding your faith.
[Luk 15:7 ] I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
Eph. 2:6 says the believer is seated with Christ in heavenly places. The happiest Christians are those that share their faith. Everyone is called to publish the good news. Allowing timidity and the spirit of the world to suppress the sharing of your faith will rob you of your joy.
[Jhn 15:11 ] These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and [that] your joy might be full.
When washing the feet of the disciples Jesus said we should do likewise that our joy may be full. Foot washing was an ancient tradition among a people who went everywhere on foot wearing sandals. It was a courtesy and a sign of affection and respect. Jesus spoke of foot washing in the same language that He advocated communion and water baptism. We should wash one another’s feet literally and figuratively in our deference and affection for one another.
[Jhn 16:20-22, 24 ] …. your sorrow shall be turned into joy. 21 A woman when she is in travail … as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. 24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
Joy is about birthing something. Sometimes when you are down hearted it isn’t actual depression but the Spirit of God moving on you to pray. When you are down make it your autonomic response to pray.
[Jhn 17:13 ] And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
Rev. 19:10 says that the spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus. The words of Jesus will cause you to have joy. Despising the words of Jesus whether in the bible or through the prophetic will rob you of joy. Seek the prophetic. Read your bible. Keep a God journal.
BE JOYFUL IN GOD YOUR SAVIOUR!
[Rom 14:17] For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
