Fruit of the Spirit: Joy by Pastor Rod Parsley

Fruit of the Spirit: Joy But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Psalms 5:11 You might think of joy as happiness. But don't be confused; joy is not an emotion-it is a supernatural expression given to us by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Unlike happiness, which is a fleeting emotion that often depends on our circumstances, joy is a deep and abiding sense of contentment that provides a foundation for our lives in Christ. Unlike fragile happiness, which can wither during times of testing, joy grows and blossoms in the hard soil of tough times. The Bible is replete with examples of those who continued to rejoice even in the face of persecution. For example, the apostle Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians while he was imprisoned, yet his letter is one of joy, exhorting the people of Philippi to rejoice (Philippians 4:4). We will never find joy by seeking self-centered excitement and pleasure. True joy results when we give ourselves to God, wholly and completely, and yield to His will and purpose. True joy is the gift of knowing that our loving heavenly Father holds our future in His hands. Further Reading Psalms 51:12 James 1:2-4 1 Peter 1:8 God Bless,

Joy in His Presence by Rod Parsley

Joy in His Presence You will fill me with joy in your presence. Psalms 16:11 Troubled times are upon us. This world is not going to get any better, only worse. The good news for the blood-washed and blood-bought is that although we live in this world, we belong to the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is diametrically opposed to the system of this world. That means when things get worse for the world, they should get better for you! That's right! So rejoice and refill your tank of joy! The best way to do that is to spend time in the presence of God-pray constantly, read His Word daily and get to know Him intimately! The level of your joy determines the level of your strength! The Bible is full of verses about joy. Psalms 20:5 says, "We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests." I believe the more we're with Him, the more we learn to be like Him. The Holy Spirit will guide us and teach us to be more like Him in every way. The joy of the Lord is our strength. When we get more of Him, we will have less of us-and that's a formula for success! Further Reading 1 Peter 1:8 Job 33:26 Psalms 5:11 God Bless,