Joy -- more than mere happiness !

Jesus- the center of our joy!

The Joy of the Lord is our strength!

Webster's dictionary
definition: 1) to experience great pleasure or delight
Greek dictionary definition: 5479. chara, khar-ah'; from G5463; cheerfulness, i.e.
calm delight:--gladness, X greatly, (X be exceeding) joy (-ful, -fully, -fulness,
-ous). (Found 57 times in the New Testament, in 18 books)

There are many ways to define joy. Joy isn't just a smile or a laugh. Joy is
something that is deep within and doesn't leave quickly. When we have the joy of
the Lord, we'll show it and others will see it. "The joy of the Lord is your
strength." —Nehemiah 8:10. The spirit of God is the everlasting one that gives us
who are born again by the water of baptism in Jesus name, and the subsequent
spirit entering in our lives, joy unspeakable and full of glory! The following
scriptures point out the need to be ever joyful, despite problems or persecutions
we may be facing in our lives. And if you are the sons and daughters of the Most
High God, nothing even death, could ever seperate you from his presence. Weeping
may endure throughout the night, but joy cometh in the morning. The Joy of the
Lord reflects the excitement of being a part of the family of God. Even on the
worst day of our life, nothing could entirely seperate us from the eternal reality
that we have. I speak of the righteousness put on by baptism in Christ. He has
knocked at our hearts door, and we have received him in as our guest forever. He
is our covering, shield, and bright and morning star. When one is in love, nothing
else can remove that feeling. Our first and last love must be God and his word.
Nothing else will endure the trial and tribulations that all will face in life. It
rains equally on the just and unjust. Here then are some scriptures on the subject
of joy.

Habakkuk 3:17-18 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be
in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no
meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the
stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
Psalm 30:4-5 Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the
remembrance of his holiness. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is
life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
Romans 5:8-11 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet
sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we
shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were
reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall
be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord
Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, rejoice!"
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance:
against such there is no law.
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and
peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
1Peter 1:7-8 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious
than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto
praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not
seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with
joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Peter said, concerning Jesus, in Acts 2:28 "Thou hast made known to me the ways
of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance."
Hebrews 12:2 : Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for
the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set
down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Psalm 67:4 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the
people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.
Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of
joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Psalm 48:2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on
the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
Isaiah 12:2-4 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for
the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. And in that
day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among
the people, make mention that his name is exalted.
One day God himself will take away all our tears and sorrow. That time is nearer
than when we first believed. The daystar will arise and the stone, which will fill
the earth. God will usher in a new world wherein dwelleth righteousness. As it is
his righteousness that is our covering. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done. Like
Jesus, we will all say "It is finished." Thank God always that he counts us worthy
to escape the penalty of death, which is sin. Surely we will say it was by his
grace and our faith, that he worked a work that made us overcomers in Christ
Jesus. God is the author and finisher of our faith. In reality, he did it all. We
simply responded to his calling in our lives. Freely he gives us all things, as we
must act accordingly. Great joy is here now, but greater joy will come when he
enters us into all things prepared by him. This knowledge is what fuels us for the
warfare that all saints fight. We travail not against flesh and blood, instead our
battle is the Lord's against sin and Satan. If we stay in the city of refuge then
we are safely saved. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times
of trouble. The earth will be shaken and moved, and only the things of his will
remain. That is because they stand upon the rock, a firm foundation that cannot be
moved. This is our hope. We seek a city to come. The maker thereof is from
everlasting to everlasting, without end.