Joy -

Joy Fulfilled

“And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.” John 17:13

“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” John 15:11

Is your joy fulfilled? What does it mean to have Jesus’ joy be fulfilled within us? Jesus said to continue in my love and abide in my love [see John 15:8-10]. Jesus said, “Herein is my Father glorified.” The Father is glorified when we stay in the love of Jesus. As we remain in the love of Jesus, we will bear fruit. We will see beyond what we were or how we have begun in Christ. This is to bring the joy of the Lord within our hearts.

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. Psalms 28:7

Many will go their own selfish ways, but the Lord will be the strength and shield to those who trust in Him. Those who trust in His help every day. Is your heart rejoicing in the Lord every day? You may be going through a dry spell or a purging of your ways, but the Lord is preparing you for a better way to walk in this world. This is what Jesus prayed for in John chapter 17. Take note of the seven petitions that Jesus prayed.

That we may have joy.
To keep us from evil.
Sanctify us through the word of truth.
We are sent into the world.
As Jesus was sanctified, so are we sanctified through the truth.
That we would be one in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The glory that the Father gave to Jesus, Jesus offers to us that we may be one.

This prayer was not only for the twelve disciples, but for all whom the Father gave unto His Son. Those who believed in Jesus as the Son of God, the gift of salvation for all men and women. What about the following verse?

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.

Habakkuk 3:18-19

Habakkuk was a man with spiritual character who fulfilled God’s calling upon his life. Habakkuk had a great love for his people, but he could not understand why God used Babylon as a rod of correction. Habakkuk questions God about what is happening to his people. The afflictions they are receiving from the ungodly. What was the reason for the rod? The answer is given in Habakkuk 2:4-5. It is man’s soul that is lifted up when he is not righteous before the Lord. These are men who are proud, who drink too much wine, and who do not come home. A man who goes after his own desires and is not satisfied. A man who has lots of people under him to rule. If you are perplexed at what you are witnessing in the world today, you are not alone.

Despite the significant challenges we may face every day, “count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations,” [James 1:2]. God wants us to grow and mature as followers of Jesus. Our faith must stand on the foundation of Jesus and nothing else. Through faith comes spiritual life. Without faith, it brings spiritual death. The key factor we may miss is Habakkuk’s relationship with God. They had an open dialogue with each other. Plus, God answered Habakkuk’s questions. We do not see any doubt within Habakkuk’s character. Yet, Habakkuk stated, “I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation,” [see Habakkuk 3:18].

Habakkuk had a relationship with the Lord God. He was one with God. The prayer petitions of Jesus are for believers’ lives to stay in fellowship and be one with Him and the Father. Circumstances are not to take them away from the love of the Lord God. We are to have joy no matter what conditions we find ourselves in. We are to resist evil and follow the path of Jesus. We are sanctified through the word of truth. The Holy Spirit will guide us into the truth of our own ways, if they are different from God’s ways. We must repent of our own ways to walk the spiritual life in Christ. If you are standing in faith, rejoice in the Lord. Some Christians are barely making it today. Hold unto faith with a good conscience.

Let us rejoice in the Lord, for “He will make our feet like hinds’ feet, and He will make us walk in high places,” [see Habakkuk 3:19]. Rejoice in the Lord, for you will overcome all obstacles. Joy will be fulfilled as the Lord will enlarge the steps of your feet so you will not fall [see Psalms 18:36]. Do not allow circumstances to take your joy away. Bring out the stringed instrument and sing unto the Lord God. Remember His words and fellowship daily with the Lord God. Your Joy will be fulfilled.

A person stands with arms raised in a victory pose on a mountain peak, overlooking a scenic landscape with mountains in the background. The image includes a biblical verse from Habakkuk 3:19.

The Path of Joy

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
Psalms 16:11

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
John 15:11

The path of joy is being in his presence. The path of joy is abiding in the vine. Jesus is the vine. We have two scriptures that point to the path of joy. These two scriptures speak to having the fullness of joy in our life. An example of joy can be described as on a wedding day or the birth of a child. Joy is happiness, but it is much more than an emotional response. It is the fulfillment and long-lasting satisfaction of something being confirmed. One might say it is the satisfaction of life.

Joy is meant to be lasting in a person’s life. Yet, we know that it can be a fleeting emotional experience. How does one keep the path of joy? Real joy is being in the presence of God. Real joy is abiding in the love of God and keeping the commandments. Real joy is continuing our walk in the love of God. The path of joy is understanding the word of God.

Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
Nehamiah 8:10

Nehamiah was governor of Persian Judea under Artaxerxes 1 of Persia. Nehamiah and Ezra, the priest helped the people to understand the word of God. The people wept when they heard the words of the law [see Nehemiah 8:9]. In verse 10 of chapter eight states, “for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” They had understood and because they understood, they were weeping. Here is the path of joy, understanding the word of God and then going to eat the fat, drink, and send a portion to those who have nothing. This day is holy unto our Lord and the joy of the Lord is our strength. Is the joy of the Lord your strength?

Has the Lord done great things for you? I love to see the Lord’s manifestation of doing something for someone, if they would only believe in the power of the Lord. Each day is holy unto the Lord and His desire is to be our strength in doing the impossible. We can remember past blessings, but let’s allow the Lord to give us present blessings.

Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”
Psalms 126:2-6

The path of joy brings laughter and singing where those who do not believe can see what great things God has done for those who do believe. Oh! Turn again our captivity Lord with streams of living water. We may sow our seed in tears, but we will reap in joy. We are the clay molded for the master’s use in being a servant of the Lord shining the light of his love to those around us. We may pray with tears, but the end result is reaping in joy the blessings that God has bestowed upon us.

Every day can be a blessing when we give of ourselves to God and share it with others. That God’s spirit can work through us to the glory of God. That we may have joy unspeakable and full of glory. That our tongue may speak of the wonders of God and sing His praises. Keep the word of God and we shall abide in His love. Abiding in the vine through the word of God brings the fulfillment of joy as is stated in John chapter 15. It is the experience of repentance, cleansing, baptism, and sanctification that brings joy into our hearts. Just look at the following verses.

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.”
1 John 1:3-4

These things were written that your joy may be full. Fellowship with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ is the path to joy.

Make a Joyful Noise

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.”
Psalms 100:1

When was the last time you made a joyful noise unto the Lord? Seriously! Has anyone ever asked this question of you? I have never had anyone ask me this question, so I think it may be a question that is overlooked. Our minds today are on other things and some things are negative and would take us down a different road of irritation and dissatisfaction. I live by an Elementary school and every recess I hear screams of joy when they first run out onto the playground. Remember the holy laughter movement of the Spirit? Have you read the definition from Wikipedia? Wiki states it is “a religious behavior in which individuals spontaneously laugh during church meetings.” I got a good laugh out of that definition, for I know that some churches would frown upon this definition. What about the quotes we see on plaques and fabric that say “Live, Laugh, Love?” Some use that as a reminder that our body needs some good medicine.

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit dried the bones.”
Proverbs 17:22

No one wants to have dried up bones, for it is the reference for dying. It is associated with deprivation and death like in the valley of dry bones in Ezekial chapter 37. God asked Ezekiel in chapter 37, verse three, “Can these dry bones live?” The answer is “Yes.” God told Ezekiel to prophesy upon these bones in verse 4 of Ezekiel 37. If you are feeling dry and parched, you may need a refreshing of the Holy Spirit. You can even ask God to give you the spirit of joy in laughter even though some may think you strange to even bother God with such a question.

“Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.”
Psalms 126:2

Let us remember what the Lord hath done. . . He hath done great things. We may need a miracle ourselves and desire to see the Lord work through our trials. If you find yourselves in this situation, then break out with singing and praise to God for He is good, and His mercy is everlasting to all generation. He has turned our captivity into joy. So, no matter what situation you are in, joy is just around the corner when we lift up our voices in praise to the Lord. Let our mouth be filled with laughter and our tongue filled with singing. When you are dry and parched, then it is time to go to the word of God and get revived in the Spirit, for the word is a living word of hope. This is what Peter said in 1st Peter chapter one, verse three.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
1 Peter 1:3

It is a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, hallelujah. This is something to shout about and get it down into our heart. Look at verse 5, “who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” Just remember that your trial of faith is much more precious than gold to our Lord. Let us see with the eyes of faith forever, for it is a living hope and not a dead hope. That is why the word is nigh thee even in thy mouth. The word is a living word, and it is not dead. Being filled in the Spirit is a part of our inheritance that God has given us, and we are kept by it. May your soul be lifted up in the joy of the spirit of the Lord. You need not be ashamed of the joy of laughter. Even Smith Wigglesworth knew that people who were receiving the Holy Spirit for the first time would break out in laughter before speaking in tongues. God knows what each individual needs and He works it through us by His spirit.

Know ye that the Lord, he is God; it is he who hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”
Psalms 100:3

It is God who created us, and we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Therefore, we will enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. When you have your prayer time, have you ever tried to enter His courts with Praise? If you have not, then do so. . .for you will find your spirit in the presence of the Lord and you will find yourself standing on holy ground. Like the story of Moses in Acts chapter 7 and when you get down to verse 51 where it states, “do not resist the Holy Spirit as they did.” We too, are not to resist the Holy Spirit of God, for it was after we believed, we were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. That promise is the down payment of our inheritance, which is the Holy Spirit. This is until the redemption of the purchase possession unto the praise of His glory [see Ephesians 1:14]. What did Jesus say in the Gospel of John in chapter 12?

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me.“
John 12:32

Oh! Let us make a joyful noise unto the Lord all ye people of the Lands and He will draw us close to Him. Sing praises to the Holy one for He is our healer and salvation. For He has led us out of captivity from Satan’s hand into the ever-loving hand of God. “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; and God” [see Ephesians 2:14].

It is through the Holy Spirit that we can enter into His courts with praise. We start in the flesh and end up in the Spirit. I have witness this in many services and healing crusades. God will draw us close to us when we lift up our praise unto him. No matter what situation you are in right now this moment, lift up your voice in praise to God and be blessed by the Spirit of God. Don’t forget to ask and receive what you are asking for such as laughter and joy. Rejoice in the Lord!