Don't Let the Enemy Steal Your Joy - Great Importance of your Joy
hello guys, today i want to talk a little on the importance of your joy. Don't let the enemy steal your joy today.
He'll try you know.
You may not even realize it until it's too late.
From the moment your feet hit the floor, he'll do all that he can to distract you, to overwhelm you, to frustrate you, and to stir up worry and strife. Often his ways are subtle, other times they're more clear. It’s what he does best. Stealing. Killing. Destroying.
Just say "no."
Don't let him win.
We have a choice of who we listen to and what we believe.
Recognize who is at the root of it all, and push past his lies, step over his traps.
God gives us the power through His Holy Spirit to live free from the entanglement of sin. He gives us the power to live strong. He gives wisdom and discernment to make the right choices. He gives joy deep inside. He offers the assurance, that no matter what we face, He is with us.
His truth says this, 8 loving reminders:
"The joy of the Lord is my strength." Neh.8:10
"Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world." 1 John 4:4
"No weapon that is formed against you will prosper..." Is.54:17
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Rom.15:13
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” James 1:2
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Ps.118:24
“For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” Is. 55:12
May His grace, peace, and joy cover your day.
He is with you...
"Dear God,
At the start of each day, help us to recognize you above all else. Enlighten the eyes of our heart that we might see you, and notice how you're at work through our lives. Give us wisdom to make the best choices, fill us with a desire to seek after you more than anything else in this world. Let your Spirit and power breathe in us, through us, again, fresh and new. Thank you that you are greater than anything we may face in our day. Thank you that your presence goes with us, and that your joy is never dependent on our circumstances, but it is our true and lasting strength, no matter what we're up against. We ask that your peace lead us, that it would guard our hearts and minds in you. We ask for your grace to cover our lives this day. We love you Lord...we need you.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen."
Joy is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. You have joy in proportion to your spiritual maturity. Joy is not depended on your circumstances. Joy is not happiness.
(Galatians 5:22-23 NIV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, {23} gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
The verses in Isaiah are taken out of context. You have to look at who's talking and who they're talking to. For example:
(Isaiah 54:11-17 NIV) "O afflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted, I will build you with stones of turquoise, your foundations with sapphires. {12} I will make your battlements of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones. {13} All your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be your children's peace. {14} In righteousness you will be established: Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear. Terror will be far removed; it will not come near you. {15} If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing; whoever attacks you will surrender to you. {16} "See, it is I who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work. And it is I who have created the destroyer to work havoc; {17} no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD.
God is talking about a future time of blessing for Israel. It has no application for a Christian today.