~ Joy: A condition or feeling of great pleasure or happiness;
to Delight or Enjoy ~
In St. Luke 6:21-23 we read, "Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. *Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. *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."
I think that almost everyone likes to receive the good things that being blessed brings with living a life according to the Written Word of God “YHWH” the Bible. Although, it is sometimes difficult to endure the reproach that comes from those that do not believe and do not the Truth.
If we would take time to think about it, we truly are blessed when we are not in close proximity with none believers, those that believe and live a lie. One reason for this is that when a bad apple is kept close to a good apple, there is a chance that the good apple might be corrupted.
Sometimes it is difficult waiting for payday to come especially when you are feeling a little short on cash ~
The Apostle Paul in Philippians 2:14-18 wrote, "Do all things without murmurings and disputings: *That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; *Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. *Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. *For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me."
I find that when I do not complain about a situation that is unpleasant, dealing with the situation is a little easier to cope with and bear.
If the Saints would take time to think that they are Children of the King, Royalty perhaps, they would be able to remember that ALL the good things belong to them.
The Apostles praised the Lord that they were counted worthy to suffer for the cause of Christ ~
The Saints need to remember that they are walking on the Highway of Holiness and the wicked cannot enter therein. Isaiah 35:8
In Philippians 2:1-2, the Apostle Paul wrote, "If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, *Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind."
We need to consider the reward of our labors and patiently wait for our Rich Reward which is Life Everlasting with Jesus in God’s New Heavenly Kingdom.
The Saints must put on the Mind of Christ and the Armour of the Lord so that they will be able to stand firm in the Truth.
We read in 3rd John 1:4, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the Truth."
As a parent I have always found joy when our children lived their life in the manner we taught them live and when they came to us to ask our advice on things that they were considering doing especially, when they had become an adult with a family of their own and they still sought our advice and taught their children to do the same.
In St. Luke 15:10 we read, "Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."
In my life, I have experienced the sadness of a long separation from two of my children and I can tell you for sure that I experienced great joy when we were back together again, especially, after twenty seven years of not knowing where they were or how they were doing.
In St. John 15:9-12, the Apostle John wrote, "As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. *If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. **These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. *This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you."
Jesus told His disciples that there is a condition that must be met and maintained in order for them and us to realize / experience the Fullness of His Joy and that condition is the Observance of His Holy unaltered Commandments as they were Written by the Finger of God “YHWH.”
If the Saints truly love one another and love the Lord with their whole heart / Spirit, Soul and Body, they will not break or dishonor the Commandments of God “YHWH.”
The Apostle Paul in Romans 5:8-11 wrote, "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."
To know that Jesus was willing to suffer and die for my sins before I ever knew that He existed is more that I can comprehend. Why wouldn’t anyone be willing to show gratitude to one who would willingly pay their debts and set them at liberty.
The Bible says that the debtor is a servant “a slave” to the lender, Proverbs 22:7 and Jesus has set us free if, we are willing to accept it. Praise His Holy Name!
In Romans 14:17, the Apostle Paul wrote, "For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and Joy in the Holy Ghost."
The Saints cannot experience the fullness of All Joy until they have received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. It is the Holy Ghost that leads the Saints into ALL Truth; it is the Holy Ghost that Comforts the Soul of the Saints; it is the Holy Ghost that gives Great Power, “Dynamite Exploding Power” to the Saints of God “YHWH” so that they might be able to overcome ALL the power of the enemy, satan.
The Apostle Paul in Galatians 5:22-23 wrote, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, *Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
One thing to notice about this statement of the Apostle Paul is that he spoke of the Fruit of the Spirit as being one / singular yet, it has more than one part or quantity, it has nine individual parts to the One Fruit.
The Fruit of the Spirit like the Father “YHWH” and His Son “Jesus” though being more than one two, are One.
In Jude 1:24-25 we read, "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, *To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and for ever. Amen."
It is truly amazing to me that in spite of the stubbornness or our flesh, Jesus is still willing and more than able to keep us from falling from Grace and will bring the Saints in through the Gates of that City / New Jerusalem where we shall have Joy For Ever More. Praise His Holy Name!
Derwood A. Stewart, Minister
House of Prayer Sabbath Ministries
Comments? Email Us: hope@preachersteacher.org
