Joy

Posted by SEBTS Women's Life at 9:10 AM
 
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What do you think of when you hear the word joy?  
What makes you joyful?  
How do you live out a joyful life?  




17 comments:

  • Catherine | December 7, 2010 at 1:26 PM

    I think of first my sister, her name is Joy. My family is very special to me and it is a joy to be around them! Live out a joyful life by being yourself, helping others, laughing with them, being positive around others, sharing the joy in Christ that He has given us! Joy is a time to be happy and see joy- the smile in others. :)

  • Lauren V. | December 7, 2010 at 1:29 PM

    To live in light of the joy of the Lord is a constant goal for me, especially in the midst of things that steal happiness. However, although happiness can be stolen, I think joy is something believers have because of the Gospel, and it's that joy that abides forever because we know that when circumstances and happiness levels change, there is always joy to be found in Christ.

  • Josh, Amanda, Addilyn, and Josiah Kelly | December 7, 2010 at 3:29 PM

    When I hear the word JOY I think of the great gifts given to me through the Holy Spirit because it is clear that joy comes to us from the Holy Spirit after we trust in Jesus.

    Acts 13:52- And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
    Acts 16:34 - The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.
    Romans 15:13- May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
    Galatians 5:22- But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness...
    1 Thessalonians 1:6 - You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.
    1 Peter 1:8 - Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy...

    What make makes me joyful is knowing that my salvation is secure. On good days and difficult days, by God's grace alone, the Holy Spirit will still lead me to delight in the one true King!

  • Diane | December 7, 2010 at 4:03 PM

    J-Jesus
    O-Others
    Y-You
    As I prepared to teach a lesson to a Sunday School group a few weeks ago, I read again the familiar story of the conversion of the Philippian jailor in Acts 16. I noticed something I hadn’t noticed before. I noticed his joy. Acts 16:34 says, “And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.” Just a few moments before in verse 27, he despaired of life, but now he rejoiced – what was it that made the difference? It was believing in Jesus Christ. In verse 30, he asked the question, “What must I do to be saved?” He wanted to know how he could have the assurance that when this life was over, he was ready for eternity. Many today seek this assurance, but are told it isn’t possible, or else they are given some complex answer of some religious rituals they must follow in order to HOPEFULLY gain eternal life. The answer today is as simple as it was then, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved.” Believing in Jesus Christ brings joy to one’s life, for it brings with it the assurance of eternal life. For the Christian, joy comes as we believe the promises of God’s Word, and apply them to our lives – promises of His presence; promises of His provision; promises of His protection. The Philippian jailor experienced joy that day, because he believed in Jesus Christ. What about you? Do you have that joy? Have you placed your faith in Jesus Christ for your salvation? Are you daily living in God’s joy by trusting the promises of His Word? “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusts in him.” Psalm 34:8

  • April Marie | December 7, 2010 at 8:57 PM

    Joy is something that I am so thankful for as a Christian. It is such a gift and so reassuring that it is Christ who brings it forth. It is difficult to express but I am so thankful for the sweet moments when it is present. There have been moments when I have surrendered something to the Lord that I was holding onto for so long or trusted Him in a difficult situation only to watch Him display His beautiful provision and reliability. In those moments I am so thankful for the humble joy that floods over me and reminds me that God is awesome and I am so unworthy of His love. But for some reason He saw fit to pursue me and sacrifice the greatest treasure of all, His son.

  • Mary | December 7, 2010 at 11:40 PM

    Joy is a word that isn't always easy be an example of. To me, it means living out the words of Christ. It doesn't necessarily mean happiness. It means knowing that I'm going to see my grandmother who just passed away when I get to heaven and looking forward to that. It means looking forward to heaven with such excitement that anyone who sees me wonders how to get the same joy.

  • Anonymous | December 8, 2010 at 9:34 AM

    I think of my name and trying to live it out biblically.
    things that make me joyful: Jesus, my husband, my son, my pregger belly, starbucks, bubble baths, a good book, breezy walks, good talks with an old friend, trying new things.
    we live out a joyful life by Christ's strength and making the choice in our minds. We can allow our feelings to dictate our happiness or we can choose to live joyfully.

  • Stephanie | December 8, 2010 at 10:24 AM

    I think about family. I think about the day that our child will come home. I strive to live daily in the joy of the Lord. We have so many reasons to be joyful if we've received the awesome gift of Christ as our salvation!

  • Anonymous | December 8, 2010 at 3:06 PM

    I think of a few things:
    --my Aunt Joy and the fact that she resonates said fruit of the Spirit
    --the acronym J(esus), O(thers), Y(ou)
    --that joy comes from the Lord. "The joy of the Lord is my strength" Neh. 8:10...It's not the same thing as happiness.

  • ChristyS | December 9, 2010 at 12:06 AM

    When I hear joy, I picture an exact moment in my past when I was walking onto stage to sing with the choir along with our worship minister's wife (at our former church). She was praying out loud, asking God to help her keep her joy as she could see the enemy trying to steal it away as we were preparing to lead hearts into worship. I had never given much thought to the word joy, but that moment has stayed in my mind, as I realized the importance of finding joy/contentment in all circumstances and not letting the enemy steal that joy away since it affects my ability to serve the Lord.

    I am also reminded of the old song, "The joy of the Lord is my strength," and I can hear my mom singing it in my mind.

    To me, joy is not happiness. It is contentment. This time of year, celebrating the birth of our Savior quietly with my family brings me great joy. A joyful life is one that embodies Philippians 4:11-13. I strive to be content with where God has placed me and how he has blessed me. A life of simplicity brings joy to me.

  • PurdyPress | December 10, 2010 at 11:11 AM

    When I hear the word joy I think of a deep abiding peace in Christ. Not a temporary feeling of happiness that can leave as easily as it came. I am currently reading When I Don't Desire God by John Piper and he makes the point that joy is worth fighting for. Now when I see or hear the word I strive to find ways to enjoy the simple things in life and focus on resting in God rather than relying on my circumstanes to make me happy. What makes me most joyful is the concept of relationships. God created us with an innate need for fellowship with Him and other people. I love people and having the opportunity to invest my family and friends' lives on a daily basis. Whether it is inviting another family into our home, sharing life together with our small group, or saying hi to a stranger at the grocery store I enjoy opportunities to engage with other people. This Christmas season I am striving to focus on the simple joys in everyday life if that is a kiss from my husband, a belly laugh from my 9 month old son, or a plate of cookies delivered by the neighbor etc. I am choosing to live a joyful life because Christ's unconditional mercy and grace was given to me that I might be a blesssing to others!

  • Unknown | December 10, 2010 at 11:19 AM

    When I hear the word Joy I always think of the eternal Joy we have in the Lord!

  • Kate | December 11, 2010 at 7:16 PM

    When I think of the word joy I think of the joy that I have in the Lord for saving a sinner like me from destruction. I see myself lifting my hands, smiling and filled with satisfaction in the Lord:). Living out a joyful life is a daily fight amidst all of the struggles and temptations we face everyday. We have to fight for joy by dying to our selfish ambitions and keep the gospel the center. It is a life that, no matter what happens, will hold fast to the Lord and look to Him for guidance, love, and purpose.

  • Kate | December 11, 2010 at 7:18 PM

    These were great questions and they got me thinking about what I am truly joyful about in my life right now.

  • Jo | December 13, 2010 at 11:44 AM

    I almost always think of I Peter 1:8- the inexpressible joy. It's something that fills your being and you heart feels as if it could burst because of what it's feeling.

    Joy is something that can only truly be expressed from a follower of Christ, for no one else has a better reason to be joyful- the fact that we have been redeemed and our redeemer is faithful!

    What makes me joyful is whenever I seize an opportunity to share the Gospel with someone and whenever I am serving those who are less fortunate than me. Additionally, I have joy when I am among other believers during times of song, prayer, and worship. I'm filled with joy from seeing others worship the same almighty God I'm worshiping.

    Living out a joyful life focuses on the fact that even when life isn't full of "happiness", we still have joy that our God is faithful, near, loving, and sovereign.

  • Amanda Lynne Winter | December 13, 2010 at 2:45 PM

    When I hear the word Joy I think of how as we walk with CHrist we can have joy no matter what our circumstances may be. Emotions are fleeting and change according to circumstances. But, joy does not change according to circumstances. Because of what Christ we can be joyful no matter what we are walking in or through.

    1 Thessalonians 5:18
    Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

    I think that being joyful is closely tied to thankfulness. There is ALWAYS something we can be thankful for if we know Jesus Christ. Therefore, there is always a reason to be JOYFUL-because we have been redeemed, transformed and delivered from our sins and a life apart from God. Christ Jesus is OUR JOY :)

  • Amanda Lynne Winter | December 13, 2010 at 2:58 PM

    I have actually never heard the acronym that is connected to the JOY. Either that or I heard it and I forgot it. I LOVE it.

    J-Jesus
    0-Others
    Y-You

    Loved it! It really helps keep things in perspective and helps you refocus your priorities!

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