Joy in the Lord
Joy is based upon who He is and what He has done for us. Admonish the idol.
We have trials, we have hard times but the Lord ask us to rejoice in this.
Lamentations 3:22-35 (NKJV) 22 [Through] the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. 23 [They are] new every morning; Great [is] Your faithfulness. 24 “The LORD [is] my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” 25 The LORD [is] good to those who wait for Him, To the soul [who] seeks Him. 26 [It is] good that [one] should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the LORD. 27 [It is] good for a man to bear The yoke in his youth. 28 Let him sit alone and keep silent, Because [God] has laid [it] on him; 29 Let him put his mouth in the dust– There may yet be hope. 30 Let him give [his] cheek to the one who strikes him, [And] be full of reproach. 31 For the Lord will not cast off forever. 32 Though He causes grief, Yet He will show compassion According to the multitude of His mercies. 33 For He does not afflict willingly, Nor grieve the children of men. 34 To crush under one’s feet All the prisoners of the earth, 35 To turn aside the justice [due] a man Before the face of the Most High,
The Lord says its good to have your face in the dust.
Philippians 1:29 (NKJV) For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
Philippians 3:10 (NKJV) that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,
Christ calls us to share in His sufferings.
Galatians 2:20 (NKJV) “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the [life] which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Suffering isn’t something we should run towards but it is not something we should run away from.
Psalm 97:12 (NKJV) Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.
We will see the wrath of God coming down on the wicked. We will grieve over the great loss the wicked will suffer.
Romans 13:14 (NKJV) But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to [fulfill its] lusts.
Ephesians 4:29-30 (NKJV) 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Lets bear each others burdens, lets be thankful in all situations.
1 Thessalonians 5:14-24 (NKJV) 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you [is] faithful, who also will do [it.]