TUESDAY September 20, 2022
The Joy of the Spirit
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Galatians 5:22-23
Believers in Christ need to have the joy of the Lord, even through their trials and tribulations. How often do we come to church, and because of our trials, we find it hard to be in one mind and one spirit as the believers were on the Day of Pentecost? If we remain focused on our problems, we will become depressed and can feel sorry for ourselves. As Christians, we will suffer and go through trials, but we need to have an eternal perspective and keep rejoicing, knowing that God is still working in and through us:
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory... (1 Peter 1:6-8).
The Day of Pentecost was a day of power––the power of the Holy Spirit working in the life of a believer: Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13). Do you have evidence of the Holy Spirit’s power working in your life? Are you filled with joy, peace and hope?
Do not let the enemy steal away your joy. The best way to do this is to look around at the needs of others around you. Begin to reach out to them, help them, and ask God to fill you with His joy. As you obediently serve Him, He will fill your life with His joy. Joy is contagious!
You can have joy in the God of your salvation: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation (Habakkuk 3:18). You can rejoice that your name is written in heaven (Luke 10:20).
Joy is delight at God's grace which enables us to endure our trials.
~George Seevers~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
