Spiritual Joy

Believers Ministry Daily Devotional

Donna Braman

07-06-09

THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE AND I SHALL REJOICE IN IT!

SPIRITUAL JOY

Read:

Acts 16: 16-34

Paul wrote extensively about spiritual joy, which had been tested and proven in his life through the "fires" of beatings, rejections, and arrests. As he sat in the Philippian jail, the Apostle demonstrated what is possible for any surrendered believer; Holy Spirit joy. He was in chains and was chained to a guard 24 hours a day, but no matter what circumstances he was in His work for the Lord continued. I like to think that he considered his situation and said to himself, I'm going to get something good out of this for the Lord and I'm going to start with this guard that is chained to me, and that is precisely what he did. Not only was the guard saved in the end but the guard's whole family! Think about that the next time you see yourself in an impossible situation that is stealing your joy. Divine joy cannot be taken, we release it, but God says to hold on to it, and praise your way through it and you will win. When Daniel started dancing in the fire Jesus showed up. How many Christians can honestly say that when a circumstance or event threatens to slap us down, we start dancing before the Lord and thanking him for putting us in the fire, or in the depressive situation. But he is trying to teach us trust in him, and those who put their trust in him for their joy will never be without gladness in their heart no matter the temporary situations we find ourselves in from time to time. Paul and Daniel were trusting men in the Lord at all times and in all situations, they were steadfast and unshakeable and they never lost their joy.

We can lose our joy for several reasons:

1. Wrong focus. Paul and Silas were able to praise God despite severe trials because they centered on Jesus. Concentrating on our difficulties will cause delight to disappear. Refocusing through praise will bring it back.

2. Disobedience. Sin steals our joy and self (pride) takes us to the wrong focus. These two things separate us from the Holy Spirit. When we take our focus off self and put it onto others and repent of sin joy returns to us.

3. Regret. We crowd out joy when we continue to feel bad about past mistakes and failure. Our Father wants us to believe that He forgives us (1 John 1:9). He also desires that we choose to live in His grace and move ahead.

4. Fear. Too often we attempt to live out the future before it has happened. With so much outside our control, we become afraid. Joy and fear cannot dwell together. The Lord calls us to live by faith, asking Him to meet today's needs and trusting Him with the future.

5. Someone else's suffering. How can we feel joy when others are hurting? Romans 12:15 says we are to weep with them, but we are also to offer hope of God's presence, power, and provision. A downcast or depressed spirit is a poor witness for hope. (Psalm 42:11)

SEED WORD:

What excuse have you been using for your lack of joy? Fix your gaze on your Savior, lift your voice and praise in the midst of sadness. It is the opposite of what you feel but that is precisely what you are to do to be lifted up into his joy and presence. I know what works for me is when I forget about my own self, put emotion aside and began to serve someone else in their need. It always without fail has changed my own circumstances and the joy that floods my soul is unspeakable, it may be as simple as taking a child that needs love to get an ice cream, it may be dropping off vegetables from my garden to an elderly neighbor, it may be just a card to say a view uplifting words to someone who has been through a difficult time. When we have the means and opportunity to lift another up and we don't take advantage of that we rob our ownselves of the Holy Spirit joy that can not be attained any other way.

If you would like to share a word or contact this ministry email: djbraman@gmail.com