#joyinthelord

[walkswithmyfather]

“Choosing to laugh, be joyful, and take a lighthearted approach to many things in life will do more than make you a pleasant person. Nehemiah 8:10 says “the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Think about it: How strong or confident do you feel when you are discouraged, depressed, or “down in the dumps”? You don't feel strong at all. But when you allow God to fill you with joy, you feel as though you can do anything.

Many times, when Satan comes against us, he is simply trying to steal our joy. He wants us to fear, despair, or have a negative outlook on life because he knows if he can dampen our joy, he can steal our strength. In order to stay strong, we must also stay joyful.”

—Joyce Meyer

[daily-bible-quotes]

GOD’S SUPPORT & CONSOLATION

If I say, “My foot is slipping,” Your loving devotion, O LORD, supports me.

When anxiety abounds within me, Your comforts delight my soul.

Psalm 94:18-19

[walkswithmyfather]

True, lasting joy can only be found in God! 🙌 Here are 7 Bible verses about joy:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” —Galatians 5:22‭-‬23 (NIV)

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” —James 1:2‭-‬4 (NIV)

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” —John 15:9‭-‬11 (NIV)

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” —Romans 12:12 (NIV)

“Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his dwelling place.” —1 Chronicles 16:27 (NIV)

“Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” —Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)

“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.” —Romans 15:13 (NIV)

“Joy cannot be pursued. It comes from within. It is a state of being. It does not depend on circumstances, but triumphs over circumstances. It produces a gentleness of spirit and a magnetic personality.” —Billy Graham

[walkswithmyfather]

“For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.” Psalm 5:12 (NKJV)

“But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy. For you bless the godly, O Lord; you surround them with your shield of love.” Psalm 5:11‭-‬12 (NLT)

“But let them all be glad, those who turn aside to hide themselves in you. May they keep shouting for joy forever! Overshadow them in your presence as they sing and rejoice. Then every lover of your name will burst forth with endless joy. Lord, how wonderfully you bless the righteous. Your favor wraps around each one and covers them under your canopy of kindness and joy.” Psalm 5:11‭-‬12 (TPT)

[walkswithmyfather]

“Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!” 🙌

—Psalm 126:3 (NLT)

[walkswithmyfather]

Psalm 5:11-12

“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You. Surely, Lord, You bless the righteous; You surround them with Your favor as with a shield.” (NIV)

“Righteous” - “The righteousness of God, in Christ, means that you are justified, declared righteous because you have had your sins cleansed by Jesus. This is both all of your past sins, and all of your present and future sins (that you’ve repented for and/or are covered in God’s grace for).” (Quora) So ANYONE can be righteous (have right-standing) before God, if they come to Jesus and repent of their sins. Anyone includes you and me, Friend. This is a gift above all others!

“He made Christ who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to God and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].” 2 Cor 5:21(AMP)

And when you have right-standing with God, through Jesus, God blesses you. When you run to God for safety, He will spread His protection over you and surround you with His favor like a shield. And you can take any promise in the Bible, declare it out loud in faith and God will honor that promise, if your heart is right with Him and you believe in what you are declaring. Faith is the key that opens the door to God’s promises.

PRAYER: Lord, “Let all who take refuge in you rejoice. Let them sing with joy forever. Protect them, and let those who love Your name triumph in You.” Keep us safe through this time Lord. Your Word says “You bless righteous people, O Lord. Like a large shield, you surround them with your favor.” (Ps 5:11-12, GW) Surround Your people with protection at this time. 

Friend, may “No evil come to you”; and “plagues be turned away at your door.” May “No harm overtake you; no illness come near your home.” (Ps 91:10 VOICE, NET) By the power of the Holy Spirit and the Blood of the Lamb of God and in Jesus’ name, Amen. 🙏

[walkswithmyfather]

Psalm 28:7 - The Lord is my strength!

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him."  (NIV)

"He is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trusted in Him, and He helped me. Joy rises in my heart until I burst out in songs of praise to Him." (TLB)

I don’t know why all this is happening in the world, but I do know that there is enormous power available from God and that He will bring help in all the ways available to Him. He will work through His Word, prayers, other people, increasing our inner strength and many other ways we probably know nothing about. God is asking us to use Him as our source. He wants us to learn to rest and trust Him. If we do, we can have peace and joy in all circumstances. "The Eternal is the source of my strength and the shield that guards me. When I learn to rest and truly trust Him, He sends His help. This is why my heart is singing! I open my mouth to praise Him, and thankfulness rises as song." (VOICE).  

"You are my strength and my shield from every danger. When I fully trust in you, help is on the way. I jump for joy and burst forth with ecstatic, passionate praise! I will sing songs of what you mean to me!" (TPT) When we pray in faith, fully trusting God, help may not come in ways we understand but it will come to us! 

"Blessed be God —He heard me praying. He proved he’s on my side; I’ve thrown my lot in with Him. Now I’m jumping for joy, and shouting and singing my thanks to Him." (MSG) God hears all our prayers. He’s on our side. He proved  it definitively when He sent Jesus to rescue us. And He proves it in little ways every day that we probably will never notice unless we stop and pay attention. There are no half-measures with God, you’re either all-in or you’re not in at all. If you’re all in, there is so much joy and peace available in our Lord.

PRAYER: Lord, "You are my strong shield, and I trust you completely. You have helped me, and I will celebrate and thank you in song." (CEV) Thank You for all the times and all the ways You help us. Fill us with Your peace and strength. Help us to trust in You fully. Give us the joy that only You can give. Let us praise You God, who are always good! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

[thebrightword]

Invite God’s joy into your heart today, even if life feels heavy. Let His strength carry you.