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The Secret of Joy


What kind of Spirit is the Holy Spirit?



He is the Spirit of Joy.   



How do we know what's of the flesh and what's of the Spirit? 




If it's dry, depressed, or worried, that's the flesh and maybe even a demonic spirit. 





Joy, life, peace, freedom, kindness...



That's Him.  



That's the Holy Spirit. 





2 Corinthians 7:4  (NET Bible)
...I am overflowing with joy in the midst of all our suffering.




Suffering comes from problems and brings pressure. 



Pressure comes from money, kids, work,  conflict...  




Just because pressure comes against you. 



Doesn't mean that you've got to allow it in you.

  


You don't have control over the problem, but you do have control of your response.  





Hebrews 10:33-34 (CEB)
33 Sometimes you were exposed to insults and abuse in public. 


Other times you became partners with those who were treated that way. 


34 You even showed sympathy toward people in prison and... 


accepted the confiscation of your possessions with joy




since you knew that you had better and lasting possessions.




They lost their possessions with joy.



Their enemies took their old stuff, but their good stuff was in heaven.  




If you focus on your eternity in heaven,  you'll have joy.  




If you focus on the loss of your possessions here on earth, you'll have despair.  





This is how Jesus endured the cross.




Hebrews 12:2 (ESV)
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, 


who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, 



despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.



Jesus looked beyond the cross by focusing on what awaited Him on the other side.   



He looked past the cross, and saw Himself siting on the throne with God, the Father, throughout eternity in heaven.  




It's what you focus upon that brings joy.  

Does a flat tire or a speeding ticket steal your joy? 



That's Satan's plan for you.  




He knows that the joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10). 

    

Looking beyond your present circumstances is how you keep your joy.  


James 1:2-4  (HCSB)
Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials,


knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 



But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.



It may not feel like joy. 


When you look below the surface for it's purpose,  maturity, it's joy.  




It is an opportunity  for joy.   



The first natural response is to cry. 



Look at it as an opportunity for God to get glory through your example.  



I'll show you, devil.  



You don't feel like it, but change your perspective of it.   



It's an chance to mature to be more like Jesus.  



This will be if we stay in faith.  


You're not rejoicing over the trial.   


I'm not focusing on the right now.  



Rejoice about it when it looks impossible.  



Look beyond where you are right now.



Quit looking at your situation.  



Look not at the things that are seen.  



Look beyond the bills, and by faith see your bills paid off.  


Now changes so fast that when I've said it. 


It's already past.  



Look up from where you are right now, and look to where you are going. 


Jeremiah 29:11  (ESV)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,


declares the Lord, 



plans for welfare  



and not for evil, 



to give you a future and a hope.

   

 Keith Moore, Faith Life Churchhttps://flcmedia.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/productvideo/1015-InTheSpirit-09-TheSpiritOfJoy-HD.mp4

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