Joy is not happiness

So many people need joy. Sad to say, many of them are Christians. Followers of Christ should always have joy. Nehemiah 8:10 says, Then he said to them, Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our LORD. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Joy of the Lord does not depend on our circumstances or well-being! Happiness depends on those and every day we have a lot that does not always please us. But joy is down inside us because we know we are saved and belong in the Kingdom of God. Joy is not always hip hip hoorah but a calm delight that our Lord will see us through, and we can trust the promises of God. Joy is trusting and knowing what we have in our salvation.

Salvation means rescue or safety (physically or morally), deliverance from sin and its consequences, from harm, ruin, or loss. This is huge and we need to spend time and realize how important our salvation truly is. Joy is fruit of the Holy Spirit which is within us. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to cause joy to mature within us.

Dr. Judy Baus is the author of four books on salvation, faith, and Holy Spirit: "From Rags to Riches" "Faith, Does It Really Move Mountains?" “On the Road Again with God” and “Path of the Spirit.” She and her husband Vic, who was born and raised in Wheatland, started Good News Ministries, Inc. in the early 1990's. Visit Judy’s Website www.judybaus.org