Tuesday, 25th May, 2021
By Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" (Romans 14:17 KJV)
According to the Scriptures, there’s a relationship between joy and the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13 says, “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”
Also, in 1 Thessalonians 1:6, the Bible says, “And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost”. And our theme verse says the Kingdom of God is “righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”
Although some Christians have received the Holy Spirit, their hearts are full of troubles; they’re worried about many things. They’re worried about their children, their health, business, etc. They just seem to have so many reasons to not be happy.
Someone may say, “With the things happening in my life, I need a change of environment; I need to travel somewhere I can really be happy.” No! Don’t look to anything external to give you joy. Joy is one of the fruits of your recreated human spirit. So, it’s in you. Your spirit produces endless joy. It’s called,...joy unspeakable and full of glory (1 Peter 1:8).
True joy and happiness have nothing to do with what’s going on around you. Our joy is independent of circumstances. We’re joyful in adversity. That’s what the Bible says: count it all joy, when you go through diverse tests (James 1:2).
Some thoughts may come to you to dampen your faith, to douse your joy and dampen your spirit; always be quick to discard such thoughts. Be joyful ALWAYS! The Spirit of God does more for and with us in an atmosphere of joy and happiness. So, make up your mind to be joyful, today, and always.
CONFESSION
"I’ve been brought into the life of unending joy, the joy that comes from the inner man and transcends physical circumstances. My joy is of the Spirit, and independent of circumstances; I’m ever strong and alive, for the joy of the Lord is my strength! Blessed be God!"
FURTHER STUDY:
1 Peter 1:7-8; Proverbs 17:22; Nehemiah 8:10
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: John 12:1-19 & 2 Kings 16-17
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Mark 12:35-44 & Numbers 28