In Him we have redemption through His blood,the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.
Ephesians 1:7
The moment you invited Jesus into your heart as your Lord and Savior, all your sins were forgiven—your past sins, your present sins, and your future sins. Once you are born again, you are in Christ. You do not have to try to get forgiveness. You have the forgiveness of sins through His blood, and this forgiveness of sins that you have is not according to what you have done. But according to the riches of God’s grace—His unmerited, unearned, and undeserved favor!
The Bible tells us that “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). In other words, the punishment for sin is death. It also tells us that “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Heb. 9:22 NIV).
Blood is thus necessary for the forgiveness of sins. That is why even under the old covenant of law, sin was covered temporarily through the blood of sacrificial animals.
The good news of the gospel is that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, came down from heaven to earth. And he sacrificed Himself at the cross. His perfect, sinless blood provided forgiveness for all our sins.
You and I cannot pay for our own sins, so He did it for us. Now, whosoever believes in Him will never die but will receive the gift of eternal life. Hallelujah!
Why should we maintain a joyful smile?
Dear reader, notice how David describes the blessedness of a man whose sins are forgiven:
“Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight. Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lordhas cleared of sin.” —Romans 4:7–8NLT
Oh, what joy and what a blessing it is to receive the forgiveness of sins! Conversely, when believers start to question if they are truly forgiven, it leads to all kinds of insecurities, fears, and destructive bondages.
Fear and insecurity cannot exist in a healthy relationship with God. In a marriage relationship, for example, if a wife never feels secure in her husband’s love for her, she will never draw strength from or find joy in her marriage. Instead of thriving, that marriage will disintegrate over time. Similarly, our heavenly Father does not want us to live trapped in perpetual insecurity because we are never sure of our forgiveness.
Today, based on the Word of God, rejoice and thank God for the blessing of His forgiveness, so dearly paid for and so freely given to us. Let this truth of the gospel anchor and put strength in your heart, and drive away every fear and sense of insecurity.
In conclusion, if you want to maintain that joyful smile you have on your face now, you have to believe God’s forgiveness. I have accepted this reality and have found so much joy in living. Check out similar encouraging devotionals like this here.
In this world filled with challenges, it may seem difficult to find individuals who are genuinely joyful but not Christians. Against all odds, there are people who radiate true joy. They have discovered the secret of finding peace through the teachings of God’s word.
Let’s consider the formula for a fulfilled life: God’s joy + our joy + eternal joy.
This formula holds the key to understanding the essence of life. Without a connection to God, it becomes nearly impossible to experience true joy. Just as it is impossible to smile without God, genuine happiness is also unattainable without Him.
I once had the privilege of listening to a respected Pastor named Lou, who shared his perspective on joy. He described joy as an emotion that arises from a sense of well-being, success, or good fortune. It can also stem from the anticipation of attaining one’s desires, resulting in a state of delight.
Similarly, the renowned Bible teacher, John Piper, expressed that joy is a positive sensation within the soul that is ignited by the presence of the Holy Spirit (paraphrased). In other words, joy is solely a product of the Holy Spirit. It serves as evidence that God is with us and is not contingent upon our circumstances.
In Galatians 5:22-23, the Bible speaks of the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities are manifested in the lives of those who are connected to God, and they transcend any worldly laws or limitations.
Reflecting on the accounts of Jesus’ birth, we find that the angels instructed the shepherds not to fear but to rejoice. This serves as a reminder that true joy is not dependent on external factors but rather on the presence of God within us.
In conclusion, genuine and lasting joy can only be found through a connection with God. It is not restricted to Christians alone, as God’s love extends to all. When we allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, the fruit of joy blossoms within us, regardless of the challenges we face.
What are the three sides to be joyful
Contrary to popular belief that we can be joyful if we drink alcohol, have children, be married, have a good job, etc all those things are gifts from God, but they can only be maintained if we rely on God.
1. God’s joy
Throughout the entire Bible, there are countless verses where God shows he is a joyful God. The most amazing part is his joy has an effect on us.
Nehemiah 8:10 “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
From that verse, we see that, even the strength we need to live is only from God. We can have it only when we depend completely on God alone.
This means in everything we do, we need to fight to change our thinking. God loves us unconditionally. We will never earn that love, and he wants us to be joyful at all time, regardless of our circumstances.
One of the main fruits of Jesus’ coming to earth is that God is pleased with us now through him. Luke 3:22, the Holy Spirit defended on Jesus.
2. Our Joy
In spite of our efforts to make ourselves happy, we can never boast to be able to maintain a stable, joyful life. Largely because our joy is dependent on our circumstances.
Some say joy is a good feeling, but l refute that argument. Our emotions are always misguided, complaining and unstable. We cannot depend on them for a long time.
John 16:22. No one can take your joy from you. Though everyone goes through seasons of darkness, we all have to be joyful. God has promised to help us in joyless times, have you asked him for help?
The joy we have is not ours.
Our only responsibility is to belief.
Romans 10:9, “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;”
During difficult times, we need to find God’s joy.
3. Eternal joy
This is joy in the life after life. Our eternity is based on our belief today. If we see God in it, then it will be joyful, but if satan, then it will be full of misery and pain.
Isaiah 35:10 “And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
1 Corinthians 16:26-27 “Because all the gods of the nations are just idols, but it is the Lord who created heaven! Greatness and grandeur are in front of him; strength and joy are in his place.”
King David had a glimpse of God in heaven, that’s why he said in Psalm 16:11 that “You teach me the way of life. In your presence is total celebration. Beautiful things are always in your right hand.”
Psalm 30:4-5 “You who are faithful to the Lord, sing praises to him; give thanks to his holy name! His anger lasts for only a second, but his favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay all night, but by morning, joy!”
These and many more articleshere can help you grow spiritually.
Discover the profound truth that genuine joy comes from God, transcending the fleeting pleasures of accomplishments or possessions. In this post, explore the transformative power of God’s joy and learn practical ways to experience it in your life. Unlock the secret to lasting happiness that originates from a divine source, leading you on a journey of fulfillment and purpose.
Nehemiah 8:10 said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Unlike fleeting happiness, joy is a divine virtue gifted by God, free from negative counterparts like “unjoy.” This enduring joy remains constant through all seasons of life, whether in times of goodness or adversity. Embrace the timeless and unwavering nature of God’s joy, providing solace and strength in every circumstance.
The dictionary defines joy as a “lively emotion of joy and gladness evoked by a success or of well-being” or “to experience great pleasure or delight in a thing.” God’s joy is not a temporal emotion. Everyone both Christians and unbelievers have experienced one or more circumstances where it was difficult to maintain their joy and stay positive.
But for every situation Jesus kept the joy of God, thus it is imperative for every Christian to emulate Him despite the situation we are experiencing.
1 Chronicles 16:27 “Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his dwelling place.” God has joy.
What is joy?
Joy is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Sadness is the opposite of joy. Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
In our modern age, many individuals tie their joy and happiness to external conditions, making them susceptible to sorrow and bitterness when things don’t align with their expectations. This vulnerability creates a fertile ground for the devil’s influence, as he thrives on sowing discontent and denying the gifts of joy and peace.
The presence of perpetual sadness not only clouds judgment but also corrodes the foundations of careers, marriages, and familial bonds. This toxic cycle limits people from reaching their full potential, leading to unwarranted suspicions and overanalyzing the actions of others. It’s crucial to break free from this cycle and rediscover the innate joy within, resilient against life’s fluctuations.
There’s power in God’s joy
A sad heart can’t pray.
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When sadness takes hold, it’s natural to adopt a victim mentality, questioning why challenging situations seem to target us specifically. These “why me?” questions can become a common refrain.
However, joy is different. It’s a byproduct of faith, rooted in the unwavering belief that God’s love encompasses us, regardless of our circumstances. This conviction gives us the strength to anticipate positive outcomes even during tough times. Joy is a force that transcends adversity, reminding us that God is ever watchful, aware of our struggles, and working for our ultimate good.
Romans 15:13 “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.”
What is God’s will about our joy?
Jesus’ plan for us Christians is for us to have complete joy at all times.
John 15:11 Jesus Christ said, “l have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete”.
No man (spouse, husband, children, parents, etc) or achievements (job, degrees, position…) can give us full joy.
The world has temporal happiness based on its environment. For example, some people drink alcohol, travel, or read books just to forget about their troubles. Yes, momentarily they find relief, but the next day or within hours, they go back to square zero.
Romans 14:17. “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit”.
God expects us to be joyful at all times, despite the difficult or happy situations we are experiencing. The power of God’s joy surpasses every form of happiness that we will ever have.
This is evident when Paul told the Philippians repeatedly in Phil 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice”.
The contentment with what you have and who you are in Christ is sufficient reason to maintain a joyful heart.
Why is a happy heart relevant?
A happy heart is a grateful heart. Psalm 81:1 “Sing for joy to God our strength; make a joyful noise to the God of Jacob.”
Indeed, remaining in a state of worry or unhappiness won’t alter the challenging circumstances we face. It’s essential to recognize that this is a tactic often employed by negative forces, often associated with the concept of Satan, aiming to disrupt our joy.
These forces attempt to chip away at our well-being by introducing destructive elements, pain, and a barrage of negative experiences. However, the power to counter this lies within us, through our choice to reject these influences and maintain our inner joy.
By understanding this strategy and actively guarding our joy against such attacks, we empower ourselves to navigate through difficulties with resilience and maintain a positive outlook, no matter what obstacles we encounter.
However, as devoted Christians, we need to identify Satan’s plan to rob us of our joy by praying to God for His joy and gladness. (Psalms 51:8)
We admit everyone has failed to keep their joy, and sometimes we make mistakes and forget to be joyful, particularly during challenging periods.
Can we pray for joy?
But just like David prayed after committing adultery in Psalms 51:12, “Restore unto me the joy of your salvation; and uphold me with a free spirit”, we can also ask God for restoration every time we fail.
As Christians, we are not shielded from the inevitable health challenges, marital trials, financial hardships, and other life difficulties. It’s important to understand that such challenges are not contrary to scripture; they are part of the human experience.
However, our strength lies in the choice we make to guard our peace and joy, irrespective of the circumstances. We firmly believe that nothing should disrupt the inner serenity that comes from our faith. This choice is rooted in our unwavering trust in the enduring power of God’s joy, a joy that transcends seasons of abundance and adversity alike.
By choosing to rely on this divine joy, we equip ourselves with the resilience to face life’s ups and downs with grace and a steadfast spirit, knowing that our faith sustains us through every trial. It is through this unwavering commitment that we find solace and triumph over the storms of life, maintaining our peace and joy regardless of the challenges that may arise.
A joyful woman
What does it mean to be joyful?
Joy is that decision we as mature Christians should make daily, depending on God to be in a happy state no matter how we feel or think physically.
When you are confident as a Christian that your situation will be worked out for good by God, you will be cheerful and wear a smile on your face daily.
Joy is a choice from a God-fearing heart, recognizing only God can maintain it. When your heart is restful, and you trust God, you will experience unspeakable joy and peace.
Even though Paul and Silas were beaten and unjustly imprisoned, they choose joy by praising God.
No matter the situation you have now, one thing is sure, beyond the trial there is a triumph. That scar can be turned into a star.
Joy is our conquering power (John 16:33)
No one can take the joy of God from us. John 16:22 “So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.”
Recommendation for God’s joy
In order to maintain the power of God’s joy every day, try the following recipe:
