Freedom House Church and Healing Centre

Earlier this week I went for a walk and was overwhelmed with God’s beauty everywhere.  Spring flowers opening, the leaves on the trees about to burst open, beautiful blossoms open and birds singing.  As I was walking along there was this abundant sense of JOY and it came into my mind ‘disciples of JOY!’  As I reflected on this, I started to praise God for His joy and all the reasons to rejoice.

Shortly after I was saved someone asked me if I knew what joy was and it hit me that I had no idea.  This started my pursuit to find out what joy was, starting of course with the scriptures.

I learned that joy is one of the fruits of Holy Spirit, so therefore, comes from Him and a relationship with Him.  Joy is not happiness which is based on earthly or material things.  I learned I have abundant joy despite many trials and challenges and that joy becomes my strength to endure through those hard times.  I have experienced unspeakable joy in seeing Jesus save, set free and heal many people!

So today I rejoice in knowing that I am a daughter of the King.  I rejoice in knowing that I am free and healed, that Jesus has done everything and given me everything! I rejoice in knowing that joy can manifest in my life at the same time as I am going through hard things.  I rejoice in knowing that I have been given everything pertaining to life and godliness.  I rejoice in knowing that whatever I am going through, God is with me and for me!  I rejoice in knowing that this is not my permanent home and that I have an eternal inheritance that is waiting for me.  All these truths, and more, cause the abundant joy to manifest as praise and thankfulness to God!

Over the years I have learned to not allow life’s circumstances, the so called ‘little foxes’ to spoil the joy.  This is not always easy but possible with Holy Spirit.  I have reflected on many scriptures about joy.  They have been written on my heart and I am learning to live these scriptures.  I would like to share some with you that have blessed me over the years.  I hope you will meditate on these words, get them written on your heart and live like you are a disciple of joy!

"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” Jn 15:11 NKJ

 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Ro 15:13 NKJ

 For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Ro 14:17 NKJ

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Gal 5:22 NKJ

 

Instead of your shame you shall have double honor,
And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion.
Therefore in their land they shall possess double;
Everlasting joy shall be theirs. Isa 61:7 NKJ

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.” Neh 8:10 NKJ

 

“For you shall go out with joy,
And be led out with peace;
The mountains and the hills
Shall break forth into singing before you,
And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Isa 55:12 NKJ

 

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.
Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. Ps 34:4-5 NLT

 

Now, I saved the best to the last because of course it is not about us.  As we make disciple makers in obedience to the great commission to the Church in Mt 28:19-20 and Mk 16:15-18, we experience joy and we see others experience the joy of the Lord as He saves, frees, and heals them!

Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”  And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” Lk 10:17-20

Therefore, those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.  Then Philip went down to ^[a]the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed, and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city. Acts 8:4-8

Whatever it is you are going through or whatever it is you are doing remember that you are a disciple of joy!

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches…” Rev 2:7