THE JOY-FILLED LIFE
Part 3c

"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you"
(Matthew 5:11, 12).

8. BE CHEERFUL

Three different Greek words for joy occur in the passage of 1 Peter 4:12-14: "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:" but REJOICE, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be GLAD also with EXCEEDING JOY. If ye be reproached for the name or Christ HAPPY are ye, for the Spirit of God resteth upon you, on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified."

The first word "rejoice" is the Greek word chairo and means to be "full of cheer, joyful." It can also be used as a welcome or parting greeting. In Matthew 28:9 Jesus greets his disciples and says: "All hail." In other words, "Be full of cheer and joy."

The second word "glad" is the same Greek word as rejoice. It is repeated for emphasis in the context of suffering for Christ. Most of us feel miserable when we are suffering, don't we? But the Bible encourages us to be full of cheer. It's the same word used of the disciples in Acts 5:41: "And they departed from the presence of the council, REJOICING that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name."

Even when we are sorrowful, we can experience joy because Christ dwells in us. Paul confessed in 2 Corinthians 6:10: "As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing."

9. JUMP FOR JOY

We find four different words that mean "to jump for joy," two in the New Testament and two in the Old Testament.

1. Peter encourages us in 1 Peter 4:12-14 when going through suffering to go further than chairo. We are to be "EXCEEDING GLAD." It is the Greek word agalliao which literally means "to jump for joy, to show joy by leaping and skipping, excessive or ecstatic joy and delight."

It is used in Matthew 5:11,12 in Jesus' famous sermon on the mount. He tells us that when we are persecuted, or people say false and evil things against us that we are to rejoice (chairo) and JUMP FOR JOY!

This is not just a feeling in our hearts, but an action. Have you ever tried jumping for joy when people persecute you? Have you ever skipped with delight when people say false things against you? I have tried it, but I think I should do it more often.

The same word is used in 1 Peter 1:6 where we are to jump for joy during many trials.

2. Luke 6:22, 23: "Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and LEAP FOR JOY; for behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets." This time the Greek word is skirtao and also means "to skip and jump for joy."

Now we look at the Old Testament:

1. Psalm 5:11: "Let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee." The word "joyful" is alats and means "to jump for joy, to triumph." Are you beginning to see the kind of joy the Bible speaks about? It's full of action.

After long infertility God blessed Hannah miraculously with a baby boy. Let's see her response. In 1 Samuel 2:1 it says: "And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth (jumps for joy) in the LORD." This is the kind of joy we should have when God blesses us with a baby.

2. Psalm 28:7: "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore heart GREATLY REJOICETH; and with my song will I praise him." The Hebrew word in this Scripture is alaz and also means "to jump for joy."

I am challenged when I read this word in Habakkuk 17, 18: "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice (alaz) in the LORD, I will joy (giyl - spin around) in the God of my salvation."

What would we do if everything was taken from us? Nothing to eat. No provision. We'd most probably be in a state of depression. But this man of God jumped for joy and spun around with joy. Not because he was happy about the devastation, but because his joy was in God!

10. BE HAPPY

The third word for joy in 1 Peter 4:14 is "happy." It is the Greek word makarios meaning "fully satisfied." This word does not mean happiness because of favorable circumstances, but being fully satisfied because Christ dwells within us, no matter what the circumstances! In Christ we can "be happy" no matter what difficult situation we face. When we embrace this truth and live in it, "the spirit of glory and of God" rests upon us.

My Lexicon says: "Makarios is the one who is in the world yet independent of the world; his satisfaction comes from God and not from favorable circumstances."

Blessings from Nancy Campbell
www.aboverubies.org

PRAYER:

"Dear God and Father, please lead me up the ladder of Your ways, which are so much higher than my ways. Teach me how to live in joy even when facing ridicule and rejection. Teach me to find my satisfaction and joy in You, not in my circumstances or the things of this world. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

When I am insulted for the name of Christ, I am blessed, for the Spirit of Glory rests upon me.

THE JOY-FILLED LIFE
Part 3b

"Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart"
(Jeremiah 15:16).

We continue to discover the ways God wants us to show our joy.

4. SHOUT FOR JOY

We are not only to be joyful in our hearts, but to SHOUT for joy.

Psalm 5:11: "Let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever SHOUT FOR JOY, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee." Have you ever shouted for joy?

Psalm 32:11: "Be glad (samach) in the LORD, and rejoice (giyl), ye righteous; and SHOUT FOR JOY (ranan), all ye that are upright in heart." God wants us to be so filled with joy that He uses three different words for joy in this Scripture.

Psalm 132:9, 16: "Her saints shall SHOUT ALOUD FOR JOY." Further Scriptures to read with the word ranan: Psalm 35:27; 51:14;5 9:16; 67:4; 71:23; 81:1; and Isaiah 12:6.

5. SPLIT THE EARS WITH SOUND

Psalm 95:1, 2: "O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms." The phrase "a joyful noise" is the Hebrew word ruwa and means "to split the ears with sound, shout for joy, triumph."

Psalm 7:1: "Shout unto God with the voice of triumph." (Psalm 66:1; 81:1; 98:4, 6; and 100:1).

How do you sing at your church? With every bit of breath in your lungs? Are our praises worthy of the majesty of our great God?

This same word is used in the story of the walls of Jericho falling down. Joshua 6:16 "And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout (ruwa); for the LORD hath given you the city." The shout of joy and faith brings deliverance.

6. BREAK INTO JOYFUL SOUND

Psalm 98:4: "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise."

The words "loud noise" come from the Hebrew word patsach and mean "to break out into joyful sound, break forth into joy, make a loud noise." There are times when we don't feel joyful. We don't feel like praising God. But we dare not live by our feelings. We must stir up our soul and BREAK FORTH into praise. We must DO IT, whether we feel like or not. But as we break forth, the joy comes.

7. EXCEEDINGLY REJOICE

Psalm 68:3: "Let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice."

To "exceedingly rejoice" is simchah and means "to exceedingly rejoice with glee and gladness."

This word was used after the people of Judah had listened to Ezra read to them from "the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded Israel." Nehemiah 8:12 states: "And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink . . . and to make great mirth (simchah), because they had understood the words that were declared unto them."

Does your spirit rejoice when you receive revelation and understanding from God's living Word? I can't think of anything more wonderful. I am reminded of the two disciples walking to Emmaus, sad and crestfallen because they thought Jesus was dead. They did not know it was Jesus who came alongside them and talked to them along the way. But after they realized it was Him, they said: "Did not our heart BURN within us while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the Scriptures?" (Luke 24:32).

It's also used in Nehemiah 12:43 when they dedicated the wall of Jerusalem: "Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced (samach): for God had made them rejoice (samach) with great joy (simchah): the wives also and the children rejoiced (samach): so that the joy (simchah-exceeding joy) of Jerusalem was HEARD EVEN AFAR OFF."

Blessings from Nancy Campbell
www.aboverubies.org

PRAYER:

"Dear Father God, I thank You for Your precious Word which is life-giving and powerful. It is the rejoicing of my heart. Help me to always joy in Your Word. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

I will forget my reputation and be more exuberant in my joy. My joy for God. My joy for His Word. My joy for my family. And my joy for each new day.

THE JOY-FILLED LIFE
Part 3a

""Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King"
(Psalm 149:2).

We now discover how the Bible wants us to reveal our joy. The following ten verbs are the opposite to how we feel when we are going through trials. In fact, they seem a little over the top. Isn't it amazing that the Bible always leads us into the fleshly impossible? What we think is normal is abnormal according to Bible standards. We cannot do it in our own flesh, only by the Spirit of God.

There are many Scriptures that use the following words. However, I will give you only a few Scriptures for each one:

1. MAKE MIRTH

Psalm 35:9: "My soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation." The word "rejoice" in this Scripture is suws and means "to make mirth, to be bright." It's not about whether we feel happy or not; it's determining to make mirth. To speak to my soul to be joyful in the Lord. To make everyone else around me happy also.

We either make our home miserable or we make it happy.

Isaiah 61:10: "I will GREATLY REJOICE in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness." The words "greatly rejoice" are both the same Hebrew word, suws. They are repeated twice for emphasis!

Why is the prophet rejoicing? Because he has received salvation! Have you been born again by the Spirit of God? Have you received Jesus' wonderful redemption? Then surely you are rejoicing.

What a wonderful redemption,
Never can a mortal know
How my sin, though red like crimson
Can be whiter than the snow.

We will never ever fathom the enormity and fullness of God's salvation for us. Even in eternity, it will take the ages to come to understand it, and then we will never full comprehend it. The least we can do now is GREATLY rejoice.

2. SPIN AROUND

The word "joyful" in Isaiah 61:10 is giyl and means "to spin around (under the influence of violent emotion), to be glad, to be joyful."

This is meant to be our lifestyle because it says in Psalm 118:24: "This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." And Psalm 89:16 says: "In thy name shall they rejoice all the day." Each new day the Lord makes for us is a day to be filled with exuberant joy!

3. BRIGHTEN UP

Psalm 40:16: "Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified." This same Scripture is repeated in Psalm 70:4. The word "glad" is samach and means "to brighten up, to cheer up, to make merry."

Psalm 31:7: "I will be glad and rejoice (samach) in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities."

Zechariah 2:10: "Sing and rejoice (samach), O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD."

Are you feeling a little down in the dumps today? Worries are burdening your heart? Come on, dear one, brighten up. Don't look at your difficulties. Look up to Jesus. He is bigger than all your problems. He knows the answers. He will give you peace and His "knowing what to do" as you look to Him. Your circumstances may not be very bright, but you can brighten up in Christ!

Do you also notice how the Psalmist confesses: "I WILL be glad"? He doesn't rely on his emotions or circumstances, but he exercises his will. "I WILL brighten up!" Can you say these words aloud right now? I WILL BRIGHTEN UP. You will be amazed how your attitude changes by confessing these words.

4. SHOUT FOR JOY

We are not only to be joyful in our hearts, but to SHOUT for joy.

Psalm 5:11: "Let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever SHOUT FOR JOY, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee." Do you ever shout for joy?

Psalm 32:11: "Be glad (samach) in the LORD, and rejoice (giyl), ye righteous; and SHOUT FOR JOY (ranan), all ye that are upright in heart." God wants us to be so filled with joy that He uses three different words for joy in this Scripture.

Psalm 132:9, 16: "Her saints shall SHOUT ALOUD FOR JOY." Further Scriptures to read with the word ranan: Psalm 35:27; 51:14;5 9:16; 67:4; 71:23; 81:1; and Isaiah 12:6.

Blessings from Nancy Campbell
www.aboverubies.org

PRAYER:

"Dear Father, I thank You than You are my exceeding Joy. I know that my only true joy comes from You. Please help me to always find my joy in You, no matter what difficulties or sorrows I face. Please lead me more and more into Your joy. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

I will brighten up. I will make everyone around me happy. I will find my joy in my God. And I will even shout for joy.

THE JOY-FILLED LIFE
Part 2

"Rejoice ye in that day, and LEAP FOR JOY"
(Luke 6:22-23).

We think of being joyful when everything is going great in our lives. However, this is the opposite to the message of the Bible and the lifestyle of the early Christians. Let's look at the Scriptures that encourage us to be joyful. It's amazing to find that it's not when we are living the good life, but when things are difficult.

1. WHEN YOU ARE PERSECUTED

Matthew 5:10-12: "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. REJOICE, AND BE EXCEEDING GLAD: for great is your reward in heaven for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."

Have people spoken evil things about you? Have they ridiculed you for believing in Jesus? What do they say about your being at home with your children? Homeschooling? Or having another baby? Do you get negative and sarcastic remarks? Don't get upset, dear mother. Rejoice. You are walking in truth. You are walking in the perfect will of God. Why would their remarks concern you?

I think it's time to gived up the wimpy life, don't you? Let's not get downhearted because someone says something nasty or ridicules what we do. What's a few negative words? There are millions of precious believers being tortured for their faith. Many are martyred. And all we get are some negative words. Let's stand strong, rejoice, and leap for joy! The passage in Luke 6:22-23 says: "Rejoice ye in that day, and LEAP FOR JOY."

After the apostles were beaten for their faith, Acts 5:41 tells us: "And they departed from the presence of the council, REJOICING that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name."

1 Thessalonians 1:6 (JBP): "You remember how, although accepting the message meant BITTER PERSECUTION, yet you experienced the JOY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT."

1 Peter 3:14: "But and if ye suffer for righteousness sake, HAPPY are ye: and be not afraid of their terror neither be troubled."

1 Peter 4:14: "If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, HAPPY are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified."

2. WHEN EVERYTHING IS TAKEN FROM YOU

Habakkuk 3:17, 18: "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I WILL REJOICE in the Lord, I WILL JOY in the God of my salvation."

3. WHEN ALL YOUR GOODS ARE PLUNDERED

Hebrews 10:34: "You took JOYFULLY the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance."

How do you react when everything is taken from you or you lose everything by fire?

4. WHEN YOU FACE FIERY TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS

1 Peter 4:12, 13: "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy."

What was Paul's testimony? "I am EXCEEDING JOYFUL in all our tribulation" (2 Corinthians 7:4). What is your testimony?

James 1:2: "My brethren, count it all JOY when you fall into various trials."

5. WHEN YOUR STRENGTH FAILS

Nehemiah 8:10: "The joy of the Lord is your strength."

6. WHEN YOU GO THROUGH POVERTY

In 2 Corinthians 8:2 (NLT) Paul tells us about the Macedonians who were experiencing extreme poverty and yet at the same time they were "filled with ABUNDANT JOY, which has overflowed in rich generosity." Even in poverty, they weren't only joyful, but ABUNDANTLY JOYFUL and ABUNDANTLY GENEROUS!

What's wrong with us saints today? We complain miserably when we think we don't have enough money. They were suffering poverty worse than us and yet they rejoiced.

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

PRAYER:

"Dear Father God, please strengthen me to know that my life is hid with You. I do not have to be laid low by any circumstances or any hurtful words that are spoken to me. Help me to rejoice in You in all circumstances. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

My aim is to live a REJOICING LIFESTYLE!