“Joy is not in things; it is in us.” ― Richard Wagner

In the last post, we learned that Jesus ensured that we would have access to His joy. So, how do we get it?

Jesus said in John 14:16 CEV, “Then I will ask the Father to send you the Holy Spirit who will help you and always be with you.”

Through the Holy Spirit, we receive joy along with several other gifts. Galatians 5:22-23 NLT states, “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control….” His Spirit manifests this supernatural joy in His children.

“The fruit of the Spirit wasn’t intended to be a list of goals for us to produce – it is the Holy Spirit through us who produces fruit.” – Dan Kimball  

As we grow and develop in Christ, we reflect His heart. Joy is a condition of the heart. Luke 6:45 (TPT) says, “…For the overflow of what has been stored in your heart will be seen by your fruit and will be heard in your words.”  How exciting! His joy will not only affect us but others too.

“When we lay the soil of our hard lives open to the rain of grace and let joy penetrate our cracked and dry places, let joy soak into our broken skin and deep crevices, life grows. How can this not be the best thing for the world? For us?”  – Ann Voskamp

Let us allow the Holy Spirit to bring forth this joy in us because it IS the best thing for our lives!

Join me next time as we continue to “focus on joy.”

[Joy is => inner gladness, delight, calm delight, or even rejoicing.]
If you missed the prior post, click here.

Thank you for your time. Be Blessed! LR Maddox
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