Choosing Joy: A Divine Mandate for Believers

Devotional

Day 1: Joy as a Spiritual Discipline

Joy is a conscious choice that aligns us with God's will, transcending mere emotion. It is a spiritual discipline that requires intentionality and commitment. By choosing joy, believers align themselves with God's sovereignty, trusting in His plan and purpose for their lives. This choice is not dependent on external circumstances but is a reflection of an internal decision to embrace God's goodness and faithfulness. Our attitude can either liberate or imprison us, and by choosing joy, we choose to live in the freedom that God offers. [42:19]

"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation." (Habakkuk 3:17-18, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to choose joy? How can you intentionally practice joy in that area today?

Day 2: Sharing in the Anointing of Gladness

Jesus was anointed with the oil of gladness, and as His followers, we share in this divine anointing. This joy is not superficial but a deep, exuberant expression of faith that transcends circumstances. It is a joy that is rooted in the character and nature of God, who is the source of all true joy. As believers, we are called to reflect this joy in our lives, demonstrating the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. This joy is a testament to our faith and a witness to the world of the hope and life found in Christ. [48:48]

"You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions." (Hebrews 1:9, ESV)

Reflection: How can you share the joy of Christ with someone in your life today? What practical steps can you take to reflect His gladness in your interactions?

Day 3: Joy as a Defense Against the Enemy

Joy is a powerful defense against the enemy's attempts to steal our peace and possessions. When we operate in the joy of the Lord, we are empowered to overcome challenges and live victoriously. This joy is not dependent on our circumstances but is a fruit of the Spirit that strengthens and sustains us. It is a reminder of God's presence and power in our lives, enabling us to face adversity with confidence and hope. By cultivating joy, we build a spiritual resilience that guards our hearts and minds against the enemy's attacks. [50:07]

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him." (Psalm 28:7, ESV)

Reflection: What is one challenge you are currently facing where you need to rely on the joy of the Lord as your strength? How can you actively choose joy in this situation?

Day 4: Practicing Joy in Every Season

Joy is a spiritual practice that requires intentionality. By rejoicing in the Lord, casting our cares upon Him, and celebrating His goodness, we cultivate a joyful spirit that reflects our trust in God. This practice is not limited to times of abundance but is essential in every season of life. By choosing to focus on God's blessings rather than our circumstances, we develop a heart of gratitude and contentment. This practice of joy is a testament to our faith and a reflection of our relationship with God. [58:38]

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:4-6, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate the practice of joy into your daily routine? What specific actions can you take to celebrate God's goodness in your life today?

Day 5: Joy as a Reflection of Faith

Our joy is a testament to our faith in God's promises. It is a choice to focus on His blessings rather than our circumstances, and it empowers us to live with hope and strength. This joy is not just a personal benefit but a sign of true discipleship, reflecting our trust in God's sovereignty and goodness. By holding onto the joy of the Lord, we demonstrate our confidence in His faithfulness and our commitment to His purposes. This joy is unshakeable and eternal, rooted in the assurance of God's love and grace. [01:14:47]

"Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls." (1 Peter 1:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways does your joy reflect your faith in God's promises? How can you deepen your trust in Him and allow His joy to be evident in your life?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound truth that joy is not just a fleeting emotion but a divine mandate for believers. We began by acknowledging the simplicity of life choices: choosing joy over sorrow, blessing over curse, and life over death. This choice is not merely a personal preference but a spiritual discipline that aligns us with God's will. Our attitude, as emphasized, is either our emancipation or our incarceration. It is not the circumstances or the actions of others that define us, but our response to them, always remembering the pivotal phrase, "but God."

We delved into the nature of Jesus, who was anointed with the oil of gladness above all others. This joy was not a mere smile but an exuberant, overflowing joy that manifested in dancing, laughter, and celebration. As followers of Christ, we share in this anointing, and thus, we are not called to a life of sadness or depression. Instead, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live joyfully, regardless of our circumstances. This joy is a fruit of the Spirit, a testament to our faith, and a defense against the enemy's attempts to steal our peace and possessions.

The message also highlighted the importance of practicing joy as a spiritual discipline. We are encouraged to rejoice in the Lord always, to cast our cares upon Him, and to celebrate His goodness in every season of life. Joy is not just a personal benefit but a sign of true discipleship, reflecting our trust in God's sovereignty and goodness. The joy of the Lord is our strength, enabling us to face life's challenges with a light heart and a hopeful spirit.

In closing, we were reminded that joy is a choice, a divine empowerment, and a reflection of our faith in God's promises. As we hold our metaphorical "cup of cheer," we are called to confront life's adversities with gladness, knowing that our joy in the Lord is unshakeable and eternal.

Key Takeaways

1. Joy as a Divine Mandate: Joy is not just an emotion but a spiritual discipline that aligns us with God's will. Our attitude can either liberate or imprison us, and choosing joy is a conscious decision to trust in God's sovereignty. [42:19]
2. The Anointing of Gladness: Jesus was anointed with the oil of gladness, and as His followers, we share in this anointing. This joy is not superficial but a deep, exuberant expression of faith that transcends circumstances. [48:48]
3. Joy as a Defense: Joy is a powerful defense against the enemy's attempts to steal our peace and possessions. When we operate in the joy of the Lord, we are empowered to overcome challenges and live victoriously. [50:07]
4. Practicing Joy: Joy is a spiritual practice that requires intentionality. By rejoicing in the Lord, casting our cares upon Him, and celebrating His goodness, we cultivate a joyful spirit that reflects our trust in God. [58:38]
5. Joy as a Reflection of Faith: Our joy is a testament to our faith in God's promises. It is a choice to focus on His blessings rather than our circumstances, and it empowers us to live with hope and strength. [01:14:47]
** [74:47]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[39:41] - Introduction and Message Repetition
[41:10] - Embracing the Joy of Christmas
[42:19] - Choosing Joy Over Sorrow
[43:15] - The Importance of Attitude
[44:02] - The "But God" Factor
[45:33] - Misconceptions About Jesus' Joy
[47:41] - Anointed with Gladness
[49:32] - Sharing in Christ's Anointing
[51:00] - Joy as a Fruit of the Spirit
[52:45] - Divine Permission to Be Happy
[54:36] - Joy as Good Medicine
[56:00] - Celebrating Holy Days with Joy
[58:38] - Gladness Empowers Resilience
[74:47] - The God Factor in Our Joy

Sermon Clips

You are not the byproduct of other people's bad choices and evil intent. You know this. I'm chasing a rabbit. But you remember Joseph from the Old Testament. Everything he went through when he met his brothers, he didn't pull any punches about it. He said what you did, you meant to cause me harm. [00:44:02] (26 seconds)

But then the next two words are so vitally important. Because he said, but God. You and I need to understand it's not what they said, what they did, what we went through that produces who we are because of God. So to every bad thing, you ought to say, but God. [00:44:28] (24 seconds)

You and I have divine permission. Actually, we've been ordained by God. To be joy filled. And so today, what I want to do is I want to throw so many verses at you. That it has a shift in your mindset. And when you leave here, you have a smile on your face. [00:47:03] (20 seconds)

But of the Son he says. As your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of his kingdom. Now look at verse 9. You, the Son, have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness. Therefore, God, your God, has anointed you, the Son, with the oil of gladness. [00:47:55] (31 seconds)

Because if you're operating in the anointing of Christ, which is on the body of Christ, the anointing makes you glad. And I think part of the reason why it makes you glad is because he's got it, so you ain't got to worry about it. Let's keep, listen, who anointed Jesus? [00:49:55] (18 seconds)

Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. So you ought to be happy because it's God's will for you to be happy. You ought to be happy because God has given you opportunity to be happy. There's a deep, deep theological movie called Pollyanna. Y 'all ever seen it? [00:51:42] (26 seconds)

Because God didn't ordain you to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. And it's no sign of nobility that somehow you're holier than everyone else when you're depressed. Because after all, don't you know, this lost soul's going to hell. I gotta be sad about it. [00:53:44] (17 seconds)

If the enemy can steal your joy, he can take everything because you're too weak, too depressed, and too tired to defend against him. Gladness is a defense against loss. Psalms chapter 16, verse 11. Verse 11. You will make known to me the path of life in your presence is fullness of joy. [01:02:23] (32 seconds)

And the doctor said, ma 'am, did you hear me? Oh, yes, I heard you. And she said, this is the best news I've ever heard in my life. I've been waiting my whole life to hear this kind of news. Because she was... Listen, the joy of the Lord is so strong, even death can't steal it. [01:27:37] (19 seconds)

And the reason I ask you to do that is the devil's going to do everything he can to come after your joy because he knows, I'm going to say it again, if he can steal your joy, he has free access to your stuff, your marriage, your home, everything. [01:31:24] (19 seconds)

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