The Joy of the Lord is my Strength

The joy of the Lord is not real if we are chasing around trying to find the most "joyful" church or seeking it in lively music. Rather, joy is a spiritual fruit: ie. it is the result of spiritual growth. As we open more and more parts of our lives to God's graceful redemption, allowing Him to sanctify all aspects of our being, so His joy will grow in us. Out of that real joy will come praise and song, not the other way round.

Jesus said, "Those who hear the word of God and obey it, will be joyful" (Lk.11:28).


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Neh.8:10 "The joy of the Lord is my strength"
Ps.16:11 "Joyfulness is found in your presence"
Ps.89:16 "In your name they shall rejoice all day; they shall be exalted in your righteousness"
Ps.40:8 "I delight to do your will; Your law is within my heart"
Jhn.4:36 "...both he that sows and he that reaps may rejoice together"
Jhn.15:11 "I have spoken these things to you that my joy may remain in you and that your joy may be full"
Heb.12:2 "Looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who did not give up because of the cross, but because of the joy that was waiting for Him, thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross"

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