Scriptures:
"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, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels."
Isaiah 61:10 KJV
"And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ."
Acts 5:41-42 KJV
"And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them."
Acts 16:23-25 KJV
Thoughts: I can see from God's Word that joy isn't just good circumstances. It can live in the bad too. Joy is having my eyes so focused on God and all He has done and will do, nothing else brings me down. Christians have much to rejoice over. Our spirit is saved from Hell. Our soul (thoughts and emotions), are now able to be transformed and renewed. I also see how to keep the joy. Joy comes by serving God and looking forward to His promises, even in bleak times. I can't imagine the rewards martyrs for Christ obtain being persecuted and dying for Jesus.
"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, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels."
Isaiah 61:10 KJV
"And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ."
Acts 5:41-42 KJV
"And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them."
Acts 16:23-25 KJV
Thoughts: I can see from God's Word that joy isn't just good circumstances. It can live in the bad too. Joy is having my eyes so focused on God and all He has done and will do, nothing else brings me down. Christians have much to rejoice over. Our spirit is saved from Hell. Our soul (thoughts and emotions), are now able to be transformed and renewed. I also see how to keep the joy. Joy comes by serving God and looking forward to His promises, even in bleak times. I can't imagine the rewards martyrs for Christ obtain being persecuted and dying for Jesus.
