Joy

Main Idea : We choose Joy before we feel it

WE

Luffy AKA Joy boy

a few months ago me and some of my friends go to put on a watch party

millions of people were gathering to see this fight

luffy goes through his world bring freedom and liberation to everywhere he goes

until he lands at the land of wano

he fights kaido and loses 2 times

and on the 3rd attempt he ends up dying

the moment after he dies the power awakens in him that throws him back into the fight

what is so unique about this power up is normal the main character is serious

But in this situation luffy Is laughing hysterical and uncontrollable

its almost as if the the joy that he has is connected to his strength.

this joy and power that he has doesn’t negate his current circumstances. he is still on 3% life

luffy ends up saying that he is so excited because he has another opportunity to fight super confident what this fight will end in his victory.

Transition: Today i want to talk to you about Joy

I used to always say when i younger “ i just wanted to be happy” and that became the chase for me

so i made a list of things that would make me happy and by which age this should happen

and when those things didn't happen by that deadline i would fill that i had to play catch up because i was behind

is happiness bad NO

but the chase of happiness wont leave you happy

chasing happiness will leave you empty , choosing Joy will leave you content

Its a topic that sometime we get wrong because we get it confused with happiness and they are not the same

Happiness vs Joy

Fragile feeling: Happiness

Emotional Condition:Joy

triggered by the external triggered by the external

short term long term

based on situations based on revelation

natural emotion spiritual experience

comes from feelings comes from faith

Joy Def: Dr. Dharius -Joy is a sense of jubilation(a feeling of great triumph ) based on a Revelation that my well being rest securely in the hands of a God who is producing a favorable outcome for me.

and Sometimes what we let kills our Joy is:

Life ( someone close to betrayed you, A dream and desire that you have hasn't happened,

Comparison (Its Hard for you to focus on what God has en stored for you when you keep looking to the right and the left)

We don't want to joyful we want to dwell on the fact we lost something or our feelings are hurt

the we might have a valid reason for a lack of joy

i don't think the lord wants us to hide our emotion

not to fake it until we make it

The Joy of the Lord will allow you to be emotionally stable even in hard circumstances

ME

EX. God Dad Prayed for my Joy to be restored

i didn't understand why he would pray that

my thought was that my joy would return when my circumstances changed

slowly what i had to do every day was start to change my confession( Not good but ill be OK one day),

even though i don't see my spouse , i have to trust that he is working on her at the same time.

even though it looks gloom around me that my bible says this is going to work out for me

Main Idea : Joy is chosen before it is felt

Joy is the birthright of a believer

It is a Gift from the holy spirit

Transition But just because its a gift doe not mean its always picked up

Example Amazon Packages a package can come to your house but its up to bring it in.

I don't know how many seasons in my life have i felt joy on my front porch

Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.

David has to tell his soul to rejoice

If we rely on happiness to be our goal than we will be tossed back and forth with every decision and circumstance.

I think if we are going to be successful at this christian walk and walk in a deeper emotional wholeness than our parents its essential that pick up the gift of joy that has been given to us.

GOD

Transition: We see a great example of this in the life of Jesus

The Path To the Cross

Hebrews 12:2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

jesus on the cross says

Luke 23:28 “But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.”

Luke 23:34 “Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing.”

Luke 23:43 “He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

if he was focused on himself he would have talked about the the situation, but instead he shows compassion and forgives to his enemy

He was able to endure the cross before the Joy that was set before him

he wasn't excited about dying, but for mankind kind to finally be able to be in right relationship with the father.

this should bring us comfort because it show us that:

it is possible for pain and joy to exist at the same time

it is possible for sadness and joy to exist at the same time

it is possible for grief and joy to exist at the same time

Biblical Joy will demand that you focus on what God has set before you instead of dwelling(future) on your current circumstance(Present)

YOU

The Power to Move Forward

joy can fuel or empower us to be able to do what we could not normally do in our normal stake

EX Million if you can lose 20 pounds by new years

Nehemiah 8:10 The joy of the lord is my strength

So if the enemy wants to come after your strength, he will attack your Joy

if your strength is gone how are you going to fight back when trails and attacks come

The joy that comes from heaven gives us strength

The Power To Satisfy

Proverbs 27:7 “The sated appetite spurns honey, but to a ravenous appetite even the bitter is sweet.”

When we have are content

some of the worst decisions you have made where probably when you were hungry or thirsty.

that's why you'll stay will that person or relationships even though they not cute , but because your so thirsty(not content) you will settle for anything

The Power To See

1 Thessalonians 4:13 “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

Joy will help you have a perceptive that others don't have.

EX Leaving TSA, It was either JH or TSA, plenty of people tried to talk me out of it. and while i was walking away was i scared YES, but i was confiedent that what Jesus has for me is better than what i can sustain on my own.

Where the might see a loss you see a opportunity for growth

Where others see a demotion you see a opportunity to be obedient and walk in purpose.

WE

has he ever failed

what area of your life has the enemy tried to steal your joy

if we are going to last long we cant be tossed to and fro by every circumstance that comes into our lives