Joy overflow - Nehemiah 8:10 – “The joy of the Lord is your strength”

HOW WE CAN HAVE THE JOY OF THE LORD

Nehemiah 8:10 – “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Heavenly Father, Sovereign King of Glory, we gather in the MIGHTY, MATCHLESS name of JESUS. We plead the PRECIOUS BLOOD of CHRIST over every heart, every mind, every home represented here. HOLY SPIRIT, descend with FRESH FIRE and ANOINTING OIL—breathe RESURRECTION JOY into every dry place and IGNITE within us a FAITH that cannot be shaken.

LORD JESUS, we TEAR DOWN every STRONGHOLD and DISMANTLE every WEAPON formed against us. We BREAK every CHAIN of addiction, BIND the STRONGMAN over our LIVES, our FAMILIES, our BUSINESSES, our FINANCES, our MINISTRIES—and we NULLIFY every CURSE right now, TODAY, by the POWER of Your BLOOD.

PURIFY us, O LORD, like SILVER REFINED in the FURNACE and GOLD TESTED by FLAME. CLEANSE our HEARTS of every impure motive. PURIFY our TONGUES and our LIPS so that every WORD we speak becomes a FRAGRANT OFFERING, a BALM of GRACE, and a ROAR of TRUTH in dark places.

FATHER, we give You ALL the HONOR and ALL the GLORY. You alone are WORTHY of our HIGHEST PRAISE, our DEEPEST WORSHIP, our TOTAL SURRENDER. May every HEARTBEAT declare Your GREATNESS and every BREATH echo Your name, JESUS—above every other name.

And now, LORD, let Your JOY EXPLODE within us like HONEY poured over every morning’s bread. Holy Spirit in DANCE in us with GIDDY ABANDON—GLEE UNRESTRAINED, LAUGHTER erupting like SPRINGS of LIVING WATER. RALLY our HEARTS to SING with BOLD DELIGHT, DRUMS of HEAVEN pounding in our CHESTS, FEET TAPPING to the RHYTHM of Your GOODNESS. Fill us with DARING, BIBLICAL EXCITEMENT, a HOLY JUBILEE that SWEEPS through this place and CARRIES us into REALMS of UNBROKEN WORSHIP.

SPIRIT of the LIVING GOD, FILL us, GUIDE us, EMPOWER us to WALK in the JOY that is our STRENGTH. RELEASE RIVERS of PRAISE that WASH over every DOUBT and REIGNITE every EMBER of HOPE. We THANK You, we ADORE You, and we EXALT Your MIGHTY name—JESUS—NOW and FOREVERMORE..........AMEN and AMEN

JOY isn’t a mood or a bonus for the strong. JOY is our SPIRITUALINHERITANCE—an anointing of oil, fire and new wine released by the Holy Spirit. Yet many of us feel JOY-STARVED, not because supply is low, but because something’s BLOCKING THE FLOW.

So let’s UNLOCK first by naming the BARRIERS, facing them in love and humility, and so unleashing a flood of lasting gladness.

WHAT IS JOY?

JOY is the overflow of God’s presence in your spirit. • It’s the peace that outlasts circumstances. • It’s laughter breaking out in the dry places, the laughter in your spirit when your mind wants to worry. •The strength erupting in your soul when your body is weak. • It’s worship on your lips, even in the storm or while you wait on His timing.

So what is an Example of Joy

Imagine Paul and Silas, bruised and bleeding, locked in the inner prison, their feet secured in stocks. At midnight—when most hearts would sink into despair—they chose to pray and sing hymns to God. Their voices rang out, echoing through the darkness, not a sound of resignation but of radiant celebration. In that moment, joy was more than emotion; it was a defiant act of worship born in their spirits. The result? An earthquake shook the foundations, chains fell off, doors flew open, and an entire jailer’s heart was transformed.

SO That’s joy: a wellspring of strength rising from God’s presence, a song of victory that refuses to be silenced by circumstances.

WHAT BLOCKS JOY

A. UNRESOLVED FORGIVENESS

“Do not judge… do not condemn… forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 6:37)

SPIRIT TRUTH: UNFORGIVENESS is a SPIRITUAL PARASITE. It seeps into our hearts like rancid oil, weighs us down, and cuts us off from freedom.

What does this mean?: When we cling to hurt, we replay the offense again and again. Our prayers feel heavy, our worship grows distant, and then worship becomes work. Letting go is like lifting a boulder from your chest—suddenly your spirit can breathe, and the fire of His mercy warms every frozen place.

Here is something to think about: Who are you still blaming? What old wound needs to be released today?

(But let me also encourage you: As you choose forgiveness, the FIRE of the Spirit severs every root of offense. You’ll taste mercy like fresh new wine and find your feet😊 dancing once more.)

B. UNSPOKEN PAIN

“Pour out your heart… He is our refuge.” (Psalm 62:8)

 “Those who sow in tears… reap joy.” (Psalm 126:5)

SPIRIT TRUTH: Buried grief numbs our sensitivity to heaven’s voice. Silence may feel safe, but it hardens our hearts and starves us of JOY.

What does this mean?  Hiding sorrow is like stuffing a wound—eventually it festers and makes every moment ache. BUT naming the pain cracks the shell. God’s oil drips into each crevice, His new wine of hope begins to 😊bubble, and our souls rediscover sweetness again.

Challenge: Where will you speak your sorrow today—to a friend, in your journal, or straight to Jesus?

(Let me encourage you that: Every ☹tear you offer becomes incense before the Lord. His embrace meets your brokenness and fills you with a fire of healing that births 😊 uncontainable joy.)

C. STRIVING INSTEAD OF SURRENDER

“Be still and know that I am God.”(Psalm 46:10)  -  “Come to me… and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)  -  “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)

SPIRIT TRUTH: STRIVING locks us into performance. SURRENDER whispers, “You’re safe. You’re held.” The FIRE of God melts our fear and reminds us we’re already loved, chosen and anointed.

What is the Explanation: Striving is like rowing against a wild current—exhausting and fruitless. But when we drop the oars, JESUS steps into the boat. The waters calm, the wind shifts, and our hearts begin to dance on waves of His grace, see JOY.

I just WONDER where we have you tried to earn what Christ has already poured out as living oil?

Can I ask us to Release our efforts at His feet? In that quiet surrender, His anointing flood us with strength and peace we may have never known.

So these are the Barriers, so now let’s step into the river where JOY overflows.

HOW WE RECEIVE JOY

CONFESS & RELEASE “You forgave the guilt of my sin.” (Psalm 32:5) – Speak your failures and fears out loud. – Write them down and then ceremonially tear up or burn the paper. – Feel His oil of mercy wash over your heart, cleansing every trace of shame.

2. ABIDE IN HIS PRESENCE “In your presence is fullness of joy.” (Psalm 16:11) “Remain in me… and my joy will be in you.” (John 15:11) – Carve out sacred space: a morning walk, a quiet room, soft worship. – Lean into His voice, listen for His heartbeat. – Let His fire warm your spirit until new wine of joy wells up inside.

3. EXTEND FORGIVENESS TO OTHERS & YOURSELF “Forgive as Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32) – Choose to release resentment—even when you don’t feel like it. – Write a letter of forgiveness (you don’t have to send it). – As mercy flows out, bitterness walks out, and the gates of joy swing wide.

When you practice confession, communion, and compassion, the river of God’s gladness rises—washing away every dry place, every dark corner, every weight.

These three acts become the OPENINGS through which the river of joy floods every part of your soul.

I have some stirring questions I hope speak to your heart

What BELIEFS have BLOCKED the FLOW of joy in my life?

Who must I FORGIVE for JOY to RETURN?

Where am I still STRIVING instead of SURRENDERING?

Will I allow JOY to accompany my FAITH today?

Listen for the gentle whisper of His Spirit stirring new hope within you.

JOY IS THE FRUIT OF FREEDOM

JOY doesn’t come from PRETENDING—it comes from BEING FREE. Free from GUILT. Free from BITTERNESS. Free from CONTROL. Free to LAUGH again. Free to HOPE again. Free to LIVE again.

“You turned my mourning into dancing… clothed me with joy.” (Psalm 30:11) “Rejoice in the Lord always.” (Philippians 4:4)

So RISE—not in perfection, but in FAITH. Let JOY be your QUIET CONFIDENCE, the SOUND of your COURAGE, the flame in your WORSHIP and the breath of LIVING HOPE.

Let it BREAK OPEN every place sorrow once settled. Let it THUNDER in your prayers and OVERFLOW through your hands.

You were made to be a VESSEL OF GLADNESS—FILLED, not hollow—and ANOINTED TO POUR the oil of joy into every dry place.

Receive it. Trust it. Walk in it. For the JOY OF THE LORD is not just yours to KEEP—it’s yours to GIVE.

And may our hearts be blaze with JOY, as we raise our eyes to our Banner of victory—Jehovah Nissi. May that name unite us in triumph as Jason leads us into THE LORD IS OUR BANNER.

Amen.