EPISODE #136: JOY (Be Fruitful Series)

BE IN THE WORD (This Week’s Verses):

Joy in suffering: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” (James 1:2-3)

Joy in the everyday: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4)

Joy in faith: “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:8-9)

Joy in trust: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

Joy in community: “I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.” (2 John 1:12)

Joy in salvation: “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” (Luke 15:7)

Joy in love: “Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.” (Philemon 1:7)

Joy in the midst of enemies: “Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.” (Psalm 27:6)

Joy from the desert to the Promised Land: “And those the LORD has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.” (Isaiah 35:10)

Joy in nature: “The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing.” (Psalm 65:13)

Joy in anxiety: “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” (Psalm 94:19)

BE EDUCATED (Additional Resources):

  1. Be-Cast Episode #9: Be Joyful. Our first podcast on Joy over four years ago!
  2. The Fruit of the Spirit by Billy Graham. Beautiful article expounding on the fruits and joy.

  3. Joy by Sarah Bessey: Article on Advent that focuses on the fruit of joy.

BE DOERS, NOT JUST HEARERS (Practical Application):

  1. Where do you need joy? Do you need it in the desert, or midst of enemies, or love, or community? Identify where you need joy and find one of the over 200 verses on joy that correlates to that area and turn it into a prayer. Pray that the Holy Spirit would increase the fruit of joy in you. It is His good pleasure to do so!
  2. Make a Joy List. This is one back from Be Joyful, but I think it’s still so important! Make a list of things right now that bring you joy, that make you exceedingly glad. Then get alone with God somewhere private where you can make a little noise, and literally shout out loud with joy to God. Force yourself to let go with a primal, inarticulate joyful noise to God. Let go of fear of looking or feeling foolish, and let go of the fear that tells you to fully fear joy means something bad will happen soon. Just release the joy that’s hidden in your heart and let it shine!

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