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What is real Joy?

T

tinytim

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Joh 17:13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

What is your take on this verse?
What things did Jesus speak, and how are they helping us today find real Joy?
What is the difference between Joy and happiness?
 
D

donnA

Active Member
Happiness is an emotion, controlled by the events in our lives. Same as any emotion. Joy is not an emotion, it comes from the heart, it is there no matter our mood or emotion. Joy comes from the indwelling Holy Spirit, and He is in charge of it, we aren't, we don't find it, if we do it is man made joy, not God made joy. Joy is not a happy and smiling nothing makes me down attitude. It is more like a quiet peace in the heart and mind.
What things did Jesus speak?
Read the whole passage, He tells us what it is He is talking about. I think it's the word of God.
Thats my take on it anyway.
 
T

tinytim

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How is joy not an emotion? Don't all emotions come from the heart?

I understand that Christ gives us a deeper joy, but how do we experience it when life gets tough?

Or is that when we do experience it?
 
D

donnA

Active Member
Emotions are based on whats going on around us. Happy, sad, angry.
Joy from God is not based on the world around us.
When life gets tough, when we depend on God, know He is in full control of the world and whats happening in our lives, when we trust in Him, we can know His joy. Jesus said we would have peace that surpasses all understanding, with that peace comes the joy of knowing Him, and that He controls the universe,and loves us no matter what the tough times are like.
I do speak from experience.
Four years ago this month my son was arrested while I was on the phone with him. A plea and sentencing took 6 months, during that time I lived with the fact (fear, terror) if they did not give him concurrent sentences he could possibly be in prison the rest of my life. He was 19 at the time.
God was good to us all. He was sentenced to 6 years, and served 2, he is now married and has a daughter and lives just fine without his old life.
And thats about all I can say about it. So no questions about my son.
Yes we can experience joy in the worst of times. But it does not mean we also do not have down times. It means we don't live in the down times, they do not command and control our lives. Many times Christians mistake joy for being happy go lucky all the time, smiling no matter what, never a bad mood. but the joy that comes from God goes much deeper then that.
 
R

RTG

New Member
I think joy is something we experiance in the spirt,happiness is something that comes and go's like emotions "fless".I was reading the 103 psalm to my boy's a while ago and that was joy.RTG
 
R

Rachel

New Member
Amen Donna!
 
T

Thankful

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Donna.

We have that Joy down in our Hearts even in times of trouble. It is that Joy that sees us through our troubles.

Let's just keep praising and thanking our Lord.
 
C

cojosh

New Member
I agree with the above posts. Joy can be felt from the heart, but I do believe it comes from the Holy Spirit that dwells inside of us after we are saved. The same way that peace does. It starts in the spirit and overflows to the heart and the body.
 
T

tinytim

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Thank you all!

Since Joy comes from the Spirit and seems interconnected with Peace, then why are some Christians so sappy and sad all the time?

OK that's obvious, they are not being led by the Spirit.

But how do we get them to see the real Joy that is in them?
 
D

donnA

Active Member
Tim, I think maybe they have to recognize that themselves just by seeing and observing Christians, that they are missing something themselves and seek that renewed relationship with God, which is where they will find the peace and joy.
I am not saying anyone is not saved, or that they have lost their salvation. I am saying that possibly they are living outside God's will, outside an active relationship with Him, and need to return to that active relationship. This is going to be between them and God. So I think all you can really do is pray.
 
T

tinytim

<img src =/tim2.jpg>
I understand that, but as a preacher I would like to do so much more. Sometimes I see Christians walking around all depressed and I wonder what I could do to show them the Joy of Christ.

But who am I kidding, I have to remind my self sometimes that I have His Joy in my heart. It is so easy to forget when we are faced with trials and everyday problems.

It is so easy to take His joy for granted, isn't it. It is so easy to overlook the obvious. Or let problems become obstacles that are so huge, we forget that Christ is always with us. He is always there, never changing. His joy is always constant.
 
D

donnA

Active Member
I would say probably, encourage them in their relationship with God, in their faith walk. Growing in Christ. They need bible study, prayer, christian fellowship.
I think if anything there is where your answer is. Plus the prayer.
God will not leave them where they are in their walk.
 
C

cojosh

New Member
It seems that there are a lot of Christians who do not believe that they serve any purpose. They think, "Well, I'm saved now. I guess the next step is heaven!" They don't understand that God has a reason for them still being here. This may be attributed to the way they view themselves. I know some church members who have very low self-esteems. This is a dangerous area, because Christians don't need such a high self-esteem that it would cause pride, but we need to understand our importance to God.
 
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donnA

Active Member
Agreed. None of us is useless nor are we without value. Look what God paid for us. We need to recognize our value to God and live accordingly.
 
Aaron

Aaron

Member
Site Supporter
Oops! It was going so well and then that last two posts. Has anyone heard the song, "Much too High a Price?"
 
I

ituttut

New Member
Originally posted by donnA:
..........but the joy that comes from God goes much deeper then that.
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Like what you say donnA. There is no feeling (not emotion) of satisfaction as winning one to Christ, or the one that has been saved. I believe to have real joy is to have peace, and love as we commune with God.

Galatians 5:22-23, ”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” We commune with God, and then hopefully we attain the next three in our dealings with others, followed by how we solve our everyday, and difficult situations.
 
D

donnA

Active Member
Originally posted by Aaron:
Oops! It was going so well and then that last two posts. Has anyone heard the song, "Much too High a Price?"
Click to expand...
I am quite sure I have no idea what you mean Aaron.
 
I

ituttut

New Member
Originally posted by Aaron:
Oops! It was going so well and then that last two posts. Has anyone heard the song, "Much too High a Price?"
Click to expand...
I believe the song may be named "Casting Crowns", but perhaps that is the Album name??

Anyway from what I remember, I believe you are correct, for it is we that need Him, and not the other way around. However He did choose us for His purpose, but not for our "value", as we are nothing without Him. Christian faith, ituttut
 
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