Fruit and Mann[a/er]:🍇 Joy (Part 3)

'My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ' James 1:2

James 1, Hebrews 12

This might be a long one (Sorry not sorry 😂)

---

I realise that I have been absent from writing for a long time, and for this I apologise, but also rejoice; In one dimension, I haven't be a vessel to others, but in another way, I am now so saturated in spiritual wisdom that I am now able to deliver to you.

⛓⛓⛓⛓⛓

In the last Post I was talking about the fruit of the spirit and more specifically God's Patient Love. Returning to our anchor for this part of the series, The Bible says in Galatians 5:22: "But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.(AMP)"

In this way, I then went on to define patience and Love as such:

Patience: How we act while waiting

Love: [God's] Unselfish [active and continual] concern/care [for others]

I am currently trying to explore how the fruit of the Holy Spirit is so much richer and sustainable than their worldly equivalents or counterparts. In light of this, I realised that I could not talk about patience, without addressing Joy. Joy in the dictionary is described as such:

"A feeling of great pleasure and happiness(Oxford)"; "the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires(Merriam-Webster)"

By these definitions, these things are paramount to experience Joy:

1. Joy is a feeling

2. Joy requires happiness

For me, at first I was content, and then I was [in honesty] kinda disappointed. Because I came to realise that Worldly Joy is so circumstantial and unreliable. I can receive worldly Joy from many places; Friends & family, my passions and my experiences. Whilst this is fine, these are all things that are External. If I'm in a bad mood, no matter how good people are to me, I can't source my Joy from them, and that's even assuming people are good to me. I turned to the Bible for answers (and a whole array of other trusted sources), and came across this verse which sent me on a biblical expedition (And messed me up in the process, watch this.) The Bible says in James 1:2-4:

'My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.'

Now this made [and constantly makes] me realise that everything I think I know about Joy is shallow. Therefore let us further delve into what constitutes God's Joy.

🍎🍏🍎🍏🍎🍏🍎

1.🌊 Joy flows from Patient Faith.🌊

In order to fully understand what what Joy is, we have to delve into James 1 and see where it leads.

James 1:2-4 says:' 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 [knowing that] the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.(NKJV)"

After reading this the first time, I still couldn't really understand what this meant, so I went to what the original Greek. The word used for Count, in "Count it Joy.." is ἡγήσασθε((hēgēsasthe), and it means to consider or think.

Going further, to really understand what Joy is, you have to understand what faith is, because you can't consider your situation as Joy, if your faith is not tested. Faithfulness is a fruit of the spirit; additionally faith is defined in Hebrews 11:1, as such: 'Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.(NIV) '

ἐλπιζομένων (elpizomenōn) is the word used for Hope in this text, and it means to expect and trust.

Some of your heads may be spinning, so let me boil this down and define Faith and Joy as such:

Faith: Complete Confident Trust[Hope] in God regardless of circumstance.

Joy[of faith]:Delightful outcome of a Faith-filled focus and hope on God's Character, Blessings and Promises.

If you don't believe me that this is the definition of Biblical Joy, then let us go to Proverbs 16:20: "Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful.(NLT)"

What this is saying is that if you have Faith (trust in the Lord), you will be full of Joy. Jesus takes this image further in John 15:11:

"11 I have told you these things so that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy may be made full and complete and overflowing."

Many of you will be rightfully asking, "Well what are these things that he told them?" to summarise (And you should really just read the whole of John 15, it's great), he says in verse 4: "4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you...(NLT)"

It's God's own hope (and for our own benefit of authentic relationship with God,) that we remain in his ways, as Holy spirit will guide us. I will never fail to mention during this series that Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. God is Joy. God is the very standard of Joy, because he is it. Therefore, God doesn't call us to wrack our minds to see the good in every situation. That's optimism, not Joy. If you are walk in God's ways and understand Romans 8:28: "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them(NLT)" When your situation isn't Good, God himself is the hope and Joy in that situation; 2 Corinthians 5:7 says: "For we walk by faith, not by sight.(NKJV)"

God is Omniscient: He knows everything, and has a plan that's better than yours for your life, and so many people don't believe that. We are not patient out of obligation, I'm patient because I know that God Loves me above all else, and that love is shown in what James 1:12 says: 'Blessed is the man who endures temptation;...(NKJV)'

This lets me search for God not because of what he can provide for me, but who he is to me; That the very essence of his Character is to ultimately bless those who don't deserve it. In realising this, reciprocating the love God has shown me is reasonable (reasonable service)That's why Jesus says in the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:10: "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.(NKJV)"

Psalm 46:1 summarises this up best: ' God is our refuge and strength [mighty and impenetrable], A very present and well-proved help in trouble.(AMP)'

2.⛓ Patient Joy; The Priority parallel⛓

I have to walk a very fine line here, because to accurately depict what this Joy looks like changes, because not everyone has the same experiences, but let me first make it clear what James 1:2 is not saying. N.B ⚠️The verse does not say, "Choose Joy when you are faced with various trials.(James[my] incorrect version😂)" ❌❌❌

Even saying that I don't think that a lot of people don't even recognise the difference. "what's the difference between choosing Joy, and counting all things Joy in trials?" If you try to choose Joy, you are trying to change how you feel. You can never choose an emotion without (unnecessary) emotional damage. This is not what James is saying. Remember what I said; This is what Worldly Joy consists of; It's reliant on being a feeling. And while biblical Joy can be a feeling, God's Joy is a focus before it's a feeling. What do I mean?

2a. Joy is faith prioritised.📝

Paul really cements this image with his 2nd letter to the Corinthians. He says in 2 Corinthians 6:10 the following: "10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;...(NKJV)"

The Joy of faith isn't a denial of your reality. You can't choose how you feel, but you can change your perspective in Christ through your priorities.

For some of you, you may not get this picture of Joy, so watch this, because this messed me up. Hebrews 12:2 says: 'look[ing] unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.'

I had to look at this so hard, because it so destroyed my ideal of Joy. If he set Joy before him, but despised the cross' shame, that means he found no Joy in the event, but in the guaranteed outcome that in faith, he could fulfil his purpose on earth. His death was not comfortable; He didn't feel Joyful. Jesus said in prayer before his trial and death Matthew 26:39: "... “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.(NKJV)” that cup was God's anger towards sin, intertwined with the pain that Jesus took upon himself and suffered long (1 Corinthians 13:4:'Love suffers long...(NKJV)') for all of us on the cross. Jesus wasn't happy; He said he didn't want to go through with it, but he know that through his sacrifice, all are set free: he set Joy before him. Jesus (Son of God) knew that his faith in The Father to carry out what had to be done. without the feeling of Joy, the knowledge of promise amongst other things was sufficient.

🧠🧠🧠

3. Joy's container.🎁

Now that I have really unpacked the biblical perspective of Joy, and whilst that's all well and good, practical application is what's necessary to actually sustain God's Joy in your life. Psalm 16:11 says: 'You will show me the path of life;In Your presence is fullness of joy;...(NKJV)'

I have discussed the first part. It can be summed up in Proverbs 3:5-6: 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall [b]direct your paths.(NKJV)'

however I shall now focus on how to practically have Joy. God's presence is everywhere; God is Omnipresent. Therefore, it's not a question of God's presence (Provision), Rather of my presence (priorities). And that spans further than just reaching out to God, it's a life choice. God can't show you the path of life, if you don't choose to be present always. That's why the Bible says, pray without ceasing; it doesn't mean that you should dream in prayers, it means that you should long for God's presence. Once again, Jesus says in the beatitudes: "Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled." So here are the ways we can venture into God's presence so that his Joy in us can be revealed and experienced (rather than found; if God's spirit is inside of you, you don't have to find Joy):

Therefore, Joy is experienced in the following ways:

3a. Prayer (With God)🗣🙏🏿

Now, many will immediately be saying, "Why do you say with God, and not to God?"

Prayer is supposed to be a dialogue between yourself and God, and this is a concept that many people don't understand, no less non-believers. Psalm 102:17 says: 'He will respond to the prayer of the destitute[Lacking, broken]; he will not despise their plea.(NIV)'

When I call prayer a dialogue, we tend to picture God's voice as a deep booming voice that makes us fall on our face. But as a Christian God's spirit is in us, a lot of the time he will speak to us through our thoughts, and through others. God has no need to venture into the spectacular and supernatural if it is much more effective to speak to your mind.

I don't claim to always hear the voice of God, and neither should anyone, but if I spend time in prayer, then often times i'll perceive the voice of God. I almost never know for sure in the moment; sometimes I've thought that i've perceived the voice of God, but really just used it as an excuse to voice my own heart's desires, but it doesn't matter if you get it wrong; 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says: 'pray without ceasing(NKJV)'.

The more intentionality I have in drawing near to the heart of God, the more clearly the voice of God will become, and I don't believe that discernment will ever be crystal clear, but will always gain clarity through patient faith, And for me to draw close to God is to draw close to Joy itself, as God is Joy.

3b. Worship (To God) 🎶؂

1 Thessalonians 5:16 says: 'Rejoice always (NKJV)'

Worship is what I believe to be the most underrated and misunderstood ways we enter into God's presence. I couldn't possibly cover everything there is to say about Worship but, inherently Worship is our Love expressed to God as a result of his Grace towards us. Grace is the unmerited, unearned, undeserved kindness and favour of God.

When you Love someone for who they are rather than what they provide, expressing is a given. But for some reason with God, alot of us hold back in this regard. The bible says in Hebrews 4:16: 'Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.(NKJV)'

Worship to God kills pride first and foremost, as you can't give God authentic worship if you without surrendering your pride. If worship is Love expressed, that's not just a song; Worship is the way I live my life. Romans 12:1 says: ' so, dear brothers and sisters,[a] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.(NLT)'

If I Love God, truly nothing is off limits. If nothing is off limits, and I love God with all my heart, then whatever happens might hurt me, but it won't break my focus, and that brings me Joy: to know that I don't have to feel happy to have Joy.

3c. Word (of God) 📖

Romans 10:17 says:'So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.(NKJV)'

If God's Joy comes from faith, and faith comes through God's word, then One of the fundamental ways we can experience Joy is through the Bible, the Word of God.

Hebrews 4:12 says:  'For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.(NKJV)'

The Bible is Powerful. It is arguably the most prevalent thing God gifts us. After reading the Bible, it begins to read your heart. And while the texts never changes, new revelations continue to pour out of this Old book.

If in God's presence is the fullness of Joy (Psalm 16:11), then that means that God loves me enough to let me (a compromised imperfect person) experience him in his fullness.

If you want to start somewhere with God's word, start in somewhere like Psalms, James, Philippians or John. Psalms is great at showing that Joy isn't necessarily feeling happy; there are many psalms regarding the writer's feeling of sadness, whilst still experiencing God's Joy.

The other way God's way presents himself is through his spirit in conjunction with the Bible. For me this has started to happen lately; that when I feel compelled to act in a certain way, a Bible verse springs to my memory to counteract that thought. If you understood the way my brain works without God at the center, you would understand how great a Joy this is for me, and can/should be for you too!

When you make God your priority, and are willing to surrender your life and time to his ways, he can change your habits;The Word is a great resource and tool of which God is able to instigate Joy in our lives.

🍇🍇🍇🍇🍇🍇🍇

In closing, I want to briefly paint a picture in Closing. Psalms 104:14-15 says: 'He [The LORD] causes the grass to grow for the cattle... And wine that makes glad the heart of man...(AMP)'

Here the Psalmist is showing how wine is the source of Joy.

Hold this thought and bear with me.

In John 2, Jesus at a wedding turns water into wine, and look what happens. '7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. 9 When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom.(NKJV)'

Ok this seems like a simple enough miracle on the surface; people were in need, and Jesus Provided. But if you look closer, theres a deeper message here.

If you know anything about Jesus and the Spirit you will know that Water represents God's Spirit, John 4:39 says: '(When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit,)...(NKJV)'

Watch this, because this blew my mind:

If Jesus turned water into wine, then Jesus, in act of giving gives us his Joy through his spirit.

Through receiving God's spirit we don't have to find Joy for ourselves; God provides that Joy when you are in need; The water (God's spirit) became wine (Joy): God is Joy.

the masters in John 2:10: Go on to say: 'And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!”(NKJV)'

Some of you may have already caught on, but if the wine is Joy, and Jesus provided better wine, then Jesus provides greater Joy than material Joy.

Bonus point, really:

4. Joy gives; Jesus gives Joy🍇🍻

Jesus' whole life was an act of giving. Matthew 20:28 says: ' just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many [paying the price to set them free from the penalty of sin].”(NKJV)'

Jesus' miracles, signs and wonders were all a distribution of his power to give and help others. Jesus gave, and in the same way gives Joy in the ways I just mention. In the same way we are all called to share with others this greater Joy. Join with others in prayer, worship and the word, but also practically just share God's Joy to others, so that together we can participate in Jesus' story.

---

This prospect of Joy, although it's one I have been studying over a month, in itself tests my own faith, because the very premise that Joy can be situated in hardship has been so novel to me.

However I'm beginning to realise that As we prioritise God's presence in practical ways, God's Joy permeates my life. That could very much change; I'm well aware that life often doesn't feel full of Joy, and simply knowing that God is on our side doesn't seem to fill us up. And that's actually Ok. I'm not insisting on an obligation to feel Joy constantly, but Joy is a focus before it's a feeling, and if you come to terms with that, I promise that your life will never be the same.

Below I've left some links from people i've drawn from and been inspired by to write this message, as I offer really what is just a nuanced (and much shorter) perspective of what they offer, so if you have the time, do Go and watch them.

God bless. ❤️