I want to point out a few things we should do to generate (release God's) joy in our Christian lives.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 ESV (16) Rejoice always, (17) pray without ceasing, (18) give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (19) Do not quench the Spirit.
Let us note the FOUR elements found in this passage:
REJOICE ALWAYS:
The enemy of the demonic, the enemy of the world, and the enemy of our flesh will try to get us down. When our enemies try to discourage us and make us walk in sorrow, then REJOICE! To rejoice is not an act out of the emotion, otherwise we would only rejoice when things are going well. Rejoicing is an act of the will. We rejoice out of obedience, not out of emotion.
As we read and meditate on the Father's promises towards us we make the willful choice to be thankful and to rejoice. We should open our Bibles and read the passages of God's goodness and His promises. Choose to rejoice in God’s love and faithfulness. We should open our songbook or put on some spiritually up-lifting music and sing. Rejoice in God’s love and faithfulness and again I say rejoice. It is a choice and act of obedience.
PRAY WITHOUT CEASING:
Don’t forget to PRAY. Tell God what is going through your head and what you are feeling. He already knows anyway. Ask Him to bring you peace. Ask Him to put His arms of love around you. Ask Him to restore a spirit of joy in your life. Ask Him to restore the joy of HIS salvation.
Psalms 51:12 ESV Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS:
Count your blessings and THANK HIM for them. Remember how good He has been to you. When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, count your many blessings. A grateful heart is a happy heart. Count your blessings and thank Him for them. Know that the trials we walk in are meant to complete our faith and build steadfastness in us, therefore thank God through them all. Remember that what the enemy has purposed for evil and for your destruction, God has purposed for your good and maturity.
DON'T QUENCH THE SPIRIT:
To quench the Holy Spirit means not doing what He wants us to do. It is not doing the right thing in daily disciplines of the faith. It is not being faithful in small things. To grieve the Holy Spirit is the doing of that which we are not to be doing. It would be acts of rebellion against the will of God. So, be open to the leadership of God's Holy Spirit and have a heart ready to obey.
REMEMBER:
To REJOICE, to PRAY, to GIVE THANKS and don't quench the Spirit, because this is the will of GOD for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 ESV (16) Rejoice always, (17) pray without ceasing, (18) give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (19) Do not quench the Spirit.
Let us note the FOUR elements found in this passage:
REJOICE ALWAYS:
The enemy of the demonic, the enemy of the world, and the enemy of our flesh will try to get us down. When our enemies try to discourage us and make us walk in sorrow, then REJOICE! To rejoice is not an act out of the emotion, otherwise we would only rejoice when things are going well. Rejoicing is an act of the will. We rejoice out of obedience, not out of emotion.
As we read and meditate on the Father's promises towards us we make the willful choice to be thankful and to rejoice. We should open our Bibles and read the passages of God's goodness and His promises. Choose to rejoice in God’s love and faithfulness. We should open our songbook or put on some spiritually up-lifting music and sing. Rejoice in God’s love and faithfulness and again I say rejoice. It is a choice and act of obedience.
PRAY WITHOUT CEASING:
Don’t forget to PRAY. Tell God what is going through your head and what you are feeling. He already knows anyway. Ask Him to bring you peace. Ask Him to put His arms of love around you. Ask Him to restore a spirit of joy in your life. Ask Him to restore the joy of HIS salvation.
Psalms 51:12 ESV Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS:
Count your blessings and THANK HIM for them. Remember how good He has been to you. When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, count your many blessings. A grateful heart is a happy heart. Count your blessings and thank Him for them. Know that the trials we walk in are meant to complete our faith and build steadfastness in us, therefore thank God through them all. Remember that what the enemy has purposed for evil and for your destruction, God has purposed for your good and maturity.
DON'T QUENCH THE SPIRIT:
To quench the Holy Spirit means not doing what He wants us to do. It is not doing the right thing in daily disciplines of the faith. It is not being faithful in small things. To grieve the Holy Spirit is the doing of that which we are not to be doing. It would be acts of rebellion against the will of God. So, be open to the leadership of God's Holy Spirit and have a heart ready to obey.
REMEMBER:
To REJOICE, to PRAY, to GIVE THANKS and don't quench the Spirit, because this is the will of GOD for you.
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