The Power of Joy

Dear friend,

greetings to you in the name above all.

It's a windy day here. I just returned from flying kite with my son (5). He's in bed now. And in a few hours I will be off to India, where I will be co-evangelist in two great gospel campaigns. Rarely have I been so excited about an opportunity to preach. We will be reaching tens of thousands.

Please pray for us. (This request is really the reason for this teenzy weenzy edition of TN.)

Now for the word...

Let me share a short teaching (indeed) on joy today.

Most people confuse joy with happiness. But there is a vast difference. Happiness is grounded in favourable circumstances. When everything goes well, the camper is happy. Joy on the other hand is rooted in the spirit. It is an attitude of life. It remains present as an undercurrent even when things aren't exactly dandy.

In Romans 14, 17 the bible says: "The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost."

You could say that the first part of that verse describes happiness: eating and drinking. Outward, natural pleasances. The second part of Romans 14, 17 on the other hand describes the elements of spiritual fulfillment: righteousness, peace and... joy in the Holy Ghost.

Nabal, the rich old scrooge of 1 Samuel 25, 36 was exceedingly happy. He had everything a carnal man could ever wish for: a very attractive wife (Abigail), lots of money, great food (he regularly feasted like a king), and he had good wine (he was frequently drunk). He was happy!

However, when his wife served him notice one morning that on the day before a band of forest-dwelling outlaws (David's Merry Men) almost got him, he became like stone for ten days (catatonic schizophrenic in medical terms.) Then he died.

So much for the pursuit of happiness as a guiding principle of life.

Joy is different.

Paul was able to say: "I am filled with comfort; I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction." (2 Corinthians 7, 4.)

It is obviously possible to be overflowing with joy in the midst of affliction. Paul could.

Joy and laughter are dominant attributes of the atmosphere of heaven. (Psalms 2, 4.) And we as christians can take possession of that. We are one with heaven. Positionally we are seated in heavenly places already. (Ephesians 1, 3.)

Heaven's joy is rooted in the sure knowledge that all is in God's hand (that goes for earthly christians too.) Paul could rejoice because he knew that he lived in the will of God for his life. He had a good conscience. That brought peace. And it reinforced the undercurrent of joy in his life. He knew: I can't lose.

Paul suffered by contemplating the lostness of the world. (Just consider India. India can be stunningly beautiful. But you can also see what lost really means. Some conditions are gutwrenchingly awful there.)

- But the dominant mood in Paul was his joy in his own salvation.

We need to do the same. Look away from the problems in your life. Remember the awesome testimonies that you have. Remember God's intervention on numerous occasions for you. He is faithful and just. He will not forget you. He will come through for you. Just serve him. Worship him. Give him offerings. He won't let you down.

Joy is a spiritual force, helping your salvation to come into manifestation. Paul says in Philippians 1, 18: "Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that this (rejoicing) will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Christ Jesus."

Paul decided to look to the bright side, to rejoice, because he knew that if he expected good to come, good would come. This willingness to expect good to come was one major contributor to his joy. And his joy was one major factor in seeing his deliverance come to pass. (He was a prisoner of Rome at the time.)

Later, in Philippians 4, 4 he commands his flock: "Rejoice! And again I say: rejoice!" He is very imperative about it. And if the word of God commands us to do something, then, by God, we can do it! Paul was released shortly after.

Encouraging you to rejoice,

your friend,

Gert Hoinle, Pastor

P.S.: In case you wanted to help us with the expenses of our crusades in India, here is our account-number: # 823591 at Bankcode: 79350000, Staedt. Sparkasse Schweinfurt. Just indicate: India, and your money will go right into winning the lost for Jesus.