In the eyes of the world, most people look upon joy as an outward action - "jumping for joy", "joyful laughter", "there is a bounce in their step, they are so full of joy"; etc.

Funk & Wagnalls New International Dictionary of the English Language states:

joy
1. A lively emotion of happiness; gladness.
2. Anything which causes delight
3. An expression or manifestation of this.

joyful
1. Full of joy
2. Manifesting or causing joy

My hearts desire, for this study series, is to get to know, understand and experience the full and wonderful "joy of the Lord". It is our strength! It is in our salvation! Now, let me stop here and clarify a common misconception in Christian communities today. The "joy of the Lord" is NOT something that makes us giddy and/or laugh all the time! (yes, there are times when laughter has broken forth - in some meetings - and that may or may not be something we will address, I'm still praying about that.) What we will be doing is taking a good look at Scripture and see how "the joy of the Lord" works and manifests itself in our day to day lives.Quite a number of years ago, now, I read a church sign that summed it up perfectly. I do not know who coined the phrase, but I would like to share it with you:


                                                                      Joy is Peace Dancing
                                                                                  and
                                                                     Peace is Joy Resting


Why do I feel that sums it up so perfectly? Well, let's begin our time of study, and you will soon understand. Ready? Here we go!

Let us take a look at the Hebrew word hxmX - "Simchah" pronounced as sim-khaw', which is a noun, feminine in origin. This word has been translated into joy 44 times in the Old Testament.

The definition given in the Strong's Concordance (08057) is:
• joy, mirth, gladness
  • mirth, gladness, joy, gaiety, pleasure
  • joy (of God)
  • glad result, happy issue

Look up the following Scriptures and rewrite them in your own words - ask yourself, of each one, "does this passage relate to the 'joy of the Lord'?". Then as you write it out, allow the Lord to personalize it within your heart.

Isaiah 55:12

Psalm 16:11

Proverbs 12:20

Jeremiah 15:16

Nehemiah 8:10

Meditate on these passages this week, asking the Lord to deeply impart His joy in to your life - why not leave a comment so we can 'discuss' things as we progress through this study.

In the margin of my Bible I have subtitled the book of Philippians "Joy, Joy, Joy!". It is through the study of these four wonderful chapters that I learned much about the true meaning of joy. Philippians is broken into four chapters, with four different areas that we can be joyful in.

they are:
• through believing
• as we serve others
• by our giving
• and, yes, in hardships and struggles

Paul wrote this letter to the Philippians while he was in prison, yet it is full to overflowing with hope and encouragement. He shares the secret(s) for being content, resting in our salvation, which is our joy and strength. Let us take a close look at Chapter 1. (I'm going to use The New Living Translation today.)

"This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus.
"It is written to all of God's people in Philippi, who believe in Christ Jesus, and to the elders and deacons.
"May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

"Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. I always pray for you, and I make my requests with a heart full of joy because you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.

"It is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a very special place in my heart. We have shared together the blessings of God, both when I was in prison and when I was out, defending the truth and telling others the Good News. God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus. I pray that you love for each other will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in your knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until Christ returns. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation -- those good things that are produced in your life by Jesus Christ -- for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

"And I want you to know, dear friends, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including all the soldiers in the palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, many of the Christians here have gained confidence and become more bold in telling others about Christ.

"Some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. They preach because they love me, for they know the Lord brought me here to defend the Good News. Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. But whether or not their motives are pure, the fact remains that the message about Christ is being preached, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice. For I know that as you pray for me and as the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, they will all turn out for my deliverance.

"For I live in eager expectation and hope that I will never do anything that causes me shame, but that I will always be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past, and that my life will always honor Christ, whether I live or I die. For to me, living is for Christ, and dying is even better. Yet if I live, that means fruitful service for Christ. I really don't know which is better. I'm torn between two desires: Sometimes I want to live, and sometimes I long to go and be with Christ. That would be far better for me, but it is better for you that I live.

"I am convinced of this, so I will continue with you so that you will grow and experience the joy of your faith. Then when I return to you, you will have even more reason to boast about what Christ Jesus has done for me.

"But whatever happens to me, you must live in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ, as citizens of heaven. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing side by side, fighting together for the Good News. Don't be intimidated by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. For you have been given not only the privilege of trustin in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. We are in this fight together. You have seen me suffer for him in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of this great struggle."

1) From the above four areas of our life experiences that we can be joyful in, which one do you believe Paul is focusing on here?

2) Why did you choose that particular topic as your answer?

3) Which verses spoke directly to you in this first chapter of Philippians?

4) Do you see yourself being able to apply Paul's attitude in your own situations?

5) Explain your above answer fully:

6) What was Paul's heart full of as he wrote this letter?

7) Where was he writing from, again?

8) What was it he wanted us to be full of?

9) Where did he say it would come from?

Let's take a look at Chapter 2 of Paul's letter to the Philippians (verses 1-11). Please, read it in at least two different versions.

I just love this chapter! When people ask me what it truly means to be a Christian, I often refer them to this chapter. Being a Christian, is being "Christ-like", and this tells us ever so clearly how we are to lay our own thoughts, desires, plans down and put on the same attitude as Jesus Christ.

Take a good look at verses 5-8, and let's answer some questions:

1. Jesus was one with the Father and gave it all up for us.
[ ] True [ ] False

2. Because Jesus was also God, He demanded that all serve Him and tend to His needs
[ ] True [ ] False

3. Jesus was a very proud man.
[ ] True [ ] False

4. Do I truly understand what these verses mean?
[ ] Yes [ ] No

Explain:

May this be a time of deep soul searching - let it be an honest reflection of where you are in your own Christian walk.

Please, take a moment and write out verses 5-8 in your own words:

Okay . . . here is Jesus, Who is also God, equal with the Father, come to join us here on earth in human form and He puts all aside! He gives and gives and gives of Himself. He teaches, He loves, He serves! He is not demanding, He is not bossy, He does not "lord it over" anyone. He puts everyone elses needs above His own and walks in love.

5. Do I put others first?

6. Do I serve others?

7. Do I demand my own way?

8. In what areas do I need to become more like Christ in accordance with these verses?

By now, you are probably thinking "what in the world does this have to do with walking and living joyfully?", well, let me tell you! EVERYTHING - why? Take a look, again, at the very begining of this chapter. Paul states that by the Philippians becoming more like Christ - his joy would be complete. Think about that.List out some of the things (i.e. actions and attitudes of others) in and around your life that would bring you joy:

If you are like most, your list may include things like "more kindness", "people being more thoughtful", etc. Well, if all of us were to take on the attitude of Christ, as presented here by Paul, we would be loving and serving our Lord by loving and serving others. This is fellowship as it was intended! We draw closer to Him, become more like Him, start loving on others, and our joy becomes full to overflowing! Our relationship so rich and sweet with the Lord! (not to mention, the richer and sweeter relationships we can have with others around us!)

We are going to take a look at Chapter 2 of Paul's letter to the Philippians (verses 12-18). Please, read it in at least two different versions.

1. What is it, here, that Paul tells us to work out?

2. What are we to do, whether in the presence of other Christians or alone?

3. What is done according to God's good purpose?

4. List out the results we will have as we apply verse 14 to our lives:

I must confess, here, that verse 14 is one that the Lord is always reminding me of! What a struggle this one little verse is in my life. Yet, even though I may not walk fully in this presently, by His grace, and through His love, it gets better every day. It is my most sincere prayer that all of us can truly learn to apply this to our lives, as walking and living joyfully is part of the fruit of our obedience to His Word.

5. Share with us (comment below - let's have a discussion) what you believe Paul meant by verses 17-18

Now, I would like us to look up Psalm 4:5-7. Read it a few times, and then re-write it in your own words.

6. Now, after that, can you better understand Paul and the joy he was speaking about?

[ ] Yes [ ] No

7. Explain . . .

Let's take a look at Chapter 3 of Paul's letter to the Philippians. Please, read it in several different versions, if you are able.

I love the first verse in The New Living Translation! It reads, "Whatever happens, dear friends, may the Lord give you joy. I never get tired of telling you this, I am doing this for your own good."

For our own good, we are to be joyful, no matter what! Oh, but then we ask, "what about this?", and "what about that?", or "you don't understand all that I have to face in my life!". Oh, dear ones, read about where Paul is, what he had been through, what he was facing! He KNOWS hardship, far better than most of us ever will (even though it may not seem so).

As you continue reading this chapter, and re-reading it, let us ask oursleves some questions.

1. Our joy lies in our citizenship. Where is that, according to verse 20?

2. What did Paul say he counted as loss in his life?

3. What else did Paul call these things?

4. In verse 12, we are told to take two actions. Explain what they are:

5. Below, write out Verses 13 & 14 in your own words:

6. Please turn to, read and write out in your own words, Hebrews 12:2:

7. Can you tie these two verses together and apply them to your own life? Explain:

(you may also tie in Phillippians 3:8 with the above)We can, as our dear brother, Paul, and our Lord, Jesus, set our sites upon the glorious future we have with the Father in Glory. That place that was purchased for us through the Blood of Jesus Christ. That Heavenly Kingdom where there will be no more sorrow, no more tears, no more pain, no more death. That place where we will be in the presence of our God, worshiping Him along with His angels, and our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Oh, dear ones, does not that thought, alone, cause your heart to well up with His joy unspeakable and full of glory?!

Please read Philippians chapter 4 in at least two different versions. Thus far Paul has shared with us how to be joyful in our suffering, in our service and in our trusting/believing in Christ. In Chapter 4 he wraps it up by talk about obtaining joy through giving of ourselves to others.

When we hear the word "give" we often freeze up. We start discussing all the reasons we can't give, yet Paul addresses this ever so wonderfully here.

1. First, list out below some of the reasons you feel you can not give:

2. Based upon verses 6 - 7, are your reasons covered here?


[ ] yes [ ] no
explain:

3. Based upon verse 8, are your thought patterns lining up with the Word?


[ ] yes [ ] no
explain:

4. In verse 4, when does Paul tell us to rejoice?

5. In verses 11-12 Paul shares his secret, and then verifies the "how" to his secret in verse 13
a. What is his secret?





b. What is the "how" to his secret?

6. There are two very specific reasons our joy may be complete in our giving. The are shared in verses 17b & 19.
What are they? 
a.b.

Most of us are VERY familar with Verse 19, "and my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (NIV) However; most of us have heard it preached on without the first word! We usually hear it something like "for I know that God will supply . . . "That first word is "and"! What does "and" usually mean? That there is something preceding it! In this case, it is how we live our Christian walk . . . as we give out (not just money, but of ourselves, our time and talents), and the Lord credits our account . . . then comes the "and my God will . . ."!!! How can we continue to miss that little word? It totally changes the context when it is left out!

Now, by what we give and by what we hold back, does that affect our salvation? NO! What it does affect is our level of contentment (as Paul speaks about in verses 11-13), or our "joy". Paul gave and gave and gave of himself for the sake of Christ! There were many, many times he had to do without certain things, but he always kept his joy . . . and, dear ones, we can too!

Now before you start thinking things like "no, you don't understand my life, what I have to face", let me remind you that Paul at the time of this letter to Philipi was IN prision! We CAN have joy . . . we can walk in it each and every day, we can live it each and every moment! It is a promise we can cling to and claim just as we can our promise of salvation - for from that salvation flows our joy in the Lord. It is a process, an application of God's Word and His prinicples to our lives each and every day, whether or not the "feelings" are there. It is a trust, a faith in Christ and in His Word.

Going back to the statement I shared with you in the very beginning of our study, I would like to reflect upon the strength that His presence and His peace present in our lives as we learn to walk and live joyfully.



                                                                            Joy is Peace Dancing
                                                                                         and
                                                                              Peace is Joy Resting

With that in mind, let us look at the strongest reasons we have for being always at peace! (yes, it really is possible).I'm going to list several Scripture references for you to read, and then would like you to answer the questions following them by putting which of the verse (or verses) apply to that question, and explain why you feel that way. (It may not be a bad idea to write each of them out in your own words, how they speak to your heart.)

Okay, here you go!


• 2 Corinthians 1:18-22
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• John 14:25-27
  
  
  
  
  
• Luke 11:11-13
  
  
  
  
  
• Isaiah 43:13
  
  
  
  
  
• John 16:33
  
  
  

1. I will have everything around me peaceful if I'm a Christian.
[ ] True [ ] False
(Scripture reference ____________) Explain why you feel that way, based upon the reference(s) you have given:

2. I am not sure if God's promises are for me, today.
[ ] True [ ] False
(Scripture reference _____________) Explain:

3. I no longer have to be afraid.
[ ] True [ ] False
(Scripture Refrence_______________) Explain:

4. I can rest secure in my salvation.
[ ] True [ ] False
(Scripture Refrence_______________) Explain:

5. I know that God sent the Holy Spirit after Jesus, as a Counselor and Comforter, but maybe that is not for everyone.
[ ] True [ ] False
(Scripture Refrence_______________) Explain:

Based upon the facts represented here in these verses, we CAN walk and live peaceful lives, based upon our salvation, which is our joy. Are you with me? Take some time this week and journal how / when the Lord has showered you with His peace in the midst of impossible situations. Perhaps you've not yet fully experienced His peace. All we need to do is ask . . . His Word says it is ours, all we have to do is receive it. Yes, we will still have trials, troubles, and tribulations - raging storms - things going wrong - towering mountians to climb, but dear ones, we can do so with the utmost peace. And THAT causes my heart to leap and dance with JOY!

Scripture gives us examples, time after time, of how the Lord blesses our lives with His joy. The examples that we are going to look at today express to us the ways in which we can obtain that joy:

It is our heritage

As we worship

As we spend time God's Word

and more . . .

Other references will share with us instances in which others had the God's joy even in the midst of:

being afraid

being full of anxiety

What I would like for us to do this lesson, is to go to each of the references listed below, and spend time going over them . . . then write out how this references joy in our life, by applying some questions to yourself about what you have just read. Is this one of the ways we can obtain joy? If so, how? Is this an example of someone who was full of joy even though their life situation at the time was anything but joyful? If so, explain who, what, when, how and why. Okay . . . here we go:

1. Romans 14:17

2. Isaiah 56:6-7 & Isaiah 58:13-14

3. Psalm 119:111

4. Psalm 94:17-19

5. Matthew 28:1-8

6. Psalm 4:5-8

7. 1 John 1:1-4, 2 John 12 & 2 Corinthians 7:2-13

8. Psalm 45:7

One of the most wonderful things to me, from the Word, is Jesus' prayer for His disciples, and for all who would come to believe in Him - John 17. Within this chapter long, heart pouring out with love, prayer, we have verse 13in which He asks His Father to give to us the "fullness of (or full measure of) His (Christs') joy"! An excellent example of the Lord Jesus' joy in its fullness can be found in Luke 10:16-23. (note, in verse 21, He is full of the joy of the Holy Spirit - the rest of the passages shares with us why).

Write out what this passage in Luke speaks to your heart:

Dear ones, I leave you with Paul's words in his letter to the Romans. "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

This is our next to last lesson, dear ones, and a time for deep inner reflection. The assignment for this week is to pray and ask the Lord to show us our own hearts. What areas to we truly trust Him, and walk in His joy and peace, and what areas do we still cling to our own ideals and solutions? With prayer, Bible and notebook, I would like us to dig down deep and truthfully apply our response to the following situations:

1. At home, when the children are safely tucked in their beds, and you have time to put your feet up and relax.

2. When there is a knock on your door, and you realize that you've forgotten that someone was coming over, the house is a mess, you are in your sweats . . .

3. You are driving to the store, which is quite a distance from home. You are running late, and as you are almost there, you realize that you've left the checkbook/wallet and/or list of needs at home . . .

4. You've prepared the most wonderful meal, the house is perfect, the children are even behaving, and just as you are putting the finishing touches on the table, you get the call that your sweetheart will not be home until later due to an unexpected meeting. . .

5. You are scheduled for a series of tests at the hospital, as the doctor feels there are some things that need to be checked out . . .

6. The phone rings, you take a call that brings you news that you do not like . . . it will change your life . . . you will have to share it with your family / friends . . .

7. Special services at church, you invite a neighbor to come, one you've been praying for, for awhile. They come, and give their heart to Jesus . . .

8. An unexpected delay in traffic, and you are already running late . . .

9. You get news that the company you work for is laying people off . . . you do not know if your job is secure . . .

Okay, some we can relate to, some we can not, but it does cause our hearts to ponder. How would I really react? Can I truly be at peace in each and every situation as I rest in the joy of my salvation, that which is my strength? Fully knowing that God IS in control? Or, do I find myself fighting against things, struggling to find the answers to make things work. Trusting in myself and my own strength and abilities instead of seeking the Lord?Final question for you to ponder this week:

10. If joy and peace are both results of my walk with the Lord, why am I struggling so in certain areas? (you may wish to list out the areas, and prayerfully ask the Lord to help you to learn how to apply His joy and peace within them).

We'll be wrapping this study up next time.

Note - of all the studies we've done, this one is more of a personal sharing/reflection of the author than a "study". Yet, it is my prayer that as I share you will reflect upon your own life, and perhaps see how to apply God's Word to your situations.

How many times have we been asked, in the Christian circles we travel, what our favorite Scripture is? I know I'm asked that each time I go somewhere to speak, or even visit a Bible Study somewhere. What do I always tell them? (Most people do not understand, but my favorite verse really is . . . ) Habakkuk 3:17-19 "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feel like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights."

I truly enjoy the diverse reactions I receive when I share that passage as my favorite with others! Oh, I am smiling with the memories, even now! Most comments are astonishment that I would consider such a gloomy passage to focus upon . . . to me, it is not gloomy, but full of the strength I need to get through my day to day life. You see, dear ones, I don't know about you, but my life has been so full of "trees not budding" (things not going the way anticipated); "no grapes on the vine" (efforts seemingly worthless); "fields producing no food" (goals not attained); "No sheep in the pen" (broken dreams); "No cattle in the stalls" (fill in your own circumstance) . . . are you starting to identify? Ah, but my brothers and sisters, don't miss the rest!!!!

yet will I rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

You see, dear ones, no matter what life may bring our way (or, not bring our way - things we've hoped for, dreamed of, chased after) . . . we can still be at peace within, fully knowing that God IS in control . . . and that He can and will use every thing in our lives to shape us and mold us into the men and women He desires us to become - all we need to do is yeild to Him. He IS our strength, and He will enable us to go to the heights - to make our feet like the feet of the deer. (and how is that?) The reference in the original is "hinds feet", which are mountain animals . . . they can bound up steep rocky clefts with ease, they are able to leap straight up, and out of the way, in the middle of a dangerous situation. I would encourage you to use the study tool at the bottom of this page and research "deer" and/or "hinds feet" for yourself. May it encourage your heart to know that our Lord is doing that with us! I would also, highly recommend reading the book "Hinds Feet for High Places" by Hannah Hurnard, published by Tyndale. This book is one that has had such a great impact upon my life, and allowed me a greater understand of the times of suffering and struggle we go through. It amazes me that she bases the story on my favorite passage! I identified with that passage for years before I read the book, but never really understood why until after reading it.The verse that the Lord laid upon my heart for this ministry does not mention the "word" joy, but it does reflect that constant source of joy that I have with me at all times. I will leave you with it:

"Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have i in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever". Psalm 73:23-26

Well, that wraps it up for our study on Walking and Living Joyfully. I pray that the Scriptures presented here during our time of study, have touched your heart, taken root, and will blossom beautifully with His Everlasting Joy.