People everywhere are searching for something that is very valuable! It is priceless! It something that money cannot buy!
What is it called? Lasting JOY & HAPPINESS!
JOY AND HAPPINESS
The Bible has a lot to say about joy and happiness, and how it can be experienced in our lives. There are principles we can live by that produce happiness, and there are many distractions we can pursue that ultimately brings sorrow and despair.
Isaiah 51:3 – For the Lord will comfort Zion, He will comfort all her waste places; He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; Joy and gladness will be found in it, thanksgiving and the voice of melody.
Isaiah 51:11 – The ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness; sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Isaiah 55:12 – … you shall go out with JOY and be led for with peace…
TWO KINDS OF HAPPINESS
1 – TEMPORARY HAPPINESS
This comes to us when the circumstances are just right; when things are pleasant and we are free of troubles. This type of happiness alone can be temporary and shallow. Eventually it disappears and the desire for true happiness remains.
Worldly riches, success, & fame themselves cannot really make you everlastingly happy. Ultimately there will always be disappointment, sorrow, and discontentment.
People often look for happiness in the wrong places, and in the wrong way…
Isaiah 55:1-2 – “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money. Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price. 2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance.
Special note: Here’s a few questions that are good to contemplate & evaluate – – are you getting what you want out of life? Why should we spend our money for that which is not bread and our labor for that which does not satisfy?
Isaiah 55:1-2 – “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money. Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price. 2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance.
2 – Happiness that comes from God
John 10:10 – … I am come that you might have life, and that you might have it MORE ABUNDANTLY.
John 15:11 – “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
The happiness that comes from God is a happiness that lasts.
It brings an inner peace regardless of circumstances, not just based on the circumstances or feelings. You might not always “feel” happy, but there is an inner peace and joy that the world cannot give, and the world cannot take away.
The happiness through Jesus is a contentment & peace that fills the soul, even if the eyes are filled with tears.
JESUS is the source of true joy and happiness
Jesus birth brought great joy and gladness
Matthew 2:10 – When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding GREAT JOY.
Luke 2:10 – And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of GREAT JOY, which shall be to all people.
The Lord is the joy of the whole earth
Psalm 48:1-2 – Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised … 2 Beautiful for situation, the JOY of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
SOME secrets for receiving, having, and sharing happiness forever…
OBEDIENCE
John 13:17 – (Jesus) – “If you know these things, happy are you if you do them…”
SALVATION
Deuteronomy 33:29 – Happy are you, O Israel: who is like unto you, O people saved by the Lord, the shield of your help...
Psalm 9:14 – That I may shew forth all your praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in your salvation.
Psalm 20:5 – We will rejoice in your salvation…
Habakkuk 3:18 – Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will JOY in the God of my salvation.
LORDSHIP
Ps. 144:15 – … HAPPY are the people whose God is the LORD.
IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL
This powerful song was birthed after experiencing a tragic accident. It describes an inner peace and joy in spite of the circumstances.
STORY
Horatio G. Spafford was a successful lawyer and businessman in Chicago with a lovely family – a wife, Anna, and five children. However, they were not strangers to tears and tragedy. Their young son died with pneumonia in 1871, and in that same year, much of their business was lost in the great Chicago fire. Yet, God in His mercy and kindness allowed the business to flourish once more.
On Nov. 21, 1873, the French ocean liner, Ville du Havre was crossing the Atlantic from the U.S. to Europe with 313 passengers on board. Among the passengers were Mrs. Spafford and their four daughters. Although Mr. Spafford had planned to go with his family, he found it necessary to stay in Chicago to help solve an unexpected business problem. He told his wife he would join her and their children in Europe a few days later. His plan was to take another ship.
About four days into the crossing of the Atlantic, the Ville du Harve collided with a powerful, iron-hulled Scottish ship, the Loch Earn. Suddenly, all of those on board were in grave danger. Anna hurriedly brought her four children to the deck. She knelt there with Annie, Margaret Lee, Bessie and Tanetta and prayed that God would spare them if that could be His will, or to make them willing to endure whatever awaited them. Within approximately 12 minutes, the Ville du Harve slipped beneath the dark waters of the Atlantic, carrying with it 226 of the passengers including the four Spafford children.
A sailor, rowing a small boat over the spot where the ship went down, spotted a woman floating on a piece of the wreckage. It was Anna, still alive. He pulled her into the boat and they were picked up by another large vessel which, nine days later, landed them in Cardiff, Wales. From there she wired her husband a message which began, “Saved alone, what shall I do?” Mr. Spafford later framed the telegram and placed it in his office.
Another of the ship’s survivors, Pastor Weiss, later recalled Anna saying, “God gave me four daughters. Now they have been taken from me. Someday I will understand why.”
Mr. Spafford booked passage on the next available ship and left to join his grieving wife. With the ship about four days out, the captain called Spafford to his cabin and told him they were over the place where his children went down.
According to Bertha Spafford Vester, a daughter born after the tragedy, Spafford wrote “It Is Well With My Soul” while on this journey.
SONG
“When peace like a river attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll,
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.“
Chorus:
“It is well with my soul, It is well, it is well with my soul…!”
Anna gave birth to three more children, one of which died at age four with dreaded pneumonia. In August 1881, the Spaffords moved to Jerusalem. Mr. Spafford died and is buried in that city.
And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, shall keep your hearts, your minds through Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:7.
(St. Augustine Record – https://www.staugustine.com/article/20141016/LIFESTYLE/310169936)
Special note: It is amazing that although Mr. & Mrs. Spafford lost 6 of their 8 children to sicknesses & a drowning accident, they could still find such wellness, joy, peace and comfort in the midst of it all, because of their trust & faith in the Lord!
BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES THAT CAN HELP US WALK IN JOY
Joy is found in God’s presence
Psalm 16:11 – You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Joy is something God can restore & revive IN RESPONSE TO OUR PRAYERS
Psalm 51:12 – Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Psalm 85:6 – Will you not revive us again: that your people may rejoice in you?
Joy is the result of righteousness – the righteous are to rejoice greatly
Psalm 97:11 – Light shines on the godly, and joy on those whose hearts are right.
Ecclesiastes 2:26 – God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him.
Psalm 68:3 – But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.
Psalm 97:12 – Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
Joy is found in delighting in God’s Word & obeying it
Psalm 119:162 – I rejoice at your word, as one that finds great treasure.
John 13:17 – Now that you know these things, happy are you if you do them.
An enduring trust and faith ultimately brings great joy and happiness
Romans 15:13 – Now the God of hope fill you with ALL JOY and peace in believing...
James 5:11 – As you know, we count them happy who have endured…
Hebrews 12:2 – looking 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.
Proverbs 16:20 – He that handles a matter wisely shall find good: whoso trusts in the Lord, happy is he.
Psalm 40:4 – Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord…
Proverbs 16:20 – He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.
Psalms 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in you rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because you defend them: let them also that love your name be joyful in you.
Joy is produced by righteous hope
Proverbs 10:28 – The hope of the righteous brings joy…
ROMANS 12:12 – Let this hope burst forth within you, releasing a continual joy. Don’t give up in a time of trouble, but commune with God at all times.
Joy is produced by the Holy Spirit
Galatians 5:22 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…
Galatians 5:25 – Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Ephesians 4:30 – The Holy Spirit of God has sealed you in Jesus Christ until you experience your full salvation. So never grieve the Spirit of God or take for granted his holy influence in your life.
Ephesians 5:20 – Be FILLED with the Spirit…
Joy fills our heart as we remember the good things God has done through the people He has placed in our lives
Philippians 1:3-5 – I thank my God for you every time I think of you; and every time I pray for you all, I pray with joy because of the way in which you have helped me in the work of the gospel from the very first day until now.
Joy comes from remembering the goodness of God in our lives
Psalm 103:2 – Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits.
(Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.)
Romans 8:28 – And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Exodus 34:6 – …the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth…
Psalm 23:6 – Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…
Psalm 31:19 – …how great is your goodness, which you have laid up for those that fear you…
Psalm 33:5 – the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord...
Psalm 65:11 – You crown the year with your goodness…
Psalm 107:8 – Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness…
Jeremiah 31:14 – …my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, says the Lord.
Joy comes from serving the Lord
1 Corinthians 15:57 – So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
2 Chronicles 15:7 – But as for you, be strong and don’t get discouraged, for your work will be rewarded.
Romans 12:11 – Be enthusiastic to serve the Lord, keeping your passion toward him boiling hot! Radiate with the glow of the Holy Spirit and let him fill you with excitement as you serve him.
Happiness comes from living in the fear of the Lord
Proverbs 28:14 – Happy is the man that fears (the Lord) alway: but he that hardens his heart shall fall into mischief.
Happiness comes from living in obedience to God’s Word
Proverbs 29:18 – Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keeps the law, happy is he.
John 13:17 – “If you know these things, happy are you if you do them.” (JESUS)
FAITHFULLY SUFFERING FOR JESUS SAKE BRINGS HAPPINESS
I Peter 3:14 – But and if you suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are you…
2 Corinthians 7:4 – …I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
Colossians 1:11 – Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness…
Matthew 5:12 – Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Luke 6:23 – Rejoice you in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
I Peter 1:6 – Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
Special note: It is possible to be JOYFUL even in tribulation, and persecution.
Our children can bring joy
Psalm 113:9 – He makes the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise you the LORD.
Proverbs 23:24 – The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begets a wise child shall have joy of him.
SPOUSES ARE TO REJOICE WITH ONE ANOTHER
Proverbs 5:18 – Let your fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of your youth.
REJOICE IN GOD OUR CREATOR AND KING
Psalm 149:2 – Let Israel rejoice in Him that made him: let the children of Zion be JOYFUL in their King.
REJOICE IN HOPE OF THE GLORY OF GOD
Romans 5:2 – By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Philippians 2:16 – Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain.
Psalm 149:5 – Let the holy ones (saints) be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
GOD’S COMFORT AND MERCY BRINGS JOY
Isaiah 49:13 – Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD has comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.
INVOLVEMENT IN THE LORD’S HOUSE OF PRAYER BRINGS JOY
Isaiah 56:7 – Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer:
Mt. Zion (God’s people/Church) REJOICE and are glad
Psalm 48:11 – Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of your judgments.
WE REJOICE IN GOD’S MERCY, AND HELP IN TIMES OF TROUBLE
Psalm 31:7 – I will be glad and rejoice in your mercy: for you have considered my trouble; you have known my soul in adversities…
REJOICING IS ONE OF THE WAYS WE BRING PRAISE TO THE LORD
Psalm 33:1 – Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous: for praise is comely (beautiful) for the upright.
Psalm 68:4 – Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol Him that rides upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.
REJOICING IN CHRIST JESUS IS AN ACT OF WORSHIP IN SPIRIT
Philippians 3:3 – For we are the circumcision, that WORSHIP GOD IN THE SPIRIT, AND REJOICE in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
WE REJOICE AND ARE GLAD BECAUSE THE LORD REIGNS
Psalm 97:1 – The LORD reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.
WE ARE TO REJOICE IN EACH NEW DAY
Psalm 118:24 – This is the day which the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
we are to rejoice in His name
Psalm 89:16 – In your name shall they rejoice all the day: and in your righteousness shall they be exalted.
WE REJOICE IN THE VALUABLE WORD OF GOD
Psalm 119:162 – I rejoice at your word, as one that finds great treasure.
GODLY WEDDINGS CAN BRING GREAT JOY, EVEN AS OUR HEAVENLY BRIDEGROOM REJOICES OVER HIS PEOPLE
Isaiah 62:5 …as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.
THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB IS A TIME OF GLADNESS AND JOY
Revelation 19:7 – Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife has made herself ready.
REJOICE EVEN IN THE DIFFICULT SEASONS
Habakkuk 3:17,18 – Though the fig tree does not blossom, and there is no fruit on the vine… 18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
REJOICE BECAUSE jesus our triumphant king DWELLS IN OUR MIDST
Zechariah 2:10 – Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of you, says the LORD.
Zechariah 9:9 – Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, your King comes unto you: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
FRUITFULNESS AND REAPING THE HARVEST BRINGS JOY
John 4:36 – And he that reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit unto life eternal: that both he that sows and he that reaps may rejoice together.
REJOICE BECAUSE JESUS ASCENDED TO THE FATHER, AND IS COMING AGAIN
John 14:28 – You have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If you loved me, you would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father…
John 16:22 – And you now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man takes from you.
REJOICE WITH THOSE THAT REJOCE
Romans 12:15 – Rejoice with them that rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
I Corinthians 12:26 – And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
REJOICE WHEN CHRIST IS PREACHED
Philippians 1:18 – What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS AND FOREVER
Philippians 3:1 – Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.
Philippians 4:4 – Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
REJOICE BECAUSE YOUR NAMES ARE WRITTEN IN HEAVEN
Luke 10:20 – …rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
MAINTAIN AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE, THANKFULNESS, and praise
no murmuring / complaining
Psalm 144:14-15 – …that there be NO COMPLAINING in our streets 15) Happy is the people that is in such a case (circumstance), yes, HAPPY are the people whose God is the Lord.
THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE
Psalm 100: Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise! Be thankful unto Him and bless His name.
THE WINNERS ATTITUDE
“The winners edge is in the attitude, not aptitude (ability/gifting). For outstanding results, we need good people with great talent and AWESOME ATTITUDES…” (John Maxwell)
We have great reason to experience godly joy always!
Like Paul says – Let’s “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say REJOICE!” Philippians 4:4
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Special acknowledgement – Thanks to John Miranda for assistance with some of the preparation of this message and for sharing it at our online service.
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