What is Joy?

From its Greek translation, Joy means grace produced from the grace of God, implying that joy has a divine origin and with a spirit given expression that flourishes best in hard times.

In Luke 2:21, We read that Jesus Christ was filled with joy by the Holy Spirit. In 1 Thessalonians 1:6, the Thessalonians were under great stress due to persecution; yet in the midst of it all, they continued to experience great joy.

1. Joy here is more than worldly joy; it is a joy rooted in God, and comes from him since joy is of God. It is more serene and stable, compared to worldly joy, which is merely emotional, and lasts only for a time.
2. God’s joy continues to flow through his people even in their sufferings, because of their solid hope, they know that all sufferings are limited to this short life, and time will soon come when there will be no more death or sorrow nor crying (Revelations 21:4). Because Christ suffered for each of us, we should have that special joy.

1. Jesus said that even when we are being persecuted for our faith, “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad for great is your reward in heaven”. (Matthew 5:11-12).
2. Supreme joy is God’s nature and character. We see proofs of it everywhere in God’s creation: Birds singing, animals leaping, flowers blooming, and the sun shining. Since God is exceedingly joyful, his servants should also be joyful. Sadly however, many who claim to be his disciples are sour and austere.
3. In Acts 13:52, the disciples were filled with joy and the only Spirit. How can we be filled with the Holy Spirit? Peter said to them, “Repent and let everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus for forgiveness of sins and you shall receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit”. (Acts 2:38).
4. Our unique joy begins when Christ lives in us (Galatians 2:20). God’s spirit is a tree of life, producing life giving fruits (Galatians 5:22-23). Christians should work closely with the Holy Spirit in not only getting him to release his joy in them, but to also keep it running through them on a regular and consistent basis.

 

 

PEACE

What is Peace?

1. Peace suggests the rule of order in place of chaos.
2. It refers to tranquillity, a state of rest that comes from seeking after God.
3. It is the kind of satisfaction that comes from trusting in God, and the experience that everything is alright, being in the hands of God. Jesus Christ is described as the Prince of Peace to the heart of people, saying in John 14:27, “Peace is what I leave with you, it is my own peace that I give, I do not give it as the world does”.
4. Romans 15:13 adds, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace by means of your faith in him, so that your hope will continue to grow by the power of the Holy Spirit”.
5. Peace is in knowing that the Holy Spirit is in us, when two people are at peace with God, they will also be at peace with each other.
6. Jesus Christ told the seventy disciples, “Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be unto this house’. If a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon them but if not, it will return to you”. (Luke 10:5-6).

 

1. Romans 14:13-19 shows that those who value the kingdom of God will live in peace. God's peace will guard our hearts and minds during times of trouble (Philip. 4:7). And in John 16:33, Jesus says, “I have said these things to you that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulations but take heart, I have overcome the world”. In other words, peace with God overcomes the conflicts in the world. As we allow the Holy Spirit to develop his fruits in us, we shall have real peace with God and with each other.