Power of Joy
CDC Stats:
• 40% of all Americans are currently grappling with mental health
issues
• 28% of all Americans are fighting depression
• 75% of young adults are battling with some level of depression
• 1 in 4 young adults have thought of taking their life in the last 30
days
• In JAPAN, more people died from suicide in October than
COVID-19 the entire year
• Every addictive behavior problem is at an all-time high
Advent: coming or arrival of a notable person, thing, or event
Christian Meaning of Advent: coming or second coming of Christ
Isaiah 61:1-3 NKJV
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has
anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to
heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the
opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the
acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to
comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give
them beauty for ashes, THE OIL OF JOY FOR MOURNING, the
garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called
trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be
GLORIFIED.”
Matthew 24:3-14 TPT
“So listen and follow what they teach, but don’t do what they do, for
they tell you one thing and do another. They tie on your backs an
oppressive burden of religious obligations and insist that you carry it,
but will never lift a finger to help ease your load. Everything they do is
done for show and to be noticed by others. They want to be seen as
holy, so they wear oversized prayer boxes on their arms and
foreheads with Scriptures inside, and wear extra-long tassels on their
outer garments. They crave the seats of highest honor at banquets
and in their meeting places. And how they love to be admired by men
with their titles of respect, aspiring to be recognized in public and
have others call them ‘Reverend.’ But you are to be different from
that. You are not called ‘master,’ for you have only one Master, and
you are all brothers and sisters. And you are not to be addressed as
‘father,’ for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Nor are you to be
addressed as ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Anointed One.
The greatest among you will be the one who always serves others
from the heart. Remember this: If you have a lofty opinion of yourself
and seek to be honored, you will be humbled. But if you have a
modest opinion of yourself and choose to humble yourself, you will be
honored.”
John 15:11 NKJV
“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you,
and that your joy may be FULL.”
John 17:13 NIV
“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the
world, so that they may have the FULL MEASURE of my JOY within
them.”
John 10:10 NIV
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that
they may have life, and have it to the FULL.”
James 1:2-4 TPT
My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing
but difficulties see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the
greatest joy that you can! For you know that when your faith is tested
it stirs up power within you to endure all things. And then as your
endurance grows even stronger it will release perfection into every
part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking.
“YOU AND I ARE LIVING IN VICTORY TO THE DEGREE WE ARE
LIVING WITH JOY!”
Differences Between Happiness and Joy:
Happiness: depends on favorable circumstances
Joy: independent of circumstances
Happiness: based on feelings
Joy: based on the power of the Holy Spirit
Happiness: leaves you in times of trouble
Joy: guides you in times of trouble
Happiness: connected to the state of relationships—finances—
health—career
Joy: connected to the state of your relationship with God
Happiness: temporal
Joy: eternal
Happiness: leaves you always wanting more
Joy: leaves you always fulfilled
How to Activate the Power of Joy:
- Make an influence shift.
Psalm 16:11 NKJV
You will show me the path of life; IN YOUR PRESENCE IS
FULLNESS OF JOY; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Joy can only be found in Christ alone! - Get your thought life under control.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NKJV
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war in the flesh. For the
weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling
down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that
exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into
captivity to the obedience of Christ …
Ruminating: playing destructive thoughts over and over in your mind
Joshua 1:8 NKJV
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall
meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to
all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous,
and then you will have good success. - Learn to rejoice in spite of how you feel.
Psalm 5:11 NLT
But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises
forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your
name may be filled with JOY.