How to maintain the joy of the Lord in your heart (2)

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, ... ". (Galatians 5:22 KJV).

Please understand that joy is a spiritual virtue. It is not dependent on physical circumstances. You stir it up from within.

So how do you maintain the joy of the Lord in your heart always?

1. Feed on the Word regularly. "Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and the rejoicing of mine heart..." (Jeremiah 15:16 KJV).

Since joy is a fruit of the Spirit, and we know that fruits are the products of seeds, the Word of God is the spiritual seed that produces the spiritual fruit of joy in our hearts. (Luke 8:11 KJV).

When your mind is consistently renewed with the truth of God's word, the joy of the Lord will become resident in your heart. To be 'Wordful' is to be joyful; and to be 'Wordless' is to be joyless.

2. Recognise that God's word is the final authority over all the affairs of life. Numbers 23:19 KJV says, "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it ? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?"

You have to settle it in your heart, that whatever is written in the scriptures about any situation that concerns you is the final say over that situation, and that it will surely come to pass, because the scriptures cannot be broken. (John 10:35 KJV ).

Just like the Supreme Court judgement is final in legal cases, whatever is written concerning you in the Bible is final.

3. Choose to praise God in spite of circumstances. Habbakuk 3:17-18 KJV says, "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord , I will joy in the God of my salvation."

Praising God when situations are going the opposite way from what you expect or desire them to be may look unreasonable. But when you agree with the fact that God's word is the final say in every situation, and that God is faithful to confirm His Word, you will choose to praise Him because you already know what is written about the situation.

4. Remember the testimonies of His goodness. "Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart." (Psalm 119:111 KJV).

There must have been times when God has done awesome things in your life. You must have also heard of His wonders in the lives of others. Recall these testimonies and praise Him again for them, knowing that He is able to do such awesome miracles again.

5. Develop the attitude of gratitude. In Psalms 34:1 KJV, David said, "I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth." Talk of praising God as a lifestyle!

Philippians 4:4 KJV also says, "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice."

When praising God becomes like breathing for you, you've got it made! You can and should cultivate the habit of thanking God in all things and at all times, because that is the will of God. (1Thessalonians 5:18).

Form the habit of saying "Hallelujah", "Thank you Jesus", and the likes, as often as you can, for no obvious reasons. That's how you develop the attitude of gratitude.

Right now, receive Grace to maintain the joy of the Lord in your heart always, in Jesus name!