The fruit of Joy: Rejoicing love
Not based on circumstances. Obtained by doing the will of God. Greek Meaning – Chara: Gladness, delight, a special presence of God
Psalms 118:24 — “This [is] the day the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
- Psalm 126:2–3 — “Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”
Nehemiah 8:10b (NIV) 10 Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Phil 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
This is the state of assurance, knowing the God is in control irrespective of your circumstances. Also, the unity between believers. Freedom from worry and oppressive thoughts
Joy of Returning
Malachi 3:10 (NIV) Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
Leviticus 27:30 (NIV) ‘A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.
Joy of Giving
Phil 4:14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15…not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only. 18. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
2 Corinthians 9:7 (MSG) 6-7 Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.
2 Corinthians 9:7 Let each man do according as he hath purposed in his heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
Joy of giving over and above
2 Chron 9:7 NIV Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple
The fruit of Peace: Knowing that God is in control
Peace in Greek – Eirene: Peace between individuals, harmony and unity
Hebrew – Shalom: Completeness, success, fulfilment, wholeness, harmony, security and well being.
Philippians 4:7: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
The peace of God is not based on circumstances like the world’s peace, so it doesn’t always make sense to the carnal mind; Paul says it is a peace that surpasses comprehension.
It doesn’t seem reasonable that such peace could exist during the problems and troubles Christians go through. But this is divine, supernatural peace; it cannot be figured out on a human level. The peace of God stands guard and keeps worry from the corroding our hearts, and unworthy thoughts from tearing up our minds.
John 14:27 (NIV) Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Isaiah 26:3 “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You.”
Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
Joy and Peace
We need to have the joy that knows that God will do what He said He will do and to have the peace that wards off the enemies of worry, doubt, and fear.
In conclusion love, hope and faith work together
I Corinthians 13:7 (Love) bears all things, (Love) believes all things, (Love) hopes all things, (Love) endures all things. (8) Love never fails
I Kor 13:7 Dit (Liefde) bedek alles, (Liefde) glo alles, (Liefde) hoop alles, (Liefde) verdra alles.
God’s love in our hearts does the believing.
Romans 5:5 ..hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us
1 Cor. 13:13 “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”