God Created Us for JOY

And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and

stronghold.  Nehemiah 8:10b (AMP)

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of rules about food and drink, but is in the realm of the Holy Spirit, filled with righteousness, peace, and joy. Romans 14:17 (TPT)

For you shall go out [from the spiritual exile caused by sin and evil into the homeland] with joy and be led forth [by your Leader, the Lord Himself, and His word] with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.   Isaiah 55:12 (AMP)

I will jump for joy and shout in triumph as I sing your song and make music for the Most High God. Psalm 9:2 (TPT)1

JOY gave Jesus His Strength:We look away from the natural realm and we fasten our gaze onto Jesus who birthed faith within us and who leads us forward into faith’s perfection. His example is this: Because his heart was focused on the joy of knowing that you would be his, he endured the agony of the cross and conquered its humiliation, and now sits exalted at the right hand of the throne of God! Hebrews 12:2 (TPT)

JOY is why Jesus Spoke to Us:

My purpose for telling you these things is so that the joy that I experience will fill your hearts with overflowing gladness! John 15:11 (TPT)

We complete Jesus’ JOY and We are to be Filled with that JOY:

But let them all be glad, those who turn aside to hide themselves in you. May they keep shouting for joy forever! Overshadow them in your presence as they sing and rejoice. Then every lover of your name will burst forth with endless joy. Lord, how wonderfully you bless the righteous. Your favor wraps around each one and covers them under your canopy of kindness and joy. Psalm 5:11-12 (TPT)

Until now you’ve not been bold enough to ask the Father for a single thing in my name, but now you can ask, and keep on asking him! And you can be sure that you’ll receive what you ask for, and your joy will have no limits! John 16:24 (TPT)

JOY is the youngest emotion:

The moment you came in the door and greeted me, my baby danced inside me with ecstatic joy! Luke 1:44 (TPT)

JOY is why Scriptures were written:

We are writing these things to you because we want to release to you our fullness of joy. I John 1:4 (TPT)

We are each other’s JOY!

For what will be our confident hope, our exhilarating joy, or our wonderful trophy that we will boast in before our Lord Jesus at his appearing? It is you! Yes, you are our glorious pride and joy! 1 Thess. 2:19-20 (TPT)

JOY characterized His disciples:

They left the new converts in Antioch overflowing with the joy of the Holy Spirit.        Acts 13:52 (TPT)

Now may God, the inspiration and fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with his super-abundance until you radiate with hope! Romans 15:13 (TPT)

JOY and God’s Face

Gaze upon him, join your life with his, and joy will come. Your faces will glisten with glory. You’ll never wear that shame-face again. Psalm 34:5 (TPT)

O God, my saving God, deliver me fully from every sin, even the sin that brought bloodguilt. Then my heart will once again be thrilled to sing the passionate songs of joy and deliverance! Lord God, unlock my heart, unlock my lips, and I will overcome with my joyous praise!   Psalm 51:14-15 (TPT)

So listen, my sons and daughters, to everything I tell you, for nothing will bring you more joy than following my ways. Proverbs 8:32 (TPT)

A joyful, cheerful heart brings healing to both body and soul. But the one whose heart is crushed struggles with sickness and depression. Proverbs 17:22 (TPT)