Finding Joy In The

Journey
Fourteen Keys to Finding Real Joy
Robin Bertram - NOV 2015

FINDING JOY -ROBIN M BERTRAM

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Defining Joy
"The joy of the Lord is your strength. Neh 8:10
Read the Birth of Jesus Luke 1:26-44
And the angel said to them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be
for all the people. (Luke 2:10)
Joy Unspeakable: Have you truly experienced joy? Do you know what joy is and what
it isnt? Do you want to cultivate a lifestyle of joy? Come and find out how to experience true
joy even in the midst of pain, struggle and challenges. Identify the joy thieves in your life.
Receive 14 keys to being restored in the fullness of joy, no longer wavering, but securely
being empowered to abide and rest in a constant state of joy.

Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God.

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.
Mother Teresa
Joy (gil 9 Geel) #1523

joy, be glad, rejoice

the connotation implies to dance for joy, or to spin around with pleasure

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True Joy
Salvation: andthough you have not seen Him, youlove Him, and though you do not see Him
now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible andfull of glory,9obtaining asthe
outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. I Peter 1:8-9
What is joy?
It is an emotion
It inspires our most unselfish desires
It is an abiding sense of happiness and well-being
It is more than happiness
It is deep and abiding
It is a vital aspect of the fruit of the Spirit
It is contagious
It is a choice
It is a fruit of the Spirit

Defining Joy
Joy is a delight of the mind arising from the consideration of a present or assured possession of a
good future. The New Ungers Bible Dictionary
Joy is a stable, underlying emotion of well-being which is rooted in an outlook of life from a
heavenly perspective. Robin Bertram

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Happiness is a volatile emotion that can be driven away by circumstances.

Happiness is reliant on in some degree those around us.
Joy is an internal emotion that cannot be shaken or removed.

Spread the Joy

for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the
Holy Spirit. Ro 14:17
Walk in it
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!Let your gentleness be evident to all. The
Lord is near.Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God.And the peace of God, which transcends all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:4-7
Joy that cannot be shaken
True Joy is :
Everlasting-Isaiah 51:11
Unspeakable-I Peter 1:8
Abundant-2 Cor 8:2
Full- I John 1:4,
Great-Acts 8:8

FINDING JOY -ROBIN M BERTRAM

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14 Keys to Finding Joy:

The joy of the Lord is our strength

1. It is found in the presence of the Lord

You will show me the path of life; in your presence is the fullness of joy; at your right hand are
pleasures forevermore. Ps 16:11
2. It is found when we live righteously
The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing. Proverbs 10:28
3. It is found in our time with Him in prayer
Eventhose I will bring to Myholy mountain Andmake them joyful in My house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable onMy altar; ForMy house will be
called a house of prayer for all the peoples. Isaiah 56:7
4. It is found in fellowship with other believers (Paul with Philippians)
Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy
in the faith, Phil. 1:25
5. It is found when we are persecuted because of our promise
Blessed are you, when men shall revile you... Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your
reward in heaven. Matt. 5:11-12

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6. It is found in our giving; of ourselves, our time, our money, our talents
God loves a cheerful giver :
Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for
God loves a cheerful giver 2 Cor.9:7
7. It is found in tribulation.
Great is myconfidencein you; great is myboasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort; I am
overflowing withjoy in all our affliction. For even when we came intoMacedonia our flesh had
no rest, but we wereafflicted on every side:conflicts without, fears within.6ButGod, who
comforts thedepressed, comforted us by the coming ofTitus;7and not only by his coming, but
also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he reported to us your longing,
your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more. 2 Cor 7:4-7
8. It is found in our praise and worship to our Heavenly Father.
Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, and instead if confusion they shall rejoice in
their portion. Therefore in their land they shall POSSESS DOUBLE; Everlasting joy shall be
theirsIsaiah 61:7
Who shall possess double honor?
those who put on a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness Garment
a. Leaves no opening for hostile elements
b. Keeps out the unwanted, the uncomfortable, the brutal
9. It is found when we forgive and when we are forgiven. Read these scriptures
Ps 32
Ps 51:8
10. It is found when we receive or witness the miracles of God such as deliverance.
Forunclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many
who were paralyzed or lame were healed.Sothere was much joy in that city. Acts 8:7,8

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11. It is found when there is obedience to His Word.

If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just asI have keptmy Father's
commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you,that my joy may be in
you, and thatyour joy may be full. John 15: 10-11

12. It is found when we read and apply Gods word.

All the people went away to eat, to drink,to send portions and tocelebrate a great
festival,because they understood the words which had been made known to them. Neh. 8:12
13. It is found when we receive revelation and understanding of the kingdom of God
"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again;
and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Matthew 13:44
14. It is found when we operate in true faith.
so that theproof of your faith,beingmore precious than gold whichis perishable, even though
tested by fire,may be found to result in praise and glory and honor atthe revelation of Jesus
Christ;andthough you have not seen Him, youlove Him, and though you do not see Him now,
but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and[c]full of glory, obtaining
asthe outcome of your faith the salvation of[d]your souls. I Peter 1:7-9
15. It is found in being faithful in service to the Lord
His lord said to him, Well done good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things,
I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord. Mt. 25:21
Serve theLordwith gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing. Ps 100:2
16. Raising godly children
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, Andhe who raises a wise son will be glad in him.
Prv. 23:24

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Joy in the faith Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your
progress and joy in the faith, Phil 1:25
From his prison cell in Rome, Paul writes one of the most joy-filled letters anyone could
ever read. Phil 1:12-21
Joy Killers
Sin
Disobedience
Hearts filled with hatred, jealousy, and anger
Unforgiveness
Envy
Grumbling
Bitterness
Resentment
"Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For
three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. When they came to Marah, they
could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.) So
the people grumbled against Moses saying, 'What are we to drink? Ex 15:22-24
Joy Stealers
Living in deception
Living under oppression
Family Crisis
Repeated Failure
Broken Dreams
Life without purpose
Abandonment
Lifes Circumstances
Complaining
Faultfinding

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Joy Builders
1. Trusting in the sovereignty of God regardless of the circumstances
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may
overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Ro 15:13
2. Pleasing God
Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God
favors what you do. Eccl 9:7
3. Answered Prayers
Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy
will be complete. John 16:24
4.

Salvation of others

I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who
rep
ents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. Luke 15:7
5. Giving and receiving good biblical advice
A man finds joy in giving an apt reply-- and how good is a timely word! Pv. 15:23
6.

Understanding who Jesus really is

Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. Lk 19:6

Practical Application
1. Choose to rejoice: take action not by feeling but by standing on the Word

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Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because
you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work
so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4
2. Refuse to be anxious, but trust God
Dont worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank
him for all he has done.7Then you will experience Gods peace, which exceeds anything we can
understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6
3. Refuse to worry, which is simply a physical manifestation of doubt
For this reason I say to you, do not beworried about your life,as towhat you will eat or what
you will drink; nor for your body,as towhat you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the
body more than clothing?Matt 6:25
4. Meditate on what is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and of good report
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is
pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think
about such things.
5. Choose kind words.
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to soul and health to the bones. Prv 16:24
6. Be just in judgments.
"Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment." John 7:24
7. Have mercy on the poor.
He who despises his neighbor sins; but he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he. Prv 14:21
8. Watch your speech.
A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season, how good it is.
Prv 15:23

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9. Seek righteousness.
The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked will be put out. Prv 13:9
10. Be a messenger of peace.
Deceit is in the mind of those who plan evil, but those who counsel peace have joy. Prv 12:20
11. Seek wisdom.
She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her and happy are all who retain her. Prv 3:18
12. Expect persecution and rejoice
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Matt 5:10
Steps You Can Take to obtain Joy
1. Practice the presence of God
You will show me the path of life: in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand there are
pleasures for evermore. Ps 16:11
2. Find your purpose in life
3. Celebrate what God celebrates and hate what God hates
4. Deepen your faith walk through prayer and study
5. Determine to serve the Lord in whatever capacity you can
6. Expect the miraculous and celebrate it
Forin the case ofmany who hadunclean spirits, they were coming outof themshouting with a
loud voice; and many who had beenparalyzed and lame were healed.8So there was much
rejoicing in that city. Acts 8:8

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7. Surround yourself with joy-filled individuals

8. Weed out the nay-sayers, manipulators, and deceivers
Bedevoted to one another in brotherly love;give preference to one anotherin honor;not lagging
behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in
tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Ro
12:10-13
9. Choose people who exalt God and celebrate you
10. Bless your enemies.

Trials
James says to count it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds
Consider it pure joy,...whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing
of our faith develops perseverance. Ja. 1:2
Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting.Ps 126:5
It is the fruit of the Holy Spirit Gal 5:22
There is joy in heaven when one sinner repents Luke 15:7
Joy in God through Christ Rom 5:11
Joy in the Holy Spirit Rom 14:7
Joy at the resurrection of Christ Matt 28:*
Joy at the ascension of Christ Lk 24:52

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Joy: we have a command to be joyous. We have reason as believers to be joyous and we

have a world who is watching our lives.
How can be best reflect Christ?
We can best reflect Christ by understanding His sacrifice for our sins. It is through that
sacrifice that we have eternal life when we confess with our mouths and believe in our hearts
that Christ died for us. He was buried. He rose on the third day and now sits in heaven with
God, the Father. Ultimate JOY!

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