From the desk of Steve Shultz:
Let's face it, we could ALL use more JOY in our lives. I've heard it said that sometimes you need to "fight for your joy." Meaning, we need to be aware of those things that can steal our joy and not allow it to any more. James Goll knows something about fighting for joy in deep sorrows. I would receive this teaching of joy from James – that it's truly been his strength.
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James W. Goll:
The Joy of the Lord is Our Strength
Scriptures on Holy Laughter
1. Genesis 21:6 - And Sarah said, "God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me."
2. Psalm 2:4 - He who sits in the heavens laughs...
3. Psalm 37:12-13 - The wicked plots against the righteous, and gnashes at him with his teeth. The Lord laughs at him; for He sees his day is coming.
4. Psalm 59:8 - But Thou, O Lord, dost laugh at them; Thou dost scoff at all the nations.
5. Psalm 126:1-2a - When the Lord brought back the captive ones of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with joyful shouting...
6. Ecclesiastes 3:4a - A time to weep, and a time to laugh...
7. John 17:13 - 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.
From the Writings of Jonathan Edwards
"It was very wonderful to see how persons' affections were sometimes moved, when God did, as it were, suddenly open their eyes, and let into their minds a sense of the greatness of His grace, the fullness of Christ, and His readiness to save... Their joyful surprise has caused their hearts as it were to leap, so that they have been ready to break forth into laughter, tears often at the same time issuing like a flood, and intermingling a loud weeping. Sometimes they have not been able to forebear crying out with a loud voice, expressing their great admiration. The manner of God's work on the soul, sometimes, is very mysterious."
What is this Holy Laughter?
1. Medicine to the weary - God's antidote.
2. Joining with the Holy Spirit in spiritual warfare.
3. Prophetic view that things will change.
4. An inner attitude of gratefulness expressed outwardly.
5. An expression of celebration out of a revelation of His great grace!
6. A means of empowerment for Christian service.
7. Just plain fun!
More Scriptures on the Joy of the Lord!
In no manner am I saying that the "joy of the Lord" is limited to expressions of "holy laughter". But it can include it - right?
There is also a place in God where His joy is also a quiet assurance that things are well with your soul and you are content in God. This has a lot to do with joy being the by- product of obedience. His joy is in His Kingdom and when we are citizens of that realm we partake of that supernatural fruit.
Here are a Few More Scriptures We Can Pray this Week:
• Nehemiah 8:10 - Then he said to them, "Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
• 1 Chronicles 16:33 - Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the LORD; For He is coming to judge the earth.
• 2 Chronicles 29:30 - Moreover, King Hezekiah and the officials ordered the Levites to sing praises to the LORD with the words of David and Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with joy, and bowed down and worshiped.
• Psalm 95:1 - O come, let us sing for joy to the LORD, Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.
• Isaiah 51:11 - So the ransomed of the LORD will return And come with joyful shouting to Zion, and everlasting joy (will be) on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
• Zephaniah 3:17 - The LORD your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.
• Romans 14:17 - For the Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
• Galatians 5:22 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.
• 1 Thessalonians 1:6 - You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit.
• Hebrews 12:2 - Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
• 3 John 1:4 - I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.
• Jude 24 - Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy.
Let's Call Forth the Joy of the Lord!
James W. Goll
Encounters Network • PrayerStorm • Compassion Acts
Email: info@encountersnetwork.com
Dr. James W. Goll is the President of Encounters Network, Director of Prayer Storm, and coordinates Encounters Alliance, a coalition of leaders. He is Director of God Encounters Training – an e-school of the heart, and is a member of the Harvest International Ministries apostolic team. He has shared Jesus in more than 50 nations worldwide teaching and imparting the power of intercession, prophetic ministry, and life in the Spirit. James is the prolific author of numerous books and has also produced multiple study guides and hundreds of audio and video messages. James was married to Michal Ann for 32 years before her graduation to Heaven in the fall of 2008. James has four adult children who all love Jesus, and continues to make his home in the rolling hills of Franklin, Tennessee.
