MFM DEVOTIONAL 12TH DECEMBER, 2021 - JOY: FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

                            Mountain Top Life DAILY DEVOTION

JOY: FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

12^TH DECEMBER, 2021

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ephesians 1-6

FIRE SCRIPTURE: Nehemiah 8:9-10

9 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law.

10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

MEMORY VERSE: ” For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost . ” – Romans 14:17

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:

Joy is not absence of trouble or suffering, but it is the presence of God in all sufferings.

PRAISE WORSHIP: Take a worship song as led by the Holy Spirit.

PROPHETIC WORD FOR TODAY:

THE JOY OF THE LORD SHALL BE YOUR STRENGTH,ALL THE DAYS OF YOUR LIFE, IN THE NAME OF JESUS.

THE MESSAGE:

Joy is love’s reaction to God’s mercies, blessing and benefits. It is a quality of gladness, delight and jubilation. It is not the so called happiness of the world. Christian joy is not dependent on circumstances. It is what radiates and endears you more to God even in the most trying circumstances.

Beloved, the world’s joy cannot last because it is based on physical circumstances. Human joy looks at things upon earth and is affected by the condition of earth. Christian joy, which is the fruit of the Spirit, looks heavenward and is unaffected by surrounding conditions. Phil. 4:4 says you should rejoice in the Lord always. Your inner attitude must not reflect your outward circumstances.

Whatever you might be going through, do believe, like Apostle Paul, that Jesus Christ is with you. Note that you are not alone. Are you discouraged about unpleasant circumstances and as a result you are contemplating to go and have a drink so as to forget the sorrow as people of the world will say “drink away your sorrow?” Beloved, you are in the world, not of the world.

Joy, as a fruit of the Spirit, is not the joy of alcohol or material possessions but deep gladness, brightness and calmness of the heart given by the Holy Spirit. It is also called “the rejoicing hope” (Heb. 3:6), “the joy of faith” (Phil. 1:25), “joy unspeakable” (1 Pet. 1:8). This joy is permanent but worldly joy is for a short time. The Bible says that the joy of the Lord is your strength (Neh. 8:10).

Joy is a common theme in Christ’s teaching; He wants you to be joyful (Jn. 17:13). The key to this immeasurable joy is living in close contact with Him who is the source of all love. Because your joy is spiritual and not dependent on outward circumstances, you can rejoice in temptation (James 1:2), in tribulation (2 Cor. 7:4), and so on.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING

1) Holy Spirit, let my life be firmly rooted in Christ and fill me with over- flowing joy, in the name of Jesus Christ.

2) O Lord, fill my heart with unspeakable joy of heaven, in the name of Jesus Christ.

3) Holy Spirit, connect my life to the source of eternal joy, in the name of Jesus Christ.

EVENING

4. The joy killer assigned against me, die, in the name of Jesus Christ

5. O Lord, connect my life to the source of true joy, in the name of Jesus Christ.

6. Lord, let my life be a source of joy in heaven, in the name of Jesus Christ.

7. The seed of joy in my life shall not die, in the name of Jesus Christ.

DO HAVE A BLESSED DAY

MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE is a daily devotional by Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, MOUNTAIN OF FIRE and Miracle Ministries, Worldwide)