He is risen…He is risen indeed!! Last Sunday we celebrated the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 12:2 tells us that Jesus endured the cross for the JOY set before Him. In 2 Corinthians 9:7 says that “God loves a cheerful giver.”

Many believers in the body of Christ are walking around without joy. We may be serving in God’s house, walking with the Lord daily but still are not experiencing the joy of the Lord. God wants to fill our hearts with joy. Whenever we give, we should expect joy. Whenever we give, joy is released into our hearts. We experience the joy of the Lord which is a fruit of the Spirit. When we hold back, we keep God from filling us with joy.

Nehemiah said, “the joy of the Lord is my strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10). The Lord wants to give us joy so that we will be strengthened. Happiness is temporal and comes from external things but joy is eternal and it comes from the Lord. And when we give, we experience that joy.

James said, “count it all joy when you face trials (James 1:2). Jesus faced the cross but because He considered the joy set before him, He was able to keep going.

Philippians 4:4 tells us to rejoice in the Lord always! Again, rejoice!

In John 17:13, Jesus prayed for His disciples to have HIS joy. John 16:24 shows us that Jesus wants our joy to be full. In John 15:11, Jesus talks about having fullness of joy.

Scripture says that the kingdom of God is love, JOY and peace in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17).

In John 20:10, we hear the first words Jesus spoke when He resurrected. He said to Mary, “why are you crying?” Jesus is asking you today, “Why are you crying?” When we go through trying times, we have pain and we cry but when joy comes, we forget the pain of the past.

Look towards joy and it will keep you going? God is about to release joy suddenly into your heart!!