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Am I happy? Do you see my joy? Or am I just a grumpy old man most days?

In Acts we learn that “And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 13:52 (NASB) Note that it was not a sometime kind of thing. It was continual. They were always joyful and happy. It is just who they were, like Jesus. This is where I get to say one of my favorite things. God is in a good mood!

It is easy to forget about joy. It is essential in the Kingdom of God. The Beatitudes (aka The Jesus Manifesto) traditionally use the word “blessed”. Most translators agree the better translation is “Happy” or “More than Happy”. For the joy that was set before Jesus, he endured the crucifixion. The joy of the Lord is my strength. We have Good News (aka the Gospel). We are a people of hope!

The Holy Spirit brings joy to believers, giving us an inner contentment and happiness which is not dependent upon external circumstances. The Greek word is χαρά chara, (khar-ah) meaning  calm delight:— gladness,  greatly, (be exceeding) joy (ful, -fully, fulness, -ous). Am I happy in Jesus? Do I experience joy regularly? If not, what is going on?

We are a people of hope and joy! “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 (NASB)

Let’s dig into the scripture.

The Holy Spirit enables the Messiah to bring joy – It is the mission of Jesus to bring joy to all of us. Jesus is all about good news (aka the Gospel).

Isaiah 61:1–3 (NASB) — 1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners; 2 To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, 3 To grant those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

Isaiah 9:2–3 (NASB) — 2 The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them. 3 You shall multiply the nation, You shall increase their gladness; They will be glad in Your presence As with the gladness of harvest, As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.

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