Infused With Overwhelming Joy!

JOY: Jesus Overwhelming You! Joy was defined this way for me, by Holy Spirit, many years ago; almost two decades ago!

(Religion Section of the Newspaper, Deborah Overcome With Laughter~1993)

  I believe it was so that I would not only be strengthened but also receive understanding of JOY for the times ahead! 

Joy is very much misunderstood, including within the church; the most unlikely place; for in Him is fullness of Joy!  This is the one place Joy is actually defined for us, through Jesus; for He is the Joy to the World!  

 So, for one who has spent hours laughing, in Joyful bliss, it is time to share, in my own words, what’s going on, and from my perspective; as I have been asked many times and I am now compelled to do so!  In brief, Joy is a radical force against the adversary, a refreshing, healing balm and God’s cleansing agent for us; getting us out of our minds, into our heart, and into His!   

 It is interesting to note, that there have been more articles on ‘Joy’ in these past few years, than all of the past 20 years combined.  I have copied and filed many of these spiritual and medical findings; some documented by several reputable universities and learned men and women. As of late, I have also noticed that there are many articles on Love, Father and on sonship too; but for now, Joy takes precedence; though you will find that these subjects coincide. In other words, one can be synonymous with the other or lead you to the other.

Joy In The Morning/Mourning!

 Joy comes in the morning/mourning, whichever way it’s spelled, it really can and it does!  Our youngest of twelve grandchildren, another granddaughter, was born on the very same day that a very dear friend graduated from this life on earth to life in heaven. Our granddaughter was born 3 hours before the passing of our dear friend, Delores, who we still miss very much.

When selecting a middle name before the birth, ‘Joy’ is the name our son, William and his wife, Shannon, were both quite certain about;  and, a very fitting name, after all these years…Ha!  Her first name, ‘Bella,’ was decided a couple of days after birth; ‘Bella,’ meaning beautiful.  ‘Beautiful Joy’ is a great name and expression for all ages to proclaim and throughout this world, don’t you think?  

Joy to the World, a great song, a prophetic expression for us personally and a declaration as well!  My point: ‘Joy’ preceded the mourning by three hours!

An Encounter, Not To Be Denied!

 That same day, I had an encounter with God, my Father, never to be forgotten!  I broke forth into laughter and drunkenness in the Spirit, as He revealed many things to me concerning death and life; some, still inexpressible.  Throughout that day and since, when I ponder it, I find myself there, in that glorious place once again!  

 Another significant truth, in all of this, is that He wants us to have Joy in the midst of mourning, in the midst of difficult situations that we are facing, just as, ‘He endured the cross with great Joy.’  However, we, as a people, even His own people, are still ignorant of these things; and living more in knowledge and without understanding.  This causes us to fall short of the dimensions of glory we are called to live in everyday, yet we cry out to Him for more, from service to service, conference to conference, prayer time to prayer time.  A bit weird, huh? (Romans 5:3-5 Amplified)

 I am finding that beginning on the landing strip, of the previous day or previous life, in the One who has gone before us, is far more glorious a life, in which to live!  In Him, Who is love, by love, for love, from love and through love, all things consist.  (Col. 1:17)  

 ‘Joy’ takes you to those heights and depths, more than any other.  For Joy is the purest evidence of these heights, depths, lengths, and breadths of love.  (Ephesians 3:14-21)  In Him who is Love, we live and move and have our being, for we are His offspring! (Acts 17:28)  It is important to also know your identity, as His son or daughter, realized more and more as you are with Him!  Freedom exists in Love.  See, I told you they coincide together!  Sons have more fun and the enemy does not want us to live as sons, as a family: a triumphant union!

 Orphans or orphaned hearts simply compare, compete, lack trust, vie for attention, feel threatened by one another, steal from each other, don’t work well with others or with churches, ministries, or in business. They build themselves up, not each other, and boast of their works, not His!  Sound familiar?  Sadly, it’s too familiar!

 Yet, Joy comes in the morning!  He is the author of the new day, new beginnings, the hope of our salvation, and the hope of glory.  (Col. 1:27) He resides within me and you; He is the head, we, the body, the hope of glory for a lost and dying world.  

As revealed in these drawings by Maidena Young, ‘The Light’ lives within the broken vessels/cracked pots, shining into the darkness, through the cracked and broken places, from which He saved us.  The light shines even brighter as we look to Him as our source, in the trials we face. 

The trials, sufferings and often relationships in our lives create in us the character of Christ, just as they did in Joseph, in Daniel, in David, in Paul and in so many others! Those living in the world, also see the Light to find their way through the darkness!  They, in the world, are watching, how we live out our lives, in the midst of chaos, loving one another, with the same love, in which He loves us!

Joy is more than an emotion, released by faith, from the confidence we have in Him; and this confidence grows through every trial.  Joy strengthens us, empowering us to live deeper in love, in Him.  It makes no sense to our natural mind!  It is humbling, especially when others are sad and miserable and you are laughing; a very opposing stance!  

Joy is very much misunderstood! In fact, recently I was told that my laughing frightened some people at church: In actuality, better said, what was frightened. Joy will reveal the presence of a work done in darkness, a fear, a bondage! Joy causes derision in the camp of the enemy, and works on your behalf! (Psalm 2:1-4) Joy is refreshing and freedom; God’s cleansing agent for us, getting us out of our mind, into our heart, into His.  Joy has little to do with what is taking place now; it has everything to do with what has taken place in Him.  Joy is not about my works, but His works: it is finished!  Joy now, gives Him the glory for what He has done for us!  Victory is ours in Him! 

Behold, God, my salvation!  I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and song; yes, He has become my salvation.  Therefore with Joy will you draw water from the wells of salvation.  (Isaiah 12:2-3)  Note: it does not say with sorrow, worry, or increased knowledge, or fret, fear, works or mourning, with Joy!  

 Ask yourself: Is it time to flush out that rusty well?!! Out of your innermost being shall flow rivers, rivers of living water, enough to drink.  (John 7:38)

 Our body is made mostly of water, up to 98% (depending on our size and age); it must have it to live….cells must have water for growth.  Joy is the emotion and fruit required to produce life giving water, for ourselves; a built in oasis, in which we drink and others can draw from.  It must flow through us and from us…cleansing the inward parts.  Often, we ‘plug it up’ ourselves and let others join in the process.  

Light is sown for the uncompromisingly righteous and strewn along their pathway and Joy for the upright in heart, the irrepressible Joy which comes from the consciousness of His favor and protection. (Psalm 97:11 Amplified)  Light-seeds are planted in the souls of God’s people; Joy-seeds are planted in good heart-soil. (The Message)

And be not grieved or depressed, for the Joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold! Stand confident in the JOY of your salvation, with songs of deliverance. (Nehemiah 8:10 Amplified) 

 So how do we attain this place of communion, of Joy?  The scriptures seem clear enough…our right standing with Him and with each other around us, His creations, is the start.  A decision must be made to love our brother, who we do see, and having grace one for another.  The kingdom of God is not meat or drink, but righteousness (right relationship), peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17)

Joy is the result of being out of me and in Him…knowing and trusting that He has it all under control and it’s not up to me!  We tend to do everything but surrender…it is humbling to let go, to lose control!  Yet, this is true freedom.  Freedom is not how much money is in our pockets, written on our pay checks, in our bank accounts, our retirement, our 401K, our benefits, our position/title or our worldly goods!  If we are not willing to let go of the stuff, the stuff has us.  Let us remember the rich young ruler, Jesus speaks about in the Bible.  He could not give up his earthly goods to inherit the kingdom of God.  How about you? (Luke 18:18-23)

 Joy is a place of acceptance in the beloved, of love, rest, trust, confidence, strength, safety, protection, favor, wisdom, adoration, victory; despite any outside condition and especially despite any outside condition. Whereby happiness is based on the outside condition! 
 Joy is the highest form of warfare and place of victory than is worship or praise or prayer and intercession; it is the evidence of true worship and praise. In fact, it is intercession!  

Joy is the evidence of love received!  It confounds the enemy and puts him into derision and often makes no sense to the natural mind.  In fact, God will offend our mind to get to our heart.  Joy creates havoc in the natural mind and creates an open heaven for God’s kingdom on earth.  Joy disarms and dismantles the enemy, clearing the way, for victory; and your victory!

 Laughter is only one sign of Joyful rest and evidence of Joy within.  Laughter increases our immune system, relieving stress and brings healing to our physical body and our mental state and increases spiritual discernment and wisdom; out of us and into Him.  Laughter does us good like a medicine and a cheery mind, works healing!  (Proverbs 17:22 Amp) 

I received a healing through laughing for twenty minutes and I kept the healing through simply deciding with my will, to laugh and keeping positive, encouraging, worry-free and joyful thoughts, in my mind throughout that day. 

 So, have a dose! 
Warning: It has been my experience that prolonged drinking in His presence will result in Joyous outbursts, followed by the addictive behavior of soul-winning!  So enJOY! Enter in! Laugh Until It Hurts!  And enJOY the One who loves you most!

Laugh at destruction and famine, neither shall you be afraid. (Job 5:22 - Amplified)

And do not for a moment be frightened or intimidated in anything by your opponents or adversaries, for such constancy and fearlessness, will be a clear sign, proof and seal to them of their impending destruction but a sure token and evidence of your deliverance and salvation, and that from God! (Philippians 1:28 - Amplified)  

 Moreover let us also be full of Joy now, let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing the pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance.  And endurance develops maturity of character, approved faith and tried integrity.  And character of this sort produces the habit of Joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, Who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5 Amplified)

 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of Joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them." (Psalm 126:2)

 In His presence is fullness of Joy and at His right hand are pleasures forever more. We are at His right hand and He takes pleasure in us, He delights Himself in us…Yippee! (Psalm 16:11)

Joy is from a verb ‘gil’ or ‘gul,’ to go in a circle, with excited dancing, and rejoicing; express exuberance, exultation rising above circumstances; embrace the highest emotion of God’s character. Hebrew words to spring, leap, shout, express light of His Glory! JOY unspeakable and full of glory!

Sometimes JOY cannot be explained, expressed or understood….just enJoy! And be Loved…Beloved!

There are four levels of joy related to the Jewish holiday, Sukkot, Tabernacles.  It is the most joyous holiday of the year; corresponding to the four letters of God's Essential Name, Havayah.  (Reference:  Four Levels of Joy at www.inner.org  Sukkot: Four Levels of Joy)
There is a response of joy from each letter of His name: the joy of drawing water, springing up, as a fountain, the joy of protection, both physically and spiritually, the joy of activating the emotions of the heart with love and unity, and the joy of the harvest, with a natural joy of the farmer reaping the bounty, that God has showered upon him, enlivening all nature!

 With joy shall you draw from the wells of salvation. (Isaiah 12:3)  The shear consciousness of His favor, protection and delight, bring me to irrepressible joy. (Psalm 97:11) Behold how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. (Psalm 133:1) And, over all these virtues, walk in love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:14)  Endeavor to keep the bond of peace in the unity of the Spirit (Jews and Gentiles were among the Ephesians gathering together.) (Ephesians 4:3)  Those who plant in tears will harvest with plants of joy!  (Psalm 126:5) Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. (John 4:36) How blessed are the people who know the Joyful sound! Oh Lord, they walk in the light of Your countenance, in Your name they rejoice all the day, and by Your righteousness, they are exalted! (Psalm 89:15-16)

A few benefits of Joy:  Increases antibodies in saliva that combats upper respiratory infections, secretes an enzyme that protects the stomach from forming ulcers, conditions the abdominal muscles, relaxes muscles throughout the body, aids in reducing symptoms of neuralgia and rheumatism, changes perspective, has positive benefits on mental functions, reduces blood pressure and heart-rate, helps the body fight infection, increasing the immune system, releases endorphins which provide natural pain relief, tightens stomach muscles, helps move nutrients and oxygen to body tissues, removes the effects of toxic thoughts in the brain for the healing process to take place in us mentally, emotionally, and physically, AND, it makes you feel good!

Taken From Draft, Relentless Pursuit, Compelled By Love© Written by Deborah C. Fisher, Hot Pursuit Ministries International, Published by Kingdom Creations™2008-2011