#1. because we are commended to and shown by example to.
| "always be joyful" |
| 1 Thessalonians 5:16(NL) |
| "So you recieved the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way you imitated both us and the Lord." |
| 1 Thessalonians 1:6(NL) |
#2. Because the Lord protects us.
| "but let all who take refuge in you rejoice, let them sing joyful praises forever. protect them, so all who love your name may be filled with joy." |
| Psalm 5:11(NL) |
| "For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful one. They will be protected forever..." |
| Psalm 37:28(NIV) |
| "But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one." |
| 2 Thessalonians 3:3(NIV) |
#3. Because the Lord helps us.
| "the Lord is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trust in him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving." |
| Psalm 28:7(NL) |
| "because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be dismayed. Therefore, I have set my face like stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will triumph." |
| Isaiah 50:7(NL) |
| "my help comes from the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth! He will not let you stumble and fall; the one who watches over you will not sleep" |
| Psalm 121:2-3(NL) |
#4. Because of His salvation.
| "restore to me again the joy of your salvation..." |
| Psalm 51:12(NL) |
#5. Because He loves us.
| "satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives." |
| Psalm 90:14(NL) |
| "And here is how to measure it - the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends." |
| John 15:13(NL) |
| "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." |
| John 3:16(NL) |
#6. Because He is righteous.
| "everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy of your righteousness." |
| Psalm 145:7(NL) |
#7. Because His words sustain you.
| "Your words are what sustain me. They bring me great joy and are my heart's delight, for I bear your name, o Lord God Almighty." |
| Jeremiah 15:16(NL) |
#8. Jesus' birth!
| "but the angel reassured them. 'don't be afraid!' he said. 'I bring you good news of a great joy for everyone! The savior - yes the Messiah, the Lord - has been born tonight in bethlehem, the city of David!'" |
| Luke 2:10-11(NL) |
#9. Because He gives us what we ask in His name.
| "you haven't done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will recieve, and you will have abundant joy." |
| John 16:24(NL) |
| "keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened." |
| Matthew 7:7(NL) |
| "You didn't choose me, I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name." |
| John 15:16(NL) |
#10. Because we are forgiven!
| "oh, what a joy for those whose rebellion is forgiven, whose sin is put out sight! Yes, what a joy for those whose record the Lord cleared of sin, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!" |
| Psalm 32:1-2(NL) |
Yet the main reason we should have joy is because,
as Paul says, when the Holy Spirit controls our lives
it is one the fruits produced.
Therefore if we submit to God, we will have joy!
| "But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law." |
| Galatians 5:22(NL) |
So, my friends, be full of Joy for all that God has done and will do in our lives! For this shows the world that we do not follow myths and fables but a living God who loves us so much that He sent His Son to die to forgive our sins! When we think of all that He has done for us, and does for us when we follow Him our hearts should be overflowing with joy!
| "the purpose of my instruction is that all the christians there would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscious, and sincere faith." |
| 1 Timothy 1:5 (NL) |
