Joy

"If joy is a mark of spiritual maturity, how can we have more? Lack of joy is caused almost entirely through inner conflicts and wrong attitudes. When we get rid of these conflicts by putting our lives fully in the hands of Jesus, we will almost automatically burst into joy. We are made for joy, and when we are truly ourselves by being truly his then we are joyous - constitutionally. When the rebellious elements within us are surrendered to Jesus, then a deep joy is ours.

I read of an archaeologist who came across a document showing the location of a spring in a certain part of Rome. He obtained permission to dig beneath the foundations of an ancient building and, after months of removing dirt and rubble - there was the spring.

It burst upwards through the last remaining stones as if glad that it had been found. Joy is like that. When we get rid of the rubble that clutters up our lives then joy bursts upwards - automatically."

Selwyn Hughes

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Romans 15:13