Forty Days Full - An Invitation To Real Life

Day Twenty-Three: Joy

“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” (Ps 90:14 NIV)

W hat is the evidence of the Holy Spirit in your life? Growing up in a Pentecostal/Charismatic church I was taught that the evidence of the Holy Spirit was speaking in tongues. This is how you know if you've been filled with the Spirit. My intent here is not to debate the baptism of the Holy Spirit. There are many different beliefs in the body of Christ. I think it worthwhile to shift our attention toward the fruit of a life filled with the Holy Spirit. Gifts are important, but fruit is more valuable if we want a transformed life. All fruit of the Holy Spirit flows out of an abiding love relationship with Christ. It is God’s will for us to enjoy life, enjoy the journey! Joy (Chara) is mentioned 60 times in the new testament and its verb rejoice is mentioned 72 times. Joy is the inward gladness of heart that comes from knowing and experiencing the presence and perspective of God. If we can truly see things the way God sees them, we will be rejoicing. Unfortunately, we allow the cares of this life and the accusations of our enemy to fill our minds. It's just like the children of Israel who were unable to enter the promised land. They were right at the border, but refused to go in. They could not believe God's promise because of their personal perspective. Just think how close they were all “This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:8 (NIV)