The Joy of the Lord is our Strength!

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Having joy is not synonymous with happiness or wealth or getting everything that we want. Joy sometimes comes at great cost and the blessing derived may bring contentment but may also bring suffering and persecution.

The definition of joy in the English dictionary is: a source of great happiness, success in doing, finding, or getting something. The old English word for happiness was equated with having luck or being fortunate. Today it means feeling or showing pleasure or contentment, being fortunate and convenient.

The English word for Joy does not really define the right meaning in which the Hebrew and Greek words for joy are defined. For example, joy is some OT verses use the word simchah –mirth gladness ps.15:23 or Ranan-to overcome, to cry out for joy psalm 5:11 psalm 35: 27 or Samach- to rejoice, be glad psalm 21:1 psalm 51:8 or Rinnah-entreaty, supplication, proclamation, joy, praise, in proclamation, joy, praise ps. 30:5 ps.35:27 ps.126:5 or sasown- exultation, joy ps.35:27

The Greek word for joy is chara- meaning gladness, to be pleased; delighted, Mirth- (amusement, especially as expressed in laughter) grace, favor Matt. 28:8 Luke 1:14John 15:11John 16:24 Romans 14:17 Gal.5:22

None of these words for Joy are defined in the Bible as being fortunate, convenient, happy, satisfaction enjoyment, or a state of happiness.

Biblical joy is equated with overcoming, praise, exaltation, or salutation (blessing), singing, shouting dancing, having grace and favor.

Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

In conclusion, Biblical joy is not the same as the English word for happy but rather is equated with praising and having God’s favor which brings victory and of course then brings absolute delight and laughter. Even in times of trouble we can have the joy of the Lord because we as Christians know that Jesus is the Victor!

Maranatha brethren !

Author: Kim Balogh

I am a minister (servant) of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of Grace ministries • Evangelism • Teaching • Children’s ministry • Apologetics • End times I have a BA in History and Anthropology/Sociology combo Paralegal Diploma (specialty Research, Writing, Critical thinking & argument & Instruction) Paralegal Instructor-taught paralegal for 1 year Diploma in Physical Education ( Fitness, nutrition, coaching, ) Faith based Social Work (almost completed degree) Certificate in Personal Ministry (Intercession, deliverance) 1 year (independant) bible college (concentration area, intercession, deliverance,) Ministry Experience : Evangelism ministry 20 years (preaching, intercession,deliverance, apologetics ) Ministering and serving low income families,single mothers, marginalized. Child Evangelism in different communities. Ministering Evangelism through music (vocals and guitar) Administration; started church support groups, started various different outreaches over the years, Internet ministry. My ministry gifts are Prophetic Evangelism and Teaching (apologetics and end times revelation in particular). My motivational gifts are Intercession, prophecy, administration. I am a bond servant of Jesus Christ and am called by him to preach the gospel of grace through faith in Jesus Christ apart from the deeds of the law. My Statement of Faith I believe that Jesus is God's son and is himself God, the third person of the Godhead, (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) I believe the bible says YOU MUST be born again by the Holy Spirit to enter into the kingdom of God. I believe Jesus died for the sins of all that have been called out of darkness into his glorious light. Heaven is for the redeemed and hell is for reprobates. The death of Jesus Christ is the substitutionary atonement. “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Jesus sent the holy Spirit to comfort, teach, build up, edify, consecrate, and seal God’s people until his return. Jesus will return to the earth to rule and reign for 1000 years on the earth. I believe we are in the end times and anti christ will soon be revealed. I also believe that we are living in the last days of the great apostasy and falling away from the truth of God's word but God has a remnant,( his elect, chosen before the foundation of the world,) that have not bowed the knee to Baal. These sheep will soon face great persecution that God will allow to take place before the return of Christ. This persecution which will be worldwide will be what separates the true Christian from the false apostate. Those who love not their lives to the end will be shown to be the true church of Jesus Christ but the compromisers of the integrity of God’s word, who choose the spirit of error, worldly doctrines of men, the works of the flesh and the works of the law will be shown to be apostates like Judas and will die in their sins. No one can come to Jesus unless the Father gives him the ability to do so. No one will seek after Jesus unless he is drawn by the Father according to scripture but all whom God calls by his Holy Spirit will come to Jesus and be saved from their sins and be given eternal life for he who has promised is faithful to perfom his promise. The Lord is calling his church to come out of Babylon : Come out of false new age teaching, Come out of legalistic adherance to OT laws to save you, Come out of false signs and wonders that have no scriptural basis, Come out of witchcraft and the doctrines of demons, Come out of humanism and the promotion of man by self help principles and RETURN TO THE PURE UNADULTERATED WORD OF GOD ! “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. Revelation 18:4 Isaiah 55:6-7 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. My ministry gifts are Evangelism and Teaching My motivational gifts are Intercession, prophecy, administration. If you would like to join some of my FACEBOOK pages and groups here are the links. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christian-Apostacy-and-the-One-World-Religion-Last-days-false-church/155312074516011 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Spiritual-Warfare-and-Intercessory-Prayer/420608491355232 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christians-Growing-in-Grace/176425872403539 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eternity-Time-without-end-Where-will-you-spend-eternity/173770605984810 http://www.facebook.com/pages/THE-GOSPEL-OF-GRACE-MINISTRIES/206256094640 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Humanism-and-Atheism-vs-Biblical-Fundamental-Christianity-PAGE/232041916818313 http://www.facebook.com/groups/116453808366860?ap=1 http://www.facebook.com/groups/kimbalogh?ap=1 http://www.facebook.com/groups/43663287699?ap=1 http://www.facebook.com/groups/192486972999?ap=1 http://www.facebook.com/groups/60064614668?ap=1 Favorite Quotation Ephesians 2:8-9 (King James Version) "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

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