John 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

You will find it in many places. You will experience it at the register when you purchase a new dress. You will catch it showing up at graduations, weddings, births. You will view it on the faces of children at Christmas. What is it that you will see? Joy! Joy attends many events, bursts from the giggles of children, springs into the air with the graduation cap; yet, many times this same “joy” leaves as quickly as it comes. Why does it not settle in our hearts and stay? It is as if it gets hung in the back of the closet like our other eventful attire, to be brought out at the next “joyful” event. This joy is external and temporary. It is up and down. It is based on circumstances. We could actually unmask it for what it really is – just fleeting “happiness.”

So how can one have lasting joy instead of temporary happiness? A joy that is not only there in pleasant moments, but remains even in difficulty? We start by investigating what our source of joy is. Are we finding our joy in things that will only last this side of Heaven? Or are we finding our joy in the One Who provided our way to Heaven?

There is great joy in knowing Jesus as your Savior.

Our Source of joy should be Jesus Christ. There is no greater joy than knowing Him as your personal Savior. Jesus’ main reason for coming to this earth was not to heal, teach, or do miracles. He came because He loves you and me with an unconditional, pure, endless love. He came to save us. He does not want anyone to spend an eternity in hell, so He gave his life on a cruel cross to pay for our sins. John 10:10 states, “I am come that they might have life [eternal life in Heaven!] and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” I cannot take for granted that everyone reading this knows Jesus as their personal Savior. If you have never trusted Jesus to save you from your sin, I plead with you to make the one decision to put your trust in Him to save you. If you have already made that decision, you can take great joy in knowing Him, and knowing that you’re on your way to Heaven!

There is great joy in knowing His presence.

As a Christian, you can have great joy in knowing that you are on your way to Heaven, that your sins are forgiven, and that they are forgiven forever. The Holy Spirit seals you so that there is no way of losing your salvation. Although that is enough to rejoice in for all eternity, God provides a fullness of joy in walking with Him. Psalm 16:11 says, “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” When there is nothing between you and the Savior, there is an indescribable, sweet fellowship that you will have – a fullness of joy in knowing and sensing His presence.

The Lord longs to fellowship with you. Is there anything in your life hindering you from knowing His presence? Ask the Lord to search you as David did in Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Is there sin in your life? Psalm 66:18 says, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” We must keep “short accounts” with God.  As soon as the Holy Spirit pricks you in your heart, do not resist Him! Confess the sin and enjoy continued fellowship with Him. Is there a part of your life that you are holding back from Him? It will hinder Him from using you. Are you spending time listening to Him, reading His Word and allowing His Spirit to work in your heart?

It is easy to place our joy in temporal things. Let us seek Him; for our joy will remain when we find it in the One Who never changes. 

Merry Heart Medicine:  “A billion dollar idea: A smoke detector that shuts off when you yell ‘I’m just cooking!'”