The Handmaiden - JOY! - A Potpourri of Wisdom on Joy

Mary Puplava, Editor HANDMAIDEN.ORG

Ode to the
Harbinger of Joy

Life is a light
Kindled by Divine,
Life is but a flickering lamp in the winds of time.

Life is so precious
Like a newborn child,
It blooms and grows
in the garden wild.

Like a burning torch
At the edge of a wick,
Like a glimmer of hope
Show light we seek.

Like a flower's scent,
Spreads in the winds,
Thy life's worth living
For the joy it brings.

Benjamin Franklin was concluding a moving speech on the guarantees of the Constitution when a heckler shouted, "Those words don't mean anything. Where's all the happiness you said it guarantees us?" Franklin smiled and calmly silenced his critic.

"My friend, the Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness; you have to catch it yourself."

"Speak gently! 'tis a little thing Dropp'd in the heart's deep well; The good, the joy, that it may bring Eternity shall tell. G.W. Langford	A thing of beauty is a joy forever; It's loveliness increases; it will never Pass into nothingness. John Keats
One inch of joy surmounts of grief a span, Because to laugh is proper to the man. Francis Rabelias	Love divine, all love excelling, Joy of heaven to earth come down. Divine Love - Charles Wesley
All who joy would win Must share it, -- happiness was born a twin. Lord Byron	Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee by Henry Jackson VanDyke, 1907

Play the Tune and Sing Along! Joyful

Joyful, joyful we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!

All Thy works with joy surround Thee, earth and heaven reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee, center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Singing bird and flowing fountain call us to rejoice in Thee.

Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blessed,
Wellspring of the joy of living, ocean deep of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother, all who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.

Mortals, join the happy chorus, which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o'er us, brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us Sunward in the triumph song of life.

Vessels of Light
by Bob Jones

"For the joy set before Him, the Lord embraced the Cross although He despised its shame. We must do likewise. Although we despise the shame of past failures, difficulties and 'desert experiences', we must embrace the benefits derived in them to allow the maturity in us that will prepare this generation for its high calling. The Lord despised the shame of the Cross but He did not resent going to the Cross for the benefits it would provide. The spotless Son of God endured the shame of the Cross, the most despised form of death known to man; we should be able to get beyond our shame to serve Him in bold confident assurance."

House of Glory

"When God glorifies the house of His glory He honors His people by putting them into an honorable position. Being in God's chosen position is the key to honor. In the past we may have experienced shame, dishonor and disrespect.

However, He promises, "Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, ... I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations. ... and the days of thy mourning shall be ended." (Is. 60: 15,20) Bobby Jean Merck, Overflow, March 2000.

"Remember, the joy that belongs to God is your strength. It is His to give. Just ask." Ray Bentley, Maranatha Chapel

"It takes ten affirming words to cancel the effect of one critical word." Unknown

Bearing Fruit. "... fruit bearing is the ability to impact people for righteousness, peace and joy, which Romans 14:17 says is the kingdom of God ...When the world is pressing us to be unrighteous, war against our brothers, or be depressed, but we still maintain our position in the kingdom of God by abiding in righteousness, then we know that the peace and joy of the kingdom is in our hearts and not just our minds. It is then that we know the kingdom abides in us and we abide in the kingdom. That is a true disciple. When we are able to respond to the pressures of the world in the character of the kingdom, then we have come to abide in the King." Rick Joyner, The Morning Star Journal, Vol. 9, No. 4

Real Joy. "The Bible talks plentifully about joy, but it nowhere talks about a 'happy Christian.' Happiness depends on what happens; joy does not. Remember, Jesus Christ had joy, and He prays 'that they might have My joy fulfilled in themselves.'" Oswald Chambers in Run Today's Race

The Source of Joy. "Joy is not the same as pleasure or happiness. A wicked and evil man may have pleasure, while any ordinary mortal is capable of being happy. Pleasure generally comes from things, and always through the senses; happiness comes from humans through fellowship. Joy comes from loving God and neighbor. Pleasure is quick and violent, like a flash of lightning. Joy is steady and abiding, like a fixed star. Pleasure depends on external circumstances, such as money, food, travel, etc. Joy is independent of them, for it comes from a good conscience and love of God." Fulton J. Sheen, Fulton J. Sheen's Guide to Contentment

The Scriptures make it abundantly clear: When you submit to God's holy word, He fills your life with joy. 'Hear the word of the Lord, ye that tremble at his word... he shall appear to your joy.'" Is. 66:5

Enjoy Life. "Life is a journey -- a process of advancement and progression. And as we move toward the future, we must be careful not to lose sight of the now and the enjoyment it can bring us. I believe that life should be a celebration, but far too many people don't even enjoy life, let alone celebrate it. they are on their way to heaven but they are not enjoying the trip. For many years I was one of those people. But God has taught me a great deal about how to enjoy life. John 10:10 tells us that Jesus came that we might ... have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). Enjoying life is not based on enjoyable circumstances. It is an attitude of the heart. When I discovered that the world was not going to change, I decided to change my approach to some of the circumstance I faced in life. And it made a remarkable difference!" Joyce Meyers, Life in The Word

Remembering Egypt. "Deu. 26:11 says, '... and you and the Levite and the alien who is among you shall rejoice in all the good which the Lord your God has given you and your household.' It is important to recognize that ALL the earth is the Lord's. I am humbled when I remember His direction, His protection, and His bounty in my life. My egypts were never easy, but He has always brought me through to His promised land. Mary Puplava

Maintaining Joy. "How do we maintain the joy of the Lord? We do it the same way we obtained His joy in the beginning: First, we love, honor and hunger excitedly for God's word. Second, we continually walk in repentance. And third, we separate ourselves from all worldly influences. This is how a Holy Ghost person or church maintains "Jesus joy" - rejoicing always, full of gladness and mirth." David Wilkerson, World Challenge

View Other Studies on JOY!