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Joy or Thrill

What is the difference between Joy and a Thrill? Well the way I see it is:
Joy is a condition of the heart whereas thrill is a temporary pleasure.

For some it is a thrill to drive fast around a sharp curved road. It may be a thrill to go on a certain looping ride at an amusement park. It may be a thrill to win a game. A thrill is not necessarily bad but could be. I think you understand what I am saying.

Much of the world is very addicted to having a thrill. Many people look at a weekend off work and try to think of something exciting and thrilling to do. Many turn to things that will some how offer a thrill. Yet no matter how thrilling something may be it must be repeated because the appetite for thrills has no end.

Now lets think about joy. This is a condition of the heart that often has nothing to do with any external stimulus. One can even have joy in prison, or when suffering or when everything seems difficult. I have seen many people filled with great joy even on their deathbed.

Joy is a very Godly gift. Joy is listed as one of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23 in the Holy Bible) True joy is from God. The follower of Jesus should have this treasure of Joy as a moment by moment experience. Even great loss or sadness does not rob one of true Joy.

When thrills are far away, Joy will be your comfort as the Holy Spirit of God keeps your soul. Joy comes from God and is maintained by God as you humble yourself and focus on Jesus and others.

Joy does not mean we do not have concern. Joy does not mean that we cannot weep.
But Joy knows:

“That all things work together for good to them that love God and are called according to His purpose.’
(Romans 8:28 in the Holy Bible)

When you really know this you can have Joy always.

Even in the darkest hour of the suffering of Jesus, even as He sweat drops of blood and was in agony. Hear this:

“ Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; ‘who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross’, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
(Hebrews 12:2 in the Holy Bible)

Oh Bless the Name of the Lord Jesus. Jesus went the cross, He went to Calvary, He died for our sins, He bore our shame “For the joy that was set before Him’
Jesus looked beyond the pain, beyond the shame, beyond the cross, beyond Hell for “The joy that was set before Him!’

What was that Joy? You and I are that Joy. We are what Jesus died for. I often hear people say that they are worth ‘nothing’. Oh, how wrong. You are worth God giving His only Begotten Son to die on the cross. That is your value. Jesus saw you in heaven with Him. He loved you before you were ever born. You are to be His joy. Oh just rush to Jesus now and fall at His feet in repentance and call on His Name and He will put His Joy in You.

For Jesus said, “He that believeth on me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38 in the Holy Bible).
Rivers of Joy can flood your soul just now. Welcome God who is Father, God who is Jesus and God who is Holy Spirit into you life. The river will flow!

Consider this even about the Father. This is so Holy I almost dare not even speak of it. For here God reveals His Heart. Now we walk on truly Holy Ground in these Words.

“Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; he has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, he shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.”
(Isaiah 53:10 in the Holy Bible)

Oh dear friend even the Father found joy in the suffering of Jesus and His death on the cross for in this you and I could be made clean and come into the Family of God.

“He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, for He shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong, because He poured out His soul unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.’
(Isaiah 53:11-12 in the Holy Bible)

What more can I say about Joy? I could go on and on. But just one more thing I want to bring out. There is Joy in Heaven! Jesus said:

“ I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.’
(Luke 15:7,10 in the Holy Bible)

I challenge you to look beyond your momentary circumstances. pray that you may know Joy. Real true Joy that last and keeps on no matter what. Like a light shining in darkness hear the words of Jesus. Only days after He was crucified. (Matthew 28:9)

Rejoice!

Pilgrim followers of Jesus,

Arthur and Denise Blessitt
Luke 18:1