In God you will find an unquenchable, unstoppable joy. Joy gives you the strength to overcome any obstacle. Joy will help you win any battle. Joy will give you the victory over any circumstance. Listen to this message and learn where to find, develop and increase joy. Your joy will overflow into every area of your life.
The Joy of the Lord
Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV) 10 Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
Matthew 13:44 (NIV) 44 "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
Psalms 118:24 (NIV) 24 This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Relationship with God's (or being in God's presence)
Leviticus 9:24 (NIV) 24 Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown.
1 Chronicles 16:27 (NIV) 27 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling place.
Ezra 6:16 (NIV) 16 Then the people of Israel--the priests, the Levites and the rest of the exiles--celebrated the dedication of the house of God with joy.
Psalms 4:5-7 (NIV) 5 Offer right sacrifices and trust in the LORD. 6 Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?" Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD. 7 You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound.
Psalms 16:9-11 (NIV) 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, 10 because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. 11 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalms 21:6-7 (NIV) 6 Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence. 7 For the king trusts in the LORD; through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken.
Psalms 27:5-6 (NIV) 5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. 6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.
Psalms 94:18-19 (NIV) 18 When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O LORD, supported me. 19 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.
Psalms 51:12 (NIV) 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Isaiah 12:2-3 (NIV) 2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." 3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
Isaiah 35:10 (NIV) 10 and the ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
Isaiah 56:7 (NIV) 7 these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations."
Isaiah 58:13-14 (NIV) 13 "If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the LORD's holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, 14 then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob." The mouth of the LORD has spoken.
Isaiah 61:7 (NIV) 7 Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs.
Jeremiah 31:12-13 (NIV) 12 They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the LORD-- the grain, the new wine and the oil, the young of the flocks and herds. They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more. 13 Then maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.
Jeremiah 33:11 (NIV) 11 the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings to the house of the LORD, saying, "Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for the LORD is good; his love endures forever." For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were before,' says the LORD.
Luke 10:17-20 (NIV) 17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." 18 He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
Acts 16:34 (NIV) 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God--he and his whole family.
Galatians 5:22 (NIV) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
1 Peter 1:8 (NIV) 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,
Jude 1:24 (NIV) 24 To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy--
Love and Obey God
Psalms 43:4 (NIV) 4 Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God.
Psalms 119:111 (NIV) 111 Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.
Psalms 149:5 (NIV) 5 Let the saints rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds.
Proverbs 11:10 (NIV) 10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
Proverbs 12:20-21 (NIV) 20 There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil, but joy for those who promote peace. 21 No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
Proverbs 21:15 (NIV) 15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.
John 15:9-14 (NIV) 9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command.
John 16:24 (NIV) 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
Hebrews 1:9 (NIV) 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy."
Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV) 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
James 1:2-4 (NIV) 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Love your neighbor
Psalms 19:7-8 (NIV) 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
Proverbs 15:30 (NIV) 30 A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.
Luke 1:57-58 (NIV) 57 When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.
Isaiah 60:4-5 (NIV) 4 "Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the arm. 5 Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come.
Luke 2:8-10 (NIV) 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
Luke 6:22-23 (NIV) 22 Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. 23 "Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.
Acts 13:50-52 (NIV) 50 But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51 So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14:14-17 (NIV) 14 As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. 15 If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. 16 Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,
2 Corinthians 7:4 (NIV) 4 I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.
2 Corinthians 8:2-5 (NIV) 2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5 And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will.
Philippians 1:3-4 (NIV) 3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy
Philippians 2:2-4 (NIV) 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 4:1 (NIV) 1 Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!
1 Thessalonians 2:20 (NIV) 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
1 Thessalonians 3:9 (NIV) 9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?
2 Timothy 1:4 (NIV) 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.
Philemon 1:7 (NIV) 7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.
Hebrews 13:17 (NIV) 17 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.
2 John 1:4 (NIV) 4 It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.
3 John 1:3-4 (NIV) 3 It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
Sing for Joy
Genesis 31:27 (NIV) 27 Why did you run off secretly and deceive me? Why didn't you tell me, so I could send you away with joy and singing to the music of tambourines and harps?
Psalms 5:11-12 (NIV) 11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. 12 For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
Psalms 28:7 (NIV) 7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.
Psalms 33:3 (NIV) 3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.
Psalms 66:1-4 (NIV) 1 Shout with joy to God, all the earth! 2 Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious! 3 Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you. 4 All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing praise to your name." Selah
Psalms 67:3-5 (NIV) 3 May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you. 4 May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth. Selah 5 May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you.
Psalms 71:22-24 (NIV) 22 I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel. 23 My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you-- I, whom you have redeemed. 24 My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all day long, for those who wanted to harm me have been put to shame and confusion.
Psalms 81:1-5 (NIV) 1 Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob! 2 Begin the music, strike the tambourine, play the melodious harp and lyre. 3 Sound the ram's horn at the New Moon, and when the moon is full, on the day of our Feast; 4 this is a decree for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob. 5 He established it as a statute for Joseph when he went out against Egypt, where we heard a language we did not understand.
Psalms 90:14 (NIV) 14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Psalms 92:4 (NIV) 4 For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD; I sing for joy at the works of your hands.
Psalms 98:4-6 (NIV) 4 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; 5 make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, 6 with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn-- shout for joy before the LORD, the King.
Psalms 107:20-22 (NIV) 20 He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. 21 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. 22 Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.
Psalms 126:2-6 (NIV) 2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." 3 The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. 4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negev. 5 Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. 6 He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.
Psalms 132:9 (NIV) 9 May your priests be clothed with righteousness; may your saints sing for joy."
Psalms 132:16 (NIV) 16 I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints will ever sing for joy.
Psalms 149:5 (NIV) 5 Let the saints rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds.
Isaiah 12:5-6 (NIV) 5 Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. 6 Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you."
Isaiah 42:11 (NIV) 11 Let the desert and its towns raise their voices; let the settlements where Kedar lives rejoice. Let the people of Sela sing for joy; let them shout from the mountaintops.
Isaiah 44:23 (NIV) 23 Sing for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done this; shout aloud, O earth beneath. Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees, for the LORD has redeemed Jacob, he displays his glory in Israel.
Isaiah 49:13 (NIV) 13 Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.
Isaiah 51:11 (NIV) 11 The ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
Isaiah 52:9 (NIV) 9 Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the LORD has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem.
Shout for Joy
Leviticus 9:24 (NIV) 24 Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown.
Ezra 3:12 (NIV) 12 But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy.
Psalms 20:5 (NIV) 5 We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests.
Psalms 42:4 (NIV) 4 These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng.
Psalms 47:1 (NIV) 1 Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.
Psalms 47:5 (NIV) 5 God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the LORD amid the sounding of trumpets.
Psalms 95:1 (NIV) 1 Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Psalms 100:1-2 (NIV) 1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
Psalms 105:43 (NIV) 43 He brought out his people with rejoicing, his chosen ones with shouts of joy;
Psalms 118:15 (NIV) 15 Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: "The LORD's right hand has done mighty things!
Isaiah 35:5-6 (NIV) 5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. 6 Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.
Isaiah 52:8 (NIV) 8 Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. When the LORD returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes.
Isaiah 54:1-3 (NIV) 1 "Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband," says the LORD. 2 "Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. 3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities.
