Joy Like a River
Bible Nugget 0316
Joy is like a river. Just like a river can crested, a person’s joy can be full. A river also can overflow its banks, so is joy. Joy can be very full and begin to overflow, becoming affectious to those around. It is also true that a river could dry up in the time of severe drought. This is the case of those who experience spiritual dryness or those who have no joy in their Christian lives. So the joy-stick level potentially can be at the low or high. When a river is dry, every Tom, Dick and Harry can step into it and begin to walk all over it, not knowing it also has destructive power. They should have come around when it is full or overflowing and try to walk allover it. Jesus said, anyone that believes in Him out of that person’s belly will flow rivers of living water. But this spake he of the Holy Ghost. So the Holy Ghost is the source of that River in your belly (or heart).
John 7:37-39
37In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
38He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
39(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
Before Jesus left back to heaven he said they should wait until they receive the Holy Ghost. The Holy Spirit came fully on the day of Pentecost and see how beautiful and affectious the lives of these ordinary men and women became. 120 disciples who had been tarrying in the upper room waiting as Jesus had said before ascending to heaven became filled with that River of Power. The disciples obeyed Jesus and waited in prayers in an upper room. On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit arrived and became resident in the hearts of these first fruit disciples. The Spirit came like a mighty rushing wind and they began to speak in tongues.
Acts 1:4, 8
4And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Acts 2:1-4
1And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Before the Holy Spirit can fill a person, the person has to be convicted of his sins and repent. The Holy Spirit came in the fullness of His Power on Peter and some 3000 people were saved in the first revival sermon of the church. Peter in his sermon preached that the Holy Spirit arrival is a fulfillment of prophecy which the Lord showed to King David of the death, resurrection, ascension and glorification of Jesus. The joy opf Jesus became full in heaven because he had completed the earthly assignment he had from God The Father.
Acts2, 25-28, 33
25For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
26Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
27Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
28Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
33Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
Brethren, the Holy Spirit is very important in our individual walk with God as individuals and as a corporate body. The Holy Spirit is the one that does the signs and wonders that accompanies the preaching of the gospel. The Holy Spirit is the seal of our redemption [Eph 4:30]. The Blood of Jesus is the “gum” and the Holy Spirit is the seal on your forehead as a believer.
For unbelievers, they should not attempt to trample upon the Holy Spirit and walk all over it like the Tom, Dick and Harry at the beginning of our sermon nugget. Because the Holy Spirit can also make the unbeliever’s life miserable on earth before the person is sent to hell at death. Jesus warned blasphemers particularly.
Matthew 12:31-32
31Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
32And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
So today if you hear his voice as the scripture says, do not harden your heart. Repent of your sins if you are an unbeliever, or if you are believer of any known sin. Ask Jesus to come into your heart and begin to seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit Power in your life. He will come and fill you with his Power and your joy will become full like a river.
Prayer Nugget 0316
1. Prayer of Repentance: Oh Lord forgive me of all my sins. Sins committed knowingly or unknowingly. Blot them out of my life with your precious blood, Lord Jesus. Become Lord and Master of my life in Jesus Name. Amen
2. Holy Spirit come into my life. Bring me into the joy of salvation in Jesus name.
3. Holy Spirit purify my heart. Thoroughly garnish my heart with your cleansing fire in Jesus name.
4. Oh Lord, let the joy of the Holy Spirit flow in my heart fully with the Rivers of Living water in Jesus name.
5. Lord as I tarry and wait on you, come in the fullness of your power in Jesus name.
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