True to the Core (Part 04): For the Joy of It

Values shape culture. 

Core Values

1. Jesus is our Message
2. People are our Heart
3. Generosity is our Privilege
4. Excellence is our Pursuit
5. Joy is our Attitude

4. IS OUR ATTITUDE

We choose joy no matter what. Our joy is not dependent upon feelings because the source of our joy is not found in our circumstances but our savior. We have fun and celebrate the wins along the way!

(Psalm 122:1) I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord.

(Proverbs 16:20 NLT) 20 Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful.

(John 15:11 NLT) 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

(Isaiah 61:3 )To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

What is Joy?  

Merriam-Webster says: it is the emotion evoked by well-being, success or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires. 

Joy is a strong feeling of happiness, a manifestation of happiness through an outward rejoicing or excitement.

(Proverbs 17:22) A joyful heart is good medicine, but I crushed spirit dries up the bones.  

(Romans 5:3-4  NLT) We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.

✓ ENDURANCE

Endurance is what drives us forward, even when all the odds are stacked against us. 

✓STRENGTH OF CHARACTER 

Character is the internal compass that directs our decisions on the mountain.

✓ HOPE OF SALVATION

Hope is while we cling to when our circumstances betray us. Hope believes that the top of the mountain is still coming, even when it looks like there’s no way through.

What Is The Difference Between Joy And Happiness

Happiness Is , Joy Is

(John 15:11 NLT) 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

Happiness Is , Joy Is

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT) 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 

Happiness Is , Joy Is

Galatians 5:19- 21 (NLT) 19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

Happiness Is on Earth, Joy Is a More Spiritual with God

(Galatians 5:22-23 NLT) But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

(John 10:28-30 NLT) I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, 29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. 30 The Father and I are one.”

Happiness Is Not Necessarily , Joy Is Purely

(2 Corinthians 6:10) Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.

(2 Corinthians 6:4-5) In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. 5 We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food.

(1 Peter 1:8-9) You love him even though you have never seen Him. Though you do not see Him now, you trust Him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 9 The reward for trusting Him will be the salvation of your souls.