Let there be joy

Let There Be Joy

by Unlisted

1 Let there be joy, let there be peace, let there be power, let there be praise. Let there be joy, joy in the Holy Ghost. It was for freedom that we were set free, let ev'ry mountain be cast to the sea, Let there be joy, joy in the Holy Ghost

2. We will declare it to the heavens, the righ-teous-ness of God in which we stand. We will proclaim it to the nations; ev'ry eye shall see, ev'ry ear shall hear, ev'ry heart will un-der-stand.

3. (Repeat from beginning)

4. Let there be joy, let there be peace, let there be power, let there be praise. Let there be joy, joy in the Holy Ghost. It was for freedom that we were set free, let ev'ry mountain be cast to the sea, Let there be joy, joy in the Holy Ghost

Let there be joy, joy in the Holy Ghost Let there be joy, joy in the Holy Ghost ( a little slower)

End Times Witnessing: PEACE – the third piece of armor

Jesus said “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. ” (John 10:10)

What does the thief (Satan) try to steal, kill and destroy? The watchman heard today that it is “Peace”! The Holy Spirit spoke through Paul to the believers, “The God of Peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” (Romans 16:20) It is therefore obvious why the enemy does not want you to have peace!

How do you lose your peace? It is not difficult to detect. Losses in physical material possessions, in marriage and relationship, in matters that you think give you security and pride etc. The key word that causes you to lose your peace is “losses”.

"Satan's arsenal consists of such things as fear, worry, doubt and self-pity. Every one of these weapons robs us of peace and leaves us troubled inside. Do you want to discern where the enemy is coming against you? In the network of your relationships, wherever you do not have peace, you have war. Conversely, wherever you have peace, you have victory." ("The Three Battlegrounds, Francis Frangipane)

How not to lose your peace?


You need to be spiritually minded to have true peace

Romans 8:5-7 (NKJV) 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.

Peace is the third piece of the whole armor of God

Romans 10:15
And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “ How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

Ephesians 6:15
and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;


Jesus is the Prince of Peace

Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.


Only Jesus gives supernatural peace to those who believe in and follow Him

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 16:33
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

(take note: only in Jesus you can have peace. If you are in the world you will have tribulation! Are you in Christ?)


Peace comes with Salvation (Jesus)!

Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things,Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, “ Your God reigns!”

Luke 2:14 “ Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

Acts 10:36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—

Romans 5:1
[ Faith Triumphs in Trouble ] Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Having Peace means you are living with other saints in the Kingdom of God!

Romans 1:7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 13:11
[ Greetings and Benediction ] Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Galatians 6:16
[ Blessing and a Plea ] And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

Philippians 4:7
and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:9
The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Colossians 3:15
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Having Peace means the power of the Holy Spirit is upon you!

Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The God of Peace (Jesus) has Power and Authority over Satan

Romans 16:20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Confusion in churches of the saints is from Satan1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion but ofpeace, as in all the churches of the saints.

God of Peace Himself sanctifies you

1 Thessalonians 5:23 [ Blessing and Admonition ] Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 13:20 [ Benediction, Final Exhortation, Farewell ] Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

Peace multiplied in the knowledge of God (by the Spirit and Blood)

2 Peter 1:2
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,

1 Peter 1:2
elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

Acts 9:31
[ The Church Prospers ] Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.

Peace and righteousness are together

Romans 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Hebrews 7:2 to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,”

James 3:18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Be in Christ! Then you will not lose your peace!
Don't forget John 10:10 - the enemy will always try to come to steal peace. Focus on Jesus!

Day three: be merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, persecuted for righteousness sake

I got up late as I forgot that today was the day of prayer as a “watchman” (in prayer) for the city. When I managed to start praying it was 6.15am. I read the verses from the hymns of worship and praise instead of singing. I reaffirmed my belief through the reading of “We believe” written by Graham Kendrick. “We believe in God the Father, Maker of the universe, and in Christ His Son our Savior, come to us by virgin birth. We believe He died to save us, bore our sins, was crucified. Then from death He rose victorious, ascended to the Father’s side. We believe He sends His Spirit on His church with gifts of power. God His word of truth affirming sends us to the nations now. He will come again in glory judge the living and dead. Every knee shall bow before Him, then must every tongue confess, Jesus Lord of all, Name above all names.”
After reading I prayed for the city, using a booklet prepared by the prayer group. Based on my previous day’s reading of the words from Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel I prayed that the people here will repent, humble themselves, thirst for righteousness (Jesus), be meek and gentle, and mourn for the terrible conditions many are in right now, in captivity and held under the bondage of vices and darkness.
What a wonderful city this will be when that happens! (I admit I am an idealist. I am a realist too. I believe. Otherwise there is no point foregoing my sleep. )
MERCIFUL
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy”. (Matthew 5:7)
“Blessed is he who considers the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble”. Psalm 41:1 is the cross reference. How do I apply this today? I took this to mean doing a merciful deed to the poor today when given the opportunity. The repair workman was here again today to fix the roof. He wanted to come at 8am but I was not available. He said he would come around 11-12pm but he only turned up at 1.45pm! The workman/proprietor was alone (cutting cost?) and only finished his work in the late afternoon. After that I had to rush off to reach the government office before it closed to pay some important bills due. The usual roads were blocked and I was diverted into a police station! Thank God the police man was courteous and showed me the new direction. I arrived seconds before the closing time!
PURE IN HEART
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God”. (Matthew 5:8). This verse cross referred to Psalm 15:2, in which King David described the person who could draw near to God: “he who walks uprightly, and works righteously, and speaks the truth in his heart”. He believed in God’s presence. He put God in every aspect of his life. No wonder he saw God in his spirit. Even when David failed to meet the standards of God he continued to seek God’s presence. This was the clue to seeing God.
I am no David. I need to improve in appreciating the reality of God’s presence in my life. I need to read the Bible with the intention to increasing heart knowledge of God instead of head knowledge. Jesus defined eternal life as He prayed for us in John 17:3 “and this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent”. Eternal life is knowing God and Jesus!
PEACEMAKERS
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). This verse reminds me that Jesus, the Son of God is called the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). In the Book of Ephesians (2:14-19), Apostle Paul pointed out the fact that Jesus Himself is our peace. He has by His blood, made peace and reconciled us to God through the cross. Through Him we have access by the Holy Spirit to the Father (God). In verse 19 Paul declared: “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household”.
The peacemakers are those who lead others to make peace with God. How do I apply this requirement? I shall continue to write and hopefully reach some friends and strangers who are seeking to make peace with God.
PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS’ SAKE
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10). This requirement seems tough for me. However, Proverbs 16:7 stated that “when a man’s way pleases the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him”. Apostle Peter also encouraged us in I Peter 3:13-14, “and who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”
I shall certainly heed the advice of a senior citizen in God’s kingdom. She advised young Christians to ask God to work into them, to put iron in their souls so they will be ready when the tests come.
Review for the day: it dawned on me that the blessings requirements were all meant for our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. They form a basis for me to interact with God.
AAA Jack
2009-02-27