MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
December 18, 2024
The Third Person of the Godhead Series – Part 41
JOY: THE SECOND ‘FRUIT’ OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part 3)
Since this joy is a fruit borne of the Holy Spirit, who, unlike the incarnate Creator, “is devoid of the personality of humanity and independent thereof,” it is exclusively divine in nature and power. It cannot be manufactured, “new modeled,” or re-invented by any finite mortal nor duplicated or “cloned” by artificial intelligence. However, it is Satan, the “father of lies” and master deceiver, working through his evil agencies, who has all too successfully counterfeited joy (and all the other “fruits”) in many forms—all pseudo, fleeting, sensual, fleshly, and spiritualistic (the counterfeit of spiritual).
And since “spiritual things are spiritually discerned”, this joy can only be discerned and experienced with a spiritual mind, not a carnal one for “the carnal mind is at enmity with the law of God,” which is spiritual.
So, Jesus carefully taught His disciples to not only pray “the Lord’s Prayer” but “with importunity to ask, seek, and knock for the Holy Spirit.”(Luke 11:1-13).
Having first done this with a contrite heart and meek spirit, let us now savor the precious truths contained in the following sampling verses on joy, beginning with Psalms (kJV):
“Thou shalt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of JOY; at Thy right hand are pleasures forever more.” Ps.16:11, 12.
“For His anger endureth for but a moment; in His favor is life: weeping may endure for a night but JOY cometh in the morning.” Ps. 30:5.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence [in the Holy Spirit]; and take not the Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto to me the JOY of Thy salvation [from sin and Satan]; and uphold me with Thy free Spirit Ps. 51: 10-12.
“They that sow in tears shall reap in JOY. He that goeth forth and weepers, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with REJOICING, bringing his sheaves with him.” Ps. 126:5, 6; cf. Gal.6: 7-10.
To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.