Have you ever been ripped off?  I think all of us have.

In the world, what comes around goes around.  If you do evil things, evil will come back to you.  Better yet, if you do good, good will come back to you.  This doesn’t matter if you have repented and know Jesus or not.

However, as a believer, we have something better. If someone steals from you, you have to do two things. 
1) Make the thief known (whether it be spiritually or sometimes to their face).
2) Never lose your joy, even if you get ripped off. 

You’ve got to know that the thief has to repay you seven fold.  Proverbs 6:30-31 makes that clear.

As a believer, we have to really work to keep our joy.  Below are eight reasons why you must keep your joy.

8 Reasons for Believer’s Have Joy
1. Yahweh is your strength-
Neh 8:10
10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
8:10 さらに、ネヘミヤは彼らに言った。「行って、上等な肉を食べ、甘いぶどう酒を飲みなさい。何も用意できなかった者にはごちそうを贈ってやりなさい。きょうは、私たちの主のために聖別された日である。悲しんではならない。あなたがたの力を【主】が喜ばれるからだ。」
2. There is full joy in Yahweh’s Presence
Ps 16:11
11 You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
16:11 あなたは私に、いのちの道を知らせてくださいます。あなたの御前には喜びが満ち、あなたの右には、楽しみがとこしえにあります。

3.  We Yahweh’s Saints can shout for Joy! 
Ps 132:16
16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation,
And her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
132:16 その祭司らに救いを着せよう。その聖徒らは大いに喜び歌おう。

4. Joy realizes Your Salvation
Isa 12:3
3 Therefore with joy you will draw water
from the wells of salvation.
12:3 あなたがたは喜びながら救いの泉から水を汲む。

5. Yahweh’s Joy is Ever Lasting
Isa 35:10
10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return,
And come to Zion with singing,
With everlasting joy on their heads.
They shall obtain joy and gladness,
And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
35:10 【主】に贖われた者たちは帰って来る。彼らは喜び歌いながらシオンに入り、その頭にはとこしえの喜びをいただく。楽しみと喜びがついて来、悲しみと嘆きとは逃げ去る。

6. God’s Joy Remaining In You Makes You Full
John 15:11
11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
15:11 わたしがこれらのことをあなたがたに話したのは、わたしの喜びがあなたがたのうちにあり、あなたがたの喜びが満たされるためです。

7. Yahweh wants us to ask in His Name.
John 16:24
24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
16:24 あなたがたは今まで、何もわたしの名によって求めたことはありません。求めなさい。そうすれば受けるのです。それはあなたがたの喜びが満ち満ちたものとなるためです。
8. Yahweh’s Kingdom is Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the HS.
Rom 14:17
17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
14:17 なぜなら、神の国は飲み食いのことではなく、義と平和と聖霊による喜びだからです。

Posted on 10 August, 2009