è Luke 2:8-14

è Jesus is the JOY OF THE LORD PERSONIFIED! (See John 17:13)

è Is Joy a feeling or a FORCE?

• True Joy can involve the emotions but is not just a feeling.

• Real Joy is a spiritual force which precedes from your reborn spirit!!

• A fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22; John 15:11)

• Real Joy sustains us (Nehemiah 8:10; Hebrews 12:2)

• Real Joy energizes our will to go on and go through! (James 1:2)

✸ Grinches: the killers of joy!!

Three “spiritual Grinches” that attack our Joy …. Especially in this season:

è Condemnation:

• Personal condemnation is from satan (Revelation 12:10)

• Focus is off Christ and on “me”

• Is rooted in unbelief!

• God’s Word is His view of you! (2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 1:3-7)

• Walking in condemnation is an insult to the God of Grace!

• Self-condemnation spreads to criticism of others

è Culture: set patterns of life, seasons, observances producing expectations, pressure to perform, fear of failure to please others, etc.

• Recognize the source of these pressures, fears, and bring them to the Lord in prayer for His correction and Grace to help!

• This season can sometimes be emotionally painful. Memories can rush to the surface and bring pain.

• It’s not sin to feel pain and express it. It is not spiritually healthy to allow your emotions to paralyze you and keep you from functioning and working through the pain.

• Consider: reach out to an inner circle you can trust to listen and pray. Don’t neglect individual and corporate worship. Don’t neglect food, rest and movement. Professionals are usually allies!