got fruit?

JOYJOY

Happy people live longer. That is the conclusion of Marilyn Elias writing in USA Today. She quoted Beverly Bennett of Duke University Medical Center as saying, “People could potentially extend their life spans with positiveemotions.”

Brummet’s study followed 866 adults who had heart disease. Cheerful patients had a 20 percent better survival rate. Why the improvement? There are several possible factors. It

appears that cheerful peopleare less likely to produce

damaging hormones. Happypeople also enjoy more

social support.

Whatever the underlying cause, we should not be surprised. After all, the Bible reminds us that a merry heart is like medicine and the joy of the Lord is our strength.

sourcesJOYJOY

John 15:11 (ESV)“These things I have spoken to you,

that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

Psalm 4:7 (NLT)“You have given me greater joy

than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.”

comes fromJOYJOY1. God’s personal relationship w/you

(the right company)

2. God’s provision for you(what you need)

3. God’s promises to you(what you hope)

stealersJOYJOY1. “Bad Day”

What is your joy quota?

What would it take to upset you?

What is the difference between joyand happiness?

Happiness (circumstantial) differs from joyfulness (relational).

Joy becomes visible when happiness leaves the room.

stealersJOYJOY2. “Bad People”

Joy Suckers (others who seem to be gifted and compelled to lower your joy quota)

Joy suckers can take your happiness, but you must surrender your joy

John 16:22“Therefore you too have grief now;

but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.”

stealersJOYJOY3. Religion

Philippians 3:5,6(5) “circumcised the eighth day, of the

nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; (6) as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to

the righteousness

which is in the Law,

found blameless.”

Trusting in Ritual, running, religion, rules, reputation = “DUNG”

“Actually, God is one who delights in giving us our heart’s desire. In fact, he’s the one who gave us our desires in

the first place, and he gavethem to us not to frustrate us but to help us be useful andfulfilled in our service for him”

-John Fischer

stealersJOYJOY4. Guilt

Clear and Maintain your conscience from sin habits

from God and others

Psalm 37:4 (ESV)“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he

will give you the desires of your heart.”

stealersJOYJOY5. Procrastination