How about joy unspeakable and rivers of living water?
When
my siblings began giving their hearts to the Lord the year I was born, it
scared Mama. My sister, Marjorie, went to the Holy Roller church!
Mom
went with her the second time and was so afraid she sat on the step outside and
listened. Finally, she got up nerve to go inside.
Actually
the people weren’t swinging from the chandeliers (there weren’t any), but when
Marjorie committed her life to Jesus she was so changed for the better, obeying her parents and so filled with joy that my parents noticed.
Other siblings, invited by their friends, joined Marj.
I
grew up attending that Pentecostal church and I’ve been Pentecostal all my life.
Although I’ve witnessed many miracles and changed lives, I never saw anyone
roll in my church.
Bit I experienced the joy in our house, which was filled with singing and
music. My siblings had a purpose to their lives and went on to establish
businesses, and to higher education and productive careers—all the time filled
with contentment and joy.
I
can’t figure out why the people who coined the phrase “Holy Rollers” didn’t
come to church to figure out about why people were joyful. We did used to get pretty loud
in our singing and sometimes people shouted when they knew their sins were
wiped away, their deaf ears were opened, or a loved one came to the Lord. If you watch how people act on Wheel of Fortune when they receive money or prizes, that's the response folks had when God touched their souls.
People
used to peek in the windows of our church to see what was going on. Some came
inside weeping and gave their lives to Christ.
Christians don't have to be Pentecostal, however, to experience this joy because it comes from submitting to our Heavenly Father and knowing Jesus.
I
tell the story of my family’s conversion; how I came to a commitment; miracles ,
signs and wonders I've seen; and what it was like being Pentecostal in my book, Confessions of a Pentecostal, first
published in 1978 by the Assemblies of God’s Gospel Publishing House and
released in April as an e-book. An epilogue reveals some of what has happened
since 1978.
As I said, joy
is a byproduct of knowing God. Here are a few scriptures that speak of joy. Since I found so many, I'll give you more later.
***
Whom having
not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye
rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory (1 Peter 1:8).
Anyone who
believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of
living water will flow from his heart” John 7:38).
Nehemiah
said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those
who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for
the joy of the LORD is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10).
But
let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in
you” (Psalm 5:10-12).
You
will show me the path of life;In Your presence is fullness of joy; At
Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:10-11).
For
His anger is but for a moment,His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a
night, But joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).
Sing
to Him a new song;Play skillfully with a shout of joy (Psalm 33:3).
Then
will I go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will
praise you with the harp, O God, my God (Psalm 43:4).
Restore
unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit
(Psalm 51:12).
Shout
with joy to God, all the earth! (Psalm 66:2).
The
prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to
nothing (Proverbs 10:28).
Therefore
with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation (Isaiah
12:3).
But
your dead will live; their bodies will rise. You who dwell in the dust, wake up
and shout for joy. Your dew is like the dew of the morning; the earth
will give birth to her dead (Isaiah 26:19).
And
the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and
everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and
gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away (Isaiah 35:10).
For ye shall go out with joy, and be
led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you
into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands” (Isaiah
55:12).
To
console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy
for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may
be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be
glorified” (Isaiah 61:3).
So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word” Matthew 28:8).
He
will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his
birth” (Luke 1:13-15).
Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people (Luke 2:10).
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