This Blog article is taken from a teaching and prophetic word Graham gave called “A Lifestyle of Joy Keeps Our Heart Fresh” on Brilliant TV.
Today covers our final key, Key #3, continuing from where we left off in Part 2, our previous Blog article.
The full teaching on Brilliant TV includes a lot more content, like a Crafted Psalm of Thanks, a Prophetic Word, and more… See the bottom of this article for details 👍
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Key #3 – Joy and rejoicing are always partnered with crises, problems and difficulties.
Anyone can rejoice when life is going well. However, maturity is defined by the quality of our celebration in oppositional circumstances. Rejoicing is designed to refresh our hearts before God when life is difficult.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke about two very significant blessings that we are exposed to when we experience intense stress and evil.
Matthew 5:10-1
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake.”
One of the great joys in my own life and ministry is to be persecuted for believing, practicing and teaching what it really means to be one with Christ.
I love that God gives us promises when we are under attack so that our rejoicing becomes even more powerful.
If legalistic, carnal believers realized how much their opposition, curses, accusations and judgements had been a rich source of blessing and encouragement over my life….they would be shocked to the core.
1 Peter 4:12-14 is my rock solid promise of full blessing from God.
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.”
Father and I share really fond memories of how His promises become my promotion.
- A promise means that blessing is assured therefore there is no need to be downcast, miserable or weighed down.
- Rejoicing kills our own negativity and prevents us being oppressed.
- A promise has a cutting edge that defeats the opposition and makes us incredibly cheerful in Jesus.
I don’t attack people. I don’t defend what I believe.
I simply want people to know the real truth of what it means to walk with a God who loves us fully and completely.
Really, we don’t require a reason for rejoicing and giving thanks.
When our eyes behold Jesus we become astonished by Him.
When I use the term “behold Jesus,” I am talking about focusing on Him in heart and mind, seeing Him in His beauty and glory.
Being unwilling to step back from a posture of thanks, rejoicing and worship.
His beautiful nature captivates our hearts. His delight in us is our source of inspiration, trust and rest in Him.
Coming to Him when I feel weary means that I am empowered to receive His rest and peace.
That is Matthew 11:28-30, it is a great promise to live in on days that are harsh and tough.
Read it for yourself and take it as a promise.
It empowers me to live and walk in the opposite spirit to what comes against me.
Proverbs 10:22
“The blessing of God makes us rich and adds no sorrow with it.”
Grief is temporary but joy is permanent.
“Rejoice and be glad” is a double portion when we need it the most.
The very idea that we can be cheerful and jump for joy when things go against us is so counterculture to the world.
It is so in keeping with God’s nature. The practice of the Way, Truth and Life makes us live from the Kingdom when the world is oppositional.
John 16:33
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Rejoicing is engagement!
It is where we betroth ourselves to God’s beautiful nature.
As we encounter His presence, we are empowered to contend against the enemy.
We can contest our circumstances better by rejoicing in who God is for us.
One of the best ways to do that is to create a psalm of thanks with the Creator… using a promise that He gave to you in the first place!
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The full teaching on Brilliant TV includes a lot more content, such as this Crafted Psalm of Thanks, a Prophetic Word from Graham, more wisdom and insight into how to live in this reality of Joy, and an Activation Assignment.
Check it out! 😊
