The Secret to Joy by Ben Courson

Philippians 1:3-5... The Secret to Joy

Joyful prayer is the secret to being filled with joy. Being in the presence of God is joyful, praying for others in the presence of God is also "joyfilling."

Let's get real, everyone is looking for the "secret" to Joy. Everyone wants joy, great joy even. And, if you have some joy, it seems you'll always want more - and that's not a bad thing. It's all right to seek and receive more joy! As a matter of fact, there is no limit to how much joy one person can have, so seek all you can get!

Even though everyone seems to want more joy, some people claim to be joyless. Some people look to be joyless. The joyless people consider themselves blessed to receive any level of joy, even if it's rare.

"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." Luke 2:10

So, I have a question about joy, or the lack thereof. Why is it that a nation as blessed and as prosperous as the United States of America has no joy? If everyone is seeking joy yet very few claims to find it, why is joy so elusive? Is there a secret to finding joy? Ben Courson of Hope Generation thinks there is.

Ben believes we were made to have MEGA JOY! I agree with Ben. So, if we were made to have joy without limits, what is the secret to finding joy?

The Secret To Joy - Sermon By Ben Courson

Ben claims the secret to obtaining joy is found in the forward momentum as we move forward into the presence of God. Moving forward despite what we think, or what we see, but to move forward in faith with hope, seeking earnestly with expectation until we experience the joy of God's presence. Ben explains, "to achieve any growth or acceleration there must be forward momentum."

"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." John 15:11

It's in the forward momentum that we find motivation, and it's in the momentum forward we find joy. Without forward momentum, there can be no new motivation, and without continued motivation, we won't enjoy consistent forward movement - no joy!

What does all this mean? It means to have joy we must move, act, and make some investments. We have to go beyond our thinking and beyond our mind, and we must do the work. In moving forward, doing the work, we find joy.

For example, we might want to lose a few extra pounds after Christmas, but if it remains a "want" with action behind it, no forward momentum, then we will not see growth. No movement forward no momentum and therefore no new motivation, no joy.

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2

On the other hand, by moving forward, we create momentum which then creates movement which then leads to joy!

God Promises to Give Us His Spirit - A Future with Hope!

Forgetting what lies behind, forward momentum into the presence of God. It will take a lot of work, but we have the grace of God. The secret to Joy is the forward momentum into the presence of God, through prayer.

Going forward into the presence of God to pray, to pray for others, to pray for others, and to pray for healing. To pray is to talk to God, to seek Him with all your heart.

"For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now, therefore, ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;" Ephesians 2:18

God's promise is, to those who seek Him with all their heart, they will find Him. Those who are in His presence are forever changed, transformed, set free, empowered, made clean, justified, and translated into the Kingdom of God.

Joy is an Act of Defiance and Being Joyful is the Practice of Defiance

If you want to be really defiant, love others, and be filled with the joy of God in defiance to the darkness and the dark forces of this world. When we are full of God's joy we defy the devil and his schemes.

Being Joyful is to risk delight and receive defeat. For those who seek joy to the fullness, we must risk. We can't play scared, but we must seek and risk delight to be in the joyful presence of God. Be bold, seek God and claim His precious promises, especially the promise of His Spirit!

Light The Lamp of Joy - Do Not Lose Heart

We light the lamp of God that burns brightly within us, shining forth the goodness of God through us. When we are going through the darkness and we are under attack it is the time to be joyful and be the light for others.

We need to stubbornly hold on to our joy and gladness, even in the fires and furnaces of this world. Joy becomes my act of defiance and as you seek the presence of God in prayer for others you will defeat the enemy.

Why We Don't Pray - What Lies Do We Need to Overcome.

Some people believe that prayer can't change things, but we can. Some people believe that God is sovereign and God is on the throne, so why do I need to pray? The two reasons people don't pray is that we don't think prayer will work but our efforts and our involvement and our hard work will work. And, other reasons.

Be Agents of Change in the World

We are God's hands and feet on the earth and He works in us and through us to change the world around us. If you think you can change the world around you without God, good luck.

However, if you want to be an agent to change the world, seek joy in the presence of God. Seek God's presence because it is a promise. And, while in the presence of God, ask for His favor and His grace and His love to impact the world and people around you and beyond.

"in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him." Ephesians 3:12

Be joyful because you get to pray for those you love while in the presence of God.

"Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;" Philippians 1:2-5

For more about Ben Courson and this particular video, click here.