Acts 27:25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

Did you know that the Lord wants you to come to a place that you have something beyond being happy? The higher place is called joy! Happiness is based on circumstances; it is a result produced from the five senses. Joy, however, is produced from the Holy Spirit; you can have joy even when you don't feel happy. Most people know the scripture that says, "The joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10). So, we can see from this scripture that joy produces strength, but do you know what produces joy?

I want to give you five different things that I see produces joy according to the Word of God. First, the Word itself produces joy; Jeremiah 15:16 says, "Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart…" Second, which is similar, is what Jesus speaks to you, either through the written or spoken Word; John 15:11 says, "These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." Third, is prayer; John 16:24 says, "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My Name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." Fourth, is walking in the spirit and producing the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22 says that joy is a fruit of the Spirit, and Galatians 5:16 says you produce that fruit by walking in the spirit. Finally, getting in the presence of God will produce joy; Psalm 16:11 says, "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy…" You and I do these things on a regular basis, but if you will believe, there will also be a byproduct of joy in your life. So, the next time you get into the Word, or receive something from what the Lord has said, or pray (talk to God), or walk in the spirit, or get in the presence of God, expect joy to come to you.

Now, I want to leave you with a thought about joy and what should be happening in our lives because we are believers. We are people of faith. We trust God. Paul told the guys on the ship something that I like to remind myself of. They were on a sinking ship and yet, Paul had a visit with the Lord; and he came out of that visit saying this in Acts 27:25, "Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told to me." He said, “Cheer up fellas; I have been with the Lord! I have received a word from Him, and I believe it; and everything is going to be alright.” When we believe God, when we are in faith, when we trust God, we will have joy, and we will then be able to encourage everyone around us. It says in 1Peter 1:8, "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." When we believe, we can rejoice with joy, unspeakable and full of glory. Turn the joy on right now and have a little or even a big laugh, right now!