Fruit of the Spirit - Joy

<p>Good morning, Five Minute Families. Thank you for joining us this morning. We are Jim and Kim Nestle with Clear View Retreat. We have the honor and privilege of hosting family camps, marriage retreats, grief retreats, and more out here at our cabins in the woods of East Tennessee. It is a joy to do what we do. And, sometimes, it is exhausting, hot, trying, demanding, strenuous, lengthy, and downright difficult. And, still, it truly is a joy to do what we do.</p><p>John 15:11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.</p><p>Psalm 118:24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.</p><p>Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.</p><p>Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.</p><p>Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.</p><p>Now, a discussion about the biblical difference between happiness and joy might be coming after this series, but for now, we will stick specifically with discussing how a five-minute family can enhance the joy of their home. </p><p>As an attribute of the Holy Spirit, joy is more than just an emotional response to a situation. Just as peace and goodness are not to be simply responses to our circumstances, neither is joy. Joy is a choice we make, no matter what is going on. </p><p>So, five-minute families, to allow the Holy Spirit to cultivate joy in our homes, we need to…</p><p>First, accept the difficulties along with the good times. James 1:2 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.” He does not say to walk around and always feel joyful. He specifically says to “count it” as joy. The ‘it’ being life’s circumstances. We must intentionally pause, recognize the frustration or trial, but then choose to see what God may be doing in the midst of this difficult time.</p><p>Second, we must seek His direction in decisions.