Psalm 100:1–2
"Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing."
(NKJV)

Proverbs 10:28"The hope of the righteous will be gladness, but the expectation of the wicked will perish." (NKJV)

Psalm 68:3"But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God; yes, let them rejoice exceedingly." (NKJV)

Isaiah 12:3
"Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." (NKJV)

Psalm 5:11
"But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy..." (NKJV)

Psalm 144:15
"...happy are the people whose God is the Lord!" (NKJV)John 15:11"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full." (NKJV)

1 Peter 1:8
"...joy unspeakable and full of glory." (KJV)

Joy Thieves – Things That Rob Us of Joy

1. Becoming Weary in Well Doing

Galatians 6:9"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (NIV)

2. Identity Lies.

I must have the approval of others to have joy.
I must perform at a certain level to be happy.
I have failed, so I am unworthy of love and joy.
I am what I am; I cannot change.

3. Sin
Isaiah 33:14
"The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness has seized the hypocrites..." (NKJV)

Sin will keep you from the presence of God, but the presence of God will keep you from sin.
1 John 1:9
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (NIV)

Grace is something we stand in and not something we strive for.4. (Not shown in uploaded pages)


5. Joy Leaves When We Choose Comfort Over Calling

a. Choosing safety over vision.
b. Passiveness instead of passion — passivity and patience are not synonymous.

6. Joy Leaves When Fear Takes Over
Isaiah 41:10
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (NIV)
Psalm 34:4
"I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears." (NIV)
1 John 4:18
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment..." (NIV)
2 Timothy 1:7
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." (NKJV)

Faith is believing what you cannot see will come to pass.Fear is believing what you cannot see will come to pass.
7. When What Was Once Precious Becomes Common

a. Joy leaves when worship is not a priority.

"Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness."
b. Perfect love casts out fear.