Read Galatians 5:22-23:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Are you ready to make an investment in the Fruit of Joy?

Read Nehemiah 8:10:

And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”

Stay with this verse and allow it to penetrate, then select the 'successful' response when you are ready to proceed.

Describe a circumstance where you experienced the joy of the Lord. Be specific.

Take a moment to relive that memory in your mind. Notice the details: the smells, the colors, the emotions you were feeling. Take time to give this Step all you've got!

Select the 'successful' response when you are finished.

Before Nehemiah speaks the well known verse Nehemiah 8:10, listen to what is happening beforehand. First, in Nehemiah 8:6:

"Then Ezra praised the Lord, the great God, and all the people chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground."

Now it's your turn! Praise and worship the Lord however you wish and take as much time as you like! If you enjoy writing, you can write your praise and worship in the space provided.

Second, in Nehemiah 8:7-8:

"The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah—then instructed the people in the Law while everyone remained in their places. They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage."

Ask the Holy Spirit to bring you to a Bible verse. If you don't hear or sense Him bringing you to a particular verse, write down whatever verse comes to your mind.

Write the verse in the space provided.

Now, ask the Holy Spirit to deepen your understanding of this Bible verse.

Write down any revelation you receive in the space provided.

If the Lord revealed to you a deeper understanding of the Bible verse you chose, is there anything you would like to confess or to repent of?

If 'Yes', you can do so privately or in the space provided.

Lastly, in Nehemiah 8:7-10:

"Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, “Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the Lord your God.” For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”

Through Christ's joy, this "is a sacred day before the Lord your God". Choose one action you can do today to celebrate it and watch as God renews your strength! (Note: don't over think this, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal an action or do the first thing that comes to your mind.)

Write down the action in the space provided.

Is there someone you would like to share this isoBlog with? If so, go to the Share tab above.

How much has this isoBlog increased the Fruit of Joy in your present dispositon?