True Joy is only found in those who walk the walk. Not just talk the talk.

"I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart... deep down in my heart..." I'm sure most believers have sung this song growing up. How is your heart today? Is it full of Joy?

When does true Joy first enter our lives?

The day we accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour. We also sang "Joy to the world, the Lord has come...let earth receive her King" growing up. When the Lord comes, and our hearts (earth) receive Him as King, and prepare THE (best) room for Him - then we are filled with joy. Our hearts receive the seed of His Word and the Spirit of God nourishes us to grow and bear fruit for His glory.

I'm not sure how many are able to pray with tears today. Hearts are getting hardened because of the deceitfulness of sin and harbouring bitterness against fellow brothers and sisters.

I want to share ONE key way to continue preserving this true Joy.

Praying with tears is akin to sowing seeds. 

“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” Psalms 126:5 

We know we are in the last days, our spirits feel the burden as godlessness increases. Love is waxing cold, and hearts are filling with despair and hopelessness. More people are depressed and suicidal than ever before.

'But Jesus, turning toward them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. ' Luke 23:28

Why weep?

The times are bad, and the future is going to be horrible for those who do not stay focused on growing in the Lord. Changing cultures, Media and Technology are all impacting newer generations negatively. The statistics are appalling!

Parents are finding it difficult to relate with their children. Children think their parents are totally out of touch with reality. While this has been a common phenomenon every generation, the rate at which the darkness is rising is new. Spirit led believers know when the darkness grows, the light shines brighter.

When we cry out to the Lord, God hears. Here are five reasons to cry to the Lord and be filled with His Joy.

• Cry for salvation: This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. (Psalms 34:6) (Psalms 107:6)
• Cry for Healing: O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. (Psalms 30:2)
• Cry of Praise: I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue. (Psalms 66:17)
• Cry for obedience: I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord: I will keep thy statutes. (Psalms 119:145)
• Cry for inner strength: In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul. (Psalms 138:3)

For those who haven't been baptised by Holy Spirit yet since they believed, cry out sincerely to the Lord. The Lord is gracious! Not just for yourself, but for others too.

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:9-13)

After we receive the true joy of salvation, we must preserve our life by continuing in the experiences shared above to enter into a life of joy forever.