Joy In The Morning by Apostle Joshua Selman: MP3 Download & Sermon Notes

INTRODUCTION: WEEPING AND JOY

Psalm 30:5 - "For his anger endureth but for a moment. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."

Two Key Concepts:

1. Weeping and Joy - two spiritual states
2. Night and Morning - timing determines which state you remain in

The continuity of weeping or joy depends on whether the believer is in their nighttime or morning spiritually. When it is night, you remain perpetually in weeping. But when your day breaks, weeping comes to an end.

UNDERSTANDING NIGHT AND DAY SPIRITUALLY

Genesis 1:1-5 - God created division between light and darkness, calling the light "day" and the darkness "night."

Critical Truth: When the Bible talks about night, it means darkness. When it talks about day, it means light. Weeping endures for as long as there is darkness - not based on calendar time (January, February, etc.), but spiritual state.

You can be in the day physically (12 noon) but spiritually still in night. Many people wake up in the morning and sleep at night, but nothing changes in their lives because it is only physically that night and day oscillate - in the realm of the spirit, it is perpetually night for them.

WHAT IS SPIRITUAL LIGHT?

Light in scripture represents the body of spiritual knowledge that empowers the believer to walk in dominion experientially.

John 1:5 - "And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not."

When you get saved, you receive eternal life, but unfolding the riches of that life depends on the extent of knowledge. You can be saved but if in ignorance, you will have the life of God in you but never enjoy the riches that come with that life.

Isaiah 60:1 (Amplified) - "Arise from the depression and the prostration that circumstances have kept you. Rise to a new light."

CHARACTERISTICS OF DARKNESS:

Darkness in scripture is generally associated with:

• Weeping
• Ignorance
• Demonic activities
• Pain, losses, depletion, degradation
• Anything representing despair and hopelessness

The Bible speaks of "rulers of darkness" - their dominion is in the presence of ignorance. Every time there is ignorance, their dominion is allowed to find expression.

Ephesians 4:18 - "Having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their minds."

The real strength of Satan is the ignorance of the believer.

THE POWER OF LIGHT:

When God wants to help a man or show mercy, He shortens the distance between you and light - He shortens the distance between you and your access to knowledge.

Example: The man at the pool of Bethesda was afflicted for 38 years. It started with one day, then one week, then one month. He probably thought "by 2024 things will change" - but it became 38 years. If Jesus had not stepped in, it would have been his lifetime.

What "Weeping" Means: Not just physical crying, but a figurative expression representing a state of despair, pain, hopelessness, and the reign of darkness over a person's life. A believer will remain in that condition for as long as it is nighttime (absence of light).

THREE KEYS THAT TURN YOUR NIGHT TO DAY

KEY #1: DEPLOY THE POWER OF PRAYER

Philippians 1:19 - "For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer."

Prayer, if engaged with understanding, sustains the power to turn any situation to become for your salvation. This situation, this pain, this untimely death, this demonic attack, this joblessness, this satanic oppression shall turn.

The Believer's First Response: When believers find ourselves in unfavorable situations, we often lament about it and discuss with people who have no power to help us. We don't deploy the very key that has been given to help believers turn their night to day.

Example: Blind Bartimaeus

Jesus was passing Jericho for the last time. The man was born blind. He could have been offended that Jesus passed him by, but instead he cried out "Thou son of David, have mercy on me!" This is based on demand and supply - if you do not call, there is no response.

Jeremiah 33:3 - "Call upon me and I will answer." It didn't say "assume and I will answer." Verbalize your need for God.

Critical Truth: The highest expression of pride in the kingdom is prayerlessness.

Prayerlessness is:

• Not just sin - it is pride
• A demonstration of unwillingness to receive assistance from heaven
• A declaration of independence outside the help of God

James 5:13 - "Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray."

The First Response to Any Crisis:

Instead of announcing problems and bringing shame, PRAY. The mother who sees her son going wayward - let her pray. The man who finds a gang-up against his integrity at work - learn from Daniel and pray.

Example: Daniel - When they conspired against him, he said "I may not have the power to go to the king, but I can pray." When prayer is engaged with understanding, you release the forces of heaven to come to your advantage.

Truth About Spiritual Warfare: You don't need to trouble anyone to be attacked. Once you are on earth, you are a potential victim. If Satan killed children under 2 years old (when Jesus was born), what makes you believe he will spare you? He will not wait till the testimony arrives - he will steal, kill, and destroy. But those who will be victorious are men who understand prayer.

Example: Woman with Issue of Blood and Jairus's Daughter

Both issues were 12 years long. Jesus saw both because two people refused to keep quiet. The woman said "If I may but touch the hem of his garment" and got up by faith. Jairus said "My daughter cannot meet you but I can - please speak the word only."

There is no hospital that goes around looking for patients. The hospital is built and patients find their way there. Even if you cannot lift your head, get there.

Example: Acts 12 - Peter's Deliverance

Acts 12:1-12 - Herod beheaded James. When he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to catch Peter. This is the character of Satan - he starts with headache and you say "it's just stress," then he proceeds further. Every time Satan attacks and you keep quiet, you give him authorization to proceed further.

The difference between Peter and James: We don't see a record that the church prayed over James's condition. But verse 5 says prayer was made without ceasing unto God by the church for Peter. Angels came and delivered him.

Acts 12:11 - "Now I know of a surety that the Lord hath sent his angel and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews."

God delivers men from TWO things:

1. The trouble itself
2. The expectation of the wicked - people who expect you to fail, expect your children to cry

Psalm 3 - "O Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! Many are they that say of my soul, there is no help for him in God. But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head."

Prayer Declaration: Anyone secretly wishing to hear you crying will waste their time for the rest of your life. Anyone who comes against you in the spirit of Sanballat and Tobias to make sure you do not build - the hand that began that building will complete it. Anyone who comes against you in the spirit of Haman - the pits they dug for you will bury them there.

How God Shames Your Enemy: He will make the person your enemy respects to honor you in the presence of your enemy. (See the story of Ahasuerus, Haman, and Mordecai - Esther 6)

KEY #2: WORD-BASED, FAITH-FILLED CONFESSIONS

When you are in darkness or trouble, it's not just time to pray - it's also time to release the word of God.

Genesis 1:3 - God was not praying, God was creating. "Let there be light" - and there was light.

Prayer needs your speaking. Creation needs your speaking. The difference:

• In one instance you are talking TO God
• In another instance you are prophesying
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Apostle Joshua Selman
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Isaiah 43:26 - "Declare ye, that thou mayest be justified."

Psalm 107:2 - "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so."

Not just think so - SAY it. If you know you are the redeemed, then say it. Don't keep quiet.

Practical Application:

You get a medical report about a growth and doctors say you may not survive two years. Thank the doctor, but then shut yourself in and say "In the name of Jesus, the Bible says death and life are in the power of the tongue. Therefore I speak: with length of days, the fullness of my days I will fulfill."

Assignment of the Spirit of Depression: Either to keep you silent or to keep you in partnership with the devil by speaking negatively.

Important Distinction: This is not about "positive confession" - it must be WORD-BASED. You can speak positively, but if it's not consistent with the word of God, you will not create anything. It is not positive confession that creates realities - it is the word of God.

Biblical Confessions:

• "The Lord is my light and my salvation. I declare my year will end well."
• "My path is as a shining light, it shines brighter and brighter. I will never have a better last year."
• "My children are blessed of the Lord. Great is their peace."
• "I will not give birth to a child that will send me to my grave early."
• "Gentiles come to my light, kings to the brightness of thy rising."
• "I have an excellent spirit. I am exceptional in my work like Daniel."

Job 22:28 - "When men say there is a casting down, thou shalt say there is a lifting up."

Isaiah 8:20 - "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."

When men carry light, there is a manner they speak.

Personal Declaration: "I can fail alone, but me and God cannot fail together. Once you introduce God to the equation, the calculation changes. Zero plus God can become 10, can become 1 million."

What You Must Say:

• "I'm victorious"
• "I am a child of God"
• "I am the head and not the tail"
• "I am above and not beneath"
• "My path is as a shining light"
• "I am favored"
• "The hand of God is upon my life"
• "The grace of God is upon my life"
• "Glory to glory is my testimony"
• "Grace to grace is my testimony"
• "Power to power is my testimony"
• "Victory to victory is my testimony"
• "I shall not die but live and declare the works of the Lord"
• "God has not given me the spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind"
• "2025, you must end well for me"
• "2026, I receive you in victory, in favor, in celebration"

Never allow the devil to be the last person to speak over your life. If he says you will fail, don't just say "I don't believe I will fail" - say "I CANNOT fail. The hand of God is at work in my life."

KEY #3: PRAISE WITH UNDERSTANDING

There is a difference between dancing in church as mere entertainment versus praise with understanding. What gives power to your spiritual activity is the understanding that supports it.

2 Samuel 22:4 / Psalm 18:3 - "I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies."

Example: Acts 16 - Paul and Silas

Acts 16:25 - They cast out the spirit of divination from a damsel, were blackmailed and sent to prison. "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them."

Why "At Midnight"? The Bible shows us how to turn weeping to joy. At midnight - where the darkness is - start from there. Don't wait for day to come. At midnight, start.

While they sang and praised, suddenly there was an earthquake. When the blessings from praise came, everybody benefited - both those who sang and the other prisoners.

Critical Difference: When angels came to other biblical deliverances, doors opened one by one. But when GOD HIMSELF came (through the earthquake), ALL doors opened at once.

ALL doors will open at once:

• Financial doors
• Marital doors
• Fruitfulness doors
• Career doors
• Ministry doors
• Doors of promotion

Sing at Midnight:

With no salary, with no job, when they've told you tomorrow they're downsizing and your name is number one, when mockers and naysayers are hoping your husband will die from sickness - AT MIDNIGHT lift your voice in worship. Sing, rejoice, dance, celebrate.

When people ask "What are you doing when you should be crying?" tell them "I found the key to victory."

THE POWER OF ONE DAY

"But Apostle, today is the 27th [of December]. How can things change?"

How many days did it take God to create the heavens and the earth? Isaiah 66:8 - "Who hath heard such a thing? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? Shall a nation be born at once?"

One day. That's all God needs.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

Breaking of Darkness:

• Let there be light over your finances
• Let there be light over your children
• Let there be light over your health

End of Warfare:

• Your warfare is coming to an end
• Every garment of shame and reproach - be torn now

Opening of Doors:

• Every door shut from January-December, be open now
• Be open, be open, be open

Breaking of Yokes:

• Every yoke not placed by God, be broken now
• Break now, break now, break now

Go Forward:

Exodus 14:15 - "Why criest thou unto me? Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward."

How you know the spirit of delay is at work: If the only thing that grows in your life is your age. Nothing else grows - wisdom doesn't grow, achievements don't grow, only your age.

• Go forward in Lagos
• Go forward in your work
• Go forward in family
• Go forward spiritually
• Advance, advance, advance

Favor:

Exodus 3:21 - "And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty."

• Carry favor - favor with God, favor with man

Honor:

Difference Between Honor and Favor: You can respect yourself, but you cannot honor yourself. Honor is conferred on you by someone higher than you.

To be honored means:

• To be perceived correctly
• To match your true worth
• To be rewarded to match that perception

Dishonor means to be under-perceived. Many have not attained the next level because the grace for honor is not there. Even though you're making investments morally, spiritually, intellectually, Satan manipulates people's understanding and misrepresents your true worth.

Numbers 27:18-20 - "Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him... And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient."

There are spirits with an assignment to make sure you are not honored - that you are not assessed to match your true worth.

Prayer: Let the grace for honor rest on you. No man will despise your value, your sacrifice, your labor in righteousness.

SPIRITUAL LIFE - MOST IMPORTANT

No matter how well you succeed, if you fail spiritually, you don't weigh much in the spirit. The real weight of a man is not just material acquisitions.

Your spiritual life is the battery that powers every aspect of your life. Buy a brand new clock without a battery - it will not move. It's not that it's old, it's that it's not empowered.

The kind of money you make at the expense of your spiritual life is demonic money. If you must give up Jesus, your relationship and love for God to rise, that's a bait from Satan.

Daniel 11:32 - "The people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits."

Jeremiah 9:23-24 - "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me."

The real pride of the believer is not just material acquisitions - the health and wealth of your relationship with Jesus is the most potent index of success in the kingdom.

FINAL SPIRITUAL DECLARATIONS:

• Every attack on your prayer life that's deadened it - FIRE on your altar, fresh fire
• The grace to pray - receive it now
• Fresh passion for the word of God
• You will not be an ignorant Christian
• Grace for consistency in fellowship
• Grace to draw many to Jesus
• The blessings that follow being a soul winner will follow your life