Finding Joy

Pastor Phil preached a wonderful sermon this morning on finding joy in our lives. I wanted to recap it here to keep it in my memory and in an accessible place. One of my goals is to transfer the many things that I have collected over the years that are a blessing to me onto this blog and rid our home of all the paper trails that lead to them :).



Finding Joy - Phillipians

*Joy is a decision on our part. It starts with our attitude - our thought process. Here are some steps to having true joy in our lives:

1. Discard the regrets of the past - Stop looking back!! - In Philippians 3:13-14 Paul says "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended, but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." If the sins of the past steal my joy, remember if I have repented, God has forgiven and forgotten and so should I. Isaiah 43:18-19 "Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing"!!!
2.  Determine not to worry about the future- Philippians 4:6-7 - "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." We can't worry and have joy at the same time! We can worry or we can pray. The choice is ours! Read Luke 12:22-34!!
3. Discover God's purpose for you - (Philippians 1:20-21) There is more to life than just going through the motions. Living for myself will not bring me joy. It is not about me!! My life must be yielded to God for His purpose and use - Romans 6:13
4. Dwell on the good!! - Philippians 4:8-9 - There is good and bad in every life. Where is my focus? my perspective? Good is found in God's Word. We are to think on these things: true things, noble things, just things, pure things, lovely things, things of good report, virtuous things, things that are praise worthy. Meditating on these things bring us the peace of God.
5. Decide to help others - Philippians 4:1 - Some of Paul's joy was found in his investment in others and we can also find joy in investing in other people's lives!
6. Depend on God and be content- Philippians 4:11 - "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." Notice that Paul said, "for I have learned". Contentment is not a natural state of mind. It is something that we must learn!

Two reasons that I can have joy in any circumstance of life:

1. God is in control
2. God will work it all out for good! (Philippians 1:6)

I CHOOSE JOY!!!

Be a Doer of the Word

I have been reading and listening to audio sermons lately and it seems that there is a main topic that keeps coming up. It is summarized in James 1:22 - "But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." The whole first chapter of James describes what a person looks like who hears God's Word, but does not apply it to their life. It also tells us that if we hear God's Word, but don't do what He says, we are deceiving ourselves! I just finished reading Lysa Terkeurst's book, "Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl". Bible study is so important, but we must live what we learn! I heard the best illustration on this just a few days ago. It made it so clear and is humorous also. The pastor likened our hearing God's directions but not following them to him asking his daughter to clean her room. After she knew what he wanted her to do, she went in her room. When she came out, he asked, "Is your room clean?" She said, "No, but when I went in my room, I sat and listened to praise music and thought about how much you love me and how wonderful you are." "That is not what I asked you to do. I asked you to clean your room!!" "I know, Dad, but I just wanted to just sit and feel your presence." She called a few friends and they all went in her room. When they came out a little bit later, her father asked, "Is your room clean?" "Not yet, I had some friends over and we talked about your directions. Guess what, Dad, we studied what you said and I can even say it in the Greek!!" "But you still haven't cleaned your room!!!" Does that sound familiar? We all know people who claim to know God and His Word, but their lives do not reflect Him or His Word. They sit and listen to praise music and talk about how He loves them, but do they love Him? Jesus said in John 14:15, "If you love me, keep my commandments." They attend 3 or 4 Bible studies at a time and learn what God says, but do they stop to absorb what He is saying to us and follow His instructions? God is not interested in how much of His Word that we have in our head. He is concerned about how much of His Word has changed our heart and shines through our lives!

Quote for the Day

"Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day. " Sally Koch