Rejoice In The Lord Always!

Philippians 4:4–7 NKJV

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Rejoice In The Lord!

Paul tells us we should rejoice always - repeated

Rejoice = 1: to Give Joy 2: To feel joy or great delight

Joy = : the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires

Joy and rejoicing are distinct from mere happiness, which is more circumstantial

How can we rejoice always?

of course this does not mean that we do not experience times of grieving or sorrow

we shouldn’t be going to funerals as though there were no sadness

but we can have a state of well being, and confidence even in these times

The Key is to rejoice “In The Lord”

Though we have tribulation in the world, we rejoice that he has overcome the world

though we may have sorrow for the night, we rejoice in knowing this joy comes in the morning

we rejoice in knowing that all things will work together for good to those who love the Lord!

examples: --- health --- property

we can rejoice in remembering the testimony we have in Him

You really can live a life of rejoicing!

it is possible

like exercise, the more you live by this instruction, the easier it is — it should be our natural state

the inverse is also true:

if you do not have a habit of rejoicing, the part of your mind and spirit that is responsible will suffer atrophy

it will become more and more difficult

until it finally becomes impossible

there are many miserable people in the world who have so many reasons to rejoice

Rejoice in the Lord Always - toy it today!

It is a choice

since he gives an instruction - it implies that one can choose to do so, or not do so

If the instruction is given, then obedience is possible

Rejoice!

Let You Gentleness be Known to All

Why are so many Christians harsh and unkind?

we should be seen as gentle to all men

kindness is not weakness

gentleness is not weakness or timidity

you can be gentle with others while still speaking the truth in love and living a holy life

you can be gentle while still confronting sin

this comes back to the state of being selfless -

considering others better than ourselves

seeking their good before our own

It is amazing how many people can call themselves Christian and still “demand” that they come first in everything

We live in a “me” society — -But among Christians it should not be that way

The Lord Is At Hand

Good new - bad news

We should rejoice - The Lord is at hand

if you are not rejoicing - the opposite being cranky, complaining — The Lord is at hand

We should be gentle — The Lord is at hand

If you are not being gentle --- the opposite is rude, abrasive, abusive,selfish --- The Lord Is at Hand.

Be Anxious For Nothing

Don’t Worry — Be Happy

Seriously --- we don’t have to worry so much

Jesus said to take no thought for your life....

then why do we?

God cares for the birds of the air and the grass of the field — shall He not care for you?

This does not mean we will live forever here --- but we shall live forever ---

so be careful for nothing!

By Prayer, Supplication, With Thanksgiving

And here is your action plan if you start feeling anxious:

Prayer - Communication with God

the word is prayer — not demands

not wish list

must be based in His Will — effectual

Supplication — Specific request — often passionate - more intense

sometimes even a leading — but still in prayer still effectual

No point in supplication for that which is not effectual — for that which is ungodly

With Thanksgiving

Be Thankful -

you have a lot to be thankful for — are you?

Many people are so worried about the next request, they are never mindful of the things they ought to be thankful for

Even as we ask for today’s needs, we should be in a state of thankfulness

thankful for yesterday’s provision

thankful for God’s promise

Thankful for our salvation

And So much more!!!

And the Peace of God Will Guard Your Heart and Mind

God’s peace — surpasses understanding

It does not make sense that people can have such peace in their storms — but you can

apply these words and see for yourselves

His peace will guard you heart and mind

We need this “guard” for our hearts and minds

becasue the enemy will use our circumstances to attack our minds, and our hearts, to break our faith, and take our peace

Apply these Words — and the Peace of God “Will” guard your heart and mind--- even though it passes all your understanding