Right Stuff

Philippians 4:4–7 NLT

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Father God i come humbly before you asking for preaching power ,that something i say strengthen a saint or bring somebody to the altar ,asking what must I do to be saved.

Pray Don’t worry.

I remember a cute little song by Bobby Mcferrin back in the day , don’t worry be happy.

It was a cute song and I believe in the premise. However, it is not as easy as that.

Because when the problems of the world come it is hard not to worry about what comes next , when the problems of the world descend it is hard not to worry.

Last week in Bible study , I talked about Jericho ,and how God used an unconventional way to confront the problem of Jericho. I also suggested that we needed to confront our problems with unconventional solutions.

While Bobby McFerrin’s song has the idea correct it is the Apostle Paul that gives us a plan how to put into action.

Paul’s answer id Joy.

Some of you are probably saying right now . Pastor saying Joy is no different than be happy. That is not a solution. And if I was just giving you the word Joy I would agree with you.

But in this scripture reading not only does Paul give you the word Joy, but he gives you a way to obtain Joy, banish worry and get closer to God.

I tend to listen to Paul because while he was speaking this, writing this , he was a prisoner of Rome. While he was speaking of Joy he was physically in lock dow, and under the threat of death.

Paul stresses that Joy is to be found in good times and bad times ,because joy is not centered on outside stimuli but on inside stimuli.

Joy is not based on what the world has given but on what the world can’t take away.

Joy is not based on things, people or on status ,joy is based on a relationship.

a new car may make you happy but a new car can’t give you joy.

Bae/ Boo may make you happy but bae or boo can’t give you joy.

Now getting an bunch of money may make you happy but it will not give you joy!

worry ,anxiety, the feeling that you have no control over what is happening. being pulled in different directions. in fact the old english word that anxious stems from is strangle. So that it was worry feels like being strangled. In fact worry can have have physical manifestations; headaches, pains, ulcers, high blood pressure, lack of sleep, loss of appetite.

It can be the mental attacking the physical.

Therefore , we need need to something that will counter the wrong thought process, we need something that will bring about a change.

A change in what we are feeling, and a change in what we are feeling.

And we can can tell ourselves to stop worrying, and we can know that worrying is not doing us any good but it is more than a notion.

But answer to worry is the peace of God.

A secure mind , that peace that transcends all understanding. You know that peace that will guard your heart so you feel right and that peace that will guard your mind so that you think right!.

That peace is found in Christ Jesus!

Again i know that some of you are saying Pastor you still have not given us anything but the buzz words and nothing that is really concrete. Okay you are right can I give you the formula.

Right praying.

Right Thinking

Right Living.

Let us look at this one at a time.

Right Praying

Paul gives us a recipe for our prayer . That begins the battle against worry.

Make known to God your request . But before that you God to know that there is a God! I think you go t to realize and believe that there is a force that is greater than you. You got to realize that there is force that judges the quick and the dead, the good and the bad, the saved and the unsaved.

This God whom we serve not only all powerful but he is able! So we acknowledge him, we come to him in adoration, we worship him. we come to him because he is a big God, that is bigger than out biggest problem. But before we ask give him his do!

Give him his propers!

Not because he needs the recognition but because he is worthy!

Then is supplication , humbly presenting our needs . Not out of much speaking but out of sincere belief, that 1. he cares and 2. he is able. and pray like you believe that he will . pray like you believe that he can.

pray like like you believe that if it is in his will that it is done. it doesn’t have to be eloquent, using big words. it doesn’t have to be loud , you just have to mean it.

And finally thank him.

Thank him for listening. thank him for those blessing you have received, those blessing you are receiving right now! and those blessing that he may bring in the future.

Right praying !

Right praying is a learned thing.

For to be a supplicant you must have submitted yourself to God! James talks about our prayers not being answered because we are double minded, still relying on the world and doubting God.

But is the surrender to God, the allowing his will to be done that allows his peace to cover your heart and your mind. Right praying!.

Right Thinking

Right thinking leads to right actions, right actions to right habits’

Paul gives us a list not an exhaustive list but a list of things we should think about; True, Honest ,Just , pure, Lovely and of good report.

True , real not imaginary, not fanciful, many times we create problems where they don’t exist. we think the worst of what may happen, we expect the worst and create problems where they don’t exist.

Honorable, things that revered, worthy, respectful . we should not have thoughts that are dirty or scandalous.

Right or Just , lawful and fair. Not deceitful or involving trickery.

Pure , things that our clean, morally right , sexually correct.

Lovely, high thoughts, attractive pleasing.

and of Good report.

worth talking about ,uplifting and encouraging. Not disparaging .

when i was little and saw that Disney movie Bambi , thumper the rabbit said he mother said “if you can’t say something good don’t say anything at all “

Write this down Psalm 19:7-9

and if you don’t read the whole psalm read verse 14.

Right Living

If there is something in your life that you are doing that you can pray about then you will never have peace.

Your lifestyle makes a difference. You cannot serve two masters. James in that 4th chapter says come close to God , and God will come close to you.

If you want the peace of God, then you need God in your life. Ok , to quote one of my father’s favorite son’s.

Practice what you preach.

Live your life the way God intended.

right habits to right character , right character to a right destiny.

Just don’t talk the Jesus

Walk with Jesus!

Live that sermon

Be that example

Remember the Lord will be with us if we are with him.