Stay Joyful

 Happy Sunday!

"Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.  And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."(Philippians 4:6-7 Amplified).

The Apostle Paul was great at encouraging others!  It's important to remember that he was a prisoner during the times that he wrote the letters that make up a good deal of what is called the New Testament.  He was familiar with opposition but he knew how to be joyful.  He knew that it is possible to have joy no matter what you may be facing.  He wrote, "Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!"(vs 4-5 Message).

His prescription for Joy is Pray Right, Think Right, and Live Right! 

Pray Right - There are many kinds of prayer.  It's important to know which kind of prayer is needed at any given time.  In verse 6 he mentions, "prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."(KJV).  For example, when using the Prayer of Faith(James 5:15) you would not repeat the prayer again, that would reveal your lack of faith.  But daily you would thank God that what you asked for is already accomplished(Mark 11:24).  And when praying for the salvation of another person, you can repeat a prayer because you are not in charge of their will.  Your can daily bind Satan, who is the god of this evil world, and declare that the blinders he has used to make them unable to see the glorious light of the Gospel that is shining upon them be removed, and that they will understand the amazing message we preach about the glory of Christ, who is God.(2 Corinthians 4:4 Living Bible).

Think Right - How you think, and what you think are a matter of life and death.  Proverbs 23:7 says, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:"(KJV).  Job said, "For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me."(Job 3:25 KJV).  The Apostle Paul knew this, and encouraged the believers to, "Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about."(vs 8 Living Bible).  Don't miss this!  He didn't say everything had to be going your way to think positively.  It may take effort on your part, but do what you need to do to keep your mind and thoughts on good things.

Live Right - Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."(KJV).  1 John 3 :8 says, "The devil has been sinning since the beginning. Anyone who CONTINUES to sin belongs to the devil. The Son of God came for this: to destroy the devil’s work."(Easy-to-Read Version).  In verse 9, he goes on to say, "Keep to the script: whatever you learned and received and heard and saw in me—do it—and the God of peace will walk with you."(Voice).  I like that this version says, "script".  It makes me think of an actor.  The word "Hypocrite" is defined as "a person who ACTS in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings".  Living Right means acting right, being right, and doing right based on the Word of God.

How can you stay full of joy this week?  Glad you asked!  Pray Right, Think Right, and Live Right!

Love and prayers, Cynthia