FINDING JOY IN THE LORD
Philippians 3
The Apostle Paul, writing from a prison cell in Rome found Joy in proclaiming
the Gospel of Jesus Christ His focus was that we also find joy in Jesus Christ.
He was locked up and chained to a Roman soldier 24 hours a day. He was bound
by the body but free in the mind. He found joy in his circumstances because it
was serving Christ. One of the keys to joy is not allowing your situation to
control your mental well-being and your hope in the Lord.
Paul gives us his recipe for continued joy in the Lord.
(1) Count your relationship with Christ Jesus as your highest possession.
Christ must be above family, friends, job, and all worldly assets. If you
lose anything serving Christ, count it as dung.
Everything you have was given to you by the Lord for your needs and
joy on earth while you live. Someone else is dedicated to taking charge
of all you have when you die.
2. Put no confidence in the flesh. Trust the Lord only. God knows the outcome
of you decisions and circumstances. Man cannot see past the present. The
outcome of any plan that is directed by the Lord is uncertain.
3. Recognize that Christ suffered the death on the cross for you.
Be thankful that He had you on His mind and took the necessary
step of dying on the cross to ensure your eternal life.
Your gratefulness will be evident in your love for the Lord and your
neighbors.
4. Don’t let you past behavior against Christ and your past sins hinder
your relationship with Christ. Forget your past behavior, as your
sin are forgiven by confession of faith in Jesus. Strive toward the the
high calling of righteousness in the Father.
5. Know that Christ is for you, in you and with you at all times.
Abide in Him and He will abide in you. Be encouraged with the
confidence that Jesus will keep all promises He made to you.
6.Fellowship in Christ suffering daily with dedication to the righteousness
of God forsaking all sin. Treat everyone as a child of the living God
in humbleness and with kindness.
7. Follow Christ example of living according to God’s commands
8. Remember that your citizenship is in heaven. This not you home you
are passing through.
9. Our goal is to be ready for the transformation of our earthly bodies to the
glorious body of Christ at His second coming.
10. Count all your time on earth as joy in the Lord.
11. Make praise and worship your meal time activities all day long.
12 . Pray without ceasing with the confidence the Lord hears and
answers your request.
Rev. M. Mitchell
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