Lord, Show Me How to Live in Joy!

LORD, Show Me How to Live in JOY! Sermons from Harvest Church - Pensacola Volume 1, Issue 1

Contents JOY: Joyful No Matter What -- Philippians 1 .............................................................................................. 4 JOY: It’s All About Your Attitude – Philippians 2 ........................................................................................ 7 JOY: Getting to Know You – Philippians 3 ................................................................................................ 10 JOY: God’s Call to Peace – Philippians 4 -- part 1: Relational Peace ......................................... 13 JOY: God’s Call to Peace – Philippians 4 --................................................................................................ 16

Joy:  Great Happiness: feelings of great happiness or pleasure, especially of the elevated or spiritual kind  The emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune; or the feeling evoked by the prospect of possessing what one desires : delight  The emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation; ecstasy  A deep feeling or condition of happiness or contentment  Beatitude: A state of Bliss; a state of blessing Definitions from various internet dictionaries

Harvest Church Pastors in action

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JOY: Joyful No Matter What -- Philippians 1 Philippians 1 This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus. It is written to all of God's people in Philippi, who believe in Christ Jesus, and to the elders and deacons.

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. I always pray for you, and I make my requests with a heart full of joy because you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again. It is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a very special place in my heart. We have shared together the blessings of God, both when I was in prison and when I was out, defending the truth and telling others the Good News. God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus. I pray that your love for each other will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in your knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until Christ returns.

May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation -- those good

things that are produced in your life

by Jesus Christ -- for this will bring much glory and praise to God. And I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including all the soldiers in the palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, many of the Christians here have gained confidence and become more bold in telling others about Christ. Some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. They preach because they love me, for they know the Lord brought me here to defend the Good News.

Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. But whether or not their motives are pure, the fact remains that the message about Christ is being preached, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice. For I know that as you pray for me and as the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will all turn out for my deliverance.

For I live in eager expectation and hope that I will never do anything that causes me shame, but that I will always be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past, and that my

life will always honor Christ, whether I live or I die. For to me, living is for Christ, and dying is even better. Yet if I live, that means fruitful service for Christ. I really don't know which is better. I'm torn between two desires: Sometimes I want to live, and sometimes I long to go and be with Christ. That would be far better for me, but it is better for you that I live. I am convinced of this, so I will continue with you so that you will grow and experience the joy of your faith. Then when I return to you, you will have even more reason to boast about what Christ Jesus has done for me. But whatever happens to me, you must live in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ, as citizens of heaven. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing side by side, fighting together for the Good News. Don't be intimidated by your enemies.

This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. We are in this fight together. You have seen me suffer for him in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of this great struggle.

What Do You Wish You Could Change?

__________________________________________________________ Philippians 1 How can we have joy, regardless of the circumstances?

In order to apply the truths of the book of Philippians to your life, it is first of all important to understand the context in which Paul wrote this letter:

Background:

■The Apostle Paul founded the church in Philippi in 52 AD.

Paul spent 2 years in a Roman prison, chained to a Roman guard. The guards changed every 6 hours. This is how the gospel was spread through Paul …The gospel spread all the way into Caesar’s household through these guards.

■Paul wrote this letter to the church in Philippi in 62 AD as a “Thank you” letter for their support.

■The book of Philippians shows the depth of Paul’s love for the Philippians.

■Paul wrote this letter from a Roman dungeon while awaiting possible execution.

Philippi was a coastal town. As an apostle (“sent one”) Paul travelled through that area.

The book of Philippians is a “Thank You” letter from Paul to the believers at Philippi.

This was totally different from what Paul had envisioned!

Getting to Rome had been his grand dream …and then he went to Rome as a prisoner rather than as a preacher!

You may have a disappointed expectation …and this will steal your joy. Reality doesn’t always cooperate!

Romeo & Juliet may be your dream; Frank & Marie Barone (dysfunctional couple in “Everybody Loves Raymond”) may be your reality!

What is the one thing that you want to change …the one thing that steals your joy? Look at the book of Philippians in light of this.

For Paul, the one thing that he wanted to change was his chains – but he came to embrace them!

How can we have joy regardless?  First of all, joy begins with asking the right question: WHAT, rather than “why”. Asking “why” never gets you very far with God. Ask “What?”! o Ask “NOW WHAT?”  Ask, “What are You doing now, God?”  “What” helps you to focus on God; “Why” opens the door to self-pity.

In Philippians 1:12-14, Paul was the one who cleared the way for the gospel to penetrate the region. In this Scripture the term used for “advance the gospel” is a military term for when soldiers are sent in to clear out any resistance.

Look at the mess that you are in, look at the disappointed expectations in your life …and see your Redeemer! Trust in your Redeemer’s providential hand. He holds everything in His hand. He does not orchestrate disaster, but He turns it out for good. Our Redeemer specializes in turning obstacles into opportunities, set-backs into set-ups. o

Ask “SO WHAT?”  “Now what?” is vertical – between you and God.  “So what?” is horizontal – between you and others.  In Philippians 15-18 Paul said, “It doesn’t matter …” “So what?!”  “Tis-gar-plen”: “So what?”  It is important to note, however, that some things really do matter! In that case, deal with them! Go to God with intensity and passion – take these matters seriously.  Remember, however, that it is the little things that drive you crazy – the things that won’t matter a few months or years from now! Tis-gar-plen!

You can have joy in the midst of hard and cruel circumstances!

If any of your circumstances are stealing your joy, ask yourself: SO WHAT WILL THIS MATTER IN ETERNITY?????

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JOY: It’s All About Your Attitude – Philippians 2 Philippians 2 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and sympathetic?

Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one heart and purpose. Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing. Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal's death on a cross. Because of this, God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name that is above every other name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Dearest friends, you were always so careful to follow

my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away you must be even more careful to put into action God's saving work in your lives, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him. In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them. Hold tightly to the word of life, so that when Christ returns, I will be proud that I did not lose the race and that my work was not useless. But even if my life is to be poured out like a drink offering to complete the sacrifice of your faithful service (that is, if I am to die for you), I will rejoice, and I want to share my joy with all of you. And you should be happy about this and rejoice with me. If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon. Then when he comes back, he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along. I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. All the others care only for themselves and not for what

matters to Jesus Christ. But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has helped me in preaching the Good News. I hope to send him to you just as soon as I find out what is going to happen to me here. And I have confidence from the Lord that I myself will come to see you soon.

Meanwhile, I thought I should send Epaphroditus back to you.

He is a true brother, a faithful worker, and a courageous soldier.

And he was your messenger to help me in my need. Now I am sending him home again, for he has been longing to see you, and he was very distressed that you heard he was ill. And he surely was ill; in fact, he almost died. But God had mercy on him -- and also on me, so that I would not have such unbearable sorrow. So I am all the more anxious to send him back to you, for I know you will be glad to see him, and that will lighten all my cares. Welcome him with Christian love and with great joy, and be sure to honor people like him. For he risked his life for the work of Christ, and he was at the point of death while trying to do for me the things you couldn't do because you were far away.

Paul wrote Philippians as a “Thank You” letter for their support while he was imprisoned in a dungeon in Rome. This book shows Paul’s love for the believers at Philippi.

One of these believers, Epaphroditus, came to visit Paul in Rome. While there, he told Paul that some false preachers had infiltrated the church at Philippi. Paul’s response to this: “Tis-gar-plen!” – “So what?!”

Epaphroditus also told him that Eris was breaking out – two women in the church had let a severe disagreement come between them; it was affecting the whole body of believers.

Eris: Breakdowns of relationship that cause a sore spot in the body of Christ.

The church is made up of people of all sorts of differing personalities. The rub between these personalities sometimes causes sores!

The Holy Spirit dwells where there is harmony, where people are in tune with each other. When you don’t deal with a relational breakdown, you are out of tune! Let there be no Eris among you …Take it deeply seriously. Deal with it!

You must realize: This is bigger than you, even bigger than us …It is about the body of Christ!

There is Eris when you are uncomfortable around another member of the body of Christ. This is the test for whether you have Eris or not. Examine your relationships in this light!

You don’t have to be buddies …but you do have to be in tune with others! This is hard, but necessary!

Eris is leaven; it spreads.

In Philippians 4:2, 3 two women had let Eris come between them. These women were both spiritual people; they had been best friends with each other; they had been coworkers with Paul …but at some point they allowed Eris to break out between them and had not dealt with it. Paul told them to remember that it is not about them – Their relationship affects the body of Christ for eternity!

Because of this, Paul told the entire body to help them!

Eris happens. We have to deal with it; we have to restore harmony!

Philippians 2:1-11 tells us: It’s all about your attitude! God exalted Christ because of one thing: His attitude. Your attitude should be the same as His! Attitude: The basic orientation and bend of one’s thought processes (phroneo).

Never excuse your attitude! God only sees it one way: You are either oriented to self or oriented to Christ.

HOW DO I RECOGNIZE WHEN I AM IN THE RIGHT ATTITUDE? 1. I am aware of the naked realization that “Wow! I belong to Christ!” (verse 1) 2. I am likewise aware of how deeply loved I am – and therefore, how deeply loved the other person is as well. (verse 1) 3. My heart is full of tenderness and is sympathetic, knowing that I am marred and flawed as well. (verse 1) 4. I am “in sync” with the rest of my church family, not isolating – but wholeheartedly diving into serving Christ together. (verse 2) 5. I am not overly sensitive, easily hurt, nor demanding of respect. Rather, I lay down my “right” to be right. (verse 5,6) 6. I am not “powering up,” but taking the “low road” rather than being defensive. (verse 7). I take the attitude toward the other person that “You may be right.” This is an important phrase that diffuses conflict!

7. I am “dying to self” – “eating it,” giving grace as I want to receive grace. (verse 8) Get this picture in your mind: “Kiss the Cross” (a mouthful of splinters)

GOD BLESSES AND HONORS THOSE WHO HAVE THE RIGHT ATTITUDE – THOSE WHO HONOR CHRIST!

GOD

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JOY: Getting to Know You – Philippians 3 Philippians 3 Whatever happens, dear brothers and sisters, may the Lord give you joy. I never get tired of telling you this. I am doing this for your own good.

Watch out for those dogs, those wicked men and their evil deeds, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved. For we who worship God in the Spirit are the only ones who are truly circumcised. We put no confidence in human effort. Instead, we boast about what Christ Jesus has done for us. Yet I could have confidence in myself if anyone could. If others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more! For I was circumcised when I was eight days old, having been born into a pure-blooded Jewish family that is a branch of the tribe of Benjamin. So I am a real Jew if there ever was one! What's more, I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. And zealous? Yes, in fact, I harshly persecuted the church.

And I obeyed the Jewish law so carefully that I was never accused of any fault. I once thought all these things were so very important, but now I

consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ and become one with him.

I no longer count on my own goodness or my ability to obey God's law, but I trust Christ to save me. For God's way of making us right with himself depends on faith. As a result, I can really know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I can learn what it means to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that, somehow, I can experience the resurrection from the dead!

I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection! But I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be. No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the

race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven. I hope all of you who are mature Christians will agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. But we must be sure to obey the truth we have learned already. Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ.

Their future is eternal destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and all they think about is this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take these weak mortal bodies of ours and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same mighty power that he will use to conquer everything, everywhere.

“These things I have spoken to you that MY JOY might remain in you; and that your joy might be full!”

(John 15:1) Joy (Greek: Chairo): Calm delight; Be well There is joy in believing – in knowing God! There are 4 categories of Joy Stealers/Killers: 1.

2.

3.

4.

Circumstances People Things Worry

GETTING TO KNOW GOD INTIMATELY: Jesus was a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. But He also had deep joy! John 15:11 speaks of joy, calm delight, having everything well.

Even in the midst of adversity, we have the ability to experience joy. One example of this is Horatio G. Spafford, who wrote the well-known hymn “It Is Well with My Soul” after losing his only son to scarlet fever, losing his fortune in the great Chicago Fire, and then losing his four daughters in a shipwreck. Upon being told that the ship on which he was travelling was passing over the very spot where his daughters had been lost, Spafford wrote the hymn “It Is Well,” basing it on the words of the Shunammite woman in 2 Kings 4:26, who “though her soul was vexed within her” said, “It is well.”

In prison, Paul wrote 3 other letters: Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon. These books today encourage us!

It’s all about attitude! In Philippians Paul mentions the mind 10 times; he says the word “think” 5 times; he uses the word “remember” once: A total of 16 references to the mind …The way that you think is the secret to Christian joy! Outlook determines outcome! Proverbs 23:7 says, “As a man thinks, so is he.”

Philippians describes the mind that a believer must have in order to experience joy.

Paul was imprisoned in Philippi as well as in Rome. This story is in Acts 16; it is one of the greatest stories of joy and suffering in the Bible. He was put in prison for casting a demon out of a slave woman. In this case, the demon was telling the truth through this woman, but was doing it in an annoying way. Once the demon was gone, the woman couldn’t earn money for her masters any more by foretelling the future. Paul and Silas were put in prison …They were still worshipping God at midnight!

When we worship, the Holy Spirit fills us with joy and hope; chains are broken. The joy of the Lord is our strength! Psalm 28:7 tells us: it is all about coming to the Lord with praise! If your circumstances don’t change, your attitude will change to one of trust in God! We must grasp this theme: There is joy in believing, joy in knowing God, and joy in being right with God through faith in Christ.

We have safeguards to help us keep our joy: Philippians 3:1 – Rejoice in the Lord …It is a safeguard!

1. Resist legalism – Substituting rules for relationship a. Philippians 3:2 describes Paul’s feelings toward legalists. They undid Paul’s teachings by adding to them. Legalists (Judaizers) called the Gentiles “dogs,” so Paul called them “dogs”! b. Jesus got angry at legalists; He did not get angry at lost people. c. Philippians 3:3 tells us: Don’t put any confidence in your attempts to please God. Don’t live by a “life score-card”! d. 3 Ways in Which Legalism Manifests Itself: i. Rituals 1. Rituals can be good, but you can’t put your trust in them. Your trust must be in Christ! Rituals can’t make you right with God. ii. Religion 1. You can’t substitute religion for relation.

2. Religion: Man’s attempt to reach God. 3. You have to accept God’s reaching out to you. True joy is in knowing Christ!

God made Himself understandable, acceptable, and desirable to man – and He did it through Jesus Christ!

4. Relationship produces real joy! From that joy, we can reach out to others and fulfill the Great Commission.

5. Religion causes people to be protective and hateful. It breeds anger. That’s why Jesus hated it so much! Discussing religion breeds anger, contempt, and strife because everyone becomes defensive about protecting their beliefs.

6. Religion destroys love. God doesn’t give love – He is love! In John 13:34, 35, we find that love brings joy! So religion destroys both love and joy. iii. Rules 1. The Pharisees had 619 rules to follow! Rules destroy joy by chaining people in rules that replace relationship.

2. Refocus your ambition – Reassess what you are doing and thinking a. Refocus your ambition to what God wants for your life. Consider everything a loss, consider it garbage -- in order to know Christ. b. You must know Christ intimately in order to have joy. In the Greek, this term is Ginosko: “to know intimately.” c. In order to know Christ intimately, you must consider everything else garbage …In the Greek this is skubala: “that which is thrown to the dogs,” “refuse.”

3. Reject complacency – Complacency makes you vulnerable a. 2 Things that you need to forget: 1) your failures, and 2) your successes. b. In order to be all that God wants you do be, develop a bad memory. Ask God for a new day, for a new & fresh relationship with Him each day!

John 5:24 – “I tell you the truth, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.”

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JOY: God’s Call to Peace – Philippians 4 -- part Philippians 4 Dear brothers and sisters, I love you and long to see you, for you are my joy and the reward for my work. So please stay true to the Lord, my dear friends. And now I want to plead with those two women, Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement.

And I ask you, my true teammate, to help these women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. And they worked with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life.

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. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters,

let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you. How grateful I am, and how I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but for a while you didn't have the chance to help me. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need. But even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty. As you know, you Philippians were the only ones

1: Relational P eace who gave me financial help when I brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. I don't say this because I want a gift from you. What I want is for you to receive a well-earned reward because of your kindness. At the moment I have all I need -- more than I need! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable to God and pleases him. And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Now glory be to God our Father forever and ever. Amen. Give my greetings to all the Christians there. The brothers who are with me here send you their greetings. And all the other Christians send their greetings, too, especially those who work in Caesar's palace. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

FACT: God has provided for us to live lives of peace. He calls us to work out that peace in three key areas of life.

1. Relational Peace (verses 2 – 5) 2. Mental Peace (verses 6 – 9) 3. Circumstantial Peace (verses 10 – 19) In this chapter, Paul pleaded with these two women to settle their disagreement. He appealed to them; he pled from the depths of his being. This shows how important peace was to him.

One thing filled Paul’s heart: deep peace. He wanted the Philippians to experience this!

Realize this important fact: God wants you to enjoy this peace! He has provided everything that you need to have this peace. However, it is now up to you to work out that peace – Relationally, mentally, and in your circumstances.

RELATIONAL PEACE The two women in Philippi who were in disagreement were close friends with each other and close friends with Paul. However, they had let strife into the relationship. This shows that even mature, very spiritual Christians have relationship problems.

We have to factor this into our doctrine. The minute that we take our humanity out of the gospel is the minute that we set ourselves up for deception! We must have the same attitude, the same thoughtprocess, as Jesus. God wants us to do this so we will have peace!

A.

Deal with “stuff!” a. Remember that your relationships are eternal! b. Remember that your relationships affect more than just you – They affect others around you. c. Disagreements will happen …so deal with them! d. Deal with them in your own life, and help those around you deal with them. If someone around you is experiencing strife, then help them deal with it and work out peace. e. Stuff happens! We are all deeply broken – but God still dearly loves us! f. The Bible is clear that we do not have the luxury or option of not dealing with stuff. g. We must deal with stuff in a godly way. Most Christians are passive-aggressive in their relationships; we need to learn to handle it God’s way. h. God has told us how to deal with strife: i. Matthew 18:15 tells you the right way to deal with strife if someone has offended you.

"If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the fault.

If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.”

ii. Matthew 5:23-24 tells how to deal with strife if you have offended someone.

"So if you are standing before the altar in the Temple, offering a sacrifice to God, and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there beside the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.” iii. Whether you are the offended or the offender, deal with it immediately!

I Corinthians 11:27 – 30 tells us that we must honor the body of Christ …honor each other and live in peace. It is not just about you!

So if anyone eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily, that person is guilty of sinning against the body and the blood of the Lord. That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking from the cup. For if you eat the bread or drink the cup unworthily, not honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God's judgment upon yourself. That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died.

If you have tried to live in peace with no results, then look at Romans 12:18 – “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” In Philippians 4:5 we are told, “Let everyone see that you are considerate in all that you do. Remember that the Lord is coming soon.” Jesus sees!

B. Be considerate in all that you do. a. “Be considerate” = Katanoo: To look closely and carefully at in an effort to understand the other person’s needs, thoughts, and feelings. b. 1 Peter 3:7 tells us that husbands must be katanoo of their wives. c. Don’t be so focused on your goals (looking outward) – Look at (focus on) the people around you with katanoo. d. In all of your relationships (parent/child, worker/coworker, husband/wife, etc.) Slow down! People first, plans second! e. The reason that we find it hard to be considerate is: “Locked Thoughts.” When your thoughts are locked, all you can see is what is bothering you in others.

“When our thoughts so occupy our minds, there becomes no room for God’s thoughts” –Watchman Nee f. Combat relational stress by filling your mind with God’s thoughts!

God asked these two women to: 1) Deal with the strife, and 2) Fill their mind with His thoughts.

This is an important matter because of how it affects us. Chronic sickness (in many cases, but not in all!) can be caused by not honoring others. Relational illness can cause physical illness; it can also cause mental illness as well.

When you are tempted to focus on wht you do not like about another person, fix your thoughts on what God says about that person!

Relationships are what really matter in life!

JOY: God’s Call to Peace – Philippians 4 -- part

2: Mental and

C ircumstantial Peace MENTAL PEACE Life is stressful. But God has provided 2 ways for us to stay mentally clear: 1. PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING a. Philippians 4:6 -- “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 all understanding." b. Pray about EVERYTHING. Don’t worry about ANYTHING. c. We are to keep 'turning things over’ to God, again and again and again. When you start obsessing over something (again), cast that care right back to Him again.

2. FIX YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE RIGHT THINGS. a. Philippians 6:8 "Fix your thoughts on what is true, what is honorable, what is right, what is pure, what is lovely and admirable......then the God of peace with be with you." b. Our tendency is toward being critical. We get zoned in on the flaws of our children, spouse, etc, -- We focus on the things that annoy us and irritate us. If we want peace of mind, as well as peace in our relationships, we have to stop this. We need to FIX OUR THINKING on the good things, the things that are praiseworthy, admirable, and true from God's perspective. c. Critical thoughts lead to a critical spirit. Depressing thoughts lead to a depressed spirit. Fix your thinking on the good and the God of peace will enjoy your company much more!!

God calls us to work out the peace of Christ in our relationships. He calls us to seek to have His peace ruling our minds, our mental state, which is so fragile. Finally, He calls us to enjoy His peace in each and every circumstance in which we find ourselves.

You can have Peace RIGHT NOW....

Peace RIGHT HERE. This is NOW/HERE peace. Like "nowhere", only now...here. :) We are always saying we will be satisfied 'one day....when I move to....get another job.....you name it. It is always future, somewhere else.

God says find contentment NOW.....right at this very point of your life. HERE...right in the very place you find yourself in.

Paul said this in Phil 4: "I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the SECRET of living in every situation ...I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength."

What is the SECRET to a 'contented heart'? It is: Receiving strength and grace from the Presence of Christ -- wherever we find ourselves, and in whatever circumstances. It is casting ourselves in dependency on God's loving care for us.

What is God calling you to DO in your relationships? Are you dealing with stuff or passively doing nothing, saying 'God will take care of it'?

Have you been 'turning things over' to Him rather than worrying? Do you truly have mental peace?

Are you contented in the circumstances you find yourself in? Or is discontentment eating you alive?

Practice working out the peace that God has provided for you – the peace that God wants you to have!