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- If our joy is being found in the Lord, we can be joyful despite the circumstances.

- Circumstances can add to our joy, but if we are looking to them as our primary source, we will never be fully joyful because circumstances change.

How to Rejoice in the Lord:

1. Look to the lord for joy (Romans 15:13, Phil 4:4)

2. Remember:

i. Our names are written in Heaven (Luke 10:20).

ii. God is in control (He is causing and allowing all things and working them out for His purposes and plans. Eph 1:11; Romans 8:28).

iii. The Lord is near (Phil 4:5).

iv. Eternal rewards for serving Christ (2 Cor 5:10; Mathew 5:12).

v. God’s material and spiritual blessings (James 1:2-4).

3: Obey and choose to be joyful (Phil 4:4; John 13:17).

vi. “Joy is a byproduct of Obedience”

Key #2: Don’t Worry (Phil 4:6).

- If anyone had a reason to worry, it was Paul.

- Worry kills joy.

- Realistic concern deals with what we can change and leads to helpful actions.

-Worry and anxiety revolve around what we can’t control and leads to inaction and negative emotions.

-Most of what we worry either does not happen or we cannot change the outcome.

-Causes of Worry:

i. We see the problem as bigger than us or out of our control.

ii. Human emotional response.

iii. Exaggeration of the facts.

iv. Lack of faith that God is bigger than the problem.

-Combat it by thinking on truth and what is beneficial (Phil 4:8).

Key #3: Take our problems to God (1 Peter 5:7; Phil 4:6).

- God wants us to release our problems and burdens to him.

- God promises peace when we turn our problems over to Him.

 

© 2006 - Arlen Busenitz. www.truthapplied.com

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Given at church (June 19, 2006)