Rejoice in the Lord always…again I say, Rejoice!...Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in…everything, by prayer and petition…with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.
—Philippians 4:4,6
Twice in this passage the apostle Paul tells us to rejoice. He urges us not to fret or have any anxiety about anything but to pray and give thanks to God in everything—not after everything is over.
If you wait until everything is perfect before rejoicing and giving thanks you won't have much fun. Learning to enjoy life even in the midst of trying circumstances is one way to develop spiritual maturity.
Live in the fullness of the joy of the Lord by finding something to be glad about besides your current circumstances. You must learn to derive your happiness and joy from the Lord who lives inside you.
Decide you will not fret or have anxiety about anything but will give thanks and praise to God, rejoicing in Him always.
Don't Fret—Rejoice!
by Joyce Meyer - posted March 11, 2017Rejoice in the Lord always…again I say, Rejoice!...Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in…everything, by prayer and petition…with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.
—Philippians 4:4,6
Twice in this passage the apostle Paul tells us to rejoice. He urges us not to fret or have any anxiety about anything but to pray and give thanks to God in everything—not after everything is over.
If you wait until everything is perfect before rejoicing and giving thanks you won't have much fun. Learning to enjoy life even in the midst of trying circumstances is one way to develop spiritual maturity.
Live in the fullness of the joy of the Lord by finding something to be glad about besides your current circumstances. You must learn to derive your happiness and joy from the Lord who lives inside you.
Decide you will not fret or have anxiety about anything but will give thanks and praise to God, rejoicing in Him always.
Self-Destructive Behavior
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
Galatians 5:13–16
The fact that we are Christians with the same Holy Spirit living within should make a church a place of harmony and sweet fellowship. The reality of course, is that sometimes churches can be the most bitter and divisive places. That happens when individual members become more concerned about their own interests, position, and prerogatives than they are about the cause of Christ. Many churches suffer greatly from these battles.
General Robert E. Lee was once asked by Jefferson Davis for his opinion about another officer. Lee praised the man highly. When the meeting concluded, another officer who had been present spoke to Lee in astonishment. “General, do you not know that the man of whom you spoke so highly to President Davis is one of your most bitter enemies and misses no opportunity to malign you?”
“Yes, I know that,” Lee replied. “But the president asked my opinion of him, and I gave him a true answer. He did not ask about the man’s opinion of me.”
We do not have to take up swords against other believers and use our words to harm them. There are times when character must be defended and false charges refuted, but even that can be done in a way that honors God and does not seek to destroy others. We always have a choice in how we respond, and wrong doing by others does not require the same from us.
Galatians 5:13–16
The fact that we are Christians with the same Holy Spirit living within should make a church a place of harmony and sweet fellowship. The reality of course, is that sometimes churches can be the most bitter and divisive places. That happens when individual members become more concerned about their own interests, position, and prerogatives than they are about the cause of Christ. Many churches suffer greatly from these battles.
General Robert E. Lee was once asked by Jefferson Davis for his opinion about another officer. Lee praised the man highly. When the meeting concluded, another officer who had been present spoke to Lee in astonishment. “General, do you not know that the man of whom you spoke so highly to President Davis is one of your most bitter enemies and misses no opportunity to malign you?”
“Yes, I know that,” Lee replied. “But the president asked my opinion of him, and I gave him a true answer. He did not ask about the man’s opinion of me.”
We do not have to take up swords against other believers and use our words to harm them. There are times when character must be defended and false charges refuted, but even that can be done in a way that honors God and does not seek to destroy others. We always have a choice in how we respond, and wrong doing by others does not require the same from us.
Today’s Growth Principle:
While we should always speak the truth, that should never be done in a bitter or destructive way.
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