In respect for the Office of the President
and obeying 1 Timothy 2:1-5 (NIV) which says,
"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone–for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus..."
I wanted to post this article I found online at
Charisma Magazine,
which led me to the below video.
(Plz turn off my Playlist on the right sidebar before playing video.)
Let us join these 3 men in praying for our country!
This week, we are going to focus on one verse:
Philippians 4:4.
This one deals with the theme for Philippians ~ JOY~~!!!
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (NIV)
"Rejoice in the Lord alway: [and] again I say, Rejoice." (KJV)
(No that is not a typo...should be alway)
"Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in Him!" (Message Bible)
Pretty much, whatever translation you may use...
except for the Message Bible...
they all say about the same thing for Philippians 4:4.
Some verses are more varied in the words when you compare them.
For example, go to www.blueletterbible.org
- Type in Ephesian 4:28 in the search box
- Click on the "V" button (V for Versions)
- Waalaa!!
thing...
But...for our verse this week, there is not too many ways to say it...
Don't worry...be happy...
From the great "theologian", (just kidding) Bobby McFerrin...
Now, here is how the commentary for this verse at www.preceptaustin.org
says it:
"Rejoice (chairo) is present imperative calling for a lifestyle of joy that emanates from an active choice (active voice) of our will regardless of whether confronted with joyful or adverse circumstances and/or people. We are to continually work out this command empowered by God in us Who energizes us to carry it out and Who brings forth the fruit of the Spirit which is joy (see note Galatians 5:22).
It is important to understand that this is not 'joy' as the world defines joy, envisioning it as an emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires. This secular definition hardly describes Christian joy which is not a feeling but it is the deep-down confidence that God is in control of everything for the believer’s good and His own glory, and thus all is well no matter the circumstances.
If believers are to represent heaven to earth, then joy should be one of our trademarks, for in Christ's presence is fullness of joy. We obtain (and maintain) this joy by rejoicing in the right object. We rejoice not in our situation but in our Savior, not in circumstances, but in Christ."
We should be worshipers instead of worriers.
I know I am being taught to worship instead of worrying.
I have a friend in Indianapolis who is a precious Hispanic sister-in-the-Lord.
I would go to her house to have Bible Study.
She had a mentor who advised her that when she became
agitated, anxious,
and about to fall apart....
start worshiping...start singing God's praises...
start telling Him of His attributes...start thinking about and thanking Him
for all that He has done for you in the past.
Z.O.W.E.E.!!!
What a difference that makes!!
This commentary goes on to say that...
"Knowledge of God is the key to rejoicing. Those who know the great truths about God find it easy to rejoice."
"...'Rejoice in the Lord always'. People who are very happy, especially those who are very happy in the Lord, are not apt either to give offense or to take offense. Their minds are so sweetly occupied with higher things, that they are not easily distracted by the little troubles which naturally arise among such imperfect creatures as we are."
Ouch!...Double Ouch!!
Or as my grandson, Zane, used to say..."Otch"....
To do this week:
Each time you feel that tornado of worry starting to spin inside
you and it start to spin out of control and cause destruction to anyone
or anything that happens to fall in its pathway....
- Start worshiping
- Start praising God
- Start telling Him how good He is
- Start thanking Him for what He has already done for you
- Start counting your blessings
If you cannot instantly come up with anything...
Start by just saying His name....
"Jesus, Jesus"...
add to that, "Jesus, I trust You"
add to that "Jesus, I trust You with my life."
add to that "Jesus I worship You".
Then repeat and repeat over and over.
See what happens....
It Is Amazing!!!
Praise God!!!
Learning to rejoice in the Lord alway(s),
Until next week,
Debbie G.
