Rejoicing We Will Go (Lesson Two The How)

The WHY, HOW, & WHEN of Rejoicing

Philippians 4:6-9 NASB

(6)  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

(7)  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

(8)  Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

(9)  The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

We are to rejoice with a transformed attitude.  We are not to worry.  Paul tells us to pray with thanksgiving.  Every day we have a choice to make about the attitude we are going to display as we go about our day-to-day activities. 

Paul gives us a list to help us transform our minds.  We are to dwell on things that are true and honest.  We are to make it our choice to have pure thoughts, to concentrate on things that are lovely and of good report.  

When we do these things, Paul says we will have peace.  

True PEACE now that is something to rejoice about.

Rejoicing We Will Go (Lesson one The Why)

The WHY, HOW, & WHEN of Rejoicing

Philippians 4:4-5 NASB

(4)  Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

(5)  Let your gentle spirit be known to all men.  The Lord is near.

Rejoice it is God’s Command.  Paul tells us to rejoice in the Lord.  It is not the joy that comes from finding $20 in your pants pocket.  It is not the joy you find in material things.  It is rooted in a relationship with the Lord.

This is to be a way of life.  Circumstances are not always joyful but God’s people can be.  I am not saying that every day will be a happy one or you will always feel good or be well.  I am saying that many times the circumstances of our day are a result of the choices we make.

Making the choice to rejoice is a result of truly understanding the truth of God’s mercy and love.  We have been set free from the penalty of sin.  The Lord is near and has given us a gentle spirit that brings peace and calm in our lives.  By embracing this truth, we can find strength in the storm.

Now we must make sure that others see that when they look at us.  

Are You Ready for Battle (Lesson three)

A look a Christian Virtue

Colossians 3:5-12 NASB  Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.  (6)  For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience,  (7)  and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.  (8)  But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.  (9)  Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices,  (10)  and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him--  (11)  a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.  (12)  So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;

Last week we talked about putting on the whole armor of God.  Sometimes in order to put something on, we first must take something off.  Paul is telling us to put aside anger, wrath, malice, slander and abusive speech.  Many times, we become so enthralled with the things of this present world.  The situations of the day can bring out these actions.  We must be on guard against these tendencies.

In Christ, we are a new creature.  Paul is reminding us that the old body is dead and with it the old self and its evil practices.  As a new creature, we can put on a heart of compassion.  We should understand when someone hurts.  We can put on kindness.  Remember to kind, tomorrow you may need someone to return the favor.  Don’t forget to show humility, after all it is about Jesus not you.  Be gentle and practice patience.

Are You Ready for Battle (Lesson two)

A look a Christian Virtue

Ephesians 6:13-20 NASB

(13)  Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

(14)  Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,

(15)  and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;

(16)  in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

(17)  And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

(18)  With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

(19)  and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,

(20)  for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

We must put on the Armor of God in order to stand.  What is the armor going to allow us to do?  What does the belt of truth do?  A belt holds everything in place.  Truth is our foundation of faith that holds everything together.  What does the breastplate do?  It protects the soldier’s chest against the thrusts of the enemy.  Christ’s righteousness protects us against the blow of the Satan.  A soldier has to have on the proper shoes for the battle. 

Paul says to have on the Gospel of Peace.  We should always be ready to share the gospel with others.  The Roman Soldiers had shields covered in leather and soaked in oil or water to prevent fiery attacks.  Satan takes shots at believers.  The most important defense is faith.  The Helmet is very important, for a soldier a blow to the leg or arm is acceptable but a low to the head would be fatal.  For the Christian the salvation protects our thinking.  We have assurance in salvation, which protects us against doubt.  The Sword is our only offensive weapon.  It destroys the works of the enemy, sets prisoners free and tears down the strongholds of the devil. 

Paul told us to pray.  When, (always), How (with urgency in the power of the Spirit under His direction).  Who, (for all the Saints).  God has given us everything we need in order to be successful. 

Christian virtue requires us to be prepared for battle.