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Philippians 4:4 - CHOOSE JOY!

Philippians 4:4 (NLT): Always Be Full Of Joy 
In The Lord. I Say It Again - Rejoice!  

COMMENTARY PEARLS

   Its been said that worry is the 
advanced interest we pay on troubles that seldom 
come. We try to justify worry, of course: 
Its okay for me to worry because Im in a 
difficult situation. In many ways we all are - some 
more than others. But maybe we all just need to 
lighten up a little when we can. You might think, 
Easy for you to say. 
   I want you to consider the following 
words of the apostle Paul, who was writing under 
adverse circumstances. Paul was under house arrest. 
There was the possibility that he might be 
acquitted, or he might be beheaded. He didnt know 
what his future held. Yet he gave us some of the 
most inspiring words found in the pages of 
Scripture: Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will 
say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all 
men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, 
but in everything by prayer and supplication, 
with thanksgiving, let your requests be made 
known to God (Philippians 4:4"6 NKJV). 
   I love these verses. Paul wasnt 
sitting in some ivory tower, spinning up practical 
theories. He was not lounging on some beach in the 
Mediterranean, eating a falafel and having an iced tea. 
This was a man who was incarcerated, yet he was 
able to say, Rejoice in the Lord always. Again 
I will say, rejoice! 
   By the way, that is a command from God 
himself. To put it another way, to not rejoice is 
disobedience to God. Anyone can rejoice when things are 
going reasonably well. But when were facing 
adversity or sickness or hardship or death and then we 
rejoice, we are obeying God. 
   God is on His throne. He loves you and is 
watching out for you. So rejoice in the Lord. [Greg 
Laurie from Harvest Ministries; 
https://www.harvestdaily.com] 

How Do You Do That: Read On

   I recently traveled to Nepal to provide 
Bible training for rural church leaders. Eight 
conferees came from the region that was the epicenter 
of a massive earthquake in 2015. One afternoon 
they spoke about the earthquake and how it 
affected them, but they didn't linger on details. 
Instead, they focused on the Lord's protection and of 
His providing food in the quake's aftermath. 
When they finished talking, the worship music 
began. 
   I watched and listened as the men raised 
their hands and voices heavenward. Smiles lit up 
their faces, and they burst into dance. 
   These folks are some of earth's poorest, 
and yet they model joy. They prove that joy 
doesn't depend on material things and happy times. I 
have much to learn. 
   I suspect one reason my Nepali friends 
experience true joy amid uncertainty is that they know 
their future is secure. They've applied Hebrews 
12:1-2: "And let us run with endurance the race that 
God has set before us. We do this by keeping our 
eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and 
perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, 
he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. 
Now he is seated in the place of honor beside 
God's throne." 
   My friends keep their eyes on Jesus. 
Their faith in Him assures them of even greater 
joy ahead. They anticipate the day when they'll 
meet Him in person. Then they'll trade earth's 
temporary trials for heaven's eternal glory. Oh, that 
we would experience the same depth of joy! by 
Grace Fox 
   Faith Step: Identify a joy-buster in your 
life. Ask Jesus to give you His perspective on the 
problem and to help you choose joy in the midst of 
it. [Mornings With Jesus 2018 Devotional by 
Guideposts and Zondervan] 

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE


http://www.abible.com/devotions/2018/20180603-1713.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo 

Importance of Choice: 
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]  

Seeking God Made Real: 
http://vimeo.com/31489782 

Prayer Made Real: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE 

Musical Devotional On Christian Living: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c  

Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David 
DeRose, MD, MPH: 
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart 

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES 

Amazing Facts Bible Studies: 
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx  

Discover Bible Studies: 
http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/ 

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: 
http://www.bibleresearch.info/ 

ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com

LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS

The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug 
Batchelor: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK 

Restoring The Power by Pastor John Bradshaw: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq 

Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657