Rejoice! We know this one very well and we know how important it is because "the joy of the Lord is your strength." Neh. 8:10
1) Be joyful regardless of the problems you’re facing.
2) Joy is not so much a feeling as the deep, settled confidence that God is in control of everything and that His promises are overwhelmingly wonderful–and we look to the glorious future in heaven with the Lord.
3) Gramatically, this is present imperative–continually rejoice–as a way of life.
4) Where does the joy come from? Rejoice in the Lord; it’s His joy and He gives it to us. John 15:11 "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."
5) "my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation." Psalm 13:5
6) Rejoice in God’s promises and in His provisions.
2. Learn to be gracious. 4:5a "Let your gentle spirit be known to all men."
Epieikes (gentle spirit) has a much richer, deeper meaning than any single English word can convey. Here’s how commentators and Bible translaters have translated and explained that word: "Sweet reasonableness, generosity, goodwill, friendliness, magnanimity, charity toward the faults of others, leniency, moderation, forbearance." The English word gracious helps capture the meaning.
An example of its use: when Abraham avoided strife with his nephew Lot. The story is in Genesis chapter 13.
3. Rest confidently on the Lord and be anxious for nothing. "The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing."
The Lord’s nearness is the sense of His Presence. He is near to hear your cry and to help and strengthen you. " In the day when I cried you answered me, and strengthened me with strength in my soul. Psalm 138:3
Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass." Psalm 37:7
Habakkuk shows us the right attitude in desperate times: "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like deer’s feet, and he will make me to walk upon high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments." Habakkuk 3:17-19
The message from the birds and the flowers of the field is God’s providential care.
4. Reacting to problems with Thankful prayer "
1) 1 Cor. 10:13–God limits the problems.
2) Rom. 8:28–God brings all things together for good in the long run.
3) 1 Peter 5:7–Cast all your care on Him–because He cares about you.
–inner tranquility of the soul–confident trust in God’s wisdom and care
–guard is a military term used of soldiers on guard duty
7.
"The unfathomable peace of the God who controls the universe and pursues a faultless purpose. . This divine peace kept Paul’s mind and heart. A great river of peace was thrown like a moat around the citadel of his soul." John Phillips, p. 63
Our always-example, of course is Jesus and stop to think how the peace of God kept Him throughout His entire sojourn on earth.
"It was Christ Jesus who brought the peace of God down to earth. Heralding His birth across the Judean hills, the heavenly host sang, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:14 That imperturbable peace hushed the storm-tossed sea of Galilee and gave rest to the tormented soul of the Gadarene demoniac. That peace remained unshaken by conflict, criticism, crisis, and cross."At all times, in all places, under all circumstances, Christ reposed in His Father’s good and acceptable and perfect will. Rom. 12:2. And when Jesus appeared in the upper room on resurrection evening, His greeting to the disciples was Shalom! Peace!"
"
Jesus was peacefully "Asleep on a pillow" in the midst of a storm Mark 4:35. "Peace, be still!" He spoke to the storm, but we, too, can have the same confidence in God’s faithfulness."peace of God" –"What could disturb God’s peace? "Nothing can ruffle the peace of God. It is a calm beyond all storms, a rest beyond all strife, a haven beyond all tempestuous seas. The peace of God is majestic and sublime." –important. in avoiding anxiety & worry. Guard, don’t allow yourself to worry or be anxious: Jesus said, "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep [guard] your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." 4:6 4:5b-6a
1. "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!"1) Be joyful regardless of the problems you’re facing.
2) Joy is not so much a feeling as the deep, settled confidence that God is in control of everything and that His promises are overwhelmingly wonderful–and we look to the glorious future in heaven with the Lord.
3) Gramatically, this is present imperative–continually rejoice–as a way of life.
4) Where does the joy come from? Rejoice in the Lord; it’s His joy and He gives it to us. John 15:11 "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."
5) "my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation." Psalm 13:5
6) Rejoice in God’s promises and in His provisions.
2. Learn to be gracious. 4:5a "Let your gentle spirit be known to all men."
Epieikes (gentle spirit) has a much richer, deeper meaning than any single English word can convey. Here’s how commentators and Bible translaters have translated and explained that word: "Sweet reasonableness, generosity, goodwill, friendliness, magnanimity, charity toward the faults of others, leniency, moderation, forbearance." The English word gracious helps capture the meaning.
An example of its use: when Abraham avoided strife with his nephew Lot. The story is in Genesis chapter 13.
3. Rest confidently on the Lord and be anxious for nothing. "The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing."
The Lord’s nearness is the sense of His Presence. He is near to hear your cry and to help and strengthen you. " In the day when I cried you answered me, and strengthened me with strength in my soul. Psalm 138:3
Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass." Psalm 37:7
Habakkuk shows us the right attitude in desperate times: "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like deer’s feet, and he will make me to walk upon high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments." Habakkuk 3:17-19
The message from the birds and the flowers of the field is God’s providential care.
4. Reacting to problems with Thankful prayer "
2) Rom. 8:28–God brings all things together for good in the long run.
3) 1 Peter 5:7–Cast all your care on Him–because He cares about you.
–guard is a military term used of soldiers on guard duty
7.
"The unfathomable peace of the God who controls the universe and pursues a faultless purpose. . This divine peace kept Paul’s mind and heart. A great river of peace was thrown like a moat around the citadel of his soul." John Phillips, p. 63
Our always-example, of course is Jesus and stop to think how the peace of God kept Him throughout His entire sojourn on earth.
"It was Christ Jesus who brought the peace of God down to earth. Heralding His birth across the Judean hills, the heavenly host sang, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:14 That imperturbable peace hushed the storm-tossed sea of Galilee and gave rest to the tormented soul of the Gadarene demoniac. That peace remained unshaken by conflict, criticism, crisis, and cross."At all times, in all places, under all circumstances, Christ reposed in His Father’s good and acceptable and perfect will. Rom. 12:2. And when Jesus appeared in the upper room on resurrection evening, His greeting to the disciples was Shalom! Peace!"
"
Jesus was peacefully "Asleep on a pillow" in the midst of a storm Mark 4:35. "Peace, be still!" He spoke to the storm, but we, too, can have the same confidence in God’s faithfulness."peace of God" –"What could disturb God’s peace? "Nothing can ruffle the peace of God. It is a calm beyond all storms, a rest beyond all strife, a haven beyond all tempestuous seas. The peace of God is majestic and sublime." –important. in avoiding anxiety & worry. Guard, don’t allow yourself to worry or be anxious: Jesus said, "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep [guard] your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." 4:6 4:5b-6a
Watch the progression of thought in this familiar passage, Philippians 4:4-7 NKJV v.4. Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
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