::: The Joy of the Lord is My Strength :::

An outline from a seminar I didn't get to go to, but sure wish I would've been able to!! Hope it's as challenging to you as it is to me...

From Phil 4:4-9, as Christians, we should:

1. Find our source of joy in the Lord (vs 4): "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, rejoice." While many things can legitimately contribute to our joy, the Lord should always be the source. (Ps 118:24; Ps 16:11; John 1:4; Hab 3:17-19; John 15:11) This is a powerful antidote to discouragement.
   
2. Practice the presence of the Lord (vs 5): ". . . The Lord is at hand." The issue is relationship; are you getting to know Him better? (John 14:16) This should affect our spirit of expectancy, zeal, burden for the lost, and attitude.
   
3. Refuse to worry (vs 6): "Be careful for nothing . . . " (Dan 3:16) Careful = anxious, strangled, torn apart. Worry is worthless, wasteful, and wicked. (Ps 37:25)
   
4. Bring every problem to God in prayer (vs 6): " . . . but in every thing by prayer . . . let your requests be made known unto God" (Jer 32:17 Jer 32:26-27 Luke 1:37)
   
5. Cultivate a thankful spirit (vs 6): " . . . supplication with thanksgiving . . ." Thanking God in all things is the highest form of faith. (1 Thess 5:18; Ps 92:1; Heb 13:15-16)
   
6. Appropriate God's peace (vs 7): "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Keep means that God manifests His peace in our lives by building a fortress around our hearts and minds. (Col 2:10 2 Pet 1:3)
   
7. Practice positive (biblical) thinking (vs 8): "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." It is a choice to get control of your mind and focus on Him. (Isaiah 26:3; Ps 46.10; Prov 23:7; Prov 4:23)
   
8. Get busy doing what God wants you to do (vs 9): "Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you." Evaluate priorities. Make sure your family comes before the ministry. And remember; Jesus did not accomplish everything that others thought He should. Neither will you. But He did accomplish everything His Father wanted Him to do; so can you! (John 17:4; John 8:29; John 9:4)
   
9. Remember too, that as a leader, people will follow your example (Hos 4:9).