"Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say Rejoice."
As I reflect on Philippians four I can't help but be encouraged by Paul's words. Here is a man locked up in prison for simply sharing the good news about Jesus and yet, in the midst of this trial he remains passionate for Jesus with a spirit of joy. How can a man who has gone through so many trials continue to be joyful in spite of his circumstance? The answer is quite simple really. As he learned from the master himself (Jesus) our joy does not come from circumstance. Joy, real joy does not come as an emotion or from pleasure. Real joy, the joy in which only the Spirit can give, comes from a strong relationship with the author of joy, peace and stability. Paul understood that when his God relationship is good and an individual focuses in on the things that matter (Jesus) and less about the things that don't matter (circumstance), the result is undeniable joy.
This week has been a difficult one for me and has presented many challenges. I have been reminded again however that our circumstance should not dictate our attitude or our actions. Rather, as we focus on the things of God and of the Kingdom of Heaven, there are victories in our circumstance. Paul understood that the Holy Spirit is the power house that creates joy, He is the one that can bring real joy, heavenly joy, the joy that Jesus knew.
Paul said: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally,
brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is
right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if
anything is excellent or or praiseworthy—think about such things." (Phil 4:6-8)
God knows and understands the antidote for stress, anxiety and those things that cause a lack of joy. That is why we are reminded by Paul to pray, praise and focus on the things of God. Dwell on the good things and reject the things that are not of God.
This world is not as it was originally created. God calls us to find those things that are good and to meditate on those things. If you are lacking joy in your life I want to encourage you to focus in on God. Prayer, worship and delving into the word of God are just three simple and God ordained ways to increase your joy. If you want more joy and peace in your life then you quite simply seek out more of God. I dare you, give it a crack today and see and know that the Lord is good.
"Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice."
Don't let the devil steal your joy this week.
Sunday 27 January 2013
Saturday 19 January 2013
It can happen very quickly
So here we are. It has been almost two weeks since we have arrived at our new home in Port Augusta South Australia. It is hard to believe that the past two years of study has gone so quickly and now here we are in full time ministry.
The past two months has been chaos as we have prepared for commissioning, packed the house, moved to another state and finally unpacked the house. For the past three days Claire and I have been in the office attempting to find out what the Corps is all about and familiarize ourselves with the church and our surroundings. All this to say that the past three days alone have been crazy. As I reflect on all that we have been doing in the past weeks it has occurred to me that in all this busyness I have actually neglected my time with God. It has also been a reality check for me in that, if in a matter of days and weeks I have become so busy that my God time has diminished, how easy would it and could it be over a prolonged period of time for God to be pushed out completely? This is a scary thought especially as Claire and I prepare to be installed as full time ministers and begin our full time ministry.
This morning (Saturday January 19th) I was out with the family on the foreshore simply enjoying Gods beautiful creation. It was a moment in time where I could briefly stop, look around and enjoy those things I have been blessed with. Psalm 46 tells us to stop, be still and know that I am God. Very wise words I do say. As Christians we have to, no we MUST guard our time that we spend with God. Things can get so busy and so out of hand very quickly and if we are not careful we could very well be so busy doing the stuff we think is for God, that we will actually push God out of the equation all together. Busyness and chaos is a trap that so many of us fall into regularly. For me, I have been given a wake up call this week. For me I have to be so careful that I don't get caught up in the stuff. Yes it is important and it has to be done but the reality is my God time is critical if I am to run this race well. God is more important than anything else I could possibly need or want to do.
For all my officer friends out there, especially those in their first appointments and for those in college, I urge you please don't get so busy that God is forgotten. It is an easy trap to fall into.
The past two months has been chaos as we have prepared for commissioning, packed the house, moved to another state and finally unpacked the house. For the past three days Claire and I have been in the office attempting to find out what the Corps is all about and familiarize ourselves with the church and our surroundings. All this to say that the past three days alone have been crazy. As I reflect on all that we have been doing in the past weeks it has occurred to me that in all this busyness I have actually neglected my time with God. It has also been a reality check for me in that, if in a matter of days and weeks I have become so busy that my God time has diminished, how easy would it and could it be over a prolonged period of time for God to be pushed out completely? This is a scary thought especially as Claire and I prepare to be installed as full time ministers and begin our full time ministry.
This morning (Saturday January 19th) I was out with the family on the foreshore simply enjoying Gods beautiful creation. It was a moment in time where I could briefly stop, look around and enjoy those things I have been blessed with. Psalm 46 tells us to stop, be still and know that I am God. Very wise words I do say. As Christians we have to, no we MUST guard our time that we spend with God. Things can get so busy and so out of hand very quickly and if we are not careful we could very well be so busy doing the stuff we think is for God, that we will actually push God out of the equation all together. Busyness and chaos is a trap that so many of us fall into regularly. For me, I have been given a wake up call this week. For me I have to be so careful that I don't get caught up in the stuff. Yes it is important and it has to be done but the reality is my God time is critical if I am to run this race well. God is more important than anything else I could possibly need or want to do.
For all my officer friends out there, especially those in their first appointments and for those in college, I urge you please don't get so busy that God is forgotten. It is an easy trap to fall into.
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
8 Come and see what the Lord has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Psalm 46
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