I have a great end of the year and beginning of the new year challenge for you today! First of all, read all of Psalm 119 from today's portion of our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan, and see if you can find the Word of God referred to in every verse! The next part of this challenge is to develop the habits that will turn into a lifestyle that are encouraged and even commanded in Philippians 4:4, 6, 8 and 13!
4 Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice!
"Rejoice" is the Greek word "chairo", which means: to be cheerful, calmly happy or well-off, to be glad, to thrive. AND, we are commanded to do this ALWAYS! That means AT ALL TIMES! When things appear to be going good or not so good, we should not be moved! We are to rejoice because our results do NOT depend on those circumstances, but on the TRUTH of God's Word! AMEN!
6 Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.
This goes right along with verse 4 and is how we go about being able to rejoice at all times! We MUST refuse anxiety, fear, guilt and worry! We do this by CHOOSING to think, speak and act in line with the Word of God! Verse 8 makes this even more clear!
8 For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].
This verse shows us exactly how to discern which thoughts to accept and which to reject and replace! If the thoughts that come to us do not meet every one of these requirements, then they are NOT acceptable for us to think on! When we, through obeying the Word, are able to bring these thoughts under control, then faith in the Word will rise and NOT be choked out by the lies of the world, the flesh nature and the devil! THEN we can have the confidence that comes from verse 13:
13 I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].
Notice that this says ALL things! There is NOTHING too difficult for the God of the Bible, and NOTHING too difficult for those who dare to believe HIM and HIS WORD! Holy Spirit IN is the ONE Who will infuse us with HIS strength, Wisdom, knowledge and ability! Let's make those changes and adjustments that are necessary to be able to walk in this VICTORY! AMEN! Here is a great song to end 2016 and begin 2017! Hillsong Worship with "What A Beautiful Name":
Shalom in Him!
4 Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice!
"Rejoice" is the Greek word "chairo", which means: to be cheerful, calmly happy or well-off, to be glad, to thrive. AND, we are commanded to do this ALWAYS! That means AT ALL TIMES! When things appear to be going good or not so good, we should not be moved! We are to rejoice because our results do NOT depend on those circumstances, but on the TRUTH of God's Word! AMEN!
6 Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.
This goes right along with verse 4 and is how we go about being able to rejoice at all times! We MUST refuse anxiety, fear, guilt and worry! We do this by CHOOSING to think, speak and act in line with the Word of God! Verse 8 makes this even more clear!
8 For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].
This verse shows us exactly how to discern which thoughts to accept and which to reject and replace! If the thoughts that come to us do not meet every one of these requirements, then they are NOT acceptable for us to think on! When we, through obeying the Word, are able to bring these thoughts under control, then faith in the Word will rise and NOT be choked out by the lies of the world, the flesh nature and the devil! THEN we can have the confidence that comes from verse 13:
13 I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].
Notice that this says ALL things! There is NOTHING too difficult for the God of the Bible, and NOTHING too difficult for those who dare to believe HIM and HIS WORD! Holy Spirit IN is the ONE Who will infuse us with HIS strength, Wisdom, knowledge and ability! Let's make those changes and adjustments that are necessary to be able to walk in this VICTORY! AMEN! Here is a great song to end 2016 and begin 2017! Hillsong Worship with "What A Beautiful Name":
Shalom in Him!
