Rejoicing Produces Joy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVIhb-c_4Tw

Joy of the Lord ~ Rend Collective

 

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ~ Philippians 4:4 NIV

 

Did you know that rejoicing produces more joy? It’s been my experience that when I focus on praising God, I experience more peace and joy. I’ve also seen the opposite: griping and complaining lead to more of the same, which produce doubt, worry, and fear.

 

Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always.” I’m going to teach you a little bit of Greek. Rejoice means to “rejoice” or “be glad.” Glad, according to the dictionary, is a feeling of joy. And “always” in Greek means, “at all times.” Now you know that we’re told, dare I say commanded, to rejoice—or have joy—at all times. At all times means in all seasons and circumstances because the Lord knows that rejoicing produces joy.

 

Maybe you’re wondering why it matters. Let me ask you: Are you a stronger, mightier warrior of the Lord when you are walking and dancing in joy or when you are bound up in chains of bitterness, doubt, worry, fear, and defeat? God knows that not all seasons will be happy. He knows we live in a fallen world and that we are human, surrounded by humans. God is not calling us to be happy all the time. He’s telling us to choose joy, by practicing rejoicing in Him and all that He’s done for us.

 

Take a moment and check your heart. Check your words. If your heart, words, and thoughts are not a fountain of overflowing joy, then start with a simple change that will create an environment that is rich with rejoicing in the Lord.

 

Take an inventory. What has the Lord done for you, or for those you know, today, yesterday, last week, last month, or last year? Celebrate it. Thank God for it! Let your praise be lifted up to the Lord. And remember, rejoicing produces joy.

©Heather Potts 2023

Always Be Joyful

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US1-R-R9lYQ&list=RDUS1-R-R9lYQ&start_radio=1

Run Devil Run ~ CROWDER

Always be joyful because you belong to the Lord. I will say it again. Be joyful! ~ Philippians 4:4 NIRV

I was so delighted to see the photo of Savannah's baptism pop up in my Google memories from last year. It was a good day. Savannah had been asking to be baptized for a while. When the opportunity presented itself, Savannah met with church leadership and they agreed she was ready. For her baptism, Savannah could have a family member help to baptize her. She picked me. I was so honored to be part of her special moment!

These days feel so far from that moment in time, where everything seemed perfect. Now, when the world is in constant chaos, it can seem hard to find reasons to celebrate. But as Philippians 4:4 reminds us, because we belong to the Lord, we can always be full of joy.

Often times, people—myself included—confuse joy with happiness. Happiness is based on happenings: external events that happen to us. Whereas joy is something that happens within us, because of our relationship with Jesus. Pastor and author Rick Warren said joy is "the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation."

Every day, we can choose peace and joy. Or we can join the world's chaos and agree with everything that's wrong. Today, take a moment to practice joy. Spend some time praising God for what He has done, is doing, and will do in and through your life. Make the decision to be joyful, always.

©Heather Potts 2020