Read Philippians 4:4-7: Always in verse 4 in the original Greek means ALWAYS! We are called to always be full of joy in the Lord!

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Randall Nicholas Sullivan
5 years ago
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Life at its Best Week 7 July 30-31, 2016 Philippians 4: 1-7 If you haven t heard Pastor Matthew Hartsfield s weekend message or if you need a refresher, watch the video here: www.vandyke.

1 Life at its Best Week 7 July 30-31, 2016 Philippians 4: 1-7 If you haven t heard Pastor Matthew Hartsfield s weekend message or if you need a refresher, watch the video here: click on the Life At Its Best banner. Then use the following material for your own personal Bible study, in discussion with your friends and family or in a small group setting. We are on a journey to determine our L.I.F.E. status: Love Influence Freedom Enjoyment Determine whether you are a both a receiver and a giver of love. Determine what influence you have on the people around you. Determine whether you are experiencing true freedom. Determine whether you are a joy-bringer. How do we experience ENJOYMENT in our life? Read Philippians 4:4-7: Always in verse 4 in the original Greek means ALWAYS! We are called to always be full of joy in the Lord! Think of 2-3 people you know that continually exhibit joy in their life. What s it like to spend time with a person like that? We may think we can never be full of joy at all times. However, usually we are confusing happiness and joy. There is a difference: Joy vs. Happiness Happiness: A feeling or emotions that is temporal, fleeting, and based on our circumstances. Joy: An attitude of the heart that shines through no matter our circumstances. Read Galatians 5: Joy is listed as a fruit of the Spirit. What are the other fruits of the Spirit listed in these verses?

2 2 Read the following Bible verses that exemplifies each of the other fruits of the Spirit : 1. Love: 1 Corinthian 13: Peace: Romans 14:19 3. Patience: Proverbs 14:29 4. Kindness: Ephesians 4:32 5. Goodness: Galatians 6:10 6. Faithfulness: Psalm 23: Gentleness: Colossians 4: Self-control: Titus 2:12 Are there fruits of the Spirit your life reflects well? If so, which ones and why? Which fruits of the Spirit represent a growing edge in your life? And why? So, what is the secret to a life of Joy? MAKE THE GREAT EXCHANGE Verse 6-7: Don t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7Then you will experience God s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. The exchange: Instead of worrying, go to God in prayer. Jesus teaches us about worry in the Sermon on the Mount. Read Matthew 6:25-34

3 3 Why is futile for us to worry? Look at verse 33. How do we overcome worry? What is the connection to overcoming worry in Seeking the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness in Matthew 6:33 and Don t worry about anything; instead pray about everything? in Philippians 4:6? If prayer is necessary to overcoming worry, we must understand how to pray. There is no Biblically prescribed length or formula to prayer. For an example of how Jesus prayed, look at Matthew 6:5-13. Prayer is simply a conversation with God. Think of your conversations with a spouse or close friend. Sometimes the conversations are quick and to the point. And at other times, you talk for much longer. If you would like a template for prayer, many Christians find the following ACTS acronym a helpful starting point: A- Adoration: Acknowledge God s greatness, and express your love for Him (Psalm 66:3, 68:35) C- Confession: Tell God where you ve fallen short. Receive His Grace and Mercy (1 John 1:9) T- Thanksgiving: Thank God for salvation and how He has worked and moved in your life (Psalm 69:30) S- Supplication: Ask God to provide for the needs and desires of yourself and others. (Philippians 4:6)

4 4 4 important points about prayer: 1. Don t edit your prayers! God wants you to authentically share your needs with Him. Be raw and real. He can handle it! (Isaiah 26:3) 2. Be persistent in your prayers. It will take a long time for us to see the answer of some prayers. (Ephesians 6:18) 3. Remember what we learned today. God promises us peace when we pray! (Philippians 4:6-7) 4. We serve a God of abundance. He wants to bless you and give the delights of your heart, not just meet your needs. (Psalms 37:4) Closing Activity: Make a list of the worries in your life in the following categories: Relationships (Spouse, kids, family, work, etc.) Finances Personal (diet, exercise, energy, health, concerns on appearance and acceptance, etc.) World Events Using the ACTS acronym, or however you feel most comfortable, pray to God for these worries.

5 5 At the end of the sermon, Pastor Matthew asked you to take a few minutes to meditate on Philippians 4:4-7 from The Message Bible paraphrase. Those verses are below. Spend some time continuing to meditate on this passage. 6-7Don t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Use the rest of this page to write down anything God is saying to you.

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