CHOOSE JOY

Phil 1:44 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy

Philippians 1:18-19 (NIV) 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that

in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes,

and I will continue to rejoice,

Philippians 1:25-2625 … and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with

you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.

Philippians 2:1-3 (NIV) 1 If you have any encouragement from being united with

Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the

same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

Phil 2:17-18I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too

should be glad and rejoice with me.

Phil 2:2929 Welcome him in the Lord with great joy,

Phil 3:11 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord!

Philippians 4:44 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord …

• Choose joy when you pray (Phil 1:4) ‘because of Jesus, we fight from victory –

not for victory”

• Choose joy when you are wronged or mistreated or misrepresented (Phil 1:16-

19)Joy is not the absence of trouble, but the

presence of God.

• Choose a joy virus (Phil 1:25-26) • Being joyful is not a matter of personality

– it is a godly mindset.

 4. Choose joy if you want a strong & resilient mind

Philippians 2:1-2 (NIV) 1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the

Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy

complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and

purpose. 

 You are united with Christ

You experience the comfort of His love

You have fellowship with the Spirit

You discover tenderness & compassion  

 Being joyful is not a

matter of personality – it is a godly mindset

 Pleasure is the next

holiday, pay rise, chocolate. Joy is a state

of mind available to everyone. It is not found in things but in a Person.

  “It is not my

personality to be joyful or to laugh

much” 

 Nehemiah 8:10

The Joy of the Lord is our strength

  Proverbs 17:22 (NASB) 22 A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit

dries up the bones.

Proverbs 17:22 (TEV) 22 Being cheerful keeps you healthy. It is slow death to be

gloomy all the time.

Proverbs 17:22 (MSG) 22 A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom

and doom leave you bone-tired.Proverbs 17:22 (AMP) 22 A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the

bones.

 “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may remain in you, and

that your joy may be full” (John 15:11)  

“In God’s presence is fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11)

Pleasure is the next holiday, pay rise,

chocolate. Joy is a state of mind available to

everyone. It is not found in things but in a Person. 

5. Choose joy – you’ll be so glad you did & so will those around you

Phil 2:17-18I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18

So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

 “Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God.”

 The happiest people don't

necessarily have the best of everything. They just make

the most of everything. Happiness isn't getting whatever you want. It’s

enjoying whatever you have.

 SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND by

MARSHA BURNS ”Beloved, rejoice in small victories and

little breakthroughs, for they are signs of a greater triumph.  Your praise will be like a seed sown in good ground that will grow into a rousing shout of joy, says the Lord.  Your faith will also grow as you recognize

and appreciate the small steps of progression instead of waiting for the final

outcome to give thanks.  Gratitude is a mighty weapon against discouragement

and defeat.”  

Psalms 5:11 But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout

for joy, because You defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in

You.

6. Choose Joy – it’s how you reach out to your friend

Phil 2:2929 Welcome him in the Lord with great

joy,

  Psalm 51:12-13 (NIV) 12 Restore to me the joy of your

salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. 13 Then I will teach

transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.

 Psalm 51:12-13 (MSG)

12 Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails! 13 Give me a job

teaching rebels your ways so the lost can find their way home.

7. Choose joy – final observations

Philippians 3:11 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the

Lord!  

Philippians 4:4, 104 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it

again: Rejoice! 10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord …

 When I get what I want, I

am happy, when I do what He wants, I find

joy!

 God has given us a life sentence of joy, with no

chance of parole.

 Get serious about joy

"Joy is the serious business of Heaven." C.

S. Lewis

CHOOSE JOY