Tuesday, April 15, 2008

if there is any virtue

"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:4-9

Joy. Finding a way to be happy, even when things don't go your way. How do you do that!? Be happy, no matter what the circumstance or situation? Philippians 4:4-9 inspires the understanding of the joy that God desires for the believer. Joy comes from a deep intimate relationship to the Lord Jesus, surrendered to His Perfect Will, obedient to His Commands, complete in prayer and humble in thankgiving with a predisposition to meditate on whatever things are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, good and praiseworthy.

Joy is found in Jesus always and only. Never can we really find joy on our own. Never in and of ourselves. Only in living out our faith in gentleness to others and concentrating on virtue can we find real joy.

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