"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!" (John 8:58)

Behold The Man!

Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands. Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, "Behold the man"! (John 19:1-5 KJV)

Krystal Meyers - The Beauty of Grace

071705

BEING JOYFUL!

Philippians 4:1-5 (Monday and Tuesday)
“Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends! I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” (NIV)
1) Have you ever had the awesome experience of being responsible, even in a small way, for someone’s coming to Christ? It’s okay if you’re not sure, sometimes we won’t know until we stand before the Lord—and, then I think we’ll all be in for a big surprise! In these passages, Paul is telling us that the very people we have loved and prayed for, those who through much perseverance we have helped wrestle away from the very arms of satan, have now become our joy! This is confirmed in 1 Thessalonians 2: 19-20! Let me tell you how the noun “joy” is described in Webster’s: the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires: delight; bliss; the expression or exhibition of such emotion; a source or cause of delight! Dear one, those you have prayed into God’s glorious kingdom have actually become the outward expression of your heart’s joy and they are your great delight! They are the physical possession of what you hoped for, the source or cause for your happiness in Christ Jesus! Now, let’s put a little spin on this, who was responsible for your coming to the Lord? Yes, you are their joy! Now, get ready for this, not only are those in Christ our joy, but they have actually become our crown and/or our reward! The word crown here is meant as a type of wreath that was placed upon the victor’s head or around his neck upon winning a major event. Today’s equivalent would probably be an Olympic gold medal! At the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10 and 1 Corinthians 3:12-15), those we have lead to Christ (yes, this passage is also talking about our good works and what better work than to introduce someone to the Lord!) will come through God’s discerning fire as gold, silver and precious jewels! Oh, beloved, it gets better! On that day, no, even now, it all comes full circle! Glory to God—Christ has become our Joy, our Delight and our exceedingly great Reward (Genesis 15:1 and Psalms 43:4!) You are someone else’s joy and reward, and someone you have loved has become your joy and reward! I think this was one of the things that Jesus was trying to tell us in John 15:1-12! This is complete joy and we will never find it seeking after things, we must seek Him and love others, as He has commanded us—this is seeking after His kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:25-33!) Stretch forth your tents (Isaiah 54:2-3!)
2) Joy and rejoicing is always a choice! We need to learn to see the unfolding events in our lives with spiritual eyes (Ephesians 1:18), view them through transformed minds (Romans 12:2), and love each other with renewed hearts (Psalms 51:10!) It’s probably been said a million times, but happiness is the product of our circumstances, and depending on what’s going on around us, our mood for the moment, our feeling of contentment, or discontent—it can be temporary and fleeting. Joy comes from our inward spiritual man, and we can tap into our source of joy regardless of our circumstances (Habakkuk 3:17-19!) Joy is not natural—it can’t be found in the things of this world because it doesn’t come from this world—it comes directly from the heart of our Father, God (Nehemiah 12:43; Acts 14:17 and Romans 15:13!)
a) We are commanded to always be joyful (1 Thessalonians 5:16!)
i) We lay claim to our inheritance of continually being filled with God’s joy by:
(1) Holding firm to our hope and testimony in Christ Jesus (1 Peter 1:8 and 1 John 1:1-4!)
(2) Patiently enduring suffering and awaiting His provision (2 Corinthians 7:4-6; Hebrews 12:2; James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 4:13!)
(3) Remaining faithful in prayer (Romans 12:12 and Colossians 4:12!)
(4) Always and in everything giving thanks (Philippians 4:4-7; Ephesians 5:20 and Colossians 1:10-12!)
(5) Setting our hearts and minds on the things of Christ (Philippians 4:8 and Ephesians 5:19!)
(6) Offering praise to Him who is worthy (Psalms 28:7 and Psalms 40:3!)
b) We are each given a full measure of joy (John 17:13!)
c) No one can take away our joy (John 16:22!)
d) Now, our joy is meant to be shared! We actually impart a portion of God’s joy into the hearts our brothers and sisters in the Lord through:
(1) Encouragement and fellowship (Philemon 1:7, 2 John 1:12!)
(2) Obeying and submitting to those in authority over us (Hebrews 13:17!)
(3) Continuing to walk in the truth of Jesus Christ (2 John 1:4; 3 John 1:2-4!)
(4) Extending hospitality (Philippians 2:29; 2 Corinthians 7:13!)
(5) Extending love to one another (Philemon 1:7!)
(6) Sharing with one another (Romans 12:13; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5; 2 Corinthians 9:12-14; Ephesians 4:28!)
(7) Praying for one another (Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 1:4!)
e) One great and glorious day, Jesus Christ will present us to the Father, without fault or blame with great joy (Jude 1:24!) See, full circle!
3) Joy and peace are often mentioned together in Scripture (Romans 14:17, Romans 15:13 and Galatians 5:22!) Can you have joy without having peace, or vice versa?
Philppians 4:6-7 (Wednesday)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)
1) Worry is like a cancer! It eats away at your joy! Perhaps the greatest incidence of worry in the Bible is found in Luke 10:38-42! Martha was doing a good thing! Opening her home to the Lord, preparing the meal, taking care of details! Where was Martha’s joy? What had replaced it?
2) I like the definition for worry given in this week’s Transformation—pulled in different directions! Would you say this is what happened to Martha?
3) Keep in mind that just a little over a week before coming to the house of Mary and Martha, Jesus had fed a multitude of 5,000+ people with five loaves and two fish (Luke 9:12-16!) This was a small community—word spread very quickly! You know these dearly loved friends of Jesus had heard of this and Jesus’ other miracles! Don’t you think that this may have already reached the ears of Martha? Food certainly did not seem to be a worry to Martha’s sister, Mary. There she sat, soaking up every word of Jesus! Do you think that food would have been a worry for you? Why or why not?
Philippians 4:8-9 (Thursday)
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (NIV)
1) We already spoke of the things we should fix our minds on if we truly want God’s joy in our lives. What are some things you can personally think of that bring you joy?
2) No, joy does not come naturally, not at all! We have to work at it and put it into practice! Can you think of some ways to begin putting good thoughts into practice?
3) Where does television, videos, radio play into this? How about movies? How about the company we keep? Etc.?
Philippians 4:10-20(Friday)
“I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1) One other thing goes hand and hand with joy and peace—contentment (1 Timothy 6:6!) How did Paul learn the secret of contentment (2 Corinthians 11:23-29 and 2 Corinthians 12:1-10?) Paul learned that his only gain in life was Christ, whatever he suffered was for Christ and moreover, Christ was more than sufficient to meet all his needs (Philippians 4:19!) Yes, Christ and Christ alone had become Paul’s Sufficiency (2 Corinthians 3:5; Philippians 1:19-21 and 2 Corinthians 12:9-10!)
2) So, if you are experiencing just a portion of what Paul endured, then, you too, are learning! Hold on! Christ will also become your Sufficiency! Remember, he promises to daily supply our needs! Anything and everything above that is a blessing from your Father! In all these things, good and bad, give thanks and look for your Reward! He is our soon coming King (Revelations 2:16, 22:12!)

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