Are You Full?

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BIBLE READING: Phil 4:4 - 6 4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.  6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then 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.  8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

BLOG:  I was eating at someone's house, and someone asked, "Are you full?"  I told the truth.  "Yes, I was full."  The lady of the house said, "No, you are not!" and set down another course to the meal.  I ate it, mostly out of fear.  But I ate it.  

Phil. 4:4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 

How do you rejoice when you don't feel like it? 
How do you rejoice when in the face of bad news? 
How do you rejoice when life isn't fair? 

Paul isn't ignoring the obvious. Life isn't fair.  He is merely choosing to find joy in something else. 

For many people, most of their life either satisfies their needs or brings them joy.  They have found something that seems to make them happy.  

This isn't what Paul is speaking of.  He isn't saying, "Well if you've been good, then God has been taking care of you. Therefore, your life is turning out just the way you planned it."  

What He is saying is this.  Find joy in something that can always give you joy.  Jesus Christ, what He has done for you and what He is doing for you, and what He is going to do for you, is a source of joy that will never fail you. 

What do you choose to be "full" on?  

Choose the things that God gives.  Choose to be full of His hope and love.  Choose to find joy in His promises that He never fails.  Choose to embrace His future for you.  

Then rejoice!  Joy always takes action.  Why?  Because you cannot hold it back.  I've never met someone who said, "Nope, I'm full - I don't want anymore!"  

PRAY:  Dear Jesus, I'm looking to You, and I rejoice today.  AMEN  



Comments

paul said…
pastor could you print this out in 1 page for me I wanna put it on my wall above my desk at work so that not only me but everyone that comes in will read it this is the most uplifting blog ive ever read all your blogs are great but this one is going to hard to top I am totally digging this one good job
July 16, 2019 at 5:48 PM
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