The Essential Quality of Joy

______________ VS. _______

Happiness is external and based on chance and circumstances.

Joy is internal and based on choice and Christ.

HOW TO DEVELOP THE ESSENTIAL QUALITY OF JOY
Philippians 4:4-13 (NLT) a4 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. 10 How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

REMEMBER THAT JESUS IS __________ _________.
“Remember, the Lord is coming soon.” – Philippians 4:5

RELEASE MY ___________ TO GOD IN PRAYER.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. 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.” – Philippians 4:6-7

REFOCUS MY ____________ ON THE ________ OF GOD.
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. Philippians 4:8

RECOMMIT TO _____________ GOD’S WORD.
“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.” – Philippians 4:9

RECEIVE __________________ FROM MY ______________ FAMILY.
“How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me.” – Philippians 4:10

        •    REMAIN ___________ WITH WHAT I HAVE.

“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.” – Philippians 4:11-12

 

     

         •    RELY ON JESUS’ ___________  _______  _____ ___________.

“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13

NEXT STEPS:

• Memorize Philippians 4:4