Joy in the House

Paul said, "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say rejoice (Phil. 4:4)!"  This seems clear, but it also seems difficult.  Paul had been through lots of joyless circumstances.  Shipwrecked, snake bitten, stoned, dragged through the streets, and dealing with difficult people are just a few of these circumstances.  As I write this blog, I just heard of the death of a friend.  Last week my son had a close friend take his own life.  But there it is ... crystal clear ... "Rejoice in the Lord, ALWAYS!"  It seems impossible.  How can Paul say this!

Here is Paul's recipe in Philippians 4:

1. Let everyone observe you being considerate in all you do (v.5).  Being kind doesn't just make others joyful ... it makes YOU joyful.

2. Don't worry (v. 6)!  Worry is like the old song ... "Worry is a rocking chair, it goes back and forth and it goes nowhere." 

3. Pray about everything (v. 6)!  Cast your cares upon a God who listens and has done/is doing great things on your behalf.

4. Experience God's peace (v. 7).  God gives us peace, but we need to consider 1,2,3 above, and then let God's peace enter our minds and our attitudes.

5. Get your mind in the right place (v. 8).  How do we do this when all we see and hear points to the "rat hole" of negativity swirling all around us?  Paul says, stop focusing on the rat hole.  Instead, focus on what is at the top of the rat hole ... light.  "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 (v. 8)."

This week is Pentecost.  Amid the rat hole of uncertainty, waiting, and open persecution of early believers, God does something that infuses the early Church with something that is fire, light, fresh wind, and truth.  God sends His Spirit into the believers gathered in a little room.  Acts 2 tells the story of the Church bursting out of that room, filled with the Spirit and the Good News of the Gospel.  Sunday we will sing these words ... "There's joy in the house of the Lord, there's joy in the house of the Lord today, we won't be quiet.  We shout out your praise."  Come, see and sing!  AMEN