Daily #Devotion Series: #Philippians How often do we seek #joy by praying for others? Philippians 1:3-4 “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy.” Paul knew the secret to attaining true joy, and it is founded in the Holy Spirit and through the outpouring of relationship. Don’t misidentify joy for happiness. Being happy is a response to circumstance. Joy is the result of right relationship. Paul was sitting in prison upon writing this letter to the Philippian church. It’s a pretty sure bet that he wasn’t exceedingly happy in his circumstances. However, he knew how to seek joy, and that was in remembering his brothers and sisters in Christ and praying for them. The ability to do this sort of remembering and focused prayer can only come from a joy that first originates with a right relationship with God. When we have peace with Him, being assured of our salvation and eternity with Him, then joy permeates our situations in life and naturally pours forth in joy toward those who share this experience with us. As a matter of fact, we know that trials and persecution dont touch joy if its the joy of the Spirit in a Spirit-filled life. On the contrary, these circumstances may become occasions of deeper joy because they cast the believer totally off his circumstances and on to his God. Its in that relationship, its depth, that real joy is found. Are you looking for true joy today? If so, look no further than to your relationship with your Father and then remember and pray for your fellow brothers and sisters. Your circumstances, no matter how dire, will not permeate your state of heart in this eternal perspective. Study/Meditation: Think of at least two fellow Christians you can pray for today and lift them up in prayer. Why do you think this is a path to the joy we all have in Christ? *Father, my hope and my joy is in You. I love You and I give You all the praise and glory and honor in my life. Amen.
Posted on: Mon, 12 May 2014 15:27:16 +0000
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