JULY 14

OUR PERSONAL PROMISES:

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NAMES GIVEN TO JESUS IN THE BIBLE:

SON OF DAVID –Mt 15:22;  Mt 20:30 & 31;  Mt 21:9&15;  Mt 22:42

NAME ABOVE EVERY NAME—Ephes 1:21;  Phil 2:9

THE WORD OF GOD….John 1:1

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This month we will read the book, “Whatever Happens – How to Stand Firm in Your Faith When the World is Falling Apart.”  By a contemporary author of many best-selling Christian books, Robert J. Morgan.  He took care of his wife when she had MS, until she went home to her Savior.  “He knows of which he speaks.”  I pray that this book blesses you.

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Philippians 1:18-19

“What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,”

ACCESS GOD’S PROVISION OF THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST

I’ve come across a phrase – a single phrase – that got into my bloodstream like an infusion and led me to much thought and soul-searching:  “God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.”

The apostle Paul was under arrest in Rome, facing trial before emperor Nero.  If his trial was already in progress, he might have been in a holding cell near the royal courts.  He was optimistic about the outcome (according to our verses for today above).

 “Yes, I will continue to Rejoice”

The apostle Paul had made up his mind.  No matter the outcome of his trial, he would be joyful.  One of my most enduring pursuits has been the acquisition of Biblical joy.  I’ve studied this throughout Scripture, read about it, written about it, preached about it – and experienced it, though not as consistently as I should.

In my studies, I read a book that called joy a “high-energy state for the brain.”  The premise of the book is that the practice of joy endows us with the capacity to engage life with energy, creativity, and endurance.  “High-joy people are very resilient,” the author said, “High-joy communities are energetic and productive even in hard times.  When we are empowered with joy, we are better able to suffer, withstand pain, and still maintain intact relationships.”

FOR I KNOW

How, then, do we become high-joy people?  Joy comes from knowledge.  Paul said, “Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, FOR I KNOW.”   He knew something, and what he knew generated  the electrical energy of his joy.  A reality, a thought, an idea had come into his head.  He had been pondering it, thinking about it, considering it.  The more he thought about it, the more joy he felt.

The same thing is true for us.  Recently I let some things get to me and hurt me.  The more I brooded over them, the lower I sank.  I knew I had to get into a better state of mind, so I did that by going to Scripture and reminding myself of God’s Word.  The truth of Scripture, including the verses below, restored my joy.

Psalm 19:8 ~ ~ “the precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.”

Psalm 119:111 ~ ~ “Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.”

Jeremiah 15:16 ~ ~ “When Your Words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight.”

John 15:9 & 11 ~ ~ Jesus said, “Remain in My love …..I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

We draw our shifting emotions from the things we FEEL, but we base our enduring attitudes on the things we KNOW.  So what did Paul know that brought him joy in the midst of his trials?

THAT THROUGH YOUR PRAYERS

He knew the Philippians were praying for him.  “I will continue to rejoice,” he said, “for I know that THROUGH YOUR PRAYERS…..”  How remarkable that this small congregation could lift Paul’s name in prayers, and eight hundred miles away, strength and encouragement would enter his heart.

When I think of intercessory prayer – praying for others – I think of James O. Fraser, a missionary of yesteryear.  When Fraser arrived in China at age 22, he found lodgings in an attic room.  Feeling lonely, he would rise each morning and go outside to hike in the fields and hills.  There he prayed aloud, talking to God as to a friend.  He often used a hymnbook, taking stanzas of the hymns and turning them into prayers.  Sometimes he would pray for his city as he sat on the hilltop and looked down upon it.

In his diary for March 13, 1916, Fraser wrote that he felt “much peace and rest of soul after making that definite prayer, and almost ecstatic joy.”

Follow his example, if you find yourself anxious and self-focused, tell yourself you must change the emphasis of your thoughts.  Find a secret place and think of someone who needs prayer.  Pace back and forth, talking to God about them earnestly.  You’ll suddenly recognize you’re in God’s presence, experiencing His fellowship as you plead for your friend, acquaintance,  or  enemy.  In God’s presence is fullness of joy – Psalm 16:11 — and the desolate mood of your mind will be broken up.

Like Fraser, I sometimes use a hymnbook in going about this.  I remember singing a gospel song that said, “Send a great revival in my soul.  Let the Holy Spirit come and take control.  Send a great revival in my soul.”

I’ve prayed that song for others.  “Lord, send a great revival to their soul.  Let the Holy spirit come and take control.  Send a great revival to their soul.”

The Philippians must have been praying something like that for Paul, and he believed God was altering his circumstances because of their prayers for him.

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