Promise for Today - The Choice to Rejoice

I will continue to rejoice. For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance. 

Philippians 1:18-19 (NLT)

When things are falling apart, don’t try to work it out yourself. Let God put the pieces back together. In this one Scripture passage, Paul reveals several sources of strength for staying positive and happy in tough times. If you’re facing a problem, you’ve got two options: You can worship, or you can worry. That’s it! This is what I call the faith factor.

First, you have to keep God’s perspective about your problems. Paul says, “For I know . . .” It’s what you know that keeps you going. Paul knows God is working in the midst of his struggle, and he keeps God’s bigger perspective, which helps him see past his problems.

Second, Paul has people praying for him, and that keeps him going. Knowing you have the support of other believers is like having wind filling your sails. It keeps you from giving up.

Then he says, “The Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me.” The Holy Spirit also keeps Paul going. And the same Spirit that keeps Paul going is the Spirit that is working in you and helping you persevere as a follower of Jesus.

Finally, he says, “This will lead to my deliverance.” Paul has faith that God will work his problems for good. God will do his good work, no matter what you decide. But he also wants to see you growing in faith and showing him that you believe he can do it.

Because Paul has God’s perspective, the prayer of friends, the Holy Spirit, and faith, he chooses to “continue to rejoice.”

Make the choice to rejoice.

Talk It Over

What does it look like to worship God in the midst of a struggle?

Who do you rely on for prayer support? Who can you count on to faithfully pray for your spiritual growth?

Think of a problem you’re experiencing right now. How have you seen God work in the midst of your pain? What do you expect God to do in and through you because of this experience?

 - by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

          It is written in the book of James that "every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change..." It is also written, "So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever." Come what may, we choose to make the choice to rejoice for You are the source of all good things, remaining consistent, loving, and unchanging. You are our Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord who provides; our Jehovah-Rapha, the Lord our Healer. You are Immanuel - God with us! The everlasting God! We give You all praise with grateful hearts, In Jesus' Name. Amen