CHOOSE JOY

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! – Php 4:4

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. – 1Thes 5:16-18

Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials – Jas 1:2

And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold. – Ne 8:10 AMP

  Joy is . . .

  Ditch

You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor. – Ex 20:17

When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they have no understanding. – 2Cor 10:12b

Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved – the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?” Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?” Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” – John 21:20-22

  Ditch and

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” – Matt 6:31-33

The Joy of (knowing that God’s got our back because we belong to) the Lord is our strength

  Ditch

Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant. – Gal 1:10

When a person’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He causes even his enemies to make peace with him. – Prov 16:7

  Distance the , the and the

From that time Jesus began to point out to His disciples that it was necessary for Him to go to Jerusalem and to suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and to be killed, and to be raised up on the third day. And yet Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You!” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s purposes, but men’s.” – Matt 16:21-23

Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. – 2Tim 2:23

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may impart grace to those who listen. – Eph 4:29

  Ditch

Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you will be blameless and pure, children of God without any fault. – Php 2:14-15a

  Become an Encouragement

Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you also are doing. – 1Thes 5:11

  Go where the real joy

You will make known to me the way of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. – Ps 16:11

But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works. – Ps 73:28

All scripture is from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted