Philippians 1:17 Knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

JOY STEALERS

There are various causes of stress and today, I’m going to show you 5 causes of stress that people believe to be the major contributor to stress.

1) MONEY – Many people are stressed because they lack money to pay their bills, their necessities, and many others.

2) WORK – Working under someone has always been a cause of stress. You need to do your job well, you hear gossips about you. You are worried whether the boss will fire you or not after that mistake you made.

3) FAMILY – The daily chores you have to do, fulfilling the needs of your kids, arguments with your spouse and family members.

4) PERSONAL CONCERN – Too many tasks at hand, getting all the bills paid and you’re concerned about your kid’s health and why bad things happened to you.

5) PERSONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY – They are worried about their health and safety. They are worried about all the diseases that strike them.

In his book Laugh Again, Charles Swindoll suggests three common “joy stealers”—worry, stress, and fear. Resist those “joy stealers” by renewing your confidence in God each morning. Then relax and rejoice.

SETTING IT UP

Philippians 1:12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; 13. Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 14. The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 15. knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

FURTHERANCE OF THE GOSPEL – This is a word picture of a soldier cutting away the underbrush so that the rest of the army can march forward. God used Paul to encourage the rest of the believers knowing that if he can be confident in his faith regardless of his circumstances then we can be bolder in our faith.

DEFENSE OF THE GOSPEL – Defense is where we get our word a-pol-o-get-ics

• 1. The branch of theology that is concerned with defending or proving the truth of Christian doctrines.
• 2. Formal argumentation in defense of something, such as a position or system.

PAUL’S JOY STEALERS

• Philippians 1:15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16. The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:

FILTER YOUR MIND

• Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
• The supreme value of the letter is that of its revelation of the Christian consciousness Notice the recurrence of the word mind, or of cognate words. “To be thus minded” 1:7; “Be of the same “mind” 2:2; “Lowliness of mind” 2:3; “Have this mind” 2:5; “Let us . . . be thus minded” 3:15; Who mind earthly things” 3:19; Of the same mind” 4:2; Your mind of me” 4:10.
• Authentic joy can always be recognized by the indispensable leap in faith that precedes it.

GROWTH CONTRIBUTES TO JOY

• The very act of seeking new insights drives out stale thinking.
• When you’re reading and listening to great ideas, then by default, you can’t be filling your mind with mediocre inputs.

HABIT TWO: START THE DAY WITH JOY

• Psalms 57:7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise. 8. Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.

John Maxwell, in his book, “Make Today Count,” tells a great story about starting the day with joy. He states, “Dear Lord, So far today, I am doing all right. I have not gossiped, lost my temper, been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or self-indulgent. I have not whined, cursed, or even eaten any chocolate. However, I am going to get out of bed in a few minutes, and I will need a lot more help after that. Amen.”

FIVE QUESTIONS TO BUILD MORNING MOMENTUM

1) What could I read, watch, or listen the first 15 minutes I’m awake?

2) What should I avoid reading, watching, or listening to?

3) How can I prepare for my “Early Morning Joy Ritual” the night before?

4) What could I tell myself the instant I wake up every morning?

5) What should I avoid telling myself the instant I wake up?

Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27. Neither give place to the devil.

WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO SEAL YOUR DAY WITH JOY?

• What’s IMPRESSED in your heart gets EXPRESSED in your circumstances.
• The absolute worst time to be negative, to be discouraged, to argue, or to deal with junk is right before bedtime!
• Like an oasis from daily stress, the final fifteen should become the most refreshing and restorative part of the day.
• Your potential for joy is limited only by your preparation for joy.

HOW CAN THE FINAL 15 MINUTES EXPLOIT YOUR JOY POTENTIAL?

1. What worked well for me today?
2. What’s great about my family life?
3. Who could I encourage or appreciate tomorrow?
4. What choices tomorrow will increase my energy?
5. In what ways could I increase my service in the next twenty-four hours?

WEEKLY STRETCH

Memorizing Scripture is one of the simplest and surest methods for cleansing, renewing, strengthening, and guarding your mind.

• Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
• Psalm 119:133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
• Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. 8. The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.
• Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
• Nehemiah 8:10 Neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
• Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
• Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
• Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
• Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
• Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
• James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
• Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Your conscious mind can hold only one thought at a time, positive or negative. The only way to eliminate a negative or counter-productive thought is to replace it with a positive, empowering thought.

1. My faith is beyond strong!
2. I trust God completely.
3. I am bold!
4. I joyfully receive unshakable faith.
5. I schedule time daily with God.
6. I’m surrounded by Godly people.
7. God has renewed my mind.
8. I memorize scripture.
9. I let go and Let God.
10. My lifestyle supports my faith.
11. I keep my thoughts on peace.
12. I am calm and composed.
13. I meditate on scripture.
14. I let stress melt away.
15. I rely on God’s strength.
16. I take time to be still.
17. My mind is serene.
18. I am free of negativity.
19. I experience comfort.
20. God is with me always.

CHOOSE JOY SERIES

• 1) THE CONFIDENCE OF JOY
• 2) THE DEFENSE OF JOY
• 3) JOY IN RELATIONSHIPS
• 4) JOY AT HOME
• 5) JOY IN CIRCUMSTANCES