Joy is a Profound Decision

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice.” – Philippians 4:4

Beside my desk in the church office, I have a little plaque that was given to me a couple of years ago. On that plaque is one of my favorite quotes by the 17^th century monk Brother Lawrence. After he was given the most menial job in the monastery—the position of cook—he went into that kitchen and started cheerfully working. And he famously said, “I turn my little omelet in the pan for the love of God.”

Brother Lawrence embraced the same truth that the shepherds in the field embraced on the very first Christmas: Joy transcends our crummy circumstances, because true joy is grounded in Jesus. You see, Christian joy is a profound decision of faith and hope in the power of Jesus’ own life and love.

Almost without exception, when we’re feeling discouraged and down in the dumps, we are fixated on the circumstances around us. We can’t see the forest for the trees. We have a pile of bills to pay. Our kids are driving us up the wall. Our joints hurt. The car’s out of gas and our dog hates us. It feels like we’re drowning in an ocean of problems. But it’s especially at times like these that it’s important to remember that joy is a profound decision—a decision to focus on Jesus’ life, not on your life; a decision to focus on Jesus’ love, not on your own hate for what you’re going through.

If you ever need a good pick-me-up, read the book of Philippians. In chapter 1, Paul writes, “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy … being confident in this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (vs. 3-6). Does Paul sound pretty joyful in these verses? Sure he does! But when he penned these verses, he wasn’t on vacation in Tahiti. He was wearing chains in the slammer. He was incarcerated, not knowing whether he would ever be released or whether he would be executed. Yet he rejoiced.

How was this possible? It was possible because Paul had chosen joy. He had made a profound decision of faith and hope in the power of Jesus’ own life and love. And Paul so wanted his fellow Christians to make this same profound decision. That’s why Paul urges us in Philippians 3:1: “Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord!” And in Philippians 4:4, he really drives his point home: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

In the midst of our pain and heartache and discouragement, we’re called upon to choose joy. Your pile of bills does not change the fact that Jesus lived and died for you because he loves you more than life itself. Loved ones staying or leaving does not change the fact that Jesus Christ is preparing a place for you in heaven. Even when your dog hates you, there is joy in the Lord. Ultimately, if I have to choose between Jesus lovin’ me or Fido lovin’ me, I’m going to choose Jesus lovin’ me—every single time.

Many Christians point to Philippians 4:13 as their favorite verse in the Bible: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” But most Christians don’t look at the context of this verse. In the 3 verses leading up to 4:13, Paul says, “I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Philippians 4:10-12).

Paul’s contentment and joy were both the result of his profound decision to trust in Jesus’ life and love. How could Paul possibly do all things through Christ? He could do it because he wasn’t all caught up in the things that were dragging him down. If you’re sinking in quicksand, you’re not going to find your lifeline in the quicksand. You’ve got to look up and fix your eyes on the one who can set you free. And when he offers you that lifeline, you have to take hold of it with everything you’ve got. You have to trust that lifeline, and trust the one holding that lifeline. And as you do, you can experience pure joy even as you’re still neck-deep in the quicksand.

On that first Christmas, God offered us good news of great joy. And joy has a name. His name is Jesus.

Dane Davis is the Lead Pastor of First Christian Church in Victorville. For more information,

visit www.YourVictorvilleChurch.com and join us for church Sundays at 10 a.m. 

The Secret of Contentment

“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”

– Philippians 4:12

The story is told of a Quaker who offered a piece of property free of charge to anyone who considered himself content. When a man came to claim the parcel, the Quaker asked him, ‘If you’re content, why do you want my land?” Realizing that his actions betrayed his hidden discontent, the man turned and walked away.

To be “content” is to be satisfied with what you have and are—not needing more. Sadly, as we leave our homes and go into the world each day, we are surrounded by people drowning in discontent. Worse still, contentment is an elusive, rare jewel that many Christians never discover. Perhaps God had this sobering reality in mind when He inspired Paul to conclude his letter to the Philippians by highlighting four secrets to contentment. If you—like most Christians—want to be content with the life God has given you, take these four great secrets to heart. 

The 1^st Secret: Be confident that God always provides for His own. Consider Joseph. Although he was rejected by his brothers, sold as a slave, falsely accused of rape and thrown into a dungeon, God always provided for him. God saw to it that the circumstances and situations were put in place so that His purposes could be carried out in Joseph’s life. The same held true for Paul. Even when he was whipped, beaten, shipwrecked and hungry, God saw to it that Paul’s needs were met and Christ’s Kingdom was advanced. Bible teacher Warren Wiersbe says it so well: “Life is not a series of accidents; it is a series of appointments.” There is great peace and contentment that come when we take a deep breath and embrace this powerful secret: God always provides for His own.

The 2^nd Secret: Understand that the amount of stuff we own has nothing to do with contentment. Paul writes in Philippians 4:12, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Over the course of several years, Jesus Christ taught Paul that contentment doesn’t stem from being nicely dressed, well fed or pampered. If anything, the stuff that normally surrounds a materially-blessed person is a distraction. You see, the amount of stuff we own is irrelevant. To be content is to be thankful and satisfied with what God has given you—be it little or much. We’d be wise to meditate on the words of Chuck Swindoll: “The good life exists only when we stop wanting a better one. The itch for things is a virus draining the soul of contentment.”

The 3^rd Secret: Believe that God’s strength empowers you to be content in any situation. Philippians 4:13 is one of the most quoted verses in the Bible: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This is a marvelous verse, but we dare not forget the context of the verse—contentment in all circumstances. Whether Paul was well fed and comfortable or hungry and sitting in a jail cell, Jesus Christ empowered him to be content. Whether Paul was liked and appreciated or hated and beaten, Jesus Christ still empowered him to be content. Paul learned to be content in all circumstances through Christ who gave him strength. And Christ gave him that strength from the inside out. Instead of turning to stuff around him to find contentment, Paul turned to Christ who was living inside him. Therefore, if you are a Christian, consider this: No matter what situation you find yourself in—be it good, bad or ugly—your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. So, God’s Spirit goes with you wherever you go. And He is ready and willing to empower you to be content in any and every situation you face.

The 4^th Secret: Focus on meeting others’ needs, trusting that God will meet all your needs in Christ. In this world where most people are preoccupied with themselves, Paul was preoccupied with others. And that was one of the secrets to his contentment. He took his eyes off his own needs and focused on others’ needs. And having personally experienced the consistent provision of his great and awesome God, Paul confidently wrote in Philippians 4:19, “My God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” When it comes to God’s need-meeting, here is an important insight to remember. If you are “in Christ,” God promises to meet your needs—not your greeds. As Warren Wiersbe says so eloquently, “When the child of God is in the will of God, serving for the glory of God, then he will have every need met.”

Christian, you may not live in a mansion, drive a 2017 BMW or take annual vacations to Hawaii, but consider how rich you are in Christ. You have been blessed with riches that money can’t buy: forgiveness, reconciliation with your Creator, deliverance, love, hope, peace, purpose and joy. And God has consistently met your basic needs for material possessions time and again. So, why on earth are you discontent? Stop looking for the “good life.” You already have it in Christ! You don’t need a brand new car, the latest gadget or a better-looking spouse to be content. The secret to contentment hasn’t been right under your nose all this time. In reality, it’s been even closer. The secret of contentment is living inside you, and His name is Jesus.

Dane Davis is the Lead Pastor of First Christian Church in Victorville. Join us for Easter Sunday!

 Worship services are at 7 am and 10 am. Questions? Visit www.fccvv.com .