Are you joyful right this minute? Well, I mean before I asked you? And
if you were giving a thoughtful answer, not just the "Christian
expected" answer, what would you say? If you were rejoicing, why? If
not, why not?

Paul says here in Philippians that he reminds us to rejoice in the Lord
because it's a safeguard for our faith. Hmmm... So how much are you
safeguarding your faith today? How well are you demonstrating Jesus to
others?

So here's 4 things God says impact our joy and make our faith secure.





JOY IS MY SAFETY GAUGE
Teamwork Can Change My Life (part 7)

If you want to boast,
boast only about the Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:31 NLT


WATCH MY JOY METER

 1 Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord.
I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard
your faith.     Philippians 3:1 NLT

Jesus said to them again, Children, how hard it is for those who trust
(place their confidence, their sense of safety) in riches to enter the
kingdom of God!                         Mark 10:24 Amp


* BEWARE OF BAD DOGS (Plummet)

 2 Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators
who say you must be circumcised to be saved.    Philippians 3:2 NLT

               What do I do to keep on God’s good side?


* ACTIVELY GIVE SOME REAL WORSHIP (Skyrocket)

 3 For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly
circumcised.    Philippians 3:3 NLT

A true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision
is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of
heart produced by God’s Spirit.         Romans 2:29 NLT

               ?How much real worship did I do this week?


* MAKE SURE I'M WOWED BY JESUS (Soar)

We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us.   Philippians 3:3 NLT

                When is the last time I felt in total awe of Jesus?


* DETERMINE NOT TO PAT MYSELF ON THE BACK (Nose-Dive)

We put no confidence in human effort,
4 though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could.
Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I
have even more!

 5 I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded
citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew
if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the
strictest obedience to the Jewish law. 6 I was so zealous that I
harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the
law without fault.
 7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them
worthless because of what Christ has done.      Philippians 3:1-7 NLT

               What do I deserve a few brownie points for?



How much am I currently rejoicing in the Lord?
What am I doing to increase my joy?
What is currently taking away my joy?
If I were more joyful, I would be less__________________.
Who helps me monitor my joy?



We Christians glory in what Christ Jesus has done for us and realize
that we are helpless to save ourselves.
Philippians 3:3 LB