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    Living in Christian Joy
    Living in Christian Joy
    Living in Christian Joy
    Ebook92 pages1 hour

    Living in Christian Joy

    By Maxwell R Watson

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    About this ebook

    This is a journey through the book of Philippians focusing on joy, developed from my own study, preaching and personal experience.. Philippians has been called The Book of Joy. The Apostle Paul lived a joyful life in the most harsh conditions; if he could do that; then we can too.Christians are supposed to live with the joy of the Lord; but in my experience I often have not seen that.
    This is a journey through Philippians focusing on joy. The Apostle Paul shares some gems for life in Philippians and here we are exploring them.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMaxwell R Watson
    Release dateFeb 19, 2014
    ISBN9781311509383
    Living in Christian Joy
    Author

    Maxwell R Watson

    I am now retired. I spent 20 years as a Pastor and then worked in International Humanitarian Aide work. In 2004 I survived a massive stroke and like to encourage people to not give up in their life circumstances.

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      Book preview

      Living in Christian Joy - Maxwell R Watson

      Living in Christian Joy

      Maxwell R Watson

      Copyright Maxwell R Watson 2014

      ISBN: 978-1496026521

      Published at Smashwords.com

      maxwatson@iinet.net.au

      Contents

      Dedication

      Acknowledgements

      The Cause of Christian Joy

      Joy and the People I'm with

      Joy and the Place I'm in

      Joy and the Person I am (part 1)

      Joy and the person I am, part 2

      Joy and the good it does (part 1)

      Joy and the Good it does (part 2)

      Epilogue

      Dedication

      This book is dedicated to my wife Christine Watson. Chris has stood by my side as a true partner through every part (the beautiful and the extremely difficult) of life for over 33 years; she is an amazing woman of God a wonderful mother to our four, now adult, children and now an ideal loving and caring Grandmother. Whilst juggling these she also wears the cap as my Carer as I have a disability.

      I also add here a dedication to God’s Church. I have been in love with the church for over 50 years now, even though it is full of both weird and wonderful people. I still am drawn to it as the best thing this side of heaven; for I truly believe that is just what the church is supposed to be.

      Back to Contents

      Acknowledgements

      I wish to acknowledge those who have had critical input into my life. Those who have been mentors in my life include: the late Mr. Bob Weeding; Mr. Frank Kimpton & the very much still with us Mr. Kevin Craik, Dr Keith Farmer, Dr Lionel Berthelsen and Mr. Dennis (professor) Nutt. These men saw something in me that was worth bringing out. For some, it was leadership, while for others, it was to excite or challenge my thinking. I am truly grateful to each of them; and yes those who have gone before me, I still miss. To my wonderful amazing wife of over 33 years, your uncanny ability to love me regardless of what life has thrown at us, and to challenge my thinking to rise to a higher level. To my Heavenly Father, who seems to be always waiting for me to catch-up, get the plan and to move me to act on that plan!

      Note

      I am purposeful in having the text spaced a bit wider than most books. I find reading easier this way, and I feel sure most do. The same is applied to the font I use. It is my sincere hope that you find this book both easy to read and inspirational. Therefore, I believe that you will rise to the challenge of living in a state of joy.

      All scriptures quoted are from the New International Version, unless otherwise stated.

      Back to Contents

      The Cause of Christian Joy

      I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for that handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy. Let's face it, friends make life a lot more fun.

      Charles R. Swindoll (via www.brainyquote.com )

      Philippians 1:1-11

      Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: ² Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.³ I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴ In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. ⁷ It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. ⁸ God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.⁹ And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, ¹⁰ so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, ¹¹ filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

      In his book Running from Reality, Michael Green wrote these words about Christians who are living in a vital relationship with God: Christians die well.

      To illustrate his point, he tells the story of Herman Lange, a German Christian, who was executed by the Nazis during World War II. In his cell on the night before he was to be killed, Lange wrote a note to his parents. He said two feelings occupied his mind: I am, first, in a joyous mood, and second, filled with great anticipation. Then he made this beautiful affirmation: In Christ I have put my faith, and precisely today I have faith in Him more firmly than ever. Finally, he urged his parents to read the New Testament for comfort: Look where you will, everywhere you will find jubilation over the grace that makes us children of God. What can befall a child of God? Of what should I be afraid? On the contrary, rejoice!

      If Christianity doesn't make a person happy, it doesn't make them anything at all! Where is the point? Where lays all the pointless gatherings, meetings and programmes? If we do not have joy, then all the ‘stuff’ that goes on; we may as well meet in a football stadium; for people are usually joyous to be there...

      Philippians has quite rightly been called the letter of joy. Time and time again, woven throughout this letter are the words joy and rejoice. That alone should be a wakeup call to any reader. The word joy, in various forms, appears 16 times in these four brief chapters, seeming like a golden thread woven through a lovely piece of cloth.

      Some of the most loved verses in the whole of the bible are found in Philippians, and to quote just three:

      Philippians 1:21

      For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

      Philippians 4:13

      I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

      Philippians 4:19

      And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

      Philippians is very noteworthy for its great doctrinal statements. Mind you, it was not written or intended as such (unlike Romans or Galatians which are both great doctrinal statements), but nevertheless; Philippians is full of doctrine. A doctrine is simply a specific teaching of faith.

      As the letter opens, Paul introduces himself, and Timothy, and pronounces a blessing on the church at Philippi. This is a typical opening of correspondence by Paul. Then he touches on something that can be as life changing for the Christian as salvation is to the non-Christian, that is: thankfulness in prayer.

      In many languages, the term giving thanks is the same term for prayer. Most of us would have heard the word Eucharist, and we would understand that some churches use that term to refer to Holy Communion; we find in the New Testament. The Greek word 'eucharisteo' simply means to give thanks. The Latin word for prayer is gratia, from which we get our English word grace. Originally, it had two meanings, one meaning thankfulness, and the other meaning God's unmerited favour.

      By the careful use of the right words, Paul is telling us that our prayers should be filled with Thanksgiving. How much of the time in your prayers do you spend asking for things, and how much time do you spend just thanking God?

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