Choose Joy//Values We Live By [Part 4]

Choose Joy

Values We LIVE by – Part 4 of 4

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” 

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

3 Relational Kill-Joys

1. Selfishness.

“Where do all the fights and quarrels among you come from? They come from your desires… which are constantly fighting with your bodies… you strongly desire things but you cannot get them, so you quarrel and fight.” James 4:1-2 (GN)

“Abandon every display of selfishness. Possess a greater concern for what matters to others instead of your own interests.” 

Philippians 2:3-4 (TPT)

“As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil.” Genesis 50:20 (LB)

“Wherever there is jealousy or selfish ambition, there will be disorder and every other kind of evil.” James 3:16 (GN)

1 Corinthians 13:5 (TLB)

2. Resentment.

“Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives.” 

Hebrews 12:15

“The fool who provokes his family to anger and resentment will finally have nothing worthwhile left.” Proverbs 11:29

3. Fear.

“An anxious heart weights a man down.” 

Proverbs 12:25

“Fear always contains some of the torture of feeling guilty. The one who lives in fear has not yet had his love perfected.” 

1 John 4:18

Fear does three things to relationships:

1. Fear makes me defensive. 
2. Fear makes me distant. 
3. Fear makes me demanding. 

In order to have joy in your relationships

1. Focus on giving rather than receiving. 

“Giving brings a far greater blessing than receiving.” 

Acts 20:35 (TPT)

2. Focus on healing rather than hurting. 

“Be gentle and ready to forgive; never hold grudges. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” 

Colossians 3:13

3. Focus on God’s power rather than my problems. 

“Trust in God at all times; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” Psalms 62:8

How to rejoice in the midst of difficult circumstances?

1. I can be joyful because God is with me. 
2. I can be joyful because God has a plan for me. 
3. I can be joyful because God will help me. 

Watch today’s service at www.vineyardchurch.com

All scripture from the New International Version unless otherwise noted