“HOW TO HAVE A GOOD DAY” - Part I

Philippians 4:1-9

“Have a good day” is a statement you hear at every grocery checkout counter, from every service station attendant, or at just about every fast food counter. The sentiments are appreciated but I’ve never had anyone tell me “how” to have a good day. “Have a good day” is more than God’s wish for you. It is God’s plan for you! He not only desires a good day for you but tells you how to have it. In Psalm 118:24 we read, “This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Philippians 4:1-8 outlines the game plan:

1. Begin your day by strengthening your confidence in the Lord. This exhortation (v. 1) is based upon the preceding verses (Philippians 3:20-21). Romans 5:2 and Acts 20:32 tell us how. Deuteronomy 38:25b gives us the promise and in Philippians 3:13-14 we are told to not look back, but press forward, thereby not allowing the enemies of God’s grace (Philippians 3:1-8) to rob us of this confidence.

2. Throughout your day be prepared to help those who have problems (vv. 2,3). We need to try to live outside ourselves. A person who is wrapped up in himself makes a pretty small package. In this case it involves promoting harmony between two bickering ladies. Believers are to be peacemakers (Matt. 5:9).

3. Throughout your day make your fellowship with the Lord a top priority (v.4). Note that “rejoice” is emphasized twice! Don’t lose your sense of joy in Christ. When you lose your joy, everything stops. You lose your zeal, your will to go on in a meaningful way, your cutting edge. If we are not careful, we will fall into the trap of living on substitutes.

Mentally - we substitute knowledge for wisdom.

Emotionally - we substitute feeling for fact.

Spiritually - we substitute the temporal for the eternal.

Beloved - where do you find your delight? Your source of joy? This week I challenge you (and myself) to make Psalm 37:4 and 5 a reality in our lives. God bless. (. . . to be continued!)

Love to you all.