Pastor Scott Applegate
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:23 NLT
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.” Philippians 2:12-18 NIV
Common heart problems and their remedy:
Fear: Faith (Vs. 13)
Bad Attitudes: Love (Vs. 14)
Guilt: Grace (Vs. 15)
Pain: Perseverance (Vs. 16)
Selfishness: Sacrifice (Vs. 17-18)
5 exercises for a joyful heart:
“…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling…” Vs. 12
- Keep it always before you that God is in you, with you, and for you
“…for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Vs. 13
“…I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20 NIV
“…If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31 NIV
2. Keep a grateful and compliant heart
“Do everything without grumbling or arguing” Vs. 14
3. Keep a clean conscience
“…so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Vs. 15
“Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!” Psalms 32:1-2 NLT
- Practice confession
- Take out the garbage
- Contemplate the cross
- Keep your grip on the word of God
“Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.” Vs. 16
4. Keep living for the ultimate affirmation
“But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.” Vs. 17-19
“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” Matthew 25:23 NIV