In this episode, we splash around in summer's ever-expanding joy through Paul's most familiar prison letter--Philippians. Chapter 4 leads us in choosing joy through a change of mindset, priority, and practice. Welcome to summer joy - it's contagious. Listen in! **And please leave your comments below. Your comments and review help others find this podcast!

For some of us, summer is the season all others lead up to!
It’s lighter and less chaotic—unless your kids play baseball or other summer sports. Nonetheless, summer is casual and easygoing—not as easily encumbered by deadlines and have-to’s.

It’s in this context we come to Philippians 4.

The word ‘joy’ or ‘rejoicing’ appears 16 times in just 4 chapters--especially significant since Paul wrote his letter from prison.

Chapter 4 reminds us that joy is about forward movement.

Joy is contagious--meant to spread like the ripples of a stone that’s been skipped into a summer lake. 

Before joy is released to do its outreaching work, it must first land in our lives.

Romans 5, Paul describes joy as the result of being made right by God when we place our faith in Jesus as Lord.

Everything about us is made right.

This, according to Paul, is the source and substance of our joy.

Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of underserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. Rom. 5:2

Three movements of summer’s joy in Philippians 4:

1. Change of Mindset (changing what we think about)
2. Change of Priority (changing what we will or want)
3. Change of Practice (changing what we do with our body)We orient our thoughts differently so that we can live differently.

Our lives lead where our minds marinate. When we orient our thoughts differently, our priorities follow and we live differently.

Joy results from practiced choices; it’s a full-bodied commitment with our mind, our will, and our body.

Summer joy’s invitation: Will you change your mindset and your priority for a change of practice?

Questions for you to consider in releasing summer's joy:

1. What has God been up to in your own life?
2. Where have you seen God at work in someone else’s life?
3. List 10 thoughts/reflections that fall into Paul's Philippians 4:8 description.

Joy is contagious--meant to spread like the ripples of a stone that’s been skipped into a summer lake. 

**Before you go, would you please comment below? Your comments and review help others find this podcast!

Complete show notes coming soon on my blog!

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