Gateway Family,

You are incredible and so so loved. Let us pray this together:

Holy Spirit, come. I invite you to search me and know me. I invite your voice to be the loudest one in the room. Come and reveal yourself to me in these verses. Thank you for your abiding presence.

Join with me today in reading Philippians 4:10-13.
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

I love these verses—I aspire to be like Paul, content in everything and able to not just handle but thrive in both abundance and need. Who does he attribute his success to? Obviously Christ, but let us dig a little deeper.

Verse 13 is twofold: Paul makes this powerful statement firstly that he can do all things, and secondly, that it is through Christ that he can do all things. Paul then specifically addresses how it is that Christ enables him to do all things. The answer is strength. Christ provides strength for us to do all things.

Nehemiah 8:10 says that the joy of the Lord is our strength. I find that connection fascinating. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. How are we strengthened? Through His joy. My strength is the joy of the Lord. I would naturally assume his love is what strengthens me, or perhaps his peace, or his grace. Joy would not have been my first thought. However, practically speaking, it does make sense. I find that when I’m experiencing joy, I feel my boldness increase. It’s really hard to let fear in when you’re joyful. It’s really hard to worry when you’re filled with joy. It’s hard to be angry when we’re wrapped up in joy.

If the enemy can attack our joy, he takes away our strength.

Imagine how powerful the church as a whole would be if we really leaned into the joy of the Lord. I don’t mean this as a critique, nor am I suggesting that we don’t currently have joy. I do know that I am often guilty of being far too serious in the presence of the Lord. Jesus is FUN! He is joyful! He loves to laugh!!

I invite you to ask Holy Spirit to fill you with his joy in new ways today. Invite him to surprise you with strength and watch for what he does in you.
Grace and Peace,

Pastor Cassie