Always

25 10 2016

Always be full of joy in the Lord;

I say it again, rejoice!  

Let everyone see that you are unselfish and considerate in all you do.

Remember that the Lord is coming soon.  

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers.

If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.

His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.

 And now, brothers, as I close this letter, let me say this one more thing:

Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right.

Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others.

Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about.

Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and saw me doing,

and the God of peace will be with you.

 Philippians 4: 4 – 9 TLB

sunrise right


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Celebrate

22 06 2016

Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.

Philippians 4:4-9 MSG

Lifted hands


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Always

17 06 2015

West Angeles COGICAlways be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.  Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:4-9 NLT


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Don’t Worry, Be Happy

25 03 2015
Terri in Barcelona

Terri in Barcelona

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.   Philippians 4:4-9

It turns out that “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” are not just words from a popular song from the late 1980’s. Consider the phrases in Paul’s letter to the Philippians – “Always be full of joy in the Lord’ and “Don’t worry about anything”. These things may seem like pointless initiatives when you have a particular concern before the Lord. You may feel anxious, stressful and even desperate to see some sign that God is moving on our behalf. This is one of my favorite passages that provide important guidance for each of us:

  • Be Full of Joy with double emphasis
  • Be gentle or considerate to every one
  • Know The Lord is near by
  • Don’t worry or be anxious
  • Pray about everything
  • Be grateful for God’s blessings
  • Keep your mind on the things of God
  • Do God’s Work

What is amazing to me is that taking these steps lead to God’s unexplainable peace even during difficult times.


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Always

9 03 2015

DSC02667Always ….

be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!

Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do.

Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.

Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.

His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing.

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.

Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing.

Then the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:4-9


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Always…

12 09 2014

2014-08-25 15.21.39

 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!

Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do.

Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.

Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  

Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.

His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing.

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.

Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing.

Then the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:4-9 NLT

 Things we should do consistently at all times –  Always…


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Keep Your Hearts and Minds

25 06 2014

Be full of joy in the Lord always. I will say again, be full of joy. Let everyone see that you are gentle and kind. The Lord is coming soon. Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks. And God’s peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Brothers and sisters, think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected .Do what you learned and received from me, what I told you, and what you saw me do. And the God who gives peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9

This passage of scripture has blessed me over and over again. During different seasons of my life, the Holy Spirit is gracious enough to remind me where our focus should be in daily living. We are so inundated with things that don’t reflect God, His word or His love. It is a source of discouragement, anxiety and depression if you choose to stay focused on it. Our God provides a perfect place for guiding our thoughts and our actions. It is a place where truth and peace abide for His children. With our focus on Him, we can leave fear behind and walk with His peace in our hearts.

Dear Heavenly Father:
I thank You for this day. I thank You for all the blessings that have allowed me to come to this point in my life. As I move forward, I want to be focused on the truth of your word, which provides guidance and peace for each step in my life. Lord, where I have fallen short I ask for your merciful forgiveness. I am thankful for the promise of peace as I stay focused on You. Have your light and your love to shine bright today every place I go.
In Jesus name, Amen


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