Dear Friend: Victory & Joy

Dear E,

I thought I would take a few minutes and write to you to draw your attention to some wonderful Scriptures.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:4-7).

"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness" (2 Peter 1:3).

"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?" (2 Corinthians 2:14-16).

"For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins" (1 Peter 1:8-9).

"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:57).

Notice the victory, the triumph, and the glorious joy that are normal for Christians. Your thoughts and emotions have become more authoritative to you than the Word of God.

Here is an exercise in personal application Bible study. Read the first two chapters of Ephesians. Mark and number everything that these chapters say the believer has in Jesus Christ. Read each one and ask yourself this question: "True or False?" When you answer the question, "True!," thank God for this wonderful thing that you have in Jesus Christ. Take this list of truths with you and thank God all day long for where you are in Jesus Christ.

It will be very hard to be discouraged, depressed, or in despair when you thank God. You also need fellowship with the saints. Please check in with me.

With love in Christ,

Jim Wilson

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