“Then he said to them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.’” Nehemiah 8:10 (NKJV) Joy is…

the assurance of my soul that God is completely in control of all things, the attitude in my heart that everything ultimately will be okay, and the ability of my mind to praise God in every situation I encounter. v A Life Changed By The Gospel Will Be… 1. THANKFUL FOR THEIR CHURCH FAMILY. “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you…” Philippians 1:3 (NKJV) 2. PRAYERFUL FOR THEIR CHURCH FAMILY. “…always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy…” Philippians 1:4 (NKJV)

Ø CONSTANTLY (always)

“…without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers.” Romans 1:9 (NKJV)

“I always thank my God for you…” 1 Corinthians 1:4 (NIV)

“I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly.” Ephesians 1:16 (NLT)

“We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you…” Colossians 1:3 (NKJV)

“We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.” 1 Thessalonians 1:2 (NIV)

“Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.” 2 Timothy 1:3b (NLT)

“I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers…” Philemon 4 (NKJV)

Ø HABITUALLY (every prayer)

Ø SPECIFICALLY (making request)

Ø ENTHUSIASTICALLY (with all joy) 3. HELPFUL TO THEIR CHURCH FAMILY. “…for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now…” Philippians 1:5 (NKJV) v Let’s go together with the Gospel to the ends of the EARTH till the end of our LIVES.

4. HOPEFUL FOR THEIR CHURCH FAMILY. “…being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ…” Philippians 1:6 (NKJV) 5. FAITHFUL TO THEIR CHURCH FAMILY. “…just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:7-8 (NKJV)