" Rejoice evermore." 1 Thes. 5:16 " Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say rejoice." Phil. 4:4

Happy = supremely blest, fortunate, well off, blessed Joy = cheerfulness, calm delight, gladness, be exceeding joyful

Trust in God “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” “to have refuge, confident, secure” “make straight, go right, prosperous”

Trust in God “He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.” “Blessed” “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matt. 6:33

Trust in God “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” “Do not worry about anything” Psalms 28:7 NKJV “The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, …”

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” Psalms 119:103 “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” Psalms 119:97 “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.” “pleasure, desire, pleasant”

Live Righteously 10. Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about. 11. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.” Psalms 64:10 “The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.”

Live Righteously “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;”

Worship God Regularly “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.” Psalms 95:1 “O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.” Psalms 96:9 “O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. “gleeful, merry hearted”

Keep a Clean Conscience “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.” 1 Timothy 1:19 “Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:” 2 Tim. 1:3 “with pure conscience”

“And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.” Gen. 42:21

Learn Contentment “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Discontented people murmur - 1 Cor. 10:10 Covetousness is opposite - Col. 3:5 1 Tim.6:6 “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

13. And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. 14. I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.” Stay Busy Doing Good

Stay Busy Doing Good Romans 12:11 “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;” 1 Tim. 5:8 - provide for his own house Eph. 4:28 “working with his hands” Gal. 6:10 “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

Matt. 11: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

 Trust in God  Relish the Bible  Live righteously  Worship God regularly  Keep a Clean Conscience  Learn Contentment  Stay Busy Doing Good

Acts 8:39 “And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.” “to be cheerful, calmly happy or well-off”

Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga Sunday Morning April 14, 2013