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Published: Oct. 16, 2008, 4:55 a.m.

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The Pursuit of Joy, Week 1: No Matter What

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For most, life is all about the pursuit of happiness. We chase after the boy, the girl, the car, the job and the American Dream only to find that happiness is a moving target.\\xa0 While happiness is short lived and good times are in short supply, there is still the pursuit of something better, something lasting, something called JOY. In this four-week study of the book of Philippians we will go on a quest to unlock the power of joy in our lives.\\xa0 You\\u2019ll discover the secret to a happiness that doesn\\u2019t change with the stock market or the weather.\\xa0 It\\u2019s time to begin the pursuit of a lifetime\\u2014the pursuit of joy.

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\\xa0\\u201cI thank my God every time I remember you.\\xa0 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.\\u201d Philippians 1:3-6 (NIV)

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\\xa0Happiness is external.

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Joy is internal.

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\\xa0\\u201cTherefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.\\xa0 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.\\xa0 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.\\u201d 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)\\xa0

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\\xa0Happiness is based on circumstances.

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\\xa0Joy is based on Christ.

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\\xa0\\u201c\\u2026for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.\\u201d Philippians 4:11 (NIV)

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\\xa0Happiness is based on chance.

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\\xa0Joy is based on choice.

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\\xa0\\u201cThis day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life\\u2026\\u201d Deuteronomy 30:19 (NIV)\\xa0

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\\xa0No Matter What

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\\xa0\\u201cAnd this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God.\\u201d Philippians 1:9-11 (NIV)\\xa0

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1.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Get over the distraction of what happened.

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\\xa0\\u201cNow I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.\\u201d Philippians 1:12 (NIV)\\xa0

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2.\\xa0\\xa0 Discover the new opportunities.

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\\xa0\\u201cAs a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.\\xa0 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.\\u201d Philippians 1:13-14 (NIV)\\xa0

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3.\\xa0\\xa0 Focus on what really matters.

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\\xa0\\u201cIt is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.\\xa0 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.\\xa0 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.\\xa0 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.\\u201d Philippians 1:15-18 (NIV)\\xa0

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\\xa0Ultimate Joy

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\\xa0\\u201cFor to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.\\u201d Philippians 1:21 (NIV)\\xa0

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\\xa0When you know Christ, you\\u2019re in a win-win situation.

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\\xa0\\u201cThey overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.\\u201d Revelation 12:11 (NIV)\\xa0

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