Overview In the recent Devotional Podcast meeting, hosted by Carrie Hurley, the focus was on Philippians 4:4, emphasizing the importance of rejoicing and being filled with joy in the Lord. The discussion highlighted the distinction between joy and happiness, noting that while happiness is dependent on circumstances, joy is a stable state rooted in trust in God's sovereignty. Practical examples were given, including the biblical story of Paul and Silas singing praises in prison, illustrating how to find blessings in unexpected situations. Listeners were encouraged to cultivate joy through practical steps like shifting focus from oneself to Jesus, seeking help from the Holy Spirit, and renewing their minds. The session concluded with a heartfelt prayer for the audience to experience God's joy, an invitation for listeners to share their thoughts on joy cultivation, and an announcement of a free workshop on March 16 designed to help Silence Your Inner Critic and reclaim joy. Introduction and Theme (00:00 - 00:38)

• Carrie Hurley hosts a devotional on Philippians 4:4
• Focus on being full of joy in the Lord
• Importance of rejoicing

Joy vs. Happiness (00:38 - 01:37)

• Differentiation between joy and happiness
• Happiness is tied to circumstances
• Joy is a state of being, not controlled by situations
• Joy is understanding God's sovereignty

Practical Examples of Joy (01:37 - 03:25)

• Responding to unexpected situations by finding blessings
• Trusting in Jesus during difficult times
• Example of Paul and Silas singing praises in jail (Acts 16)

Joy in Daily Life (03:25 - 04:53)

• Joy allows transcendence above life's challenges
• Practical steps to cultivate joy:

1. Stop navel-gazing
2. Focus thoughts on Jesus
3. Ask Holy Spirit for help
4. Ask for God's joy
5. Cooperate with Holy Spirit in renewing the mind
6. Repeat these steps

Prayer and Conclusion (04:53 - 07:41)

• Prayer for listeners to experience God's joy
• Invitation to share thoughts on cultivating joy
• Announcement of free workshop on March 16 to silence inner critic
• Encouragement to rise up in power as children of God

Action items

• Think about and make notes on how to keep focus on Jesus (06:49)
• Share in comments or DM how you seek to cultivate joy in your life (06:57)
• Join free workshop on March 16 to learn how to Silence Your Inner Critic and regain joy (07:13)

Register for the "Silence Your Inner Critic" workshop Join the Rise Up Community FREE NOW! CarrieHurley.com TheVerseThing.com - to get ALL the benefits and learn Scripture together.