Notes of Faith February 19, 2026
Pastor’s Pen Pulpit
February 25, 2001
“HOW TO HAVE A GOOD DAY” - Part I
Philippians 4:1-9
“Have a good day” is a statement you hear at every grocery checkout counter, from every service station attendant, or at just about every fast food counter. The sentiments are appreciated but I’ve never had anyone tell me “how” to have a good day. “Have a good day” is more than God’s wish for you. It is God’s plan for you! He not only desires a good day for you but tells you how to have it. In Psalm 118:24 we read, “This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Philippians 4:1-8 outlines the game plan:
1. Begin your day by strengthening your confidence in the Lord. This exhortation (v. 1) is based upon the preceding verses (Phil. 3:20-21). Romans 5:2 and Acts 20:32 tell us how. In Phil. 3:13-14 we are told to not look back, but press forward, thereby not allowing the enemies of God’s grace (Phil. 3:1-8) to rob us of this confidence.
2. Throughout your day be prepared to help those who have problems (vv. 2,3). We need to try to live outside ourselves. A person who is wrapped up in himself makes a pretty small package. In this case it involves promoting harmony between two bickering ladies. Believers are to be peacemakers (Matt. 5:9).
3. Throughout your day make your fellowship with the Lord a top priority (v.4). Note that “rejoice” is emphasized twice! Don’t lose your sense of joy in Christ. When you lose your joy, everything stops. You lose your zeal, your will to go on in a meaningful way, your cutting edge. If we are not careful, we will fall into the trap of living on substitutes.
Mentally - we substitute knowledge for wisdom.
Emotionally - we substitute feeling for fact.
Spiritually - we substitute the temporal for the eternal.
Beloved - where do you find your delight? Your source of joy? This week I challenge you (and myself) to make Psalm 37:4 and 5 a reality in our lives. God bless. (. . . to be continued!)
Love to you all,
Pastor Charles Covington
Ps 118:24
24 This is the day which the Lord has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Phil 4:1-9
Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.
2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. 3 Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Phil 3:20-21
20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.
There is a lot of meat in the verses for today. Be prepared to chew on them for a while as each morsal brings sweet truth to your heart and mind.
May you be blessed and refreshed as you study and meditate on the Word of God!
Pastor Dale