REJOICE ALWAYS!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 06, 2023.

SUBJECT: REJOICE ALWAYS!

Memory verse: "Rejoice in the Lord always: Again I will say, rejoice." (Philippians 4 vs 4.)

READ: Isaiah 12 vs 3; First Thessalonians 5 vs 15:

Isaiah 12:3: Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

First Thessalonians 5:16: Rejoice always.

INTIMATION:

The nature or demeanor of the Christian life-style is one of rejoicing always. One result of the rejoicing life is gentleness or forbearance toward others. Every Christian should have a reputation for being a patient and longsuffering person toward the faults and weaknesses of others (Colossians 3 vs 12 - 15). If one is not forbearing, then his joy will be stolen away by his own impatience with others.  In areas of opinion, Christians should bear with one another’s differences.

Pessimistic and fatalistic attitudes should not be characteristic of the Christians. They should always rejoice because of their hope in the unchanging God whose promise cannot be changed because they come from the One who cannot lie (Numbers 23 vs 19). The Christian can have peace of mind because the promised rest that is yet to come is based on the unchangeable promise of God. 

Joy is a common theme in Christ’s teachings—He wants us to be joyful always. Joy is the quiet, confident assurance of God's love, and work in our lives. God is that there for us in all situations! Joy is lasting because it is based on God’s presence within us. The key to immeasurable joy is living in intimate relationship with Christ, the source of all joy. When we do, we will experience God’s special care and protection and see the victory God brings even when defeat seems certain. 

The fullness of our joy comes from a consistent and intimate relationship with Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. We abide in Christ by: (1) believing that He is God’s Son, (2) receiving Him as Savior and Lord, (3) doing what God says, (4) continuing to believe the gospel, and (5) relating in love to the community of believers—Christ’s Body. 

When our lives are intertwined with His, He will help us walk through adversity without sinking into debilitating lows and manage prosperity without moving into deceptive highs. The joy of living with Jesus Christ daily will keep us levelheaded, no matter how high or low our circumstances. True joy transcends the rolling waves of circumstances. As we contemplate His daily presence, we will find contentment. 

For instance, the apostle Paul wrote our memory verse to the believers in Philippi while he was in prison. It is quite strange that a man in prison will be telling a church to rejoice. But his attitude teaches an important lesson, our inner attitude do not have to reflect our outward circumstances. Paul was full of joy because he knows that no matter what happens to him, Jesus Christ was with him. 

If you are not joyful, you will never look at things in the right perspective. Ultimate joy comes from Christ indwelling within us through the Holy Spirit. He who lives within us will fulfill His final purposes for us. As we understand the future He has for us, we will experience joy. Don’t base your life on circumstances, but on God who controls circumstances.

To delight in someone means to experience great pleasure and joy in his or her presence. This happens only when we know that person well. Thus, to delight in the LORD, we must know Him better. Knowledge of God’s great love for us will indeed makes us delight in Him. And we will To commit ourselves to the LORD, entrusting everything—our lives, families, jobs, possessions—to His control and guidance. We are to trust in Him, believing that He can care for us better than we can ourselves. We should be willing to wait patiently for Him to work out what is best for us.

Prayer: Abba Father, You are my everything. My joy is complete in You. My total confidence is in Your assured presence and fellowship with me always, Surely, Your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life as I dwell in Your presence forever, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!