Rejoice in the Lord

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Permalink Reply by a servant (Chris) on September 14, 2012 at 12:23pm

I believe Paul gives us very clear instructions. 1 Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, Rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your Faith {Phil 3:1} To rejoice in the Lord does a great many things. Even the fact that we rejoice in the Lord shows Faith. We express our Trust and Hope in Christ. Some synonyms for rejoice: celebrate; triumph. Our Faith in Jesus is not only safeguarded but, we reaffirm and build up our Faith as we Rejoice; Celebrate; we Triumph in Christ Jesus. In verses 3 and 9 we see one of the most powerful reasons. 3 For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort,..{Phil 3:3}... I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with Himself depends on Faith. {Phil 3:9} “...I become Righteous through Faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with Himself depends on Faith.” Again, our Faith is safeguarded as we Rejoice in the Lord.

Let me go at this from a different angle. What makes Rejoicing in the Lord effective, in building up and safeguarding our Faith? When people we know and love have been away from us for a time. When they return to us what do we do? We rejoice that we are together once more. That part of our heart that we gave that person, has returned to us. The act of rejoicing reaffirms our love and the importance the relationship means to us.
As we share about the things we have been doing, of the wisdom we may have gained since we have been apart. In sharing that wisdom we edify one another.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! {Phil 4:4} NIV
Always be Joyful in the Lord! I'll say it again: Be Joyful! GWT Our lives are full of choices. We all make good and bad ones at times. This need not be one of them. Let us Rejoice in the Lord, let us be glad for the Relationship we have with Our Lord, Christ Jesus. When we rejoice, sadness, fear, hopeless, and negative emotions lose their hold on our thoughts and hearts. Our Salvation and Righteousness have been bought and paid for by the Love; the actions of Christ. Yes, I do not believe we can separate the actions of Jesus from Love they are one and the same. At those times when we least feel like rejoicing, they are the times when we must decide to Rejoice the most. For the Sacrifice of Praise is a Powerful tool, one we must never underestimate.

Permalink Reply by a servant (Chris) on September 14, 2012 at 6:02pm

Thank you Char for sharing this song.  We all to often make what is designed to be simple, into something filled with difficulties and struggles.   I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with Himself depends on Faith. {Phil 3:9} We fear we come up short, or that we are not doing enough.  God ask us to Trust and put our Faith into Jesus.  Many hear and read these verses on Grace, and think there must be more to it then just believe.  As we learn to believe in the unseen more than the seen, that in itself is at times difficult.  We have the Holy Spirit to aid us even in this area.  What we discover is then more to put our Faith in Jesus, that changes us.  Some keep thinking they must do what we are told Faith in Christ does.  They do "works" and believe somehow they have earned their Salvation.  We must operate in Faith, Trust in Grace, and Rejoice in the Lord.  

Permalink Reply by a servant (Chris) on September 18, 2012 at 4:26pm

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” I shall therefore joyfully boast in my sufferings, that the power of The Messiah may rest upon me. {2Cor 12:9}
I'm asking God to give you a gift from the wealth of His glory. I pray that He would give you inner strength and power through His Spirit. {Eph 3:16}
We also pray that you will be strengthened with all His glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, {Col 1:11}
It is seen again and again that Joy and Strength work together. We see also through His Spirit inwardly we are given inner strength and power. We depend on His Power, for we need endurance and patience. Pauls Prayer goes on and ask that they/we be filled with Joy. Also, in Nehemiah 8:10 “...Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!" The connection of Joy and Strength is clear all through the Word.