REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS 3
TEXT: Philippians 4:4 , James 1:2-3
Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
James 1:2-3
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
MESSAGE
There are times that you as a christian will fall into tribulations. Men will persecute you because of your faith in Jesus. You may lose your job because you refused to cooperate with your superiors in cooking records or because you refused to sleep with your boss. The Lord says to rejoice all the same. It is easy to nod in agreement, but when you are actually passing through adversity you will know it is not easy to smile when all hell seem to be let loose on you. But something can help you: Perspective!
If you can focus on the right perspectively you will be able to smile at the storm. The reason why Jesus was able to endure the pain of the cross, despising the shame is because he focused on the end result, the joy that was set before him (Hebrews 12:2). We are told to learn from Him. Consider the end that God has set before those that pass through such persecution and not on the present pains of the trial. Since God is too faithful to fail, you can be sure that he'd make it up to you
The scripture says; If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you... (1Pet 4:14). Jesus Himself tells us; Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.(Matt 5:11-12)
Adversity to a christian is as fire to raw gold. Just as every sacrifice is salted with salt, so shall every christian who is a living sacrifice be tested by the fires of adversity or persecution (Mark 9:49). If that Child of God endures the persecution to the end, there's always a reward that you cannot get by any other means. Such reward includes the strengthening of your faith; the training of your character; the deepening of your love and a confident assurance of a reward when Jesus shall present us to the Father in heaven (Romans 5:1-5).
Lastly, Child of God, rejoics because God is on your side and against all your adversaries and adversities. If actually you know that you have a Father that is greater that all your adversaries and who is totally committed to fighting for you, you will rejoice at the face of adversity. But if you keep gazing at your challenges and your mountains, they will look bigger and bigger till they seem to get bigger than God and your heart will be full of sorrow till you begin to feel helpless. You can not rejoice that way. So, change your perspective.
Choose to rejoice always. No matter the condition. A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones (Proverbs 17:22). EasyEnglish version puts it this way, "A happy mind is like good medicine. But when you are sad and lonely you will become ill."
PRAYER
Father I thank you for your grace and the ability to smile at the storm
Lord I receive from you this day, the grace to be able to see from the right perspective
Strengthen my heart to Face and outlive the persecution and trials of my faith in Jesus Name
Lord my Father I pray for the church today that you may strengthen us with might by your spirit in our inner man. Give us strength of Character thereby so that we being strengthen with all might according to your glorious power, may exhibit patience, longsuffering and joy every moment of our lives.
Pray in the spirit and pray for me too.
FURTHER STIDIES
Romans 5:1-5
1Peter 1:6:9
Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
James 1:2-3
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
MESSAGE
There are times that you as a christian will fall into tribulations. Men will persecute you because of your faith in Jesus. You may lose your job because you refused to cooperate with your superiors in cooking records or because you refused to sleep with your boss. The Lord says to rejoice all the same. It is easy to nod in agreement, but when you are actually passing through adversity you will know it is not easy to smile when all hell seem to be let loose on you. But something can help you: Perspective!
If you can focus on the right perspectively you will be able to smile at the storm. The reason why Jesus was able to endure the pain of the cross, despising the shame is because he focused on the end result, the joy that was set before him (Hebrews 12:2). We are told to learn from Him. Consider the end that God has set before those that pass through such persecution and not on the present pains of the trial. Since God is too faithful to fail, you can be sure that he'd make it up to you
The scripture says; If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you... (1Pet 4:14). Jesus Himself tells us; Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.(Matt 5:11-12)
Adversity to a christian is as fire to raw gold. Just as every sacrifice is salted with salt, so shall every christian who is a living sacrifice be tested by the fires of adversity or persecution (Mark 9:49). If that Child of God endures the persecution to the end, there's always a reward that you cannot get by any other means. Such reward includes the strengthening of your faith; the training of your character; the deepening of your love and a confident assurance of a reward when Jesus shall present us to the Father in heaven (Romans 5:1-5).
Lastly, Child of God, rejoics because God is on your side and against all your adversaries and adversities. If actually you know that you have a Father that is greater that all your adversaries and who is totally committed to fighting for you, you will rejoice at the face of adversity. But if you keep gazing at your challenges and your mountains, they will look bigger and bigger till they seem to get bigger than God and your heart will be full of sorrow till you begin to feel helpless. You can not rejoice that way. So, change your perspective.
Choose to rejoice always. No matter the condition. A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones (Proverbs 17:22). EasyEnglish version puts it this way, "A happy mind is like good medicine. But when you are sad and lonely you will become ill."
PRAYER
Father I thank you for your grace and the ability to smile at the storm
Lord I receive from you this day, the grace to be able to see from the right perspective
Strengthen my heart to Face and outlive the persecution and trials of my faith in Jesus Name
Lord my Father I pray for the church today that you may strengthen us with might by your spirit in our inner man. Give us strength of Character thereby so that we being strengthen with all might according to your glorious power, may exhibit patience, longsuffering and joy every moment of our lives.
Pray in the spirit and pray for me too.
FURTHER STIDIES
Romans 5:1-5
1Peter 1:6:9
Comments