Ramesh C. Reddy
Editor in Chief
Hi everyone :)
May the Lord bless you and keep you! May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. Make the Lord life up His countenance upon you and give you peace! Amen! (Numbers 6)
May you know the inner comfort that Jesus wants to offer to you eternally to give you reason to rejoice!
Quiet Times (Psalm 136 and Philippians 4:4)
“Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever, to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever, who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever, who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever, who made the great lights- His love endures forever, the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever, the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever.” (Psalm 136:3-9)
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4)
Observations:
I looked for words or phrases that are repeated and came up with one: REJOICE!
I asked myself what is significant about rejoicing?
I found it so amazing that of all people Paul would put an emphasis to REJOICE even after he is shackled in chains and under arrest. It is not just rejoicing for the sake of rejoicing but he emphasizes ‘in the Lord’. This showed me that our rejoicing in the Lord should not be based upon our circumstances whether they are good or bad. If that were the case Paul would have no reason to rejoice. But rejoicing should be because we have voted Jesus Christ in our hearts and He will be there for us. It is also not just rejoicing once or twice but Paul puts an emphasis on ‘always’.
I saw important implications for my own life here. You know it is not easy for me to rejoice when things don’t go my way. If anything it is depressing and emotionally draining. Yet, I see the command here to rejoice in the Lord always. It does not say to rejoice only when things go my way. So, I need to make an effort to rejoice in the Lord no matter what I am faced with. That does not seem easy for me but this I know that since I have voted Jesus into my heart, I know the Lord can help me!
I ask you now dear friend, when do you rejoice?
Dear friend, it is so easy to rejoice when things go our way. Anybody can do that. I want to be able to rejoice in the Lord always because that’s what the Word of God says. I don’t know what you are going through but this I know, rejoicing in the Lord is having our focus upon Him and being so happy that He is there for us as our Lord and Personal Savior no matter what we face. There are circumstances that make us cry and weep and there is nothing wrong with that for even Jesus wept. I believe rejoicing in the Lord and weeping can also happen at the same time. We can be sad for things and yet in our hearts rejoice knowing the Lord Jesus is on our side and can help us. I believe rejoicing also cuts down on our sickness.
May you find ways to rejoice in the Lord knowing He loves you and cares for you offering you inner comfort eternally! Amen!
Realize Everyday, Jesus Offers Inner Comfort Eternally! (R.E.J.O.I.C.E)/"When do you rejoice?"
Prayer:
Jesus, your Word says that we should rejoice in you Lord always but that’s not always easy. Forgive us Lord when we allow circumstances of life to take away the inner joy you want to give us. Thank you for offering us inner comfort eternally. Whatever pain we are going through let us not forget that you are there for us. Help us to rejoice in that always even through our circumstances. And Lord, I know you can change circumstances in our lives. And if you would intervene, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you Lord whatever you decide to do, you have our best interests in mind. Help us to love you with our whole heart. For I want to know you Jesus more and more. We thank you for your Word and help us please apply it. Thank you for being there for us and answering prayer. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!
Love in Christ,
Ramesh
P.S. Check out the ZanyCrossword puzzle I created for you all.
It is interactive which means you can solve it online.
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