Rejoice In The Lord Always

Rejoice in the Lord Always (Phil. 4:4)

Too many believers forget where real joy comes from. In our self-absorb society it is easy to think that joy comes from personal pleasures, people or possessions. The following points contain some helpful motivations to obey the scriptural commmand, "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say rejoice."

Illustration: To God be the glory, great things He has done;

So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,

Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,

And opened the life gate that all may go in.

Refrain

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,

Let the earth hear His voice!

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,

Let the people rejoice!

O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,

And give Him the glory, great things He has done.

O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,

To every believer the promise of God;

The vilest offender who truly believes,

That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.

Refrain

Great things He has taught us, great things He has done,

And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;

But purer, and higher, and greater will be

Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.

1. SELF-DISCIPLINE - Even when we do not feel like rejoicing we need to exercise the self-discipline of letting truth guide us instead of our emotions. Paul wrote, "Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise both for the present life and the life to come." (I Tim. 4:7,8)

2. PRAISE AND SING - Praise God for He is joyful, glad and good all the time. David wrote, "Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart." (Psa 32:11) "Sing joyfully to the Lord; you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him." Rejoicing in the Lord puts all of life into its proper perspective. Praise God for His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. Praise Him for His power, purpose and prospects that He provides. Praise God for the encouragement you have in Christ, the consolation of love, the fellowship of the Spirit and His affection and compassion. (Phil. 2:1)

3. MORNING DEVOTIONS - There is something special about starting each day out right with worship, prayer and study of God’s word. David wrote, "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever." (Psa 100:4) When we enter into God’s kingdom arena let us begin with a song of thanks for who He is, what He has done and what He will do through us through the course of the day. David wrote, "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." (Psa 143:8) Know that the joy of the Lord is the morning is necessary to gain God’s navigations to chart the course for the day.

4. USE DIFFICULTIES OPPORTUNITIES TO REJOICE - James wrote, "Count it all joy when you encounter various trials, knowing that the trial of your faith works patience. Let patience have its perfect work that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything." (James 1:2,3) Ask the Lord to help you turn hardships into times of learning and spiritual growth. Tough times can teach us how to endure. Let us develop more of a positive perspective as we draw closer to Jesus as a result of our adversities. Paul wrote, "That I may know Him and the power of His resurection and the fellowship of His suffering, being conformed to Him even to His death." (Phil. 3:8) There are many ways that we gain a greater intimacy with the Lord Jesus through our sufferings. Let the troubles be an opportunity for joy as you consider what it can produce in your life.

5. REJOICE IN CHRIST’S VICTORY - Praise God for the fact that you have the victory over the world, the flesh, sin, death, hell and judgment because of what Christ did for you. John wrote, "And this is the victory that overcomes the world, evil our faith." (I John 5:4,5) Too many believers live defeated lives because they do not appropriate the fact of Christ’s overcoming victory. Thank God and tell others about how Christ’s victory has set you free from the chains of sin, carnal desires and feelings of hopelessness. We are more than conquerors through the one who loves us. (Rom. 8:37) Jesus said, "In the world you will have tribulations, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)