Rejoice

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Phil 4:4 (HCSB)

Really to let the truth be known, Christ followers should be the happiest people around. Paul tells us to rejoice. We have so much to rejoice about. Even in the worst of circumstances a Christ follower has more to rejoice over than any other person that is having not a single struggle.

So today do something a little different from others around you. Rejoice!

Rejoice inspite of it all!

You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to be distressed by various trials 7 so that the genuineness of your faith —more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire —may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:6-7 (HCSB)

We must rejoice. We rejoice because of our great salvation. God's grace in action gives us more than enough reason for rejoicing. Peter prepares us that although we rejoice at times we will also be distressed by various trials. Hurt, pain and problems are a part of life even the Christian's life. But even in pain and difficulty God is good. He is testing the genuineness of our faith. He is teaching us and gaining glory for Jesus. So rejoice in spite of it all!

Real Worship

Then the singers sang, with Jezrahiah as the leader. 43 On that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced because God had given them great joy. The women and children also celebrated, and Jerusalem’s rejoicing was heard far away.

Neh 12:42-43 (HCSB)

If I were to ask you for one word that should characterize worship what would it be? Music? Reverence? Awe? Preaching? All of those things are good but I thing the best words to characterize worship are found in the above passage. Rejoicing and celebration! In our worship whether it be personal worship or corporate worship we miss the most important part. In worship we are there to rejoice and celebrate what God has done. It is a declaration to Him of our praise and adoration for His greatness. Worship is not about us (singing, preaching, etc. . .) It is all bout Him. Preaching, singing and the such are vehicles used for us to best express our rejoicing and celebration of His goodness and greatness. So next time you worship, private or public make sure that their is a spirit, a mindset of rejoicing and celebration. Wouldn't it be great for our rejoicing to be "heard far away!"