'Rejoice' Tagged Posts

'Rejoice' Tagged Posts

Daily Devotions

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” vss. 16-18 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 At first glance it appears that Paul is giving the Thessalonians a new set of impossible rules for their new life in Christ, that it would be their duty to rejoice, pray, and give thanks continually. That would be a grim set of directives indeed, a whole new series of things to feel…

Daily Devotions

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” vs. 10 Isaiah 61:8-11 The prophet’s testimony is exactly what we need to hear as we move through this second week of Advent Toward Pink Candle Sunday. He used…

Daily Devotions

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.” vss. 9, 12-13 Romans 12:9-15 Life in community is not complicated, and after showering the Romans with theological background, Paul outlines some basic principles for dealing with brothers and sisters in Christ and offers his readers guidance that has stood the test of time. Any…

Daily Devotions

You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” vs. 11 Psalm 16:7-11 The psalmist knew that the recipe for the good life in this world was not rocket science. He says plainly that everything depends on our God-connection. Because the Lord is always at our side night and day, an ever-present source of strength and comfort in every difficult situation, we can live with confidence and…

Daily Devotions

Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice with her in joy, all you who mourn over her—that you may nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breast…” vss. 10-11a Isaiah 66:10-12 When Israel returned from captivity, Jerusalem was a mess–the walls were destroyed and the temple was a wreck. And the people who greeted them, those who had remained in the land, were not at all friendly. The prophet, instead of lamenting, tells…

Daily Devotions

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” vs. 4 Philippians 4:4-5 As Paul brings his love letter to the Philippians to a close he says good-bye by encouraging them to be people of joy. This is the best way to show him honor and give him thanks, and he even repeats it. “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” It’s doubtful that he’s telling them to be happy all the time. Being happy is…

Daily Devotions

The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.” vs. 3 Psalm 122:1-3 Everyone who lived in Jerusalem was aware of the seemingly endless cycle of disasters that had been experienced by Israel. And the psalmist was no exception! Yet he chose to focus instead on the wonderful things that had been done for the people, and he was exuberant in his praise and expressions of joy. It’s wonderful when we can come to the point in our…

Daily Devotions

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” vss. 16-18 Some of us wonder about the will of God in our lives, just what it is that God wants us to do or be, and in those moments our minds go wild with various possibilities. Perhaps we should change jobs or careers, or volunteer for a mission service project, something more in line…

Daily Devotions

Philippians 4:1-5 … “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.” vss. 4-5 Paul tells the Philippians in the closing part of his letter that the “Lord is near.” Most often we read these words as a kind of warning–Paul wants the Philippians to be on their best behavior when Jesus returns–and it could be that this is what he has in mind.  But it’s more likely…

Daily Devotions

Psalm 145:1-8 …“On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.” vs. 5 With the world living on the edge of crisis and battling a pandemic, while nations rise against nations, it’s easy to be distracted from the wonder of life in this universe. Every day we awaken to new possibilities and fresh evidence of the Lord’s goodness and mercy. The sun and the moon travel in their appointed courses bringing light and dark…

Daily Devotions: April 24, 2019

April 24, 2019 For full passage click: Psalm 118:21-29 …“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” vs. 24 An increasing number of people are uncomfortable using religious language in their daily lives;  some because they don’t believe in God, and others because they have abandoned religion in favor of what they call ‘spirituality.’ As a result, they are limited in their ability to express wonder at the sheer gift of life.…