5:5-11). It’s no accident that love precedes joy in the list of the fruit of the Spirit. He has been incarcerated for well over two years and is facing possible execution because the Jews in Jerusalem falsely accused him of bringing Gentiles into the temple and of stirring up rebellion against the Jewish people and their Law (Acts 21:28). If you want joy, get your eyes off yourself and on to how God wants you to serve Him. It was the right decision. How are you doing that?” She was dumbfounded. The choice to rejoice in the Lord protects the unity of our churches, which is so dear to God. Today’s Recipe: Golden Granola . As we saw in chapter 3, where Paul first exhorts us to rejoice in the Lord (3:1), many who claim to be Christians are not relying only upon Christ and His shed blood for salvation, but rather are trusting in themselves (3:2, 4-6). This is so easy and good with either hot or cold skim milk, or use 1/4 cup as topping for fruit, yogurt or cottage cheese! From my inmost soul I delight in the knowledge that God does or deliberately permits all things, and causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him. 5:16). To rejoice is indeed a choice, and it is a choice the Christian should make on a daily basis. When we go through trials, when we’re treated unfairly, when we’re disappointed by people or circumstances, we are faced with a decision: Will we obey this command to rejoice in the Lord or will we allow ourselves to be swept along by our feelings? Your email address will not be published. Thanks for all you do in this blog. (1 Thessalonians 5.16 – 18, ESV). Rejoice in the Choice. Your past is over and your future has yet to occur. The Philippian jailer went from being suicidal to rejoicing greatly because of his salvation (Acts 16:27, 34). To one of his mission leaders he wrote at that time, My eyes flow with tears of mingled joy and sorrow. One of Taylor’s favorite hymns was, “Jesus, I am resting, resting, in the joy of what Thou art; I am finding out the greatness of Thy loving heart.” That same Jesus and that same joy is available to everyone who will rejoice in Him. Also, you may need personal counsel from a mature Christian who can help you apply Scripture to your situation. Our Savior could weep and yet have the fullness of joy, even as He faced the cross (John 15:11). The choice to rejoice is ours every day. you say. Every moment of happiness and joy is occurring in the NOW. Jesus told us that we will have trouble in this life. August 31, 2020 | Source: BaptistWay Press. And we let the circumstances overwhelm us and rob us of joy. But He saw that it was good to take her; good indeed for her, and in His love He took her painlessly; and not less good for me who must henceforth toil and suffer alone--yet not alone, for God is nearer to me than ever. (Kathleen Krucoff, December 13, 2020, emphasis mine). Philippians 4:4 is a commandment, repeated twice for emphasis, so that we will not shrug it off. Joy is not based on circumstances, and that’s why you are able to make a choice to rejoice no matter what your situation is. Paul and Silas knew that joy when they were unjustly thrown in the Philippian jail, their backs torn open, their feet in the stocks, as they sang hymns of praise to God (Acts 16:25). A crucified self doesn’t shake its fist in God’s face, saying, “I don’t like what You did to me when I was a child (or, what You’re doing to me right now)!” Anger and depression often go together (Gen. 4:6-7; Jonah 4:1-4). My tears are more tears of joy than of grief. For sake of time I refer you to what I wrote in my booklet, “Christians and Psychology: Some Common Questions Answered.” I’m not totally opposed to the careful use of such drugs, but I do urge caution. “[The Lord] will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing” (Zephaniah 3:17). by Greg Laurie on Dec 3, 2020 . To refuse to choose is itself a choice. Why Rejoice? When we’re anxious about what we hear in the news - like the recent coronavirus pandemic - we have a choice. Daily meditate on the cross of Christ and all the riches that are ours through His death. Rise up as the Righteousness of God, not the victim. But when you scratch beneath the surface, they raise a pile of questions: Is it really possible to rejoice always? 12:11; John 16:20-22). Also, rejoicing in the Lord is evidenced by prayer with thanksgiving (vv. Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. The Search OF the Savior: Why Jesus Came, Part 2 (Gal. (Philippians 4.4, ESV), Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 100:2.) To rejoice in the Lord is to have an attitude of contentment. Abiding joy in the Lord should be the aim of every Christian. I am so glad you shared my comment about Newton. Revel in His abundant grace that is greater than all our sins. Thus we would misapply Paul’s words if we took him to mean that a Christian should deny or never feel sadness or grief. Illustration by Krieg Barrie When you wake up in the morning, the first thing you try to think of is what day it is. Archie chose instead to live a life of joy. Heavenly Father, on this Your day, empower Your people as they gather for worship, and Lord, quicken me in my walk with You. Thankfully I learned this a few years ago….wished I had learned to do this earlier, yet I understand the importance of that choice now. It’s no accident that the longest book in the Bible is a hymn book. Happiness Joy is a Choice. 3 cups quick-cooking oats ; Rejoice Choice 1 Options Often it can start with a simple disappointment--something you hoped would happen didn’t happen. So how do we do that? We need to recognize that what Paul commands here is not just a cheerful disposition, which many have by nature, but rather something that requires supernatural power--it is joy in the Lord. The present moment is all you truly have. First, I want to define what Paul means when he commands us to rejoice in the Lord always; and then we’ll look at how we can obey such a command. We can’t be effective leaders in the church or godly examples to our families if we are dominated by depression. It means to trust in the sufficiency and power of the Spirit because you distrust your own ability (see Prov. The only way to be happy in Christ is to be desperately unhappy without him” (ibid., p. 148). He knew that when he died, he would be with Christ for eternity, so he could write, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (1:21). The apostles knew that joy when they were flogged for preaching the gospel, and they went on their way “rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Acts 5:41). They make the “choice to rejoice”. Paul, writing from his incarceration in Rome, wrote in Philippians 4:4, Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice… The same could be said for if we choose to be joyful. The world’s latest prescription for overcoming depression is Prozac or other anti-depressant drugs. 5:11; 33:1; 64:10). A situation you were hoping and praying for did not come about. Learning to rejoice, to choose joy is a choice. Last night, we entered into the feast of Tabernacles -- in Hebrew -- Sukkot. He was 14 1/2 years old. We see this choice to rejoice illustrated in Paul’s life in this very epistle. The next governor also should have released him, but he, too, was playing politics with the Jews (Acts 25:9). You are watching 12-24-2020 - Making the Right Choice to Rejoice on Godtube.com the largest video sharing platform offering online Christian videos with faith-based, family friendly content. But, regardless of what is swirling around us, we can always make the choice to rejoice. If we humble ourselves and go to our brother or sister and ask their forgiveness, we will be flooded with God’s joy. The words “walk” and “fruit” imply a process, not something instantaneous. Avoid anyone who mingles the Bible with psychology. Thank you for your patience. Everywhere the apostle Paul went, there was either a riot or a revival. Do you know such abiding joy in the Lord? Because of the Savior, we can repent and make choices that bring us happiness. 10/04/2010 05:18 pm ET Updated May 25, 2011 In the Bible, in a discussion of the Jewish holidays, we find an odd commandment: "And you shall rejoice!" Paul and Silas sang in the Philippian jail (Acts 16:25). To rejoice is a choice we make! Jesus died to destroy the works of the devil, in our lives. The Search OF the Savior: Why Jesus Came, Part 1 (Luke 19:1-10), Bible Storying Series - Teaching The Story Of God Chronologically, Bible Teaching Ideas: The Ten Commandments And Ten Fingers. Post Date: March 02, 2017 - Issue Date: March 18, 2017 . 3:5). The Choice to Rejoice. Yes, happiness/joy is a choice. This means confronting your anger, because anger usually stems from not submitting to God’s sovereign dealings in your life. Had a great life. (Hudson Taylor and the China Inland Mission, the Growth of a Work of God [The China Inland Mission], pp. He died singing praises in the flames as his enemies gloated. You are watching 12-24-2020 - Making the Right Choice to Rejoice on Godtube.com the largest video sharing platform offering online Christian videos with faith-based, family friendly content. Everyone wants joy in life. 8:10). So if you want God’s abiding joy, you’ve got to walk in submission to His sovereign Spirit. So we must work at developing this abiding joy in the Lord. This week we said goodbye to our oldest basset hound, Newton. Our Lord Jesus knew that joy even as He faced the cross (John 15:11; 17:13). Dust cover is intact; pages are clean and are not marred by notes or folds of any kind. 199-200, emphasis his.). And that means no matter where we are in the rollercoaster of our day, we have a choice—a choice to rejoice. Satan often comes to you in a moment of disappointment and tempts you to doubt God’s loving care. Now, this doesn’t mean that some bad things won’t happen to us in life. Every believer must learn to apply the biblical principles I am going to enumerate. To rejoice is indeed a choice, and it is a choice the Christian should make on a daily basis. Almost 50 years ago, Martyn Lloyd-Jones commented on this verse, “... there is perhaps no greater travesty of the gospel of Jesus Christ than psychological teaching which presents itself in Christian terms” (The Life of Peace [Baker], p. 146). The memories he shared of that time were light and full of joy. How can you command a feeling, anyway? Rejoicing is based on the Lord and His goodness and grace. Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page. Earlier in the article, we learn that Archie’s father, whose “light and joyful” memories Archie shared, committed suicide with a shotgun, timed so that Archie, age 19, would discover him and clean up the mess before his mother and sister got home. Quite often people who lack joy are not involved in serving Christ. I just wish that Paul had been more realistic and had said, “Rejoice most of the time”! Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. The choice to rejoice in the Lord protects the unity of our churches, which is so dear to God. This joy in the Lord which we must aim for is not a superficial happiness based on circumstances or on the absence of trials, but rather is a solid, abiding contentment and hope that is as steady and certain as our faithful God who has given us His promises in His Word. Paul, writing from his incarceration in Rome, wrote in Philippians 4:4, Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Bad things—sometimes truly dreadful things—do happen and the Bible makes that clear too. We need to make a choice -- a choice to rejoice! But most of all I joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ--in His works, His ways, His providence, in Himself. Agree/disagree: Every Christian can know God’s abiding joy. Marvel at His sovereign grace that chose you before the foundation of the world in Him, that predestined you to adoption as His son or daughter (Eph. Shortly after her death, he wrote to his mother in England. It means you choose to be content with your circumstances. You must make this choice every day, every moment of every day. Paul never had a boring day in his life that we know of. Lesson 2 in the BaptistWay Press Connect360 unit “Pure Joy” focuses on Philippians 1:12-19. Sometimes? Joy is not based on circumstances, and that’s why it’s your choice to rejoice no matter what the situation. The choice to rejoice often must go deliberately against how we feel. Then Paul lists the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit: “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal. 1:3; Col. 3:1-4). And as believers, we must get out of the bondage of the brokenness of the past and find God’s healing in the strength and the power of His Spirit. “It’s Tuesday,” you say to yourself. Paul had learned to be content in every situation (Phil. Peter tells us to humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand, casting our cares on Him, and to resist the devil, firm in our faith, in such times of trial (1 Pet. 118) as they went out to Gethsemane (Matt. (Philippians 4.4, ESV) Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I will say it again: Rejoice! Brought so much love, companionship and joy into our lives. Scripture must be our authoritative and sufficient source, not human wisdom or psychology. Not only that, but on the way to Rome Paul had gone through a shipwreck at sea. When you’re in a tough time, joy is a choice because you can rely on the goodness of God. I loved the feeling so much that I made a goal to stay perfect forever. - Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again I say, Rejoice; rather, as R.V., again I will say. The choice to rejoice doesn’t mean you go around with a plastic smile on and that you are singing all the time. To rejoice is a choice. It is our choice to rejoice. 1:8). Paul commands us to weep with those who weep (Rom. Yes, joy is possible, joy so real and rich that we turn to friends and neighbors and say, “Rejoice with me” (Luke 15:6, 9). Agree/disagree: In almost every case of depression there is some unbiblical thought pattern or behavior. You would think that he would have been in need of the Philippians writing to cheer him up. Jesus and the disciples sang a hymn (Ps. Jesus told us that we will have trouble in this life. Keeping your mind in a state of rejoicing is a full-time job. Scripture: Romans 5:3 . He submitted to God’s sovereignty over his imprisonment (1:12-14), over the preachers who were trying to cause him distress in his imprisonment (1:17), and even over his possible impending execution (1:20). As a result of this discipline of prayer, our hearts are guarded from the anxiety that constantly threatens to overwhelm us. Though he should have been released, the Roman governor kept him in custody because he was hoping to receive a bribe from Paul and because he wanted to do the Jews a favor (Acts 24:26, 27). 4:4-7), 3. Paul had good reason to be angry and depressed at the treatment he had received over the past few years. And, even if such drugs help restore normalcy, each person must still learn to deal with sinful thoughts and habits. It was time. And that means no matter where we are in the rollercoaster of our day, we have a choice—a choice to rejoice. In Galatians 5:16 Paul says, “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” He goes on to catalog some sins that characterize the flesh. People with far less are happier than we are. It’s a matter of obedience, not of temperament. Or, as Paul wrote, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom. The verses before and after verse 4 deal with proper relationships. So the psalmist often experiences a flood of God’s joy even in the midst of tremendous pain. The presence of Yahweh, is a pain remover, sin remover and removes the effects of sin. Psychology has nothing to offer Christians in this regard. The joy Paul is exhorting us to is decidedly not the kind of joy the world offers through psychological insights. How can you be depressed if you are focusing daily on the marvelous grace shown to you in Christ? 12;15), and yet to rejoice always. No, it was a choice. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. They had been delighted with each other’s love. 26:30). BaptistWay Press. It really has nothing to do with our circumstances, and everything to do with our perspective and priorities. There is great joy in seeing others trust Christ as Savior (Luke 15:5-7, 9-10, 32; Acts 8:8; 15:3); and, in seeing them stand firm in the Lord (Phil. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit and the Bible is filled with commands, such as our text, to rejoice (Ps. Rejoicing is grounded in gratitude, with a keen appreciation for yourself, others, your abundance, and … Get your focus off yourself and your problems and on to what God wants you to do for the furtherance of the gospel. How? Now, this doesn’t mean that some bad things won’t happen to us in life. Are these the words of a bubbly, incurable optimist, or what? As Paul’s words in 1:18 show, his joy was not an automatic feeling, but rather a deliberate choice: “... in this I rejoice, yes, and I will rejoice.”. 1:18). The Christian life is a walk of faith, of trusting in things not seen, not of “getting in touch with your feelings.” Peter wrote to Christians going through intense trials, “... though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory” (1 Pet. Rejoice in making each healthy choice as it comes Schaap no, it was a choice by Jack no! Riches that are ours through his death in Crestline, California let us rejoice and be glad in.. Us rejoice and be glad in it think for a second that this will come naturally or easily perfect.. Very Epistle on some Praise music, or what the same could be said if. News - like the recent coronavirus pandemic - we have today—the to rejoice is a choice jesus. 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