WELCOME TO THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER! MAY YOU EXPERIENCE THE 11th-HOUR MIRACLE IN JESUS’ NAME!
Philippians 4:4(KJV)
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
Paul the Apostle admonishes us to rejoice in the Lord all the time. Even though he suffered persecution, he was always joyful. Apostle Paul never allowed the circumstances of his life to take control over him. Although his current situation was less than ideal, he chose to look beyond it to see the bigger picture. Paul focused on the Gospel and on where God was at work. He rejoices in the opportunities he had. He wrote in 2 Corinthians 6:10, “As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” He turns his sadness into gladness and his weakness into strength. For Paul to live a joyful life, he maintained an offense-free heart before God and towards men. Moreover, as he served the Lord, he found a great deal of happiness. The truth is, if our conscience is always void of offense, we will always rejoice.
Joy is a critical, crucial asset of irreplaceable value in the lives of the children of God. Joy is the deep-rooted gladness, unstoppable and not affected by changes in the circumstances and situations around. It is by choice and not something we stumble upon by accident. We have no option of what color we are born with or who our parents are, but we have the choice to be joyful. Being joyful means that the Holy Spirit lives in us, for joy is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. It is also a fact that every attack on our joy by the devil is an attack on our destiny. When the devil wants to fight our joy, he sends people to offend us. Whenever he organizes a situation to make us unhappy, depressed, or frustrated, it is an indirect attack on our destiny because he knows that anything that weighs us down slows us down. So, be excited not because there is a reason but because it is the right thing. In Christianity, there are challenges. However, the Bible says in James 1:2, “Count it all joy when you go through diverse tests;” in other words, we are to rejoice! 1 Thessalonians 5:16 says, “Rejoice evermore.” As believers, we are to rejoice always, irrespective of the time of day, conditions, or life situations. However, there are some times when it takes more work to rejoice. Maybe it feels like our ship is going down or feels like crying out in desperation. Never do it! Instead, be of good cheer! We may not be able to choose our circumstances, but we can choose our attitude and focus. We can choose, like Paul, to rejoice in the Lord! Because our joy determines our strength, and our strength determines our victory. The regrets of yesterday and the fear of tomorrow are the enemies of today’s happiness. Therefore, make the best of today and be joyful.
Beloved, I encourage you to keep going and find joy in any situation. Rejoice always for Greater is He that is in you than in the world. Fight for your joy as you fight for your life or salvation. That is, do everything within your power to defend your happiness. Nobody can encourage you like you. Never hang around where you are tolerated or disliked. The people who hang around determine your celebration because your company with the depressed can never produce the atmosphere of celebration. Every enemy of your joy shall scatter in Jesus’ Name. During your greatest battles or when everything around you falls apart, God’s faithfulness remains sure. So, stay calm, keep your peace, and praise Him for what He has promised concerning your life. No matter how bad things are, there is always something to be thankful for in your life. There is no troublesome situation that praise cannot turn around. Instead of crying out in desperation, take a faith stand. Sing and rejoice and praise God for your deliverance. Be of good cheer, and you can be sure God will bring you through the storm just fine! Make up your mind to laugh when the devil wants you to cry, to rejoice when he wants you to be sad. The Almighty God is at work. Think about the blessings God has given you: strength, supply of needs, grace, mercy, peace, good health. Think about those things, and you will do as Paul said – rejoice, rejoice, rejoice! Rejoice always because this may be the only weapon against your predicament. Remember, weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
O Lord, fill my heart with Your joy. I receive the grace to rejoice in You always in Jesus’ Name.