Hi thanks for joining me today. Today’s episode is called Rejoice And Give Thanks.

Even as I’m writing this I’m finding it hard to rejoice. I’m experiencing some physical pain and discomfort right now and I’m supposed to be joyful in the midst of all of it. So I guess today’s lesson isn’t just for you it’s for me as well.

Today’s key verse comes from,

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing,

18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Normally I would do a lot of research and make this podcast neat and tidy. But today I’m just going to let the Holy Spirit have his way.

So why should we rejoice? 

I mean I know the answer. This world is not our home. We’re just passing through. Eventually we will arrive at our eternal destination. We can look forward to our glorious future and take hope in that.

But it’s really hard when you’re living it. When the hard times come and you don’t see an end to it. It’s hard to look past today. 

I’ve seen folks at my church that were battling cancer and they had such a joy in their life. I knew one man who had stage four cancer and he just looked forward to his eternal resting place. His faith was rock solid. So I guess in order to rejoice your faith had better be unwavering. You had better know without a doubt who your Lord and Savior is and truly believe that He has  prepared a place for you.

John 14:2-4 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

I used the new King James version of this text because it says there are many mansions in my Father’s House. Other versions say that there are many rooms. I’d like to think that I’m getting a mansion, wouldn’t you? I mean if we need a reason to rejoice it should be because almighty God has gone above and beyond what we deserve and given us a mansion, not a room.

So I guess what I’m trying to say is keep your eyes on Jesus.

Like I said this isn’t neat and tidy, it’s just what’s coming from my heart right now. I have no idea where this podcast is going today, so bear with me.

There are many in this country who rejoice at what the government has provided.

They can’t wait for that next stimulus check. I don’t want to debate whether it’s right or wrong, but we need to give thanks to God for what he has provided and not depend on the government to meet our needs.

There are many third world countries where the government definitely is not meeting the people’s needs. Yet, there are many in those same countries who rejoice and give thanks to God for all that He has given them. Their focus is where it needs to be.

Matthew 6:31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear? 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

I’m beginning to see a theme here. Everything goes right back to seeking God and His Kingdom.

Then we can be assured that our needs will be met. Are you starting to see a reason to rejoice? I think I am.

So let me go in a different direction.

We all have unsaved loved ones and friends. And when one of them passes away it’s hard to rejoice when we know that their eternity will be far from glorious. The whole service becomes more somber.

I’ve been to funerals where a loved one has passed on and he or she was truly a person of God. It became a celebration of a life well spent. Everyone had stories that revealed Christ in that person’s life. It was actually a joy to be there.

We should all want to go to funerals like that. We need to do our part and share the gospel with our friends and loved ones. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Part of our rejoicing should be in knowing that our friends and family will be there waiting for us.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

This scripture alone should give us a reason to rejoice.

Right now I’m out in my backyard in my camper. This is where I go for my quiet time.

It’s back in the woods a little bit. It’s usually nice and quiet, but right now my little dog is trying to get my attention. She wants to play. So I stopped and played with her for a little bit. It made me stop and think about what a joy she is in my life. That’s another thing that should make us rejoice, God’s creation. You can’t help but be amazed by the beauty and complexity of it. His creation reaffirms His very existence. 

Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.

As Christians in this country we have yet to feel the full weight of persecution upon us.

We still are free to worship. But slowly, ever so slowly our government is trying to restrict our beliefs. The sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman is being undermined. Corporate prayer in schools has been banned. Eventually Christian hospitals may be forced to perform abortions. As the government becomes more involved in the church, persecution for our beliefs is a looming possibility.

But our focus shouldn’t be on what the government is or may be doing. Our focus should be steadfast on Christ. 

Matthew 5:11-12 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Corey ten Boom was in a Nazi death camp and she explained how she focused on Jesus. She said, if you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. But if you look at Christ, you’ll be at rest! 

Definitely words to live by.

Okay, we’ve looked at just a few reasons why we should rejoice. So let’s sum up what we’ve talked about today. 

First we should look to things of eternal value and not the things of this world. True joy is in knowing that this world is not our home.

Get outside and just look at God’s creation. The sky, the mountains, the trees, and yes even that little puppy dog. Everything declares his glory and it’s a reason for us to rejoice.

We should always look to the cross and the price that was paid for us. It should give us great joy in knowing that by God’s grace we are saved.

When we have the opportunity to share the gospel with someone, that in itself is a reason to rejoice. And if that individual makes a decision for Christ, praise God and give him the glory for what He has done. Hallelujah and amen.

God’s word is definitely a reason to rejoice. His promises are true. He’s our rock in an uncertain world. When you open your Bible go to Psalms and you will find the word rejoice over and over again. Start your day in God’s word you won’t have to look far to find joy. Just an oh by the way, if you have a Bible app on your phone, just do a search for the word rejoice, you’ll be surprised.

Finally, we need to come to the Lord in prayer each and every day. There is no greater Joy than having time alone with our loving God.

Before we go, I just want to say that this podcast has given me a reason to rejoice, despite my circumstances. Sometimes, we need to be reminded of all the blessings that our loving God has bestowed on us.