+DEV+ Rejoice in the Lord always

Date: June 22, 2015 10:33 PM

Topic: +DEV+  Rejoice in the Lord always

Rejoice In The Lord Always

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." Philippians 4:4-5

Scripture Focus: John 17:20-26

The Apostle Paul issues it as a command and repeats it for emphasis. "Be filled with joy!" This is a command with universal appeal. What believer does not want to rejoice in the Lord? Surely this is not a difficult command to obey. Or is it? 

How does one rejoice always regardless of circumstance? Does Paul expect believers to turn off their emotions and wear a mask of superficial happiness when nothing could be further from the truth? 

Jesus Himself wept at the death of Lazarus. Elsewhere Paul instructs believers to mourn with those who mourn. So, there must be more to having joy in the Lord than just emotional happiness. The uniqueness of having joy in the Lord begins with its source. It does not come from within us, contrary to what the world may tell you today. It is not derived from our circumstances. Rather, joy comes from the Lord. It becomes ours because we are in Him and He is in us (John 17:22-23). In a mysterious way the joy of the Lord dwells deeply in the hearts of those who belong to Him.

Insight: Is joy the furthest emotion from your heart today? There is no need for guilt. Jesus bids us to come as we are.

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

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