The Art of Rejoicing
This art form of rejoicing begins in the mind. Rejoicing is purposing in the spirit. It is not a reaction to what is in our lives,
but a firm belief in Who God Is.
Rejoicing is a state of mind and being. Rejoicing usually comes through
tears and sorrow. Rejoicing appears like
gentle drops of refreshing rain on a blistering day. Rejoicing is the preparation for the worst by
believing in the best.
but a firm belief in Who God Is.
Rejoicing is a state of mind and being. Rejoicing usually comes through
tears and sorrow. Rejoicing appears like
gentle drops of refreshing rain on a blistering day. Rejoicing is the preparation for the worst by
believing in the best.
In this season of difficulties, I look at the calendar and see that two ‘in
and out’ surgeries for me are this month.
A year ago we traveled to witness our eldest son being buried in
death. My husband of sixty-three years
continues to travel the Dementia Road marked by confusion and near blindness. Old age becomes a forest of unknown
undergrowth that entangles our feet. The
world seems to be aflame with angst, anger and death. Where is joy?
Where is peace? How can there be
rejoicing?
and out’ surgeries for me are this month.
A year ago we traveled to witness our eldest son being buried in
death. My husband of sixty-three years
continues to travel the Dementia Road marked by confusion and near blindness. Old age becomes a forest of unknown
undergrowth that entangles our feet. The
world seems to be aflame with angst, anger and death. Where is joy?
Where is peace? How can there be
rejoicing?
One of my favorite portions of scripture is this missive about
rejoicing. It contains the essence – the
art form – of rejoicing for me.
rejoicing. It contains the essence – the
art form – of rejoicing for me.
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I
say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all
you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead,
pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has
done. Philippians 4:4-9
say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all
you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead,
pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has
done. Philippians 4:4-9
Always be full of joy in
the Lord.
the Lord.
But this cannot be! How can I always be full of joy, don’t you
know the trouble that is on me? The
bills that come due, the pain I live through each day, the ridicule I face day
after day? How can I be full of Joy?
know the trouble that is on me? The
bills that come due, the pain I live through each day, the ridicule I face day
after day? How can I be full of Joy?
“Child, you are so
impatient! You didn’t read the rest of
the
impatient! You didn’t read the rest of
the
phrase! “In the Lord!” In
the LORD I have peace and rest. In the
the LORD I have peace and rest. In the
Lord, I find love, unconditional love! In
the Lord, I find forgiveness
the Lord, I find forgiveness
– forgiveness through Jesus Christ”.
Pure Joy is not the
fleeting ‘ha-ha-ha’s’ of life, the ‘tickling of the ear’ phrases of ‘feel good’
philosophy. Pure Joy is knowing Jesus
and His all encompassing love that cleanses my life forever.
fleeting ‘ha-ha-ha’s’ of life, the ‘tickling of the ear’ phrases of ‘feel good’
philosophy. Pure Joy is knowing Jesus
and His all encompassing love that cleanses my life forever.
I say it again—rejoice!
That sounds like a television
re-run of the same thing. Why would it
be repeated?
re-run of the same thing. Why would it
be repeated?
“Child, have you
not remembered how many times repetition is
not remembered how many times repetition is
used so you can learn truth and believe? I say it again and again
– Rejoice. Rejoice to wash away despair and
discouragement.
discouragement.
Replace the woes in life
with the rainbows of hope – Rejoice.”
with the rainbows of hope – Rejoice.”
Let everyone see that you
are considerate in all you do.
are considerate in all you do.
“Child, are you being considerate in
all you do?”
all you do?”
What do you mean
considerate? I do many things. I don’t have time to think of
consideration. I must get everything
done.
considerate? I do many things. I don’t have time to think of
consideration. I must get everything
done.
“Child, don’t you realize that I
accomplished all that is necessary in your life? Being considerate is putting others before
yourself. Considerate living is an attitude
that comes through rejoicing and knowing Me.
Encourage others to rejoice in me. All you need is love – loving me is
loving others in all you do.”
accomplished all that is necessary in your life? Being considerate is putting others before
yourself. Considerate living is an attitude
that comes through rejoicing and knowing Me.
Encourage others to rejoice in me. All you need is love – loving me is
loving others in all you do.”
Remember, the Lord is
coming soon
coming soon
People have said You are
coming forever. Are You really coming? How do we know You are coming? And why should I rejoice because You are
coming? Won’t that change things? Will the earth be changed? Will I have bills to pay? Will the sun go down and never rise
again? I want to know how I will know.
coming forever. Are You really coming? How do we know You are coming? And why should I rejoice because You are
coming? Won’t that change things? Will the earth be changed? Will I have bills to pay? Will the sun go down and never rise
again? I want to know how I will know.
“Child, there is only one thing to know about my coming
again. ‘Watch and Pray.’ No one knows
the day or the hour. Be ready at all
times. Do you remember the days when
someone planned a surprise and that feeling of anticipation that swelled in
your heart? That is what it is all
about. A surprise that makes earthly
surprises seem like nothing in comparison.
The wonders and joys that will be yours as a child of God far surpass
anything you ever could imagine.
again. ‘Watch and Pray.’ No one knows
the day or the hour. Be ready at all
times. Do you remember the days when
someone planned a surprise and that feeling of anticipation that swelled in
your heart? That is what it is all
about. A surprise that makes earthly
surprises seem like nothing in comparison.
The wonders and joys that will be yours as a child of God far surpass
anything you ever could imagine.
Don’t worry about
anything
anything
How can you say don’t worry about anything? If
I didn’t worry, nothing would get done.
I didn’t worry, nothing would get done.
“Child, I managed to
create the universe without you, I can move mountains, I control kingdoms and
principalities without you worrying. You
can trust me, you can relax and not worry.
I have a plan for you. It is
simple…trust!”
create the universe without you, I can move mountains, I control kingdoms and
principalities without you worrying. You
can trust me, you can relax and not worry.
I have a plan for you. It is
simple…trust!”
Pray about everything.
Tell God what you need.
Tell God what you need.
Pray? You want me to pray about everything? You surely don’t want to be bothered for the
test I am taking tomorrow, or what I will eat or wear today, or that tiny
niggling pain I feel in my shoulder, right?
Sometimes in a prayer I mention what I need and I don’t get it, why
should I ask for big things, if you don’t give me the little things?
test I am taking tomorrow, or what I will eat or wear today, or that tiny
niggling pain I feel in my shoulder, right?
Sometimes in a prayer I mention what I need and I don’t get it, why
should I ask for big things, if you don’t give me the little things?
“Child, even as you enjoy giving gifts to others, I enjoy giving
gifts to those who love Me. You are
important to me because I love you. When
I love you, I also know what is good for you, therefore some of the things you
say you need, would not be good for you.
I will answer every prayer you pray in My Way. You may not understand – or know the Why, you
may become angry at Me. Just know the
bottom line…I love you, dear Child.”
gifts to those who love Me. You are
important to me because I love you. When
I love you, I also know what is good for you, therefore some of the things you
say you need, would not be good for you.
I will answer every prayer you pray in My Way. You may not understand – or know the Why, you
may become angry at Me. Just know the
bottom line…I love you, dear Child.”
And thank Him for all He
has done.
has done.
How can I say thanks for
the things you have done for me? I look
back on my life and see your Hand guiding me, bending time and events to give
me what I need. I am in awe of You. I am in love with You, my Creator, my
Comforter, my Savior. You give me peace,
You give me joy, You teach me patience.
the things you have done for me? I look
back on my life and see your Hand guiding me, bending time and events to give
me what I need. I am in awe of You. I am in love with You, my Creator, my
Comforter, my Savior. You give me peace,
You give me joy, You teach me patience.
“Child, you are just beginning to know me, there are riches to come
that are beyond comprehension. You can
thank me by being my Child! You can
thank me by encouraging others in their walk with Me. You can thank me by being faithful and
trusting. You can thank me by holy
living in your thoughts, speech and life.
You can thank me by passionately pursing Jesus Christ every moment of
your life. I love you!”
that are beyond comprehension. You can
thank me by being my Child! You can
thank me by encouraging others in their walk with Me. You can thank me by being faithful and
trusting. You can thank me by holy
living in your thoughts, speech and life.
You can thank me by passionately pursing Jesus Christ every moment of
your life. I love you!”
Comments? eacombs@att.net