SCRIPTURE:
"REJOICE in the Lord always. I will say it again: REJOICE!" (Philippians 4:4, NIV)

OBSERVATIONS:
I asked myself what words or phrases or repeated?
The words REJOICE is repeated twice and it reminded me of the REPETITIVE PARALLELISM used in the Psalms a lot as taught by Pastor Ed this past Sunday at Sunday School.

I asked myself in what context is the Apostle Paul asking the Philippians to REJOICE and in what frequency?
They are asked to 'REJOICE in the Lord always'

I asked myself what is significant about Paul asking the Philippians to 'REJOICE in the Lord always'?
I found it so amazing that of all people the Apostle Paul would put an emphasis to REJOICE even after he is shackled in chains and under arrest. It is not just rejoicing for the sake of rejoicing but he emphasizes ‘in the Lord’ and ALWAYS. Paul's emphasis on 'REJOICE in the Lord' is not based on any 'if-then' clauses but ALWAYS. Paul does not want the Philippians to base their rejoicing on circumstances whether they are good or bad in their lives. If that were the case Paul would have no reason to REJOICE. But Paul is able to REJOICE because of Jesus in His life. Jesus had campaigned to have the Apostle Paul vote Him into his heart on the Road to Damascus. It was such an experience that later Paul changed his name from Saul of Tarsus to Paul.

It is also important for me to realize that Paul must have seen a lot of sadness and stress because of what was happening between Euodias and Synthche in their conflict. So, this was the best opportunity for Paul to share with them about 'REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS', and not base it on their circumstances.

IMPLICATIONS:
I saw important implications for my own life here. This showed me that our rejoicing in the Lord should not be based upon our circumstances whether they are good or bad. But rejoicing should be because we have voted Jesus Christ in our hearts and He will be there for us as 'He who began a good work in us will finish it to completion'. It is also not just rejoicing once or twice but Paul puts an emphasis on ‘always’.

HOW GOSPEL GIVES ME TESTIMONY REGARDING R.E.J.O.I.C.E:
I can 'REJOICE in the Lord' not because I am capable of rejoicing always but it is because of the work of Jesus Christ in my life. Students have commented to me at C-side & Market Central 'that I am always happy with a smile' and then asked, "How can you be that way being happy all the time?". I then share with them about Jesus Christ in my life. There have been days that I was very sad to the point of tears at work. Students automatically noticed that something was wrong and genuinely enquired about what was wrong and if they could help. But even in those situations students saw how the Lord Jesus has brought me through to REJOICE in Him and Him alone.

I cannot REJOICE unless I allow Jesus to comfort me and lead me no matter what I am facing. The Apostle Paul is able to 'REJOICE in the Lord' even in jail because he knows of whom He believes in and who will ultimately deliver him. I too need to always remember that. For me it starts with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the Gospel of Jesus Christ that makes rejoicing possible because of the love of Jesus working in my life. Thank you so much Jesus.

I never want to portray a picture of being happy on the outside even if I am sad on the inside just so others can see Jesus in me. Because of that honesty,  people see how transparent I am and that too can be a witness of Christ in my life.  You know it is not easy for me to REJOICE when things don’t go my way. If anything it is depressing and emotionally draining. Yet, I see the command here to REJOICE in the Lord always. It does not say to REJOICE only when things go my way.

I want to be able to REJOICE in the Lord always because that’s what the Word of God says and because when Jesus is in me, I know He who created me and sees me as special and precious in His sight can take care of me and what I face. This is the confidence I can have in Jesus, my Lord and Personal Savior. Help me Jesus!

I do need the Lord's help to REJOICE always and the Lord Jesus can help me to do that because I realize everyday Jesus offers inner comfort Eternally! You can too!

I ask you now dear friend, when do you R.E.J.O.I.C.E in life?
Dear friend, it is so easy to REJOICE when things go our way. Anybody can do that. The true test of our relationship with the Lord Jesus is seen when things are not going our way. I don’t know what you are going through but this I know, rejoicing in the Lord will come because of Jesus' inner comfort in our lives as we rest upon Him. Psalm 55:16-17 talks about calling upon the Lord and praying morning, noon, and evening knowing that He can deliver. Praise the Lord!

There are circumstances that make us cry and weep and there is nothing wrong with that for even Jesus wept. I believe rejoicing in the Lord and weeping can also happen at the same time. We can be sad for things and yet in our hearts REJOICE knowing the Lord Jesus is on our side and can help us. I believe rejoicing also cuts down on our sickness. The Bible says, 'A happy heart does good like medicine' Oh how true that is!

Friend, whatever you are going through know how much Jesus loves you and when you have your focus on Him, He can help you through. Jesus continues to help our family in the things we face and it is all by His grace. But this cannot happen unless you come to know Jesus as your Lord and Personal Savior voting Him into your heart. Yesterday's devotional touches on Jesus' campaign to have you vote Him into your heart. That is exciting! I have invited Jesus to be part of my daily life and want that never to change. Help me Jesus! You too can for 'there is no other Name in Heaven whereby we must be saved except the Name of Jesus'

Jesus not only gives us reason to REJOICE because 'Jesus is the Reason for the Season' but He saves us for eternity. Praise the Lord!

Friend, may you rest in the Lord giving Him all your past realizing everyday Jesus offers inner comfort eternally! Amen!

"Realize Everyday, Jesus Offers Inner Comfort Eternally! (R.E.J.O.I.C.E)/"When do you REJOICE in life?"

PRAYER: 
Jesus, your Word says that we should REJOICE in you Lord always but that’s not always easy. Forgive us Lord when we allow circumstances of life to take away the inner joy you want to give us. Thank you for offering us inner comfort eternally. Whatever pain we are going through let us not forget that you are there for us. Help us to REJOICE in that always even through our circumstances not in our strength but knowing the grace you will shower upon us. Thank you so much Jesus. And thank you Jesus, there are many times you do change circumstances in our lives bringing us outward joy too. But, we know that will not always be the case where our lives will be peachy. It is in those times especially we need your Abundant Grace showered in our lives for others to see too.  Thank you so much Jesus. And thank you Lord whatever you decide to do, you have our best interests in mind. Give us the strength to bear circumstances we don't like and find our joy in you. Thank you Jesus for loving us so much and dying for our sin. Thank you for coming back to life to save us. Help us to love you with our whole heart. For I want to know you Jesus more and more. We thank you for your Word to help us. Thank you for being there for us and answering prayer. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

Lord Jesus, You are my all in all. You are my Prince of Peace, Rock, Savior, and Friend. You are my Holy Father guiding me through to live a life of righteousness, holy righteousness. Oh God, I need you more than ever. I need to feel your hands around me holding me tight. I need your love to surround me so that you can glow in my life. Help me please Jesus. I desire in your presence. Thank you for guiding me to live a life of righteousness. Oh God you love me more than ever. You hear my voice when I cry out to you. When I seek your face, you fill me up. You are my all in all. Thank you Jesus so much for your help no matter what I face, your grace is available and you take my case. Thank you for hearing us and answering us. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! AMEN! (Most of the prayer is from a vineyard song called “All in All”)

You don't have to be locked away anymore for Christ is here to free you and give you peace to LIVE out your actions.

How do you look at GODISNOWHERE?

One of my pastors, Pastor Hugo SHARED this example one Sunday at the RESURRECTION DAY SERVICE in the combined worship service of Pittsburgh Chinese Church-Oakland & Oakland International Fellowship:

If you look at it as GOD IS NO WHERE, you will still be lost in your sin and be in bondage locked away in your sins and problems finding no peace.

But  as my pastor spoke to the congregation and spoke to me, I am here to tell you that GOD IS NOW HERE.

Yes, friend God is aLIVE and wants to bring a transformation in your life through the GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ for He paid the penalty on the cross to rescue you and me and came back to life to save us and LIVE with us.

Yes, friend that is exciting to know that we can experience HIS SAVING GRACE & LIVING GRACE.

When we mess up, we can go to Jesus with our shortcomings and He will forgive us and RESTORE us to Him and we will find peace in Him.

^"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23, NIV)

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:7-9, NIV)

Friend, we need Jesus because we have been separated from God due to our sin. Because of our sin, Jesus had to pay the price to become our bridge so we can reach God now not of our own good works but because of the finished work of Christ, the Lord on the cross.

"For it is by GRACE you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV)

Come to Jesus as you are and pray this prayer to accept Jesus as your Lord and Personal Savior. He will transform your life around! Praise the Lord! You don't have to have all the answers! You can come as you are!