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“Remember Everyday Jesus Offers Inspirational Comfort Eternally!" (R.E.J.O.I.C.E)”

Ramesh C. Reddy
Publisher

SCRIPTURE:
"Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance." (Philippians 1:19, NIV)

OBSERVATION:
I asked myself, what 3 things do I learn about Paul?
1. I will continue to rejoice.
2. I know through your prayers what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
3. I know through the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.

I decided to focus on point 1 today:

Interpretations:
I I asked myself what is the significance of Paul continuing to rejoice? 
Knowing Paul was in jail, shackled with chains, and he still was able to rejoice is so significant to me because he is setting an example for the Philippians that rejoicing is not based on good things happening to them but having the knowledge that the Gospel is being advanced and having a deeper relationship with Christ amidst what is happening around them. I do not know about you but Paul's rejoicing reveals to me more about Christ than Paul's own character. Christ means a lot to Paul that chains nor people's tactics stop him from rejoicing. The reason he rejoices is because Christ is being preached. Again seeing Paul's reaction and attitude just makes me want to know more and more about Jesus! Paul rejoices also because he has faith that whatever is happening to him will turn out for his deliverance.

Implications:
I asked myself what are the implications for my own life?
When people see me rejoice, it should not be based on them thinking that rejoicing is occurring because of the good things that are happening to me but instead because of my relationship with Christ and that Christ is preached. In my college years, when I needed a job and did not have one, I decided to just praise the Lord lifting my heads up to my neck while I was walking downtown. I did that because the Bible reminded me, 'Rejoice always, giving thanks to God in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus!' When I did that an amazing thing happened! It was as though there were hands coming from the sky to reach out to me. I felt they were the 'Helping Hands' of Jesus reaching out to me telling me that He will take care of me. That moment in time because of praising the Lord, gave me an idea to write tracts and put them out to reach souls for Christ. They were called 'Helping Hands' and became a 31-day self-published book to reach out to others with the love of Christ. Recently, after 22 years of working a job, I lost that job. It was very painful but I had to choose to praise the Lord even in those circumstances trusting in Him. It was not easy to rejoice in the pain knowing what our family will go through but it was a choice I made to rejoice in the Lord depending on Him for deliverance. Thank you Jesus! 

I learned the purpose of today's devotional is to know rejoicing in the Lord is not dependent on circumstances in our lives but on Christ in our lives who oversees all circumstances.

I ask you now dear friend, what reason do you have to R.E.J.O.I.C.E in life?
Dear friend, if you are thinking about all the good things that have happened to you and the good things that are happening, that is a valid reason to rejoice in the Lord BUT what if things are not going your way.

What if you are spiritually dry, depressed, lonely, jobless, clueless, then what?

Friend, it is then that rejoicing in the Lord has the most potent effect because it not only separates you from Satan and his henchmen who want to keep you in dire straits BUT it also lifts you up in the Lord as we see Paul's own example while he was in chains, shackled, and  a prisoner. His rejoicing showed the Philippians and us that there is more to life than getting things our own way. When people see us rejoicing in Christ when things are not good in our lives, then our lives become such a powerful testimony for Christ and eventually blessings will come Christ's way and not ours. I am reminded of what happened to JOB.

Yesterday, we had testimony time at church. I loved how Pastor Josh wanted Christ and Christ alone to be part of every testimony. Specifically, he wanted us to share our struggles and the role Jesus Christ has played through the struggles rather than the great things he has done through us. The focus was to be on rejoicing in Christ whose grace is sufficient for us through our struggles. Keeping that in mind, my favorite testimony was from a sister in Christ who shared about the world's definition of success: Having money, having children, having own house, etc. Then, she shared that she never had those things and still does not but what she and her husband do have is CHRIST and a passion to reach souls for Christ by sharing the Gospel of Jesus through word and deed. To her that is success in which she rejoices. Whenever I see the couple, they are so joyful and their joy is because they have the joy of the Lord: 'Joy of the Lord is my strength'

It made me think through my ministry years, even for me, success was always defined as 'Healing broken hearts with the love of Christ' which became my mission and also 'Telling others about Jesus Christ' through the written word and spoken word using the Word of God as my ultimate means. By the world's standards, I am not successful but by the Lord's standards, I can rejoice holding on to the mission, He gave me: "But life is worth nothing to me, unless I use it to do the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus, the work of telling others about God's mighty goodness and love!" (Acts 20:24, TLB)  

I do not know what you are going through. You may feel like you are trapped and everything that can go wrong seems to go wrong. Others could be even mocking you that you rejoice and are content when things are not going your way. Don't let others dissuade you from rejoicing and being content. In ministry, I was rarely content how things were and wanted more but the Lord used Edwin in a powerful way to show me that my attitude needs to change. So, he discipled me as we read through the book, 'Lord, change my attitude, before it is too late!'

No matter what you are going through, rejoice in the Lord and in His promises for your life. It won't be easy but when you spend time with the Lord and experience His love and touch in your lives, the rejoicing will come because you will have hope through life's tight rope. Start with the Psalms and turn them into personal praises and prayers remembering deliverance is at hand! Praise the Lord!

Even if things are horrible in life the greatest reason to rejoice is the reason we see Paul rejoicing in that Christ is being preached. When Christ is being preached, lives are turned around for His honor and glory. Because Christ is being preached, our sins are out in the forefront where we realize we cannot save ourselves nor overcome our sin on our own. No, we need the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to save us. We come to realize that Jesus paid the ultimate price for us with HIS BLOOD to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us!

Jesus did that to save us and restore us to the Father that we can have a personal relationship with Him and always rejoice! Help us Oh Lord! Thank you! Amen! May you remember everyday, Jesus offers inspirational comfort eternally!

"Remember Everyday Jesus Offers Inspirational Comfort Eternally!" (R.E.J.O.I.C.E)/"What reason do you have to R.E.J.O.I.C.E in life?"

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you so much for helping me learn about rejoicing. You Oh Lord have worked in Paul's life to such an effect that no matter what is happening to him, he is able to rejoice. He is able to rejoice because He knows deliverance is at hand in Your timing and Your way. Thank you Jesus. Also, he is able to rejoice because you are being preached. Help us to always rejoice Lord. We cannot on our own and need your help that our lives will reflect the glory of the risen Lord.  Thank you Father God. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! AMEN!

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