A NEWSLETTER FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE GREENWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST

VOLUME 2 NO. 47                                          January 8, 2006

“REJOICE IN THE LORD”

STEVE NIEMEIER

Paul tells the brethren at Philippi in Philippians 3:1 to “...rejoice in the Lord.”  As we look at this passage of scripture and apply it to our lives today, we need to do more rejoicing in the Lord.  It seems that while we should be the “light of the world” and the “salt of the earth” because of what Jesus Christ did for us, many times we wear more frowns than smiles.  Everything in this world will pass, never to be anymore.  Yet, our Savior died so that we could have the hope of an eternal home in Heaven.  This should cause us to rejoice in the Lord, not to frown in His service.

There will be sadness on the face of this earth, that is a given.  We will make mistakes while we live on this earth, that is a given.  We will face illnesses, fatal accidents, deathly diseases, terrible wars while we live on this earth, that is a given.  Disappointments will abound on the face of this earth, that is a given.  However, Jesus Christ died to give us a hope of a better place so that we could handle these issues and still rejoice in the Lord and that is a given!

Paul stated in Philippians 1:12 “But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel.”  Just think about what had happened to Paul since he was on that road to Damascus.  Yet, he was still rejoicing in the Lord.  Even though he wanted to die so that he could be with Christ, he knew it would be better for them if he stayed and continued with them in their progress and joy of faith (Philippians 1:23-25).

We need to have this same drive within us.  The drive to help others progress in their rejoicing of the Lord.  This will then increase our rejoicing and together we can walk down the roads of this life together, in the same direction, heading toward the place that will fulfill all of our hope, the place called Heaven.  Together we can do this, REJOICING IN THE LORD!