What makes your heart rejoice today? Or are you rejoicing? Always? Even when your life is filled with trials, pains, and sorrows? How do you rejoice in the dungeons of life? Paul’s answer was "The Lord is at hand." We are looking this week at the scripture from Philippians 4: "4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Our obstacles to being able to rejoice always generally are a result of our own doubts as to whether God is who He says He is or our doubts that He will do all that He says He will. I have proposed that there are six questions you need to ask yourself when you find yourself depressed, anxious or worried. They are: 1.Do you believe that God is Good? 2. Do you believe that God is Sovereign? 3. Do you believe that God is omnipotent? 4. Do you believe that God will do all that He has promised? 5. Do you believe in Future Grace? and 6. Do you believe that God loves you?
If God Can Display His Joy Through a Delicate Rose; can He not keep His Promises to You?
photo used by permission ©2013 Sarah Barba
We have already looked at the first three questions. If you believe that God is good, sovereign, and omnipotent; then, why would you ever worry? Maybe it is because you do not claim the promises He has given you.
4. Do you believe that God will do all that He has promised? In Numbers 23 we read,
"19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" God therefore will keep all of His promises; but what does that mean for you? Peter wrote: 2 Peter 1: Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. So what are those promises? More than enough. I would not be able to list all of those promises here; but, within the scriptures are promises that are for every possible need you could have. Some certainly include: Salvation for all who believe, Sanctification, comforter, companion, provision, and all that we are IN Christ. I did a series from August 14 until September 3. The link to the conclusion of that series is: https://myglorytoglory.com/archives/657 if you desire to know more about or need a reminder of who you are in Christ.
Some of the promises are conditional and some are unconditional. Example: Salvation is conditional upon accepting Christ as your Savior. Unconditional promises include that nothing can change God’s love for us (Romans 8:38-39) and eternal security for all who believe in Christ as their Savior (John 10: 27-30)
Question: Do You Believe that God will do all that He Promised? Then Rejoice.
I found this beautiful song this morning which will help you rejoice. I hope you enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjAFcyMTpUA
© 2013 Effie Darlene Barba
Photo by Sarah Barba ©2013 used by written permission. Available at: http://fineartamerica.com/featured/rose-in-motion-sarah-barba.html
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to any brands, products or services that I have mentioned I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides regarding the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”