16 Rejoice always.

 

16 Rejoice always. 

 

Robert Dean Steel

Cornerstone Community Church

 

1.             The year 2025 has certainly been a different kind of year.  Almost as wild as 2020 when covid hit.  Paul has some advice for us when unsettling and uncertain times are upon us like these days.  To "rejoice always" this means to have joy or delight in the Lord.

2.          To feel joy when you think of Him always.

3.          It is an attitude of contentment and hope that transcends circumstances.

4.         It means to praise God in all circumstances, good and bad, because we know that he is our heavenly Father who is working all things together for our good.  It means that you have an anchor in this stormy time of life.  Joy is our strength if we let the Lord have His way in our life.

It means putting your spiritual pipe in the waters of salvation and have a continuous supply of joy.

 

17     Paul then encourages us to pray continually or without ceasing.

 

1.          When we pray without ceasing, we are acknowledging that our life belongs to the one who gave His own life to preserve ours and turning over our will and our desires to Him.

2.          Paul is not referring to non-stop talking, but rather an attitude of God-consciousness and God-surrender that we carry with us all the time. Every waking moment is to be lived in an awareness that God is with us and that He is actively involved and engaged in our thoughts and actions.

  When our thoughts turn to worry, fear, discouragement, and anger, we are to consciously and quickly turn every thought into prayer and every prayer into thanksgiving.  You do not have to fear because three things.  You have God’s love guiding your faith and this brings hope.  Now hope is the assurance and confidence that you have a future.  Jesus said, I go to prepare a place for you and where I am you shall ne also.  Following Christ has a dynamite retirement plan.

 

18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

 

1.        Giving thanks in all circumstances means maintaining a posture of gratitude and trust, even during difficult moments, knowing that God is still good and working for our ultimate good. It is a foundational response to God, acknowledging His blessings and promises.

2.        There’s a simple reason why we should be thankful in all circumstances: we know that God is in charge. When we trust this, really trust this, then it allows us to release control a little bit, and to trust that all things will work out in the end.  Rom 8:28

     Paul gives one last piece of advice.  In everything and in all circumstances give thanks for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  Giving thanks in all circumstances means maintaining a posture of gratitude and trust, even during difficult moments, knowing that God is still good and working for our ultimate good. It is a foundational response to God, acknowledging His blessings and promises.  There’s a simple reason why we should be thankful in all circumstances: we know that God is in charge. When we trust this, really trust this, then it allows us to release control a little bit, and to trust that all things will work out in the end this is brought forward in Rom 8:28 

3.             Giving thanks also helps us to focus on the one who answers and the solution instead of the problem.  “

4.        "This is God's will for you" refers to God's specific purposes for individual events or decisions in our lives1.lives. It signifies God's desires and purposes for an individual, which may not always be fully understood or predicted in advance. In general, God's will is what God wants, and it can include salvation and other aspects of His control over creation.

  All things come through and in Christ Jesus.  He is the Savior, Lord, and Final Authority.  All promises, benefits and blessings come through Him.

     I don’t know what is happening in your life, but I can assure you that if you trust the Lord with all your heart and you do not lean to your own understanding God promises to guide, direct, help and protect you.  I know I have been trusting Him since 1974, and he has never let me down.  Now if He work in a guy like me, you probably have a greater chance.   Paul gives sus some sound advice in a troubled time.  Implement it in your life and be pleasantly surprised.