Be Joyful and Rejoice in the Lord

Be Joyful and Rejoice in the Lord!

Psa 5:11 But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You.

Psa 35:9 And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD; It shall rejoice in His salvation.

Psa 63:5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.

Not just some of Gods creation should be joyful, but all of Gods creation, even the rivers and the hills!

Psa 98:8 Let the rivers clap their hands; Let the hills be joyful together before the LORD,

Isa 49:13 Sing, O heavens! Be joyful, O earth! And break out in singing, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people, And will have mercy on His afflicted.

God our the Creator of the universe loves us and cares for us!

Isa 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Great full and full of joy in tribulation. Why? Because we are the Lords and He is our home.

2Co 7:4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation.

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Mat 5:12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Not sometimes, but alway’s!

Php 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

I tried to find in Gods word where it say’s we are to be somber, angry, full of hate or just not happy or content. And guess what, I couldn’t find it.

I pray that we would all read and meditate on these verses that the Lord has given us and REJOICE.

 

Peace From God Galatians 1:1-3

(Gal 1:1) Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),

(Gal 1:2) and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia:

Paul starts this letter by letting them know that he is an apostle. Paul was chosen by Jesus Himself, on the road to Damascus (Acts Chapter 9). Paul also puts Jesus on the same level as God, by saying “through Jesus Christ AND God the Father” ,last, Paul is not only writing this letter on his behalf but those who are with him as well.

(Gal 1:3) Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,

How do we have peace from God if we don’t understand grace?  I’m not talking about peace with God but from God. Grace is Jesus giving His life for our sin. Grace is Gods favor on a guilty man. Grace is by which we are saved…

(Eph 2:4) But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,(Eph 2:5) even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

Sometimes I think we just don’t understand what we are being saved from and why we don’t deserve it. We are being saved from eternal separation from God. That’s what it’s all about, spending the rest of eternity in Hell separated from God. Ok, so why don’t we deserve to spend eternity with God? Because I’m me and your you, and God is Holy. We don’t deserve it because we are sinners, that if given a choice, would almost always choose to satisfy our own flesh than to please the God who made us. Are you guilty? I know I am. But because the God and Father that created us is merciful He sent His son Jesus Christ to pay for our sins and built a bridge from Hell to Him, but the only way to cross is by the cross by accepting the free gift that God gave by His grace, His son that not only gave His life, but became your sin, so that you could live in eternity with God. When we understand all that and we choose Jesus Christ (that is Gods grace) then we have peace from God (that is Jesus Christ) given to you by the God and Father that loves you.

 

Paul’s Closing 1 Thessalonians 5:23-28

(1Th 5:23) Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(1Th 5:24) He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

(1Th 5:25) Brethren, pray for us.

(1Th 5:26) Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.

(1Th 5:27) I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.

(1Th 5:28) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

What a beautiful prayer to pray; for the Lord Himself to sanctify you, to set you apart for His glory, to preserve you blameless at His coming. What could be better than being completely and wholly set apart from the world and ready for the coming of the glorious Jesus Christ Himself? Our Lord that calls you is faithful to bring you through to an eternal life with Him.

Paul closes his letter to the Thessalonians with a few last requests and instructions. Paul says Brethren, pray for us… we need to pray for everyone even if we think they don’t need it. Our leaders need our prayers and Paul was not above asking for it. Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss… Love one another and let it be known. Paul says this epistle is for everyone in the church to read and share it. Paul wouldn’t be able to teach them in person so he wanted to make sure the whole church new his love for them.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen…. The apostle Paul 1 Thessalonians 5:28

 

Test All Things 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22

(1Th 5:19) Do not quench the Spirit.

Let the Spirit flow from within you, praising God and loving Jesus! Don’t hold in what the Holy Spirit wants let out.

(1Th 5:20) Do not despise prophecies.

Prophecy is the word of God and we are to listen closely to it, careful not to despise what is said either because we don’t like it or we don’t agree with it. In the next verse Paul (God) says

(1Th 5:21) Test all things; hold fast what is good.

Go to God with what someone claims to be the word of God and test it. Compare it to scripture and if you find it is good, keep it, learn from it, share it with others. Read your bible so you can test all things against the Truth.

(1Th 5:22) Abstain from every form of evil.

In the King James it reads; Abstain from all appearance of evil. I believe this is a better translation, due to the fact that Paul is still talking about scripture, doctrine and prophecy. But I don’t think this verse should be constrained to just that. We should abstain from anything that even appears to be wrong. If in doubt don’t do it, if there is a chance you could be in sin, then stay away.

 

The “be” List 1 Thessalonians 5:11-18

(1Th 5:11) Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

Now comfort yourselves in the truths that God has given, lift each other up. This isn’t meant just for the elders and the ones appointed to a position in the church, this was for the whole church of Thessalonica.

(1Th 5:12) And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,

(1Th 5:13) and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

Paul is urging them to recognize the leaders in the church that God has given them. Those who labor… Who not only do the foot work to keep the church together and organized, but that have put their lives in danger by having the position they hold. Remember Paul was ran out of town, and was not able to return. esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake… But I thought it wasn’t about works you say. It’s not about “works” it’s about work! Paul is urging the church to see that these guys are working hard in the Lord for them, they should be lifting them up and praying for them and not fighting among themselves, but rather be at peace with each other, helping and loving.

(1Th 5:14) Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.

(1Th 5:15) See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

We are to caution those that are going against the Lord, pray and comfort those that are having a hard time seeing what the Lord wants in their lives, lift up those that are weak in the Lord and like Paul says, we are to be patient with all. Don’t return evil with evil, return it with love, and do what is right and good for everyone, not just for yourself.

(1Th 5:16) Rejoice always,

(1Th 5:17) pray without ceasing,

(1Th 5:18) in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

So far in the first 8verses of the closing of Paul’s letter, he has given a few actions we all need to take in our lives and then he tells us why…

1. comfort each other and edify one another
2. recognize those who labor among you
3. esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake
4. Be at peace among yourselves.
5. warn those who are unruly
6. comfort the fainthearted
7. uphold the weak
8. be patient with all
9. pursue what is good for all
10. Rejoice always
11. pray without ceasing
12. in everything give thanks

And then Paul ends this section with; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

How awesome is the God we serve!  If only we could do what is in this list; comfort, recognize, love, have peace, uphold, be patient, pursue what is good, rejoice, pray and in everything give thanks!

We should all pin this list on our refrigerators and work to be this list; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Got the Time? 1 Thessalonains 5:1-10

(1Th 5:1) But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.

(1Th 5:2) For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.

Paul must have been through this with them while he was there in Thessalonica. Teaching them to be ready always.

(1Th 5:3) For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.

Just when we think everything is going well and there seems to be peace around the world….then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. The unbeliever wont know what hit them and there will be no escaping it.

(1Th 5:4) But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.

They, the unbelievers, wont know what hit them, but you who are not in the darkness will know. Believers in Jesus Christ will know exactly what whats going on.

(1Th 5:5) You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.

Sons of light…. I believe Paul is saying we need to be the light and love of Jesus Christ. Sons of day… I believe Paul is saying we need to be aware of everything around us. Not of the night… Again opposite of day, you can’t see much if it’s not light. Nor of darkness…. Opposite of the light of Jesus Christ. This is one of the times when I might be reading a little more into it than is meant. But you have to admit Paul is making a distinction between (light and day) and (night and darkness).

(1Th 5:6) Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.

 

The word sleep literally means to sleep, and the word sober means abstain from wine. So I’m thinking Paul is saying don’t get drunk and pass out, be ready and sober at all times.

(1Th 5:7) For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.

(1Th 5:8) But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.

How do we put on the breastplate of faith and love? We read the word everyday! (Rom 10:17) So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. If we do this we will always have the hope of salvation.

(1Th 5:9) For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

(1Th 5:10) who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

God doesn’t want wrath for his children. Do we deserve His wrath? Are we so good, kind and loving that He should just accept us into His kingdom? I don’t think so! We need to realize that we’re sinners, and will always be a sinners as long as we are in these bodies, but through our faith in Jesus Christ we have obtained salvation. Jesus died for me, for you and for anyone else that will accept Him into their life as Lord and Savior.

Caught Up! 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

(1Th 4:16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

(1Th 4:17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

(1Th 4:18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

This is what it’s all about. The rapture, the day of the Lord, the day we as believers are caught up together to meet with the Lord in the air. Wow what an awesome sight it will be to see. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout…. Not a shadow, not a replica, not an angel, but the LORD HIMSELF.

with the voice of the archangel… People argue about what angel this will be, personally I don’t care if it’s Gabriel, Michael  or some angel we’ve never heard of. No matter what, I’m sure it’s going to be an awesome site to see; the angels of the Lord coming down clearing the way for Jesus our Lord and savior to snatch up His children and take them home.

and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Just imagine the trump of God that will wake the dead, and they will rise first with their perfect transformed bodies, and if we’re not one of the first, guess what we’ll be watching our loved ones that died in Christ rise up to the Father.

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: Does that not just give you chills? You see everything right in front of your eyes, the Lord, the angels, loved ones being raisin up to the Lord. And now it’s our turn to be snatched up. And I do mean snatched, look at the Greek word for caught up..

αρπαζω harpazo har-pad’-zo

from a derivative of 138; to seize (in various applications):–catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force).

If you believe in Jesus you wont have a say in the matter, your gone, plucked, pulled, taken! Amen, how cool is that? If all of that’s not cool enough for you, then how about this….

and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Need I say more? Forever with the Lord, no more broken hearts, no more pain, no more suffering, no more wishing for this or that, no more need, no more want, and I can go on and on but I think you get the picture.

Wherefore comfort one another with these words. Paul shares this revelation with them to comfort them, to comfort them about their loved ones that died before them. But as you can see it’s so much more then that. It’s a revelation from God to all of us that there is coming a day when He will come for His children and snatch them up. Snatch them up from what? From the tribulation that is to follow. This is a great comfort for us, but what about your mom or dad, or brother or sister, or friend or co worker that doesn’t know Jesus, either by choice or you just haven’t shared Him with them. What’s going to happen to them? Is this the end for them when we all go to be with the Lord? It doesn’t have to be, they will still have a chance to accept the Lord. What if you have shared everything with them and they say, you know if I see you get taken up into the sky to meet with the Lord, I promise I’ll accept Him then.

Jon Courson puts it this way….

If you cannot receive Jesus Christ in this day of grace, what makes you think you will be able to stand for Him in that time of intense persecution? Those who acknowledge Jesus as Lord in the Tribulation will be saved—but they’ll lose their heads in the process (end Jon Courson quote)

(Re 20:4)

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Yes, 1Th 4:14-18 should be a comfort to us but let’s also make sure it’s a comfort to all those around us that have yet to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Share the gospel of Jesus Christ with those around you today, tomorrow could be too late.