Rejoice in the Lord Always I Shall Say It Again Rejoice

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"Rejoice in the Lord ever, again I say rejoice." (Philippians 4:four)

 By Rev. Kevin MacKenzie Special to The Guardian CHARLOTTETOWN, P.East.I. - "Rejoice in the Lord ever, once more I say rejoice." (Philippians 4:iv) "In all things requite thank you..." (1 Thessalonians five:18) 

["In this week'due south guest sermon, Pastor Abiodun Olusoji writes that God is calling His children back to the straight and narrow path of intimacy."]

When Paul wrote these words he was well aware of the fact that life could exist very difficult. He had been persecuted, beaten, imprisoned, ostracised from his community. He had no illusion that life would exist easy and trouble complimentary, and yet he wrote 'rejoice and give thanks'. He was challenging people to call back about the way in which they would respond to the realities of life, not with naïve optimism but with a conscious choice to focus on God, whatever the circumstance.

The congregation which I serve, along with my colleague, the Rev. David E. Campbell, is about to enter into its 60^th yr of existence, and we are planning a yearlong acknowledgement of this milestone.

As organizations and groups are prone to exercise, nosotros have chosen a theme for this ceremony – "Choosing Celebration." This is non the musing of a group of people  who have their heads in the clouds trying  to pretend that  in that location is zilch to exist concerned about in life, nor is it an effort to  advise to people that we in the church have  everything figured out and  life is wonderful all of the time.

We know that there are many things happening around u.s.a. and to u.s.a. that tin can easily get in the manner of celebration. Who amidst us is not disturbed by and leery of the efforts of terrorists? Nosotros meet the awful furnishings of dearth and wonder what, if anything, we can practise to assist. There is climate change, wars, economic depression, the plight of displaced people, drug abuse and prejudice to proper name simply a few of the disturbing realities that come to our attention on a regular ground.

Perchance we endure personal challenges because of physical illness, grief, unemployment, family issues, addictions, low, loneliness, doubt about our own future. We all have burdens that nosotros bear and they accept their toll on u.s.a.. It would be irresponsible for us to deny this and it would exist wrong non to seek help or to offer help to others. In low-cal of this, nosotros have a selection to brand. We can succumb to the negative forces that assail us, letting them have the upper manus or we tin can cull to directly our thoughts in other ways. In the Christian community, we talk about having Skilful News to share, the Good News that proclaims the fact that God loves us.

Nosotros say that God is with us throughout life and that 'at that place is cipher in all of cosmos that tin separate usa from that love' (Romans 8). We say that nosotros trust God's Holy Spirit to guide and back up us. Saying the words is the easy part. Giving the words life is when the piece of work begins, for making these words real and meaningful requires a choice — to choose celebration.

We can cull to rejoice and requite thanks for all that God has done and will do for us.  Nosotros can cull to celebrate the fact that we are children of God and that God's love continually surrounds usa, giving united states the strength, and the incentive, to face up the hardships that intrude into our experiences.  We can choose to make room for God when life is good and zest for living is keen.

For our 60^thursday anniversary at Park Royal United, and in thanksgiving for God'due south life giving honey, we are 'Choosing Commemoration'. May you know the reality of God's honey in your life, and detect your own reason to choose celebration.

Rev. Kevin MacKenzie is with Park Royal United Church building. A guest sermon runs regularly in Saturday'south Guardian and is provided through Christian Communications.

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Source: https://www.saltwire.com/prince-edward-island/news/rejoice-in-the-lord-always-again-i-say-rejoice-philippians-44-112997/

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