A Thought For The Week Of September 17

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4) What a great reminder Paul offers us in this verse. It's generally believed that Paul wrote this letter as a kind of farewell to the church at Philippi, and that he wrote it near the end of his life, as he was facing execution at the hands of the Roman authorities. The church at Philippi seems to have had a special place in Paul's heart. Their relationship seems to have been close. Now, as he faces death, he tells the Philippians not to mourn for him, but to rejoice with him. Regardless of our circumstances, the message seems to be, we are to be a people of joy - a people who don't fall into despair, because we have Christ, who overcomes all things - who overcomes even the world itself. Nothing should cause us to fall into fear or hopelessness. I wonder, then, why joy so often seems to be lacking in our lives. Not all the time, of course, but sometimes. And by "joy" I don't just mean happiness, I mean a spirit of contentment, a constant attitude of thanksgiving, a never-ending delight in the things God has created and in the people God has put into our lives. Friends, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" God has given us so many reasons to do so! Have a great week!