March 17th, 2026
Rejoice!
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”-Philippians 4:4
Joy is important. In fact, I think it’s fairly safe to say that it is foundational to our faith. If you don’t believe me, just ask the Apostle Paul. He mentions joy sixteen times in the book of Philippians alone. He thought it was so important that he says it twice in the verse above. Since he was in prison when he wrote the letter to the Philippians, I think it’s we can assume that he knew a secret or two to having joy. I have probably written on joy before, but hey, if Paul did it over and over again, why can’t I?
Our church is in a joyous moment right now. We are experiencing blessings upon blessings. A new addition nearly done, a new pastor and his beautiful little family, visitors coming all the time. When those kiddos come running in on Sunday mornings for the Children’s Sermon—well, if that doesn’t lift your heart, you may not have a heart to lift. But as wonderful as this moment is, it is just that—a moment. Stuff is going to happen. There will be difficulties, disagreements, tough financial times, and who knows what? But that is no excuse to lose joy.
We have an enemy, you see. And that enemy’s goal is to rob us of joy. Satan loves it when we get lost in our problems and our woes. He delights in making small inconveniences seem like big problems, and big problems seem like impossible obstacles. He enjoys taking an insignificant disagreement and turning it into an all-out war. He cackles with glee when we suspect the worst of each other rather than believing the best. Because he does not know joy, he hates us for having it, and so he tempts us to believe that we can’t have it or that we don’t deserve it or that events beyond our control are preventing us from holding on to it.
Paul’s joy, you will note, is not in his circumstances. He doesn’t say that he is rejoicing about being in prison. Who would? He is rejoicing in spite of that, because his joy doesn’t lie in his personal situation. His joy is in the Lord. This is a thing that should be true for every believer. If we look around us or even within ourselves for a source of joy, we are likely to come up a good bit short. But if we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, we will find a limitless wellspring of joy. In Christ every need is fulfilled, every promise kept. In Him we have the gift of eternal joy, not something momentary, fleeting, or circumstantial, but joy that will last forever.
Things happen, friends. Big things, little things, and things in between. But remember this: Nothing happens that has not been sifted through the fingers of the Almighty. And He knows all things and works them for our good. The sovereign Creator of the universe, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, loves you beyond measure. And He wants you to have joy.
Peace.
Jackie
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”-Philippians 4:4
Joy is important. In fact, I think it’s fairly safe to say that it is foundational to our faith. If you don’t believe me, just ask the Apostle Paul. He mentions joy sixteen times in the book of Philippians alone. He thought it was so important that he says it twice in the verse above. Since he was in prison when he wrote the letter to the Philippians, I think it’s we can assume that he knew a secret or two to having joy. I have probably written on joy before, but hey, if Paul did it over and over again, why can’t I?
Our church is in a joyous moment right now. We are experiencing blessings upon blessings. A new addition nearly done, a new pastor and his beautiful little family, visitors coming all the time. When those kiddos come running in on Sunday mornings for the Children’s Sermon—well, if that doesn’t lift your heart, you may not have a heart to lift. But as wonderful as this moment is, it is just that—a moment. Stuff is going to happen. There will be difficulties, disagreements, tough financial times, and who knows what? But that is no excuse to lose joy.
We have an enemy, you see. And that enemy’s goal is to rob us of joy. Satan loves it when we get lost in our problems and our woes. He delights in making small inconveniences seem like big problems, and big problems seem like impossible obstacles. He enjoys taking an insignificant disagreement and turning it into an all-out war. He cackles with glee when we suspect the worst of each other rather than believing the best. Because he does not know joy, he hates us for having it, and so he tempts us to believe that we can’t have it or that we don’t deserve it or that events beyond our control are preventing us from holding on to it.
Paul’s joy, you will note, is not in his circumstances. He doesn’t say that he is rejoicing about being in prison. Who would? He is rejoicing in spite of that, because his joy doesn’t lie in his personal situation. His joy is in the Lord. This is a thing that should be true for every believer. If we look around us or even within ourselves for a source of joy, we are likely to come up a good bit short. But if we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, we will find a limitless wellspring of joy. In Christ every need is fulfilled, every promise kept. In Him we have the gift of eternal joy, not something momentary, fleeting, or circumstantial, but joy that will last forever.
Things happen, friends. Big things, little things, and things in between. But remember this: Nothing happens that has not been sifted through the fingers of the Almighty. And He knows all things and works them for our good. The sovereign Creator of the universe, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, loves you beyond measure. And He wants you to have joy.
Peace.
Jackie
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