He Has Given You Reason To Praise Him. So Rejoice!

Beloved,

We are one day away from gathering together tomorrow for our last Sunday service before Christmas Day. I am excited to see all of you soon. We are also less than three days away from celebrating Christmas Day. I am excited to see that day again.

We should be excited to see every blessed day in the land of the living. Why?

Philippians 4:4-7 tells us,

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

The word says, "Rejoice".

How are we supposed to rejoice when life can be so hard? How are we supposed to rejoice when people do us wrong? How are we supposed to rejoice when things are not the way that we want them to be?

The word says, "Be gentle"...even when people deserve something other than gentleness. God is gentle with you.

The word says, "Do not worry"...even when you are deeply troubled by what is going on. God knows better than you and can do more than you.

The word says, "Pray about everything"...even when you try to keep your own counsel and seek advice from others. Wisdom comes from God.

The word says, "Ask of God"...even when you are tempted to ask your parents, grandparents, other family and friends. God created them but they are not God the creator.

The word says, "Thank God for what He has done"...even when days are dark you should remember what God has done, is doing, and will do. Praises up/blessings down.

The word says, "Receive God's peace in your heart and mind"...even when you want to find peace elsewhere it only truly comes from God. He speaks and the storms cease.

The word says, "All of this in Christ Jesus"...even when you try to seek your own way, own truth, and own life know that He is still the Way, the Truth and the Life.

If we do what the word says, we have reason to rejoice and the rejoicing is not something that we do out of our own ability. It is a gift from God so that we can praise Him, appreciate Him, and lift Him up.

So, I say to you, as we approach Sunday morning and approach Christmas Day, let us do it God's way and let us rejoice.

I know it is not Wednesday; but, I had and have my Zion Memorial Church family on my mind and was led to share this with you.

I hope and pray that things are well with you and that I will see all of you tomorrow morning as we come together to praise God and rejoice in Him.

You come and bring someone with you.

And, as always, remember, God loves you and I love you too!

Be blessed,

Rev. Cain

P.S. And, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!