Rejoice!

"Rejoice in the Lord, and I'll say it again: Rejoice." (Phil. 4:4)

Even when you don't feel like being joyful or happy, we are commanded to be happy and satisfied in the Lord. We are to "consider it pure joy" to face trials in our lives (even minor ones). And, as believers, we have the best reason in the world to rejoice! So why don't we do it more?

Do you think that God wants other people to see us carrying His victory banner into the thick of the battle, but then calmy we retreat because we were beaten back by the enemy? Never.

As Christians we are always representing Christ.

If we call ourselves Christians and are always discontent and angry, that's what people think of Christ. But we know that He is the opposite of that!

We need to be joyful in the Lord.

Luke 6:22 "Blessed are you when people hate you for my sake, and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on the account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold your reward in Heaven is great. . ."

Most of the time when we are sad, discontent, angry, or whatever it is, "not on the account of the Son of Man," it's because of our own selfish reasons. But I pray that I would be persecuted for His name.

-Kade

Pleasures Forever

I’m going to tell you a story. Some of you know the story, some of you don’t. And while reading, keep in mind that I will have a spiritual application at the end, so bear with me.

This is a story about the Nintendo Wii. As some of you know, I’ve wanted one since they came out nearly two years ago. At first, I was waiting for a price drop. About November, I realized that there would not be one for a long time, so since November I’ve been looking to buy one.

They are sold out everywhere.

I read on the internet, and not a single place carries the Nintendo Wii in stock. Every once in a while, a store might get five or so, but they sell out in no time at all.

So, I’ve been calling stores every day, looking on the internet, and watching, searching, and waiting for the Wii to be available.

Yesterday, I went to Fayetteville. I went to Target, and they didn’t have any. I went to Gamestop, and they didn’t either. We (my grandparents, Loyd and Sue) went to dinner, and then I called Best Buy. They were supposed to get a truckload of electronics in within 15 minutes—maybe they would have the Wii, maybe not.

Well, we drove to Best Buy, and there sat five Wii systems. Everything seemed unreal—I could feel my heartbeat, my face went pale, and my hands started shaking. I grabbed one, and was incredibly happy.

After months of searching, I had found a Nintendo Wii. I was ecstatic (who uses that? I don’t know, it sounds good here).

This morning, when reading Psalm 16 for the church Bible Reading Plan, I came across a verse—the last verse. Psalm 16:11b: “in your presence is fullness of joy; in your right hand there are pleasures forever.”

It hit me—God has not only granted me eternal life, but abundant, joyful eternal life. The feeling I had when I bought the Wii should be how I feel every time I feel God’s Spirit inside me, teaching me and training me. And more than that—I will feel like that (and EVEN MORE) in heaven for eternity—always happy, always excited about God, always eager to learn more about God and see what’s around the next corner.

So, I challenge you with that—be happy (joyful), and know that you’re going to be “ecstatic” for eternity!

Oh, and I’d like to announce that I bought a Nintendo Wii yesterday!

In Christ,

Luke