Rejoice in the Lord I Say Again Rejoice

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

 By Rev. Kevin MacKenzie Special to The Guardian CHARLOTTETOWN, P.Eastward.I. - "Rejoice in the Lord always, over again I say rejoice." (Philippians 4:4) "In all things give thanks..." (one Thessalonians 5:18) 

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

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

The congregation which I serve, along with my colleague, the Rev. David E. Campbell, is well-nigh to enter into its lx^thursday year of existence, and we are planning a yearlong acknowledgement of this milestone.

Every bit organizations and groups are prone to do, we have called a theme for this anniversary – "Choosing Celebration." This is not the musing of a group of people  who have their heads in the clouds trying  to pretend that  at that place is nothing to be concerned about in life, nor is it an endeavor to  suggest to people that we in the church have  everything figured out and  life is wonderful all of the time.

Nosotros know that there are many things happening around us and to the states that can easily get in the way of commemoration. Who among usa is not disturbed by and leery of the efforts of terrorists? We run into the awful effects of famine and wonder what, if annihilation, we tin practice to help. There is climate alter, wars, economic depression, the plight of displaced people, drug abuse and prejudice to name but a few of the disturbing realities that come up to our attention on a regular ground.

Perhaps nosotros suffer personal challenges because of physical illness, grief, unemployment, family problems, addictions, depression, loneliness, doubtfulness about our own time to come. We all have burdens that we behave and they accept their toll on us. 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 lite of this, we have a option to make. Nosotros can succumb to the negative forces that assail the states, letting them have the upper paw or we can choose to direct our thoughts in other means. In the Christian community, we talk about having Good News to share, the Good News that proclaims the fact that God loves united states.

We say that God is with usa throughout life and that 'there is naught in all of cosmos that can separate us from that love' (Romans 8). We say that we trust God'southward Holy Spirit to guide and support us. Saying the words is the easy function. Giving the words life is when the work begins, for making these words real and meaningful requires a pick — to choose celebration.

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

For our 60^th anniversary at Park Regal United, and in thanksgiving for God's life giving dear, we are 'Choosing Celebration'. May you know the reality of God'southward love in your life, and notice your own reason to choose celebration.

Rev. Kevin MacKenzie is with Park Royal United Church. A guest sermon runs regularly in Sabbatum's 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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