Rejoice in God Again I Say Rejoice

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

 By Rev. Kevin MacKenzie Special to The Guardian CHARLOTTETOWN, P.East.I. - "Rejoice in the Lord ever, over again I say rejoice." (Philippians iv:iv) "In all things give thanks..." (1 Thessalonians 5:eighteen) 

["In this week's invitee sermon, Pastor Abiodun Olusoji writes that God is calling His children back to the straight 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, beaten, imprisoned, ostracised from his customs. He had no illusion that life would be like shooting fish in a barrel and problem gratis, and notwithstanding he wrote 'rejoice and give thanks'. He was challenging people to retrieve about the fashion in which they would reply to the realities of life, not with naïve optimism only with a conscious pick to focus on God, whatever the circumstance.

The congregation which I serve, along with my colleague, the Rev. David Due east. Campbell, is about to enter into its 60^th year of being, and we are planning a yearlong acknowledgement of this milestone.

Equally organizations and groups are prone to practice, we have chosen a theme for this anniversary – "Choosing Celebration." This is not the musing of a grouping of people  who have their heads in the clouds trying  to pretend that  in that location is aught to be concerned most in life, nor is it an effort to  suggest to people that we in the church have  everything figured out and  life is wonderful all of the time.

We know that there are many things happening effectually usa and to us that tin easily arrive the fashion of celebration. Who among us is not disturbed by and leery of the efforts of terrorists? We see the awful effects of famine and wonder what, if anything, we tin can practise to assist. At that place is climate change, wars, economical depression, the plight of displaced people, drug abuse and prejudice to proper noun simply a few of the disturbing realities that come to our attention on a regular basis.

Possibly we endure personal challenges because of physical illness, grief, unemployment, family issues, addictions, low, loneliness, uncertainty about our own futurity. We all accept burdens that nosotros bear and they accept their toll on us. It would be irresponsible for u.s.a. to deny this and information technology would be wrong non to seek assist or to offer help to others. In light of this, we take a choice to make. Nosotros can succumb to the negative forces that assail us, letting them accept the upper manus or we tin can choose to straight our thoughts in other means. In the Christian community, nosotros talk nearly having Good News to share, the Good News that proclaims the fact that God loves us.

We say that God is with us throughout life and that 'there is nothing in all of creation that tin split up u.s.a. from that dear' (Romans 8). We say that we trust God's Holy Spirit to guide and back up the states. Maxim the words is the easy role. Giving the words life is when the work begins, for making these words existent and meaningful requires a choice — to choose celebration.

We tin choose to rejoice and requite cheers for all that God has done and will practise for us.  We can cull to gloat the fact that we are children of God and that God's love continually surrounds us, giving us the strength, and the incentive, to confront the hardships that intrude into our experiences.  Nosotros can choose to make room for God when life is good and zest for living is swell.

For our 60^thursday anniversary at Park Majestic United, and in thanksgiving for God's life giving honey, nosotros are 'Choosing Celebration'. May you know the reality of God'due south love in your life, and find your ain reason to choose celebration.

Rev. Kevin MacKenzie is with Park Purple United Church building. A guest sermon runs regularly in Saturday'south 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/