Our FATHER wants YOU and I to REJOICE in CHRIST!

[WISDOM]

It's NOT always easy....but, our Heavenly FATHER wants HIS children to rejoice in all things through HIS SON, and our LORD/SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. We are called to be representatives of HIS, showing forth the goodness and mercy of the LORD to a world that does not know HIS tender, pitying love (John 17:18,23).

In YOU and I, JESUS sends a "letter" to the world around us....work, home, neighborhood, social circles. You may not think so, but you are being "read" by someone everyday (2 Corinthians 3:3,2). HE sends in YOU and I a letter to the hearts of those who are not acquainted with HIM. Perhaps they DO NOT read the Bible, or DO NOT hear the "voice" that speaks to them in its pages; they DO NOT see the love of GOD through HIS works. BUT......if YOU are a true representative of JESUS CHRIST, it may be through YOU they will be led to understanding something of HIS goodness, and be won to love and serve HIM!

YOU and I are set as "light-bearers" on the way to Heaven. We are to reflect to the world the "LIGHT" shining upon them from CHRIST. If we do represent CHRIST, we shall make HIS service appear attractive, as it really is. That is something my wife always says that is so, very, very true. Christians who gather up gloom and sadness to their souls, and murmur and complain, are giving to others a false representation of GOD and the Christian life. They give the impression that GOD is not pleased to have HIS children happy, and in this they bear false witness against our heavenly FATHER. Also, as Christians we should not reflect NEGATIVE actions for others, including our fellow Believers, to have to deal with. Usually this comes about because of our own personal inner insecurities.

Satan is a "happy-camper" whenever he can lead YOU and I into unbelief and a despondent attitude. Don't give away your victory in CHRIST to him. Rejoice IN ALL THINGS for THIS is the will of our FATHER for YOU! When YOU look back into the chapters of your life experience, do YOU not find some pleasant pages? I do realize that as beautiful as the "roses" have been in your life, there are also many "thorns", and some have pricked the fingers of your life pretty painfully. I too have gone through those moments at one time or another. But there is something I've learned that has been very helpful...the "briers and thorns" will only wound and grieve you; and if you gather ONLY these things, and present them to others, are you not, besides slighting the goodness of GOD yourself, preventing those around YOU from walking in the path of life??

It is not wise to gather together all the unpleasant recollections of a past life, its iniquities and disappointments, to talk over them and mourn over them until YOU are overwhelmed with discouragement. A discouraged soul is filled with darkness, shutting out the light of GOD from his/her own soul, and casting a shadow upon the pathway of others. And he/she will emit negativism to others in their path. REJOICE, that the SON of GOD left HIS FATHER's throne, where HE cloth in HIS divinity with humanity, so that HE could rescue YOU from the power of Satan, and triumphantly make an open display of his (Satan) weakness for all of Christiandom to see, and the world to know the message commissioned to YOU and I to spread forth for all yearning hearts, minds, and ears to hear!

REJOICE in the LORD!! Every word of doubt you utter is inviting Satan's temptations; it is strengthening in YOU the tendency to doubt, and it is grieving from YOU the ministering angels, who also don't understand your gift of salvation, but know how much GOD loves you, and obey HIS every command to them involving YOU. When tempted NOT to rejoice by the Enemy, breathe NOT a word of darkness. If you choose to open the door to his suggestions, your mind will be filled with distrust and rebellious questioning. If you talk out your feelings, every doubt you express not only reacts upon yourself, but it is a seed that will germinate and bear fruit in the lives of others, and it may be impossible to counteract the influence of your words. YOU yourself may be able to recover from the season of temptation, AND from the snare of the Enemy, but others who have been swayed by your influenced MAY NOT be able to escape from the unbelief YOU have suggested. YOUR words have power!! Angels are listening to hear what kind of report YOU are bearing to the world about your heavenly MASTER. Let praise to GOD be on YOUR lips and in your heart. When YOU take the hand of a friend, rejoice in CHRIST and let praise to GOD be on your lips and in your heart.

All of us have trials, burdens, and griefs, which are hard to bear. I'm not telling you to try to be "Super-Christian", with a "S" on your chest. I am saying carry everything to GOD in prayer and leave it at HIS altar with an attitude of praise, rejoicing in the fact that you are HIS child, and have been privileged to do this. You can do much to brigthen the lives of others and strengthen their efforts, by using words of hope and holy cheer. There is many a brave soul sorely pressed by temptation, almost ready to faint in the conflict with self and with the powers of evil. I've been there myself at one time or another, so I can honestly attest to it. Do not discourage such a one in his/her hard struggle. Cheer them on with brave, hopeful, encouraging words that will urge him/her on their way (Romans 14:7). By our UNCONSCIOUS influence others may be encouraged and strengthened, OR....they may be DISCOURAGED, and repelled from CHRIST and the TRUTH.

Our SAVIOUR was deeply serious and intensely in earnest, but NEVER gloomy or morose. Our lives, if we imitate HIM will be full of earnest purpose; and will have a deep sense of personal responsibility. If we keep uppermost in our minds the unkind and unjust acts of others, we shall find it IMPOSSIBLE to love them as CHRIST loved us. If we do, we shall always have something to vex and annoy. Pray for wisdom to manage your daily affairs with discretion. It is not our FATHER's will that HIS children should be weighed down with care. But HE does not deceive us. HE does not say to us, "Do not fear; there are NO dangers in YOUR path". He knows there are trials and dangers, and HE deals with us plainly. HE does not propose to take YOU and I out of a world of sin and evil, but HE points us to a NEVER-FAILING refuge (John 14:27; 15:11; 17:15; 16:33).

Happiness that is wrought from selfish motives, outside of the path of duty, is ill-balanced, fitful, and transitory; it passes away, and the soul is filled with loneliness and sorrow; but there is joy and satisfaction in the service of our LORD; the CHRISTIAN is not left to walk in uncertain paths; he/she IS NOT left to vain regrets and disappointments. REJOICE in CHRIST.....because if we do not have the pleasures of this life, we may STILL BE JOYFUL in looking to the life beyond! Always, everyday look to the monumental pillars, the reminders of what the LORD has done to comfort YOU and to save YOU from the hand of the Destroyer. Always remember the tears HE has wiped away from your face, and the tender mercies HE has shown YOU....the pains HE has soothed, the anxieties HE has removed, even the fears HE has dispelled, and the wants HE has supplied. HE has bestowed blessing on YOU, which have strengthened YOU for all that is before YOU through the remainder of YOUR "pilgrimage" here on earth and in this life (Deuteronomy 33:25).

The trials will not exceed the strength that is given to YOU and I to bear them. When the day comes when the Gates of Heaven are thrown open for our arrival, REJOICE, for the sweetest sound you will want to hear is, "COME, YOU BLESSED of MY FATHER...INHERIT the KINGDOM prepared for YOU from the foundation of the world!"

[Guest Called]

That is awesome Wisdom!

I needed that just at this exact moment. I was getting discouraged about my job and all the hypocrisy I see around me. Thank you for that post, my day is now brighter!

Debbie

[WISDOM]

Thank you Debbie......and our FATHER knew it was just what YOU needed, and gave you the answer to your prayerful needs! (Romans 8:26-27)

Debbie, HE knows how discouraging certain atmospheres, and habits/ways of others can be to HIS children, but HE has a reason for putting us in these places/situations. As hard and depressing as it can sometimes be, try looking at those individuals who work around you as "sandpaper" in the "hands" of the "CARPENTER", WHO is refining YOU, in order to make you into HIS own image!! (Romans 8:28....Hebrews 4:14-16)

Trust HIM.....it's no mistake that HE has YOU where YOU are. So rejoice, be of good cheer and CONTINUE to offer up yourself to HIM as a sacrifice of praise (Romans 12:1-2.....Hebrews 13:15-16). HE knows YOUR heart!! (Psalm 44:21b)

Look at each day you go to work as a fresh start, and a window of opportunity to grow in HIS grace, and be used of HIM to bring blessings in small ways to those whom you work with (Lamentations 3:22-23....Nahum 1:7....Acts 20:35).

[Guest Called]

Thanks Wisdom!