WORD OF THE DAY:
     "REJOICE & BE GLAD"

Scripture references: Matthew 5:11, 12

     "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile
     [defame, chide, taunt] you, and persecute
     you, and shall say all manner of evil
     against you falsely, [lying] for
      my sake.

     Rejoice, and be exceeding glad:[jump for joy]
     for great is your reward in heaven: for so
     persecuted they the prophets which were
     before you."

I have gone through a lot of hurtful things in my life. But one of the
top ten would have to be the time I endured false accusations and
lies against me for righteousness sake. I was made to believe that
I was again dead in sin. I was tried and found guilty by well meaning
men, when my Heavenly Father and my Lord Jesus had already
acquitted me and made me righteous! They put me back under the
bondage of the Law, persecuting me, thinking they were doing God a
favor, leaving me alone, without help. Afterward, I cried for months
every time I read the Bible because I believed their lies.

I found nothing in this situation to be glad about. I did not consider
rejoicing. Of course, I was not looking at the long-term benefits
at the time. I did not realize I would re-discover the freedom
in Christ I had forgotten about. I was not cognizant of the fact
that I would grow more afterwards spiritually, than I had ever grown
before. Instead, I dwelt on the condemnation and hopelessness
and shame. I was not aware there would be rewards for me in
heaven because of it! It wasn't until about a year later that I found
this verse. It helped clarify some things for me. God never left me
alone. He never forsook me. He answered my every plea. He filled
me up. He delivered me. He helped me when every one else left me.

If you have never been taunted or persecuted for being a Christian,
rejoice and be exceeding glad anyway! We are instructed in Philippians
to rejoice in the Lord always.

Philippians 3:3

     For we are the circumcision, which worship
     God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus,
     and have no confidence in the flesh."

Philippians 4:4

     Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice."

1Peter 4:13

     But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of
     Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall
     be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Luke 10:20

     Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits
     are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because
     your names are written in heaven.

When you feel like there is nothing left to rejoice and be glad in,
try to remember this...your name is written in the Book of Life, you
have eternal life through Christ Jesus your Lord. You can rejoice
in Christ, who is in you (Colossians 1:27). God will never leave
you. He will never forsake you. Not ever. No matter what. His love
for you endures forever.

Let us rejoice in the Lord! Jesus is coming back!

-Carol Kenreigh

Please mail comments to kenreigh@bww.com

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c.Carol Kenreigh, 2001. All rights reserved.
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