Rejoice

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

—Philippians 4:4 (NIV)

Life, although full of God’s promise, is often hard. God is not the author of evil. He is love. We have been given the free gift of choice—to believe or not believe in Him—to accept the gift of His grace or accept the world’s agenda. You are a believer who lives in a world that deals with the result of sin and the havoc of the enemy. But you are God’s child who does not face defeat. Your victory has already been won on the Cross. 

God is still Lord no matter what you face. His promises are real for you as His child, but you cannot realize His promises until the revealed Word grounds your thought life. There will be storms in life, but no matter the storm the Lord already has provision for your promise. That storm does not determine who you are. Jesus tells you who you are. You are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. You have already overcome because He has already overcome. Launch into the fury in faith. He has given you victory in whatever you face. He will handle it with the same amazing grace that saved you.

“Brothers and sisters,” Paul wrote, “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things" (Philippians 4:8, NIV). 

You launch into the storm in faith when you think on God's good things. Dwell on what you know the Lord says is true. Think about what encourages and offers hope. Your storm can teach you something life-changing. It has the power to reveal something incredible. Give power to the positive in Jesus’ grace! Don’t dwell on the negative and give power to the enemy’s intent!

“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice,” Paul also wrote, “and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:9, NIV).

Put your faith into practice.  When you believed in Jesus by faith, you were reborn with His mind—with His nature. But you must put on this new nature and practice it to be transformed in the way you think. When you allow the Holy Spirit to change your perception to His perception, fear fades. You see possibilities instead of lies of the enemy. You praise Him for His faithfulness. You walk by faith and not by sight. You trust and believe. Peace reigns.

God is in the midst of your storm. He is the fourth man in your fire and the strength that holds you high above the battle. Jesus is your living water that quenches your thirst. He is your victory over the lies of the enemy or desertion by those who do not understand. Live as a victor and not a loser. Never forget that He has overcome the world! You belong to Him.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

© 2019 Lynn Lacher

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