Eve of Fasting: Rejoice!

For those that have not been with us the past two weeks, we are on a four-week study of the apostle Paul's letter to the Philippians. Although various human emotions/experiences are mentioned, we are focussing on joy. As I mentioned two weeks ago, joy (or forms of) is mentioned 16 times in these four chapters. In Chapter Three, it shows up in the first verse:

Philippians 3:1

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.

As we prepare for our unified day of prayer and fasting, tomorrow, let's do all we can to rejoice in the Lord. Adam's accident occured in May. The resulting coma has left him "asleep" for over four months. Obviously, a long, grueling, heartbreaking journey for Adam's family and close friends. Yet, Paul exhorts us to rejoice, despite life's troubles (compared to Adam and his family, what troubles do I have?).

Paul's words seem to highlight the importance that we develop a "joy mentality" in our lives.

"The prevailing philosophy among Christians is "If I am healthy, I’m happy," "When everything is going right and coming up roses, I’m happy." However, when reverses prevail, that happiness evaporates. When we are misunderstood and not appreciated, can we rejoice then? If we rest our orientation toward life on perpetual positive circumstances, we put ourselves in a desperate situation. We cannot rejoice in our circumstances all the time but we can rejoice in our Lord ceaselessly (4:4). If we displace joy in the Lord for the hope of ongoing stable circumstance, vulnerability to changing conditions no longer disrupt our balance."

~Dr. Grant C. Richison

I look forward to praying and fasting with rejoicing believers, tomorrow!!