Rejoice Evermore
1. We Have Reasons To Rejoice
2. “Rejoice With Them That Do Rejoice, And Weep With Them That Weep”
3. Rejoice In The Mercy Of The Lord
4. Rejoice In The Strength Of The Lord In Bad Times
5. Rejoice For A New Day
6. Rejoice In Fellowship With God
7. Rejoice In The Glory Of The Lord When The Way Is Hard
8. “Restore Unto Me The Joy Of Thy Salvation”
9. Rejoice In The House Of The Lord
10. He Received Him Joyfully
11. Rejoice That Your Name Is Written In Heaven
12. Do Others Hear Our Rejoicing?
13. I Rejoice Because The Lord Gives Me Another Chance
14. I Am Rejoicing Because I Am On The Winning Side
15. Pray Without Ceasing
16. Despise Not Prophesyings
17. Comfort And Edify One Another
18. Quench Not The Spirit
19. Prove All Things, Hold Fast That Which Is Good
1. We Have Reasons To Rejoice
So many people are going through such difficult times. Our prayer lists keep getting longer with the storms, sicknesses, and rising prices of necessities. I was reading Paul’s letters to the churches and I came to this little verse, “Rejoice evermore.” (I Thessalonians 5:16) Were they going through storms? Yes. Did they have sicknesses? Yes. Did they have problems getting necessities? Yes. And many of the Christians during that time were also suffering persecution. There is plenty of sorrow. Let’s look into the scriptures and see if we can find reasons to rejoice.
2. “Rejoice With Them That Do Rejoice, And Weep With Them That Weep”
We opened with several problems that many are facing. It would be in poor taste to challenge people to rejoice, who have reasons to weep. A better solution may be to lend an ear and to weep with those that weep, and then try to help them with their problems, so that they can come to the place where they can also rejoice. Our verse is found in Romans 12:15, “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” If you need a listening ear and a shoulder to lean on, I am here.
3. Rejoice In The Mercy Of The Lord
The first thing we can rejoice about is the mercy of the Lord. We were lost in sin, without hope, but God in His mercy gave His only begotten Son to die for us! If we had nothing else to rejoice about, we can rejoice that God reached down and saved us!
“6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” (Romans 5:6-9)
We can rejoice in our salvation! “But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.” (Psalm 13:5) “And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.” (Psalm 35:9) “Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.” (Psalm 40:16)
4. Rejoice In The Strength Of The Lord In Bad Times
Have you ever heard someone say, "You wouldn't believe it if I told you"? Habakkuk asked the Lord how long he would have to cry out against the iniquity, violence, and the wrong judgment in Judah. The Lord replied, "Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you." (Habakkuk 1:5) The book begins with Habakkuk’s questions to God.
"1 The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see.
2 O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!
3 Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention.
4 Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.” (Habakuk 1:1-4)
Then, the Lord gives Habakkuk an answer he doesn’t like.
“5 Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.
6 For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not theirs.
7 They are terrible and dreadful: their judgment and their dignity shall proceed of themselves.
8 Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat.
9 They shall come all for violence: their faces shall sup up as the east wind, and they shall gather the captivity as the sand.” (Habbakkuk 1:5-9)
But, Habakkuk keeps his faith and trust in God. He shows us that the Lord is our strength during bad times, and we can rejoice in Him!
“16 When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.
17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.” (Habakkuk 3:16-19)
5. Rejoice For A New Day
If you are reading this, then that means you woke up today. Some never woke us this morning. God has given you the gift of another day. What are you going to do with it? It would be a shame to waste it. Are you going to give the day back to Him and use it for His glory? A good start would be to praise Him, thank Him, and rejoice. “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24) You can give back to the Lord by serving Him. And you can serve the Lord by serving others. Rejoice for a new day, all day long! “Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance. In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.” (Psalm 89:15-16)
6. Rejoice In Fellowship With God
God walked in the garden with Adam and Eve. When they sinned, they broke the communion and fellowship. “And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.” (Genesis 3:8) They were driven from the Garden of Eden. Jesus came to pay for our sin and restore our fellowship with God. It’s like He reached one hand to God the Father in heaven, and became man to reach the other hand down to us. All who believe in Jesus can have fellowship with God. Jesus is the only way to heaven and the only way to have peace with God. John said he wrote these things, “that your joy may be full.” We can rejoice in our fellowship with the Lord!
“3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:3-9)
7. Rejoice In The Glory Of The Lord When The Way Is Hard
The Children of Israel saw the plagues of God in the land of Egypt and the Lord gave them a great deliverance. But, traveling through the wilderness was hard. The Canaanites fought with them, and they prayed to the Lord to help them. God gave them victory in the battle and they continued on their journey. “And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.” (Numbers 21:4) They got “discouraged because of the way” and they murmured and complained. Are you discouraged because of the way? It is hard to rejoice when the way gets tough. I am prone to murmur and complain when days are hard and nights are long. When the way is hard I like to remember these words of the Apostle Paul.
“6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (II Corinthians 4:6-18)
8. “Restore Unto Me The Joy Of Thy Salvation”
After King David was confronted by the prophet for his sin, he prayed, “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.” (Psalm 51:12) Sin in our life can take away our joy. Drifting away from God can also take away our joy. “Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?” (Psalm 85:6) How can we restore our joy? We see some ways in this familiar Psalm where David said, “He restoreth my soul…” In the first verse we see that the Lord is our Shepherd and provides all our needs. He gives us peace while we rest in green pastures and He leads us beside still waters. We also see His guidance when we follow Him, so that He takes away our fear, even in the “valley of the shadow of death.” We can have our joy restored when we praise Him for His goodness and mercy. And we can find joy in the house of the Lord.
“1 <<A Psalm of David.>> The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” (Psalm 23)
9. Rejoice In The House Of The Lord
This is the Lord’s Day, and it is such a wonderful privilege to rejoice in the Lord in singing and praising His name in worship. During the worst days of Covid, our worship was online. But, that is not the same as meeting in the house of the Lord and worshiping together with our Christian family. Last year, while my resistance was low due to chemotherapy, my doctor instructed me to not be around anyone, so once again, I watched the church services from a screen. The past month, I have seen pictures of the destruction brought about by Hurricane Helene, and I am sure that those affected miss their Sunday worship together as they clean through the mud and debris left behind. I am so thankful that I can go to church this morning and rejoice in the Lord. Can you say with David? “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” (Psalm 122:1) If you don’t have a place of worship, you are welcome to come be with us at Pine Grove Baptist Church in Archdale, NC. It’s a beautiful day to rejoice in the house of the Lord!
“1 <<A Psalm of praise.>> Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” (Psalm 100)
10. He Received Him Joyfully
When I was very young I was taught to sing about Zacchaeus. Maybe you sang it, too.
Zacchaeus Was A Wee Little Man, And A Wee Little Man Was He.
He Climbed Up In A Sycamore Tree, For The Lord He Wanted To See.
And As The Savior Passed Him By, He Looked Up In The Tree,
And He Said, “Zacchaeus, You Come Down From There;
For I’m Going To Your House Today, For I’m Going To Your House Today”
Zacchaeus was looking for Jesus, and Jesus found him. I am still rejoicing that the Lord found me and saved me! I believe that the Lord can still save people today.
“1 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:1-10)
11. Rejoice That Your Name Is Written In Heaven
My name is not well known. I have not accomplished any great feats, or become known for any talent that I possess. Even a Google search wouldn’t come up with much in my name. My name is not on any list of the rich, or famous, or stars, but I am rejoicing that my name is written in heaven! Jesus sent seventy disciples out two by two into the places that He would go. “Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.” (Luke 10:2) “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.” Jesus answered, “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. ” (Luke 10:17 & 20) I rejoice that my name is written in heaven, in the Lamb’s book of life!
“22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.
27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.” (Revelation 21:22-27)
12. Do Others Hear Our Rejoicing?
I always enjoy reading the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Some of the Jewish captives of Babylon return to Jerusalem and rebuild the wall and the temple. They are faced with the ruin brought on by their enemies, but they work hard through many adversities and finally get the job done. One of the verses I like is Nehemiah 12:43, “Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.” They rejoiced so loud that their rejoicing was “heard even afar off.” At the end of the street that I grew up on was a ball field. My sister and I would lay on the bed with our head to the open window on nights when they were playing ball. We could see some of the surroundings in the bright lights above the field. We were not at the game, but we could tell when someone hit a home run, or when a team scored because we could hear the shouting even down the road where we lived. I can imagine how the people took notice when the Jews were shouting and rejoicing and praising their God. Do others hear our rejoicing? Do we praise the Lord enough that others take notice? People can read our faces. Can they see our love for Jesus? Let’s rejoice in the Lord and not be ashamed for others to hear.
13. I Rejoice Because The Lord Gives Me Another Chance
The days this week are warm and sunny with the temperatures around 75 degrees Fahrenheit. So, I made a list of things that I need to do outside before the weather turns cold. We live in the woods, so the sun doesn’t shine much through our windows. I put my indoor plants on the back screened in porch during the summer and move them back inside during the cold months. Before moving them in this week, I set them all in the yard and sprayed them with the water hose. Then I put them in a place where they could get some sun before I move them indoors. Two of the plants looked pretty sad. I started to dump them in the woods, and clean out the flower pot, so I could start over with a new plant. But, after I removed the dead leaves, and some spider webs, and washed the dirt off the leaves and pot, I decided to give them another chance to grow. As I was working on the two pitiful plants I thought about how the Lord looks on me sometimes, and how He doesn’t give up on me. He may trim away some rough edges in my life, and wash away some dirt that has gathered. As a Potter with the clay, He molds me and makes me what He wants me to be. And I am rejoicing that He gives me another chance. When I fail Him, He forgives me and gives me another chance. When I stray, He leads me back in the right direction. When I say something I shouldn’t have said, or hurt someone through carelessness, He convicts my heart and forgives. When I feel scraggly and torn, the Lord binds up my wounds and gives healing. Sometimes we need more time in the Light of the Son. I am rejoicing that the Lord gives me another chance. “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away… But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” (Isaiah 64:6 & 8)
14. I Am Rejoicing That I Am On The Winning Side
I finished reading the book of Revelation today. I’ve read it before. But, this time was different. I finished rejoicing that I am on the winning side. I don’t understand all that happens in the end of time. But, I do know that the Lord will return. I know that evil will be defeated. I know that those who have been saved by the blood of Jesus will live forever with Him. I know that every knee will bow. I know that Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords and that He will reign forever. There is a lot of evil in this old world but we can rejoice that one day it will all end. Are you on the winning side?
“11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19:11-16)
“1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:1-8)
15. Pray Without Ceasing
We began this series with I Thessalonians 5:16, “Rejoice Evermore”. In the verses that follow, Paul gives the Christian believers several more statements of exhortation. Let’s look at them as we close out the month of October. The next verse is, “Pray without ceasing.” (I Thessalonians 5:17) Just as, “Rejoice evermore”, is a continual process, we see that we are to pray continually. Jesus taught His followers “always to pray.” “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;” (Luke 18:1) “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” (Luke 21:36) Paul also said, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” (Ephesians 6:18) We can pray to God anywhere and everywhere. We can pray to God anytime and all the time. We can talk to the Lord about anything and everything. Prayer is all inclusive. We can pray silently, or out loud. We can pray from our heart when we don’t have the words to say. And we have the Holy Spirit to pray for us when we can’t pray. “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (Romans 8:26) Isn’t it amazing! We can talk to God all the time! And we know that He hears and answers. I close with one of my favorite verses… “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” (Jeremiah 33:3)
16. Despise Not Prophesyings
From the earliest times I can remember I have been at church when the doors were open. Mom used to sew and make dresses for me and my three sisters. Sometimes they all matched. She would get us up on Sunday mornings and put the frilly dresses on us and Mom and Dad took us to church. I enjoyed Sunday School, and the singing. I didn’t always understand the preaching, but I learned to love being in the house of the Lord. And I learned from the preaching, little by little, I began to understand the scriptures. As we continue with the exhortations of Paul to the church, we read, “Despise not prophesyings.” (I Thessalonians 5:20) We probably wouldn’t come right out and say that we despised preaching, or God’s Word. But, are we neglecting the Word of God by not going to church and not reading His Word? Many believe that the letters to the seven churches in Revelation correspond with the time periods of the churches. Following the signs of the times in the Bible, I firmly believe that we are in the last days. It is sad to say, but this sounds like many of our churches today. Jesus is giving us another chance to hear His Word. Open the door of your heart and hear His Word.
“14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” (Revelation 3:14-22)
17. Comfort And Edify One Another
Another great verse in I Thessalonians 5 is verse 11. “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” Many people are hurting today. Some have physical sickness. Others are struggling with financial difficulties. These and other problems bring on emotional and mental stress. We need to be kind. We serve “the God of all comfort.” As God comforts us, we can be a comfort to others. “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” (II Corinthians 1:3-4) We are also told to “edify one another.” We are to lift up each other with our words and actions. We can also lift up one another in prayer. Our love to others can help them through these troubled times. And, I have noticed that when I help others, it helps me!
18. Quench Not The Spirit
Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would come and live in us when we are saved.
“15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” (John 14:15-17)
Ephesians 5:18 tells us to “be filled with the Spirit.” Two things can hinder us from being filled with the Spirit. We can grieve the Holy Spirit, which hinders the flow of the Spirit into our lives. And we can quench the Spirit, which hinders the work of the Spirit going out from our lives to others.
“30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:30-32)
Failing to follow the instructions in I Thessalonians 5 can quench the Spirit.
“16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19 Quench not the Spirit.” (I Thessalonians 5:16-19)
19. Prove All Things, Hold Fast That Which Is Good
I don’t believe that there has ever been a time when our verse today has been more relevant. “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (I Thessalonians 5:21) We live in a wonderful age of knowledge, but we can’t always trust what we read. I have tried to save seeds from my zinnias in the past and this year I looked online to see how to save them properly. Some of the sites said to let them dry totally before collecting the flowers to save. Other sites said that you can pick them off while they are in full bloom, put them in a vase and enjoy them, and save the seeds as they dry. To know which way is correct, I would need to try both ways and prove which way worked the best. We can’t even believe what we see. I saw some beautiful pictures on my computer and when I looked at the tiny print at the bottom I saw that they were AI generated. They weren’t even real. And I find it irritating that the so-called “fact checkers” are often wrong. In today’s world we don’t always know what information to trust. But, we have a God who is always true and we can trust that His Word is true! When we hear a preacher or teacher who says something that is against the Bible, then we should put our trust in God’s Word and not in what the speaker says. Before we give, we need to make sure it is a trustworthy cause and that our gift is actually going to the right person or place. There are so many scam calls on the phone it is frustrating to answer the phone. Don’t believe everything you read, or see, or hear in this world. But, know that you can believe what God says. Read the Bible. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5) “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”
20. Abstain From All Appearance Of Evil
We continue with the verses of exhortation in I Thessalonians 5 with verse 22, “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” In the movies they often show a person hugging an old friend and the spouse sees it and gets the impression that they are having an affair. This scenario is repeated often enough to make us feel like it is a common occurrence. And it could happen. While we could argue about who would be right and who would be wrong in these types of situations, it is better to follow the scripture and, “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” Try not to get in a position that looks sinful. I believe that it is true for what we post online, too. I don’t drink, but if I sat at a bar and had someone take a photo of me holding a glass of wine, and post it online, it would give the appearance that I drink alcohol. There is an old saying that goes, “If it looks like a dog, and walks like a dog, and barks like a dog, then it’s a dog.” How I look, (dress), and how I walk (live), and how I talk, says more about me than what I say about who I am. Some may argue, “There’s nothing wrong with what I’m doing…” but we really need to be careful that it doesn’t look like we are doing wrong. In the 8th chapter of I Corinthians, Paul discusses eating meat that was offered to idols. The best meat was offered to false gods, and then sold to be eaten. Some Christians would not eat the meat because it was offered to false gods. Paul explained that there is only one God and an idol is nothing. He continues that eating meat does not make us a better Christian or a worse Christian. But, we should not do something that offends weaker Christians, who think we are doing wrong. Paul told them, “But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.” (I Corinthians 8:12-13) Paul knew that there was nothing wrong with it, but because it appeared like something sinful to weaker Christians, he said he wouldn’t do it. Fifty years ago some older men at our church did not want the younger ones playing basketball in the church parking lot on Sunday. And, although the young guys didn’t see anything wrong with it, they stopped playing ball in the church parking lot on Sundays. These are really simple examples, but the point is, “Abstain from all appearance of evil.”
21. In Everything Give Thanks
Today is a cross-over. We are finishing our verses in our series of, “Rejoice Evermore” and also the other verses of exhortation found in I Thessalonians 5. And as we complete these thoughts, we are also introducing our next topic, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (I Thessalonians 5:18 ) Today is the first day of November, the month that brings us Thanksgiving. This verse is all inclusive, “In everything give thanks…” I don’t want to wait until the last Thursday of the month to be thankful. I’m beginning today with an attitude of gratitude for all that my gracious Lord has done for me. Today I am thankful for the many times the Lord has shown me His will. It is so rewarding to pray about something, and then experience the peace of God as He gives me peace to know His will. This verse tells us that the will of God is to give thanks in everything. Thank you, Lord, for guiding us in your will.
