Rejoice in the Lord Always

Rejoice in the Lord

           By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

            Bible scholars often refer to Paul’s epistle to the Philippines as the epistle of joy.  In fact, Paul uses the word “rejoice” eleven times in this short letter and the word “joy” six times.  In Philippines 4:4, Paul instructs the believers in Philippi to “rejoice in the Lord always and again I say, rejoice.”  

            “Oh,” you may argue, “it was easy for Paul to rejoice.  He was an honored church leader.  He had everything going his way.  He couldn’t possibly understand what is happening in my life.”

            We forget that Paul was imprisoned by the Romans three times during his ministry.  In fact, he was in prison when he wrote the epistle of joy.  He mentions his imprisonment in Philippians 1:13-14.  If we think Paul’s life was easy, we need only read 2 Corinthians 11: 24-28:  “From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—besides the other things, what comes upon me daily:” 

            In spite of his hardships, pain, and perils, Paul was so overcome by the miracle of salvation in Jesus Christ that he rejoiced in the midst of and in spite of his circumstances.  Jesus’ sacrifice for us makes it possible for us to rejoice.

            Why should we rejoice?  Scientific evidence shows that happier people are healthier people.  That means that we will be stronger physically, emotionally and spiritually if we learn to rejoice, if we learn to look at the positive side of life.  Proverbs 17:22 says, “a merry heart does good like a medicine.”

            Paul rejoiced while in prison because his imprisonment emboldened others to preach the truth of Jesus Christ.  Paul rejoiced because he had witnessed the Philippians maturing in their faith.  Paul rejoiced because of the presence of God in his life. 

            Another scientific study concluded that one way to be happier is to decide to be happier.  Aeschylus, an ancient Greek playwright, said, “Happiness is a choice that, at times, requires effort.” Happiness is a still choice that, even with effort, results in health and peace of mind. 

            Nehemiah 8:10 says, “Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

 In John 15:11, Jesus said, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement said, “"Sour godliness is the devil's own religion.”

            Do you need strength to overcome the pain and disappointment of the past? Rejoice because the old things have passed away and God has made all things new.

Do you need strength to get through today? Rejoice because God is your provision, your comfort and your hope.  Do you need strength to face the future? Rejoice because the Lord will never leave you nor forsake you.

            “Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again, I say, rejoice.

Keeping Your Jar of Oil Full

Keeping Your Jar of Oil Full

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

In Matthew 25:1-3, Jesus told the story of the 5 wise and 5 foolish virgins. The

parable pictures the Church awaiting the return of the Lord. Only 5 were wise in

bringing enough oil to enable them to join the wedding guests and enter into the

celebration. The 5 foolish dashed to purchase oil, but returned too late to participate.

While the parable depicts the end time Wedding Supper of the Lamb, it contains, as

well, a message for each of us as we walk through our everyday lives. How do we

make certain we have the spiritual energy, strength and commitment to see us through

the trials of life and allow us to stand victoriously in Jesus Christ?

In scripture, oil represents the power and authority of the Holy Spirit. We are

each responsible to maintain our jars of oil. Remember the 5 foolish virgins were sent

to purchase their own oil. We cannot walk in the oil (the spiritual power and authority) of

others. If the 5 wise had shared their oil, no one would have had enough to enter the

wedding supper chamber. In difficult times, we each must have our own oil, our own

relationship with Jesus Christ, our own commitment to persevere to the end. Paul

admonishes us, “Work out your own salvation in fear and trembling“ (Phil.2:12). A

crown of life awaits those who are faithful unto death. (Rev. 2:10)

How can we keep our jars of oil full? To walk in the power and authority of the

Holy Spirit, we must commit ourselves daily to our relationship with our Lord. We must

walk in obedience. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments. (John 14;15)

When we walk in disobedience, we cannot walk in His power and authority. Willful

disobedience drains our oil.

To keep the oil flowing, we must be like Mary of Bethany and sit at His feet and

learn of Him. (Luke 10:38-42) Often we, like Martha, are too busy doing good works to

spend time in His presence and meditate on His word. In Psalm 119:11, the psalmist

declares that he has hidden the word of God in his heart that he might not sin. Psalm

46:10 tells us to be still and know that He is God.

I love the words of the old hymn: “take time to be holy. Speak oft with thy Lord.

Find rest in Him always and feed on His word.” When we take time to “feed on His

word”, we can personally experience His revelation and power.

In Ephesians 1:17 Paul prays, “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.” In Galatians 1, Paul

asserts that the message he preached came not from man, but from revelation from

Jesus Christ.

God is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore. He is still in the

business of revelation. He is still in the business of manifesting His power.

In being still and knowing that He is God, we lay up for ourselves “treasures in

heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break

through nor steal.” (Matthew 6:20) One of the treasures of Heaven is the oil of the

power and authority of the Holy Spirit. Commit yourself to being one of the wise, one

who will have enough oil to withstand the trials of life and to stand victoriously in Jesus

Christ.

God Is Greater Than Our Circumstances

God Is Greater Than Our Circumstances

by Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

We truly serve an awesome, wonderful God. When we consider Him and the

works of His hands, our hearts may be so overcome with His splendor, that often we

can utter only, “Ah-h-h, Lord God, how wonderful You are.”

We also live in a confusing, frustrating and exasperating world. When we allow

chaos to overwhelm us, we lose our sense of awe and wonder just as the Old

Testament patriarch Job did when he suffered not only great personal loss, but also the

imprudent counsel of his associates. In Job 36-37, Elihu challenges Job to rediscover

God in the power and orderliness of nature. Paul confirms the truth that

nature manifests the power of God in Romans 1:20a,“For since the creation of the world

His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made,

even His eternal power and Godhead” (NKJV)

In an expression of His power, God spoke to Job from a whirlwind and declared

His sovereignty over the forces of nature. God does not create anything that is greater

than Himself. We can be comforted in the knowledge that God is more powerful than

the storm, has set the boundaries of the seas, has placed the constellations in the

heavens, feeds both the lions and the raven, is stronger than the behemoth and can

snare the great monster of the sea, the leviathan.

The words of the Lord brought Job back into a sense of awe and wonder at the

power and majesty of his God. Job spoke in repentance, “I have uttered what I did not

understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.” (Job 42:3 NKJV)

In our nation and in the world, we are experiencing difficult times. The headlines

are frequently frightening. We feel unsettled and anxious about the future.

The economy is unstable; we are fearful for our health. We reel in a whirlwind of chaos, In that whirlwind, it is imperative that we listen to the voice of the Almighty.

God is the same yesterday, today and forevermore. He is still more powerful than the storm surging around us. The apostle Paul encouraged Timothy when he wrote, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV) Through His indwelling Holy Spirit, God enables us to walk in His love, His power, and His soundness of mind.

David sang in Psalm 37:25, “I have been young, and am old; Yet I have not

seen the righteous forsaken, or his descendants begging bread.” (NKJV)

Jesus said, “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of

them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not

fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:6-7 NKJV)

Paul wrote a confirming word to the Philippians. When you offer up to God a

sacrifice of praise, “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by

Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19 NKJV)

Be encouraged. God desires to bless, to protect and to provide for His children

in the midst of and, in spite of, the turmoil in our world. This is not a time to despair, but a time to rejoice in the power, authority and majesty of our God.

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless

before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, Who alone is

wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever.” Amen. (Jude

24-25 NKJV)

Fulfilling Our Nation's Destiny 3

Fulfilling Our Nation’s Destiny–Part 3–Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

As we focus on believers as the key to fulfilling the destiny that God has for our nation, we have examined the importance of consecration and regeneration in activating the righteousness that exalts a nation.  As we continue this week in Joshua 5, we see the provision of our Lord in His loving care for His own. 

Joshua 5: 10-12: “Now the children of Israel camped in Gilgal, and kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight on the plains of Jericho. And they ate of the produce of the land on the day after the Passover, unleavened bread and parched grain, on the very same day. Then the manna ceased on the day after they had eaten the produce of the land; and the children of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate the food of the land of Canaan that year.” 

God had fed the Israelites manna for forty years.  When the wilderness years were over, the manna ceased, but the provision of God continued.  Our God is Jehovah Jirah, the God who provides.  When we forget that, we will act out of our fear rather than out of our faith.  Our nation’s current financial crisis has caused many believers to forget our Lord’s ability to provide.  We panic rather than pray.  The crisis appears to be overwhelming, but “with God nothing will be impossible.” (Luke 1:37)

Matthew 6:31-33:”Do not be over-anxious, therefore, asking ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For all these are questions that Gentiles are always asking; but your Heavenly Father knows that you need these things—all of them. But make His Kingdom and righteousness your chief aim, and then these things shall all be given you in addition.”  The key to divine provision is seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. 

We must remember, also, that God’s provision is not limited to food and clothing.  He has provided us with salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.  We usually have a limited concept of what all is involved in salvation.  When we examine the definition of two Greek words translated as “salvation”, we find that the word means deliverance, safety, healing, health and prosperity.  If salvation meant only that we may have eternity with our Lord, it would be enough to cause us to live always in hope.  However, our God is a God of abundance.  Not only does salvation insure our eternity, it insures our today. 

We need the total package that salvation provides.  We need deliverance and healing from fear, hopelessness, and despair.  We are conscious of the war of terror that is being waged on the international front.  We are not so aware of the war of terror that is being waged in our own hearts.  The news media reports what is happening in the world, but can offer no solution or hope.  Even most believers have resolved to expect the worst. 

How can believers reconcile what we see and hear around us with God’s word that He delights in us and has a future and a hope for us?  We must walk in faith in the promises of God.  Philippians 4:19: “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”  Do you need faith?  God will supply it.  Do you need hope?  God will supply it.  Do you need wisdom?  God will supply it.  Is a solution to our nation’s needs available?  Yes, and God has it.

As consecrated, regenerated believers, walking in His righteousness, let’s intercede before the throne of God on behalf of our nation.  Let’s declare His promises and walk in His hope.  One of my favorite hymns is “I Don’t Know about Tomorrow” by Ira Stanphill.  Let’s sing with him.

“I don’t know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day;

I don’t borrow from its sunshine, For its skies may turn to gray.

I don’t worry over the future, For I know what Jesus said;

And today I’ll walk beside Him, Because He knows what is ahead.

Many things about tomorrow

I don’t seem to understand

But I know who holds tomorrow

And I know who holds my hand.”

Father, we are thankful that when we walk in Your righteousness, we can trust in Your provision.  We receive Your wisdom and Your hope.  We rebuke any spirit of fear that tries to attach itself to us.  We pray for the decision-makers of our nation that they, too, will seek Your wisdom. Amen.