Rejoice in THIS Day?

December 2, 2020December 1, 2020 RefreshHer2 Comments

My week began with a dreary, drizzling sky. I went about the house turning on nearly every lamp, hoping to add some cheeriness to an otherwise “not-so-cheerful” day. Covid seems to be rapping on our front door with more and more cases being reported by dear ones we love each day. More darkness added. Plans have been changed. People are isolated, due to the outbreak, and our hearts are lonely for them. There didn’t seem to be much reason to rejoice.

Then the next morning I opened my Bible to read. My reading through the psalms took me to chapter 118. This is a hymn Jesus sang the night before His resurrection.When I got to verse 24 I read ~

This is the day the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

One commentator said, It is true in a general sense that the LORD makes every day, and there is reason to rejoice and be glad in every day. Yet specifically, the day the LORD made to rejoice and be glad in was the day Jesus entered Jerusalem with hosannas welcoming Him as Israel’s Savior. If on that day human voices failed to rejoice and be glad, Jesus said that the very stones would cry out their praises and hosannas.

To be our Savior would mean His death. This day – the day of His suffering would bring our rejoicing! Then we think of the Day of His resurrection – oh the joy! Because of Christ’s suffering and sacrifice, any “hard” day I face is only temporary. Because of His death and resurrection, I have the assurance that One Day all this will be over. No more sin, sickness, sadness, loneliness, suffering or death!

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.” Revelation 21:4

Jesus rejoiced in THIS day…now so can I!

After reading that, I understood that I have so much to rejoice in and that if I don’t praise Him the stones will need to cry out in my place! I will rejoice in THIS day, and with so many good reasons! I think I can turn off some of the lamps; things aren’t nearly so dreary now!

How does this passage change your perspective on THIS DAY?

How Can We Give Thanks in 2020?

November 25, 2020November 24, 2020 RefreshHer2 Comments

This year as we gather around our isolated Thanksgiving tables with fewer guests, goodies and grandeur than Thanksgivings in the past, how will we find it in our hearts to give thanks? Where will the outpouring of gratitude come from when we have experienced a year like 2020?

If you’re asking that question, I’m certain you’re not alone. While this has been a year full of Covid issues like isolation, restrictions, masks, sickness, and death, as well as such political unrest in our nation, we can find the reassurance that we can still have a heart of gratitude – and with really good reasons! The Lord opened my eyes to this Truth as I reviewed Philippians chapter 4 this week…

Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

When I remember that Paul was writing this from his prison cell, I look out from the “prison cell” of 2020 and choose to give thanks for the things he listed in this passage…

I will rejoice in the Lord! It’s not my circumstances, my current company or my material things in which I give thanks…it’s CHRIST. When I look at HIM and think on HIM, I can give thanks!
I will realize that HE is HERE in this “cell” of 2020. Verse 5 says, He is at hand! He has never left us during all the hardship we’ve experienced. He is here to comfort, to help, to provide, to love, to supply. My family might not be with me on Thanksgiving, but Christ is! In that I will give thanks.
I will pray and give Him the cares on my heart rather than carrying the burden myself. I can’t do anything about them, but He can. In that I will give thanks!

This passage reminds us that after we do those three things, we will have peace. It’s that peace that an unbeliever shakes his head at and wonders how we can smile and give thanks, even while we’re locked up in the cell. The key to being released from that prison is in giving thanks!!

Let’s lift our hearts in grateful praise even on Thanksgiving Day 2020. We have plenty of reasons!

With a truly grateful heart I wish each of you a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!

Church · Coronavirus · obedience

The Scattered Church

April 1, 2020April 1, 2020 RefreshHer4 Comments

It was Sunday and the day had been unusually quiet. No crowds gathered in the church foyer. Instead we “gathered” in front of our computers or phone screens to watch the live service, via Zoom. The song service echoed and reverberated our voices as though we were shouting our praise over a wide canyon. Church members recognized others with a wave when their faces showed up, not in their pew, but in the little box on the screen.

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