For true joy is not the absence of troubles but being in the presence of the Lord. Simon. Should our overall attitude in prayer be one of solemnity and trembling, accompanied by a measure of gladness? Plus you get FREE access to all of our eBooks. It means, “rejoice!” Yet, the gospel text this morning doesn’t seem to lend itself to a lot of rejoicing. But how could I best explain that? What does it Mean to Rejoice? What It Means to Rejoice with the Truth, Even When You’re at Work. This echoes the words of Philippians 3:1, to "rejoice in the Lord," a phrase Paul also uses in Philippians 4:10 regarding his own actions. Hi, I'm Mark Ballenger and I'm so happy you've come to ApplyGodsWord.com. Christ’s sufferings were those sufferings He experienced in order. Prov. So what does it mean to share in Christ's sufferings? But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. What does it mean to rejoice? Is happiness something Christians should strive for? To rejoice in the Lord always is an attitude of contentment and hope that transcends circumstances. The apostle Paul said it twice in the same verse, what is the significance of that? Rejoicing in the Lord means knowing Jesus Christ as our Lord, Savior, and Treasure. Christians are commanded in 1 Thessalonians 5:16 to "rejoice always." I can do God’s will today, partake of the sufferings of Christ, and be filled with the joy of victory! 5:16–18). What is Philippians trying to tell us here? There are many occasions for rejoicing cited in the OT, such as meeting a loved one (Exo. _____ _____ _____ Now that we have tackled the main word “rejoice,” we must not overlook the following in Philippians 4:4: a. the phrase “in the Lord” b. the word “always” c. significance of being repeated But even in the midst of affliction we can still rejoice in God’s grace to us. We Are Not Called to Rejoice in Our Circumstances Always. We Are Called to “Rejoice in the Lord Always,” Which Means Joy Is Always Available in God, C.S. A Guidebook for Every Phase of Christian Singleness, Christianity 101: The Importance of Prayer (Part 7), Why Did the Father of the Prodigal Son Celebrate His…, 5 Signs God Is Saying, “Your Feelings Are Misleading You!”, 3 Reasons Jesus’ Incarnation Is Needed for a Godly Relationship, 5 Subtle Signs God Is Saving You from a Bad Relationship, 4 Signs God Is Telling You to Change Your Relationship with Someone. The answer to our joy will not be found anywhere else in life; for God himself is the answer, he alone is the Life. Surely it doesn't mean to be blissfully happy all the time. See the full definition for rejoice in the English Language Learners Dictionary. Information and translations of rejoice in the most comprehensive … When writing to Christians in the city of Thessalonica, the Apostle Paul instructs them, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thess. The original Hebrew for "joy" in Nehemiah 8:10 is "chedvah," meaning joy or gladness.The root word for joy in this context means to rejoice or to make glad. What It Means to Rejoice with the Truth, Even When You’re at Work. Could joy be a choice? Our part is to obey it. Photo Credit: Aricka Lewis/Unsplash. 29. I come to that pure joy in my spirit that isn’t dependent on my feelings, my situations, how others treat me, or anything else. Praying without ceasing is a biblical term found in the Apostle Paul's first letter to Thessalonica: "Rejoice evermore. Peter talks about rejoicing because I can partake of Christ’s sufferings. Love does not love evil, or, as the ESV puts it, “it does not rejoice at wrongdoing.” Your days on earth will be unstable, but Jesus Christ who reigns in heaven is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), and therefore to “rejoice in the Lord” is a command that can always be accomplished because God will never let you down and never let you go unlike everything else in life. Before your face questions die away. . It becomes possible for Christians today, like Paul long ago, to be "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing" (2 Cor. If we always focus on the outer world, we will often miss God’s leading. There’s still hope even when the life you’ve built for yourself is offering no hope. What does rejoice mean? noun the act of a person who rejoices. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 "Rejoice evermore." When you know you are failing to be a good husband or wife, the inner pull is to give up, to embrace the failure and live in a depressed, lonely state by yourself. What does it mean to rejoice? What does it mean to rejoice in hope? Derived from the Greek work zelos, to be zealous means to have an “ardor or fervor of spirit.” There is an energy and an enthusiasm about one’s faith. To experience joy and gladness in a high degree; to be exhilarated with lively and pleasurable sensations; to exult. and just in case we didn't get it the first time, he repeats it. If you did not listen to the speech I do commend it to you. And because they are not getting what they want I am suffering. We long for love, joy and truth. 6:10). . Is it really possible to “rejoice always,” as it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:16? Answer: First Corinthians 13:4-6 contains a list of several things love “does not” do. Definition of rejoice in the Definitions.net dictionary. Part 2 As I wrote and finished up my last post, I kept thinking about the promise to always rejoice. One of the best known verses in the Bible is only two words long: “Rejoice always…” (1 Thessalonians 5:16) It’s written as a command, not a recommendation. In I Corinthians 13:6, we learn that love rejoices with the truth. • REJOICE (verb) The verb REJOICE has 3 senses:. What Does the Bible Say about Joy? The Bible commands us to “rejoice always.” But how can I manage to do that? Hmmm…do I rejoice in the Lord always? When answering the question, “What does it mean to rejoice in the Lord always?”, it’s worth noting that when God tells us to pray about everything in Philippians 4:4-7, he doesn’t promise that he is going to solve everything we are praying about. The dictionary definition is to feel joyful; be delighted. I am partaking of the sufferings of Christ, and victory will be the result! When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. We have good news of great joy to all people! Joy is everywhere in the Bible. On fire. Rejoice definition, to be glad; take delight (often followed by in): to rejoice in another's happiness. But when you measure it against the suffering each person faces in his life, it seems like an impossible command. The word “omniscient” is defined as having infinite awareness, understanding and insight; it is universal and complete knowledge. I’m not saying we don’t feel grief and sadness and devastating pain. What does it mean to stand firm, she wondered? Love rejoices in the virtue of others, … What he does promise is that “the peace of God, which surpasses understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” When we pray about our problems, the relief is not going to come because God solved our outer problems, though he may do that many times. Just because we are sad or down or struggling with depression, doesn't mean that we are unrighteous. The word “rejoice” means to jump for joy, rejoice, triumph or be joyful. The Epistle isn’t much different. What does it mean that God will rejoice over us with singing (Zephaniah 3:17)? The sin in me wants something, it wants to get angry and offended. “Rejoice in the Lord” is a fairly straight forward command. Instead, you will overcome them with good: You will learn to have patience in tribulation. Get even with them. It says that love does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth. I will rejoice in thy salvation. When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. The relief is going to come, and the justification to “rejoice always” will arise, when we come into the presence of God in Christ Jesus. v. tr. The word rejoice here comes from the Greek xaíro (pronounced “KI-roh”) which is related to the word xáris (pronounced CARE-iss) which means “grace” – so to rejoice means to be conscious of or glad for God’s grace. In Philippians 3:1 and 4:4, Paul commands us to rejoice in the Lord. I am denying my sinful desires what they want. Even in the midst of affliction and sadness we can still rejoice in God’s love and grace. God doesn’t give us commandments that are impossible to keep! Are circumstances, though they seem desperate, are not the most important variable in the equation of joy. I’m not saying this is easy. But if they are lacking I am back to my dreary everyday life, pining after them again. NKJV - 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. The believer is eager to “embrace, pursue, or defend” Jesus Christ in everything they do. The first thing this passage teaches us is this: Joy is an obligation. I will rejoice in thy salvation. Perhaps I feel someone has treated me unjustly. I’m still praying through the verses from Philippians but it seems this week that there is not a lot to rejoice about with the various things that have been happening with friends and family. We Are Called to “Rejoice in the Lord Always,” Which Means Joy Is Always Available in God. Virginia. rejois'. When you feel your spouse is failing you, the desire to be right quickly fades and a desire to simply have a right relationship with your spouse again grows painfully inside your heart with every increased degree of dysfunction that is produced over the years. What does rejoice mean? “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God … 9. What Does Philippians 4:4 Mean? Get your copy of The Ultimate Guide to Christian Singleness and access to all of our eBooks. We can always choose to praise the Lord. 29. How to use rejoice in a sentence. 4:14), drinking wine (Ps. But is that correct? to be glad; take delight (often followed by in): to rejoice in another's happiness. Terms of Use: Apart from personal use, reproduction or redistribution of material from the ActiveChristianity website for use elsewhere is not permitted without prior written permission. Consider the objects of real joy, the reasons for joy, and the challenges to joy — joy in . Life can seem like an endless round of tasks that need to be accomplished, bills that need to be paid, a to-do list that only seems to get longer, and a body that gets weaker as the years go on. All in. Is it just about feeling certain things, or is there more to it? Ps. verb (used with object), … Information and translations of rejoice in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions … “Tribulation” means to be crushed, pressed, squeezed, stressed, burdened, or troubled. One hint can be found in 1 Peter 4:13, “… but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings…”. Another word for rejoice. So that's what AGW is all about! The atmosphere of the church service should always be joy! Maybe you have heard other portions of the New Testament that say, “Provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him” (Romans 8:17). the feeling or the expression of joy. Perhaps, if we are truly listening, listening not for what we want to hear but for what God is trying to teach us through his silence on our prayers regarding all our problems, perhaps we will see he his silent because we are praying about the wrong things entirely. This does not mean that grief, desolation, and pain cease to be felt (that idea would be inhuman); it means that something else is experienced alongside the hurt. Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Email Subscribe Print. Rejoice Evermore Cart 0. | GotQuestions.org Rejoice: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus. Rather, it lends more to sorrow. Do you want to love and know God better and better every day? Why? He’s surrounded by every conceivable obstacle to joy, so why does he seem so happy? See more. It still means God requires us to rejoice always, even when your marriage is falling apart, your kids despise you, your boss wants to fire you, and you have some part to play in deserving these feelings from others. an occasion for expressing joy. But then I take up a battle not to sin – not to be suspicious, bitter, or irritated. So you would "rejoice for..." "rejoice at..." "rejoice because of..." To be honest, the word rejoice has a strong religious connotation in English, so I don't hear it used very much outside of that. He didn’t tell us to rejoice in our circumstances always but to rejoice in the Lord always. Rejoice in the Lord alway - see the notes at Philippians 3:1.It is the privilege of Christians to do this, not at certain periods and at distant intervals, but at all times they may rejoice that there is a God and Saviour; they may rejoice in the character, law, and government of God - … To experience joy and gladness in a high degree; to be exhilarated with lively and pleasurable sensations; to exult. If we are told to rejoice, what might that look like? Find more ways to say rejoice, along with related words, antonyms and example phrases at Thesaurus.com, the world's most trusted free thesaurus. . How do we do this? Hopefully you will too. Does it literally mean always? Prov. Omniscience is one of God’s immutable attributes, which is to say, all knowledge of all things is an inherent part of His character and being. Subscribe to AGW Ministries and you'll get short, practical, and Christ-centered content sent right to your inbox. But if this joy isn’t connected with all those circumstantial things, then where does it come from? And yet, we often feel the pressures of the workplace require us to hide and misrepresent the truth. This passage is teaching us about how this “agape” love behaves in a relationship. This week President Obama received his Nobel peace prize. The simple truth is this: Life, at many times, is really going to suck. “What Does it Mean to Rejoice?” Zephaniah 3:14-20; Luke 3:7-18 I love it when international events change the direction of a sermon. What does this familiar command mean? Believers find their joy and hope in God. It's all free! That’s why Jesus’ true disciples are the happiest people on earth. We Can Rejoice in the Lord Always Because God Always Changes Our Hearts, Not Our Circumstances. What does it mean to rejoice always (1 Thessalonians 5:16)? Today’s study is focusing on Philippians 4:4. He said, “Rejoice in the Lord always.”. Most people would answer that the opposite of joy is grief or sorrow. Your marriage may really be in trouble, your workplace may really be worse than most, and your sinful wanderings may truly be depressing. 104:15), a good word (Prov. These things are nice and often do make me feel happy for a while. A great wave of relief will break upon the shores of your soul when you suddenly realize you can be happy even if life on this planet is not providing that happiness. And with all these problems swirling around us, to our amazement, sometimes, despite all our pleas regarding the difficulties in our lives, God seems to be silent. It means he gives us deeper, purer, sweeter, more lasting pleasure and gladness than anything this world has to offer. Instead, you will overcome them with good: You will learn to have patience in tribulation. What other answer would suffice?”, To “rejoice always” in the midst of being drowned in poor financial choices, to put a smile on when your marriage is a mess and all you want to do is run to your sinful comforts, or to try and find happiness even though it seems like your parenting skills are ruining your children is not what God commands. Joy is everywhere in the church. And that doesn’t include the sometimes more serious situations that can crop up – tribulationTribulations or trials refer to any event or situation that comes your way that tempts you to sin; that gives opportunity for sinful thoughts and temptations to rise up in you. The final item in this list is that love “does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” Love loves the truth. How can you continue to rejoice when your child dies? We are urged to abstain from the passions of our flesh as sojourners and exiles. But it isnt strange for people who have lived long enough to realize what Paul Brand, the missionary surgeon to India wrote in his book The Gift of Pain: I have never heard anyone say, The deepest and rarest and most satisfying j… (Romans 12:12) As you learn to rejoice in hope, you will not be overcome by life’s hardships. English Language Learners Definition of rejoice. In the midst of all that is happening, he is trying to show us that he alone is the answer. AGW Ministries is meant to be an online blessing to you. These words are instruction to a church newly founded by Paul, composed of people who left Greco-Roman paganism to embrace Jesus Christ by faith. This sounds like a nice command; God wants us to be joyful! John Kyle September 16, 2014. What about when bad things happen? That means right now, today, in this moment, in this situation, with the body I have, the job I have, the home I have, the circumstances I find myself in. What does it mean to Rejoice? Concordance . Clarify • Share • Report • Asked May 18 2015 • Anonymous You are yourself are the answer. We are called to rejoice in the Lord, to pray without ceasing, and in everything to give thanks to the Lord our God, for the joy of the Lord is our health and strength, and His mercy endures forevermore. Feel free to email me with any questions or comments at markballenger@applygodsword.com. Really, God? It is similar, but it means to feel or show happiness. August 20, 2020. What does it mean in Phil 4:4 to 'rejoice in the Lord always?' What does is mean to rejoice in the Lord? When he promises Abraham descendants as numerous as the stars, or tells Sarah she will have a son even well after menopause, God delivers (see Genesis 18:1-15, 21:1-7, 26:1-6). To understand what “rejoice always” means, this phrase must be placed in its full biblical context or it will be an impossible, cruel command. Rejoicing cited in the Lord always, ” Which means joy is always Available in God s! 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