Let’s be intentional about rejoicing

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Lighten up a little”

Our Bible verse for today: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “Let’s be intentional about rejoicing”

I love Psalm 118:24. It’s a verse I recite to myself often. However, when I do I change it a little and I personalize it. Rather than saying “let us rejoice and be glad in it”, I say, “I will rejoice and be glad in it.” Doing so makes it personal to me, and it is also much more declarative and intentional. I’m going to do it. I’m going to intentionally rejoice, and I am going to be grateful for the day the Lord has given me.

For a similar reason, I also love Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Philippians is far-and-away the most upbeat book in the New Testament. It is known as “The Epistle of Joy” because it is positive, encouraging, and inspiring. I love reading it, preaching it, teaching it, and writing about it. More than that, I love living it.

My favorite commentary about Philippians was written by Pastor Chuck Swindoll. The title is “Laugh Again.” It’s a life-application commentary and in it, Chuck tries to help us see how we can go through life with an upbeat and positive outlook, finding joy and humor all along the way.

I especially like the back cover of the dust jacket. There we see a picture of Chuck and his wife Cynthia riding Chuck’s Harley Davidson motorcycle. (It has a personalized license plate that reads “The Sermonator!”) Although Chuck and Cynthia were grey-haired senior citizens they would often climb on his Harley, rev up that engine nice and loud, and go roaring off down the road hooting and hollering, laughing and having a good time.

I can relate. For many years I also had a Harley, and although my late wife Linda was handicapped and used a walker to get around, we sometimes would push that walker up to the Harley, get her on the back, and go roaring off down the road, leaving the walker sitting there in the driveway.

My friends, too many Christians are frumpy and grumpy. They walk around with their heads down, grousing and complaining, grumbling and mumbling into their moustaches, criticizing and finding fault with everyone and everything. That should not be. God does not intend for us to live that way. Sure, life can get hard and we all have our problems, but it’s not all bad. Lighten up man!

Psalm 118:24 reminds us that every day is a gift from God and it is filled with many wonderful things to enjoy and to be grateful for. I encourage you, as the song says, to count your blessings, name them one-by-one. Resolve to be joyful. And for heaven’s sake, lighten up and laugh a little!

By-the-way, did you hear about the pistol-packing pastor who died and went to heaven? When he got to the Pearly Gates, Saint Peter asked in astonishment why in the world any pastor would pack a pistol? In his defense the pastor cried out, “But Peter, I was a Southern Baptist Pastor!” Suddenly the expression on Peter’s face softened and with a knowing and sympathetic look he said, “Bless you, my son. Those Baptists can be a tough crowd. Enter heaven and receive your reward!”

Enjoy your day my Baptist friends. Rejoice and be glad in it. And be sure to find plenty of things to laugh about.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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