Be Present: Rejoice by Robert Dickerson

Adversity, and perseverance and all these things can shape you. They can give you a value and a self-esteem that is priceless. --Scott Hamilton

Rejoice in all things, big and small, good times and times when circumstances don't go as planned. Rejoice when your efforts pay off and rejoice when unexpected blessings come into the life of others. You're part of a much bigger plan in action, we don't always get to see what's coming up, but in everything we need to remember that GOD’s working behind the scenes and so in every event that happens to us, our family, friends, or fellow believers is an opportunity to shower GOD with praises.  He is in our midst . . . always.

Encounter the Word:

What I'm getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you've done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I'm separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God's energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.

Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I'll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You'll be living proof that I didn't go to all this work for nothing.  –Philippians 2:12-16 [Message]

Paul, locked up in prison, didn't know if he would survive and be released. He took the opportunity presented him and preached GOD’s message to everyone in the prison he could and praised GOD for the chance presented him. If those had been his last days, he chose to praise GOD because he knew the gospel he'd spread had reached the right people who would continue GOD’s work. If he were to be released, he knew that there were going to be more chances in his future to share GOD’s grace with more people who desperately needed it.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.  --Psalm 46:10-11 [NIV]

It's easy to try and stay focused on the big things, but by doing so we miss so many little things around us that GOD has had His hand in. So many lives that have been touched and all of the possibilities presented to us. Find a still and quiet moment and look back on the last week or last few days. It could be as simple as turning off the radio on the way to work and just listening to GOD as He shows you how He was involved in your life or the life of someone else. Remember to praise GOD for everything in your life because each event, each person you've come across, each story you've heard is an opportunity for growth in Christ.

Encounter Prayer:

Heavenly Father, help me to -- Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit’s fire. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject whatever is harmful.

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. Amen. –1Thessalonians 5:16-24 [TNIV]

Encounter:

• What do I need to turn off today, so I can listen more intently to GOD?
• What are five things I can praise GOD for this week?
• Who in my life can I offer encouragement to someone to persevere?

Devotional by Robert Dickerson.  Posted by A. Allan Martin by permission.