From: "Beverly French" <frenchb@vcss.k12.ca.us>
To: "C & P Greene" <greenehouse72@juno.com>
Subject: Rejoicing in Our Lord
Date: Sunday, May 28, 2000 8:07 AM

"Give thanks with a grateful heart,
 Give thanks to the Holy One,
 Give thanks because He has given Jesus Christ His Son."

These are the opening words of a song we sing in our Fellowship.  They are
the How, the Who and the Why of our thanksgiving.  It doesn't depend our
feelings at the moment or on the circumstance in which we find ourselves.
The reason is that our Heavenly Father has given His only begotten Son to
pay
our sin debt that we may be redeemed and reconciled to Himself.

Therefore, the Apostle Paul says in Ephesians 5:20,
"At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ to God the Father."

And yes, even in the hard times!  I would say, and especially in the hard
times.  Why?  Follow me here as we look at several Scriptures.

"My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
 Nor faint when you are reproved by Him;
 For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines
 And He scourges every son whom He receives."  Hebrews 12:5-6
IT IS BECAUSE HE LOVES US!
"...He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness."
"All discipline for the monent seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to
those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit
of righteousness."  Vs. 10-11

In James we read,
"Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations?  Then be
happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow.  So
let it grow, and don't try to squirm out of your problems.  For when your
patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything,
strong in character, full and complete."  James 2-4  The Living Bible

In Philippians we read,
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God.  And the peace of God,
which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in
Christ Jesus."  Vs. 6-7

With assurance, the Apostle Paul tells us that wonderful truth that many or

all of you have written 'tested and proven' next to in your Bibles.  As you
know it is not the first time I have included it in a Sunday message.  What
an awesome promise!
"And we know that God causes ALL things to work together for good to those
who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."  Romans
8:28

The Psalmist tells us,
"Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will
sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved
(made to slip, fall, or fail).  Psalm 55:22  Amplified  (Also, see 1 Peter
5:7)

"And my God shall supply ALL your needs according to His riches in glory in
Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:19
God the source, His riches the supply, Christ Jesus to way.

So, whether in good times or hard times,
"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus,
concerning you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Think of it! The Lord loves us so much that He is working in each of our
lives that we may share His holiness!  With grateful hearts let's thank Him,
praise Him and give Him all the honor that is due Him!