Always Rejoice and Give Thanks – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
What is God’s will for your life? His will is that we rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances.
Rejoice
No Matter What; Rejoice in the Lord – Habakkuk 3:17-18
Rejoice in the Lord. Not just when life’s circumstances are good. But even when they are rotten. He enables us to stand regardless. Praise him for that.
The Cost of Obedience – Acts 5:29
Before taking a stand for Christ, be sure of your obedience. Don’t confuse your own thoughts with his direction. And be willing to pay the price.
Rejoicing in Heaven – Luke 15:10
The parables of the lost sheep, coin, and son all tell the same story. There is rejoicing in heaven over one who was lost, but has now been found.
Glory in Suffering – Romans 5:3-4
How do you respond to the challenges of life? Paul, and other NT writers, tell us to rejoice in them because of what those trials can produce in your life.
The Lost and Found Parables – Luke 15:3-32
Luke records 3 of Jesus’ parables in the 15th chapter of his account of Jesus ministry. These three parables, typically identified as the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son, are given in response to criticism Jesus received from the religious leadership of his day. Seems like Jesus was hanging out with people that his denominational leadership did not approve of; scandalous behavior for a ‘godly’ person, eating with sinful people. In the first of these parables, Luke 15:3-7, Jesus tells of a shepherd with 100 sheep. One of his sheep becomes lost and he searches diligently for it until …