January 31: Rejoice and Be Glad.

The Great Joy of Being a Christian.
May you always be joyful in your union with the Lord.  I say it again: rejoice!--Philippians 4:4, GNT

REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS: and again I say, Rejoice"  (Philippians 4:4).

Forgetting our own difficulties and troubles, let us praise God for an opportunity to live for the glory of His name.  Let the fresh blessings of each new day awaken praise in our hearts for these tokens of His loving care.  When you open your eyes in the morning, thank God that He has kept you through the night.  Thank Him for His peace in your heart.  Morning, noon, and night, let gratitude as a sweet perfume ascend to heaven.--The Ministry of Healing, 253.

Again I say: Rejoice in the Lord.  Rest in Him.  You need his power, and this power you may have.  Go forward firmly, valiantly, courageously.  You may err in judgment, but do not lose your hold on Jesus.  He is wisdom, He is light, He is power.  He is to you as a great Rock in a weary land.  Rest under His shadow.  You need wisdom, and Jesus will give it to you.  Do not be unbelieving.  The more you are jostled, misapprehended, misstated, misrepresented, the more evidence you have that you are doing a work for the Master, and the more closely you must cling to your Savour.  In all your difficulties be calm and undisturbed, patient and forbearing, not rendering evil for evil, but good for evil.  Look to the top of the ladder.  God is above it.  His glory shines on every soul ascending heavenward.  Jesus is this ladder.  Climb up by Him, cling to Him, and erelong you will step off the ladder into His everlasting kingdom.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, 130.

January 30: Rejoice and Be Glad.

Let Us Celebrate the Victory.
And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.--Psalm 27:6, NKJV

WHOSO OFFERETH PRAISE," say the Creator, "glorifieth Me."  Psalm 50:23.  All the inhabitants of heaven unite in praising God.  Let us learn the song of the angels now, that we may sing it when we join their shining ranks.  Let us say with the psalmist, "While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being."  "Let the people praise Thee, O God; let all the people praise Thee."  Psalm 146:2; 65:5.--Patriarchs and Prophets, 289.

We must carry to every religious gathering a quickened spiritual consciousness that God and His angels are there, co-operating with all true worshipers....

The place of worship may be very humble, but it is no less acknowledged by God.  To those who worship God in spirit and in truth and in the beauty of holiness it will be as the gate of heaven.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, 362, 363.

The temple of God is opened in heaven, and the threshold is flushed with the glory which is for every church that will love God and keep His commandments.  We need to study, to meditate, and to pray.  Then we shall have spiritual eyesight to discern the inner courts of the celestial temple.  We shall catch the themes of song and thanksgiving of the heavenly choir round about the throne.  When Zion shall arise and shine, her light will be most penetrating, and precious songs of praise and thanksgiving will be heard in the assemblies of the saints.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, 368.

                                      Happy are those who live in your house,
                                               ever singing your praise....
                                            For a day in your courts is better
                                                than a thousand elsewhere.
                                 I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
                                               than live in the tents of wickedness.
                                                                                        --Psalm 84:4, 10, NRSV

January 29: Rejoice and Be Glad.

Celebrating His Blessings.
"Also on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruit of the land, you shall keep the feast of the Lord for seven days; on the first day there shall be a sabbath-rest, and on the eight day a sabbath-rest.  And you shall take for yourself on the first day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palm trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days."--Leviticus 23:39, 40, NKJV

WELL WOULD IT BE for the people of God at the present time to have a Feast of Tabernacles--a joyous commemoration of the blessings of God to them.  As the children of Israel celebrated the deliverance that God had wrought for their fathers, and His miraculous preservation of them during their journeyings from Egypt, so should we gratefully call to mind the various ways He has devised for bringing us out from the world, and from the darkness of error, into the precious light of His grace and truth....

The Feast of Tabernacles was not only commemorative but typical.  It not only pointed back to the wilderness sojourn, but, as the feast of harvest, it celebrated the ingathering of the fruits of the earth, and pointed forward to the great day of final ingathering, when the Lord of the harvest shall send forth His reapers to gather the tares together in bundles for the fire, and to gather the wheat into His garner....

...When the ransomed of the Lord shall have been safely gathered into the heavenly Canaan, forever delivered from the bondage of the curse, under which "the whole creation groaneth in pain together until now"  (Romans 8:22), they will rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.--Patriarchs and Prophets, 540-542.

January 28: Rejoice and Be Glad.

An Expression of Faith.
My inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.--Proverbs 23:16, NIV

GOD HAS GIVEN US the gift of speech that we may recite to others His dealing with us, that His love and compassion may touch other hearts, and that praise may arise from other souls also to Him who has called them out of darkness into His marvelous light.--Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 243.

The gift of speech has been greatly abused and widely perverted from its intended purpose; but let those who claim to be children of the heavenly King awake to their responsibility, and make the most of this talent.--Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 245.

It is a law of nature that our thoughts and feelings are encouraged and strengthened as we give them utterance.  While words express thoughts, it is also true that thoughts follow words.  If we would give more expression to our faith, rejoice more in the blessings that we know we have,--the great mercy and love of God,--we should have more faith and greater joy.  No tongue can express, no finite mind can conceive, the blessing that results from appreciating the goodness and love of God.  Even on earth we may have joy as a wellspring, never failing, because fed by the streams that flow from the throne of God.--The Ministry of Healing, 251

                        I tell you this: on the day of judgment,
                              people will be clad to account
                     for every careless word they have ever said.--Matthew 12:36, VOICE

January 27: Rejoice and Be Glad.

Faithful in Prosperity.
When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other, therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.--Ecclesiastes 7:14, NIV

GOD HAS GIVEN IN HIS WORD a picture of a prosperous man--one whose life was in the truest sense a success, a man whom both heaven and earth delighted to honor.  Of his experiences Job himself says:

          "In the ripeness of my days,
          When the secret of God was upon my tent;
          When the Almighty was yet with me,
          And my children were about me;...
          The young men saw me and hid themselves,
          And the aged rose up and stood;...
          "For when the ear heard me, then it blessed me;
          And when the eye saw me, it gave witness unto me;

          Because I delivered the poor that cried,
          The fatherless also, and him [margin], that had none to help him.
          "The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me;
          And I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.
          I put on righteousness, and it clothed me:
          My justice was a robe and a diadem."

"The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it."  Proverbs 10:22-Education, 142.

The Bible condemns no man for being rich, if he has acquired his riches honestly.  Not money, but the love of money, is the root of all evil.  It is God who gives men power to get wealth; and in the hands of him who acts as God's steward, using his means unselfishly, wealth is a blessing, both to its possessor and to the world.--The Ministry of Healing, 212.

January 26: Rejoice and Be Glad.

Rejoice in Youth.
Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; but know that for all these God will bring you into judgment.--Ecclesiastes 11:9, NKJV

SAYS THE WISE MAN, "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth."  But do not for a moment suppose that religion will make you sad and gloomy and will block up the way to success.  The religion of Christ does not obliterate or even weaken a single faculty.  It in no way incapacitates you for the enjoyment of any real happiness; it is not designed to lessen your interest in life, or to make you indifferent to the claims of friends and society.  It does not mantle the life in sackcloth; it is not expressed in deep-drawn sighs and groans.  No, no; those who in everything make God first and last and best, are the happiest people in the world.  Smiles and sunshine are not banished from their countenance.--Messages to Young People, 38.

The Lord would have all His sons and daughters happy, peaceful, and obedient.  Jesus says, "My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."  "These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."  John 14:27; 15:11.--Steps to Christ, 124.

The joy of Christ in the soul is worth everything.--Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 516.

                      The Eternal's law is perfect
                           turning lives around.
                     His words are reliable and true,
                     instilling wisdom to open minds.--Psalm 19:7, VOICE

                            How can a young person remain pure?
                            Only by living according to Your Word.--Psalm 119:9, VOICE

January 25: Rejoice and Be Glad.

My Name Is Written in Heaven
"But don't rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven."--Luke 10:20, NLT

REJOICE NOT in the possession of power, lest you lose sight of your dependence upon God.  Be careful lest self-sufficiency come in, and you work in your own strength, rather than in the spirit and strength of your Master.  Self is ever ready to take the credit if any measure of success attends the work.  Self is flattered and exalted, and the impression is not made upon the minds that God is all and in all....Rejoice that through Christ you have become connected with God, members of the heavenly family.  While you look higher than yourself, you will have a continual sense of the weakness of humanity.  The less you cherish self, the more distinct and full will be your comprehension of the excellence of your Saviour.  The more closely you connect yourself with the source of light and power, the greater light will be shed upon you, and the greater power will be yours to work for God.  Rejoice that you are one with God, one with Christ, and with the whole family of heaven.--The Desire of Ages, 493.

                      "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord' shall enter the kingdom of heaven,
                                           But he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
                   Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord have we not prophesied in Your name,
                            cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'
                                             And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you;
                                             depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' "
                                                                                           --Matthew 7:21-23, NKJV

January 24: Rejoice and Be Glad.

I Don't Fear His Divine Judgment.
Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.--1 John 4:17, NKJV

WHEN "LORD COMETH with ten thousand of His saints, to execute judgment upon all," He will also "convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds"  Jude 14, 15.  Every sinner will be brought to see and acknowledge the justice of his condemnation.--Patriarchs and Prophets, 393.

Then it will be seen that Satan's rebellion against God has resulted in ruin to himself and to all that chose to become his subjects.  He has represented that great good would result from transgression; but it will be seen that "the wages of sin is death."....Satan, the root of every sin, and all evil workers, who are his branches, shall be utterly cut off.  An end will be made of sin, with all the woe and ruin that have resulted from it.  Says the psalmist, "Thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name forever and ever.  O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end."  Psalm 9:5, 6.

But amid the tempest of divine judgment the children of God will have no cause for fear.  "The Lord will be the hope of His people, and the strength of the children of Israel."  Joel 3:16.  The day that brings terror and destruction to the transgressors of God's law will bring to the obedient "joy unspeakable and full of glory."  "Gather My saints together unto Me," saith the Lord, "those that have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.  And the heavens shall declare His righteousness: for God is Judge Himself."--Patriarchs and Prophets, 341.

                      "The Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, 
                         so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father.  
                  Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him."--John 5:22, 23, NRSV

January 23: Rejoice and Be Glad.

He Clothes Me in His Righteousness.
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.--Isaiah 61:10, NKJV

BY THE WEDDING GARMENT....is represented the pure, spotless character which Christ's true followers will possess.  To the church it is given "that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white," "not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing."  Revelation 19:8; Ephesians 5:27.  The fine linen, says the Scripture, "is the righteousness of saints."  Revelation 19:8.  It is the righteousness of Christ, His own unblemished character, that through faith is imparted to all who receive Him as their personal Saviour....

This robe, woven in the loom of heaven, has in it not one thread of human devising....When we submit ourselves to Christ, the heart is united with His heart, the will is merged in His will, the mind becomes one with His mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him; we live His life.  This is what it means to be clothed with the garments of His righteousness.--Christ Object Lessons, 310, 311.

January 22: Rejoice and Be Glad.

He Is Merciful.
Satisfy us early with Your mercy, That  we may rejoice and be glad all our days!--Psalm 90:14, NKJV

HE UNDERSTANDS OUR WEAKNESSES and our temptations; and when we come to Him with broken hearts and contrite spirits, He accepts our repentance, and promises that, as we take hold of His strength to make peace with Him, we shall make peace with Him.  Oh, what gratitude, what joy, should we feel that God is merciful!--Testimonies for the Christ, vol. 3, 239.

It should not be difficult to remember that the Lord desires you to lay your troubles and perplexities at His feet, and leave them there.  Go to Him, saying, "Lord, my burdens are too heavy for me to carry.  Wilt Thou bear them for me?"  And He will answer: "I will take them.  'With everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee.'  I will take your sins, and will give you peace.  Banish no longer your self-respect; for I have bought you with the price of My own blood.  You are Mine.  Your weakened will I will strengthen.  Your remorse for sin I will remove."

"I, even I, am He," the Lord declares, "that blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.  Put Me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified."  "I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye Me in vain: I the Lord speak righteousness, I declare things that are right."  "Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else."  Respond to the calls of God's mercy, and say, "I will trust in the Lord and be comforted.  I will praise the Lord; for His anger is turned away.  I will rejoice in God, who gives the victory."--Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 519, 520.