10/15/2023 - Rejoice! - Willowbrook UMC

Opening with a few comments about his preparation for his high school reunion, Rev. Gary Kennedy decided to pray and ask God if there was anything He wanted him to do or say while he was there. When he walked in he was greeted by two women, one of which asked him what she needed to go to heaven. Gary was able to lead her to accept Christ as her Savior that day. When we humble ourselves before God and ask Him for guidance in what we are to do, He not only provides opportunities for us, He also gives us the words to say.

The apostle Paul started many churches. Each time he had established a church, he then sought to move to another area to start another church. At one point when he was ready to move on he kept trying to go north or east or south, but he did not want to go west. God kept telling him to go west. Paul finally went west and found a group of women at a pool of water near Philippi. He told these women about the power of Jesus Christ and Lydia immediately believed. She was one of the people who helped Paul start the church in Philippi.

Paul always had a joyful attitude in his teaching and preaching. His joy was a part of the letters he wrote to four different churches. He held on to the truth that Jesus gives us a new beginning and new life. We, too, can live in the joy of that hope. Jesus is a constant that remains.

Paul was in prison awaiting his own execution when he wrote "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worth of praise, think about these things." REJOICE!