Posts Tagged ‘ Celebrate ’

VerseD: 1 Corinthians 12:25-27

that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

1 Corinthians 12:25‭-‬27, ESV

We join in Christ’s suffering, and we share in His resurrection. May we encourage each other as we await His return, praying for each other and loving each other in Christ’s love.

VerseD: Ephesians 4:32

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 4:32, ESV

We celebrate that our God has redeemed us, forgiven us our sins.

Now, we turn to others (even in the Church), showing the same kindness and forgiveness He has shown to us that they may also celebrate with us.

VerseD: Daniel 12:3

And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

Daniel 12:3, ESV

Our God has saved us, and He sends us to show others salvation in Christ. With every new believer we rejoice and worship our Savior.

VerseD: Psalm 126:5

Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!

Psalm 126:5, ESV

This life is hard and painful, but we can celebrate our God coming to us to join in our suffering and redeem us from our sin.

VerseD: Psalm 47:1

Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!

Psalm 47:1, ESV

We must acknowledge that God is good, and He has saved us from our sins.

That is worth celebrating!

VerseD: 1 Corinthians 12:25-27

that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

1 Corinthians 12:25‭-‬27, ESV

We tend to be selfish, self-focuded. In Christ, the Holy Spirit helps us genuinely care for others, joining in weeping and pain as well as celebrating and laughing. All to the glory of God.

VerseD: Psalm 47:1

Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!

Psalm 47:1, ESV

Our God has done great things worthy of celebration, most importantly He saved us from our sins through the cross.

VerseD: James 5:13

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.

James 5:13, ESV

We should pray in all circumstances, knowing God is near the brokenhearted, and He celebrates with us as we worship Him.

A Faith Old Enough to Drink?

Today is my wonderful mother-in-law’s birthday.

Also, it is what I call my Re-birthday.

21 years ago today, in a small Nazarene church in Bloomington, IL, at 6:46 pm CST, I realized that I believed the Gospel message. Jesus got a firm hold of me, and that is when everything began to change for me.

And I celebrate with a cake.

Why?

Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
Luke 15:7, 10, 24

Just like the song says, this wretch was lost and dead, but now I am found and alive. This calls for celebration!

Being as I am now re-21, and I mentioned drinking in the title:

“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.’”
Luke 5:37‭-‬39 ESV

I am not who I was 21 years ago. I am not who I was 10 years ago. I have grown and learned much in Christ. I have been made new to carry the New Covenant of our Lord into our world as I commune with Him by His Holy Spirit.

Therefore, let us celebrate our common salvation and share this faith with our fallen world!

VerseD: Philippians 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
Philippians 4:4, ESV

For all our Lord has done and is doing, for all His gifts and care, we have every reason to rejoice and praise Him. Let us celebrate His first and second coming every day!