Participants: Mike Lemon (Host)
Series Code: SCS
Program Code: SCS000013
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00:33 Chapter 13, "Rejoicing in the Lord."
00:37 Hello and Welcome to "Steps to Christ in Song." 00:40 Today, we're gonna be looking at "Rejoicing in 00:42 the Lord." You know the Lord came to give us the 00:45 fullness of joy and it is Jesus whole purpose for 00:49 us to be happy. Before we look at this topic, 00:52 I'm gonna ask Jonathan to lead us in a word of prayer. 00:55 Let's bow our heads. Dear Jesus, teach us how to 00:59 truly rejoice in the Lord and help us not to be 01:04 burden down with the cares of this world, but 01:08 instead fill us with your joy. And Jesus thanks so 01:12 much for all the, the blessings that you lavish 01:16 upon each one of us, and help us to notice those 01:20 blessings each day, Amen. Amen 01:27 Whether we like it or not, when we profess to be 01:30 Christ followers, we become God's 01:31 representatives to those around us. 01:34 When speaking to His father, Jesus said in John 01:36 17:18, as he sent me into the world, I've also sent 01:40 them into the world. That's a big responsibility, 01:44 but it's also a great privilege. Just think, you 01:48 could be responsible for leading someone else into 01:50 a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. 01:53 If they are like a Christian, he has done for 01:54 you they'll want what you have, you just need to make 01:58 sure that your relationship with Christ is something 02:00 worth wanting. The Christian life should 02:04 be one of joy and peace, but for some of us it 02:06 become one of sadness and gloom, this may 02:09 made God's enemies Satan happy, but it's now 02:11 will God wants for his children. Life isn't always 02:14 easy, but the Bible says in Roman's 8:28, that all 02:17 things work together for good to those who love God. 02:21 That means that God will never let anything bad 02:23 happen to us, unless there is some greater good 02:25 to come out of it. So, other than complaining 02:29 about the difficulties in life, let's count the 02:32 unnumbered blessings that God gives us each day. 02:34 Think of it, God loves you so much that he 02:37 poured out all heaven and he gives of Jesus Christ, 02:40 so that you could be in Heaven with him for 02:43 eternity. This fact alone should be a constant 02:46 source of joy and peace; you are someone very 02:48 special to God. So lift your head up and praise 02:51 Him for us wonderful love. 03:05 When upon life's billows you are tempest-tossed, 03:10 When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, 03:14 Count your many blessings, name them one by one, 03:19 And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done. 03:23 Count your blessings, name them one by one, 03:28 Count your blessings, see what God hath done! 03:32 Count your blessings, name them one by one, 03:37 Count your many blessings, see what God hath done. 03:43 Are you ever burdened with a load of care? 03:53 Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? 04:03 Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly, 04:14 And you will be singing as the days go by. 04:19 When you look at others with their lands and gold, 04:23 Think that Christ has promised you 04:25 His wealth untold; Count your many 04:29 blessings wealth can never buy 04:32 Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high. 04:37 Count your many blessings, name them one by one, 04:41 Count your blessings, see what God hath done! 04:46 Count your many blessings, name them one by one, 04:50 Count your many blessings, see what God hath done. 04:56 So, amid the conflict whether great or small, 05:01 Do not be discouraged, God is over all; 05:06 Count your many blessings, angels will attend, 05:10 Help and comfort give you to your journey's end. 05:14 Count your many blessings, name them one by one, 05:19 Count your blessings, see what God hath done! 05:24 Count your many blessings, name them one by one, 05:28 Count your many blessings, see what God hath done. 05:32 Count your many blessings, see what God hath done. 05:46 Happiness is a choice and when I look at, 05:50 everything that God is doing in my life, 05:52 all the blessings He has given me, it's hard to be 05:54 gloomy or to complain. It's true that life is often 05:58 difficult in trying, but why make my life 06:02 miserable by dwelling in all the bad things that 06:04 happened or that are going to happen. 06:07 When, I can find so many other things in my life 06:10 to be cheerful about. You know that idea that 06:13 happiness is a choice is such an important truth 06:18 Caitlin that you talked about. If I think if 06:21 someone who is really happy and makes a choice 06:23 to be happy as Sharon. Sharon, can you suggest 06:27 to us strategies of how you remain happy? 06:31 Well, Mr. Lemon the experience that I had last 06:34 summer really changed my perspective a lot. 06:38 That summer, I was feeling so discouraged 06:41 is at least this one specific moment, 06:43 I was feeling very discouraged and away 06:46 from counselors and my friends in Fountain view 06:49 or anybody like that. I was feeling very 06:52 discouraged and I was feeling like I was in the 06:54 very dark pit. And I didn't know what to 06:57 do and even know, where to start and I pray to God 07:03 and that's the always the good thing to do. 07:04 It's always good thing. And, I prayed to God to 07:06 help me and he lead me to this little book that 07:10 I always wrote down. It's just a little tiny book 07:12 of notes and stuff. And I wrote down things 07:16 how he has helped me in the past and I wrote down 07:19 answer prayer requests or lessons that he taught me 07:22 and that I was reading this book. It dawned on me 07:26 that, even though then I realize it, but now it 07:31 helped me so much to realize that God was 07:37 telling me you know Sharon it doesn't matter, 07:40 where you are, whatever circumstances you are in, 07:43 how discouraged you are, I'm going to help you and 07:46 as I've helped you in the past I'm helping you now 07:49 and I'm with you right now. It's very comforting. 07:51 And you know the Israelites, they forgot how God 07:54 has let them, that's why they had all these doubts 07:58 and not in a faith in God. Yeah. 07:59 And, there is times when Satan hurls at us with 08:03 doubts and discouragement, but it's so important to 08:07 remember how he has helped us. And I want to 08:10 share a quote in "Rejoicing in the Lord" 08:11 chapter and it says when you look back into the 08:15 chapters of your life experience, do you not 08:17 find some pleasant pages, and we have to remember 08:21 the times when he has helped us. If we forget 08:25 then we'll just go into the dark pit as I have. 08:28 That's excellent and it fits perfectly with what 08:30 you have experienced. Yeah. 08:32 Thanks for sharing that. 08:37 It's a truth that our complaining not only 08:39 hurts our own Christian experience, but it also 08:43 makes Christianity unattractive to those who 08:46 don't know Christ. But, on the other hand, 08:49 when we praise God during the good times and 08:52 the bad it helps us to fend of discouragement and to 08:56 make the Christian walk an attractive option for 08:59 those who are trying to cope with the difficulties 09:02 of a life without Christ. Psalm 37 verses 4 and 5 09:08 instructs us, Delight yourself also in the 09:11 LORD and he shall give you the desires of your heart. 09:15 Commit your way to the LORD; trust also in Him 09:19 and He shall bring it to pass. When we trust in 09:23 God, and rejoice in His care even before, 09:27 we realize His fulfillment. We bear witness to 09:31 ourselves to those around us, and to the whole 09:34 Universe, that God is trustworthy and true. 09:41 Let our hearts be always cheerful, 09:45 Why should murmuring enter there, 09:49 When our kind and loving Father, 09:53 Makes us children of His care? 09:58 Always cheerful, always cheerful, 10:02 Sunshine all around we see; 10:06 Full of beauty is the path of duty, 10:10 cheerful we may always be. 10:15 With His gentle hand to lead us, 10:19 Should the powers of sin assail, 10:23 He has promised grace to help us; 10:27 Never can His promise fail. 10:32 Always cheerful, always cheerful, 10:36 sunshine all around we see, 10:40 full of beauty is the path of duty, 10:44 cheerful we may always be. 10:49 When we turn aside from duty, 10:53 comes the pain of doing wrong, 10:58 and the shadow creeping o'er us, 11:02 Checks the rapture of our song. 11:06 Always cheerful, always cheerful, 11:10 sunshine all around we see, 11:15 full of beauty is the path of duty, 11:18 cheerful we may always be. 11:24 Oh! the good are always happy, 11:28 And their path is ever bright; 11:32 Let us heed the blessed counsel, 11:35 Shun the wrong and love the right. 11:40 Always cheerful, always cheerful, 11:45 sunshine all around we see, 11:49 full of beauty is the path of duty, 11:53 cheerful we may always be. 11:57 Cheerful we may always, 12:02 Cheerful we may always be. 12:11 This is one of my favorite songs because 12:14 it shows how Christian should act. 12:16 Now lot of people think that 12:17 when you become a Christian everything is just 12:19 perfect and everything just goes well. 12:23 But, that's not true because it's not the 12:25 circumstance that changes but it's the attitude. 12:28 It changes from how can I handle this to asking God 12:34 Jesus you need to help me to do this 12:36 because I can't do it on my own. And that's how 12:38 Christians should act always asking God to help them. 12:41 So, that, even things like being cheerful 12:45 it can come with God's help. 12:48 Such an important truth you know Caitlin to realize 12:52 you're gonna have things that are unexpected that 12:54 will happen to you and to just trust in Jesus. 12:58 You know it's funny because about nine months ago 13:01 I had something very unexpected happen to me 13:03 actually Sharon and you were there too Mr. Lemon 13:07 Our school went on a backpacking trip 13:09 up to this remote lake that was surrounded by 13:12 mountains and we had a great weekend, but the night 13:17 before we had to leave it started to rain and it was 13:20 raining upon these mountains too. So the next morning 13:22 we woke up and it was still raining, but now we could 13:26 see that they were snow that gathered on top 13:28 of these mountains. So, I remember I was with 13:31 both of you we decided that we're gonna to head on 13:33 early, so that we can get a head start 13:35 on rest of everyone else but as we went up the 13:39 mountain, we just realized the fog was so thick and 13:45 the further we got up on the mountain the more 13:46 the rain started turning from just rain to snow and 13:52 after a couple of hours of hiking, 13:54 we realized we were dreadfully lost, and I remember 13:57 at that point thinking you know negativity 14:02 one negative word that I speak doesn't only react 14:05 upon myself, but it will bear through in 14:08 your actions as well. Yeah. 14:10 And so right then we made a rule that no negativity 14:13 allowed like you could not say one word 14:15 doubt or discouragement because it was crucial 14:18 that we kept our spirits up that we were lost, Cold, 14:21 wet, hungry. We had no idea, where we were and we are 14:24 on top of this mountain in the snow. 14:26 Yeah actually takes discipline to remain cheerful 14:28 in those kind of circumstances and just say 14:30 I'm not gonna think about anything negative 14:32 because we are panicky. 14:34 Yeah, I mean it was very easy to become discouraged. 14:36 I mean, you don't even know what's gonna 14:39 happen to you. You are completely lost 14:41 you can't see, where you are going or anything. 14:43 One thing I know that I remember really helped was 14:46 singing, I remember when we started singing 14:49 about half way through and we just started singing 14:51 all these hymns and praise song, any song 14:53 that came to our mind and I remember we would 14:55 sometimes altar the words 14:57 to fit the circumstances that we were in. 15:01 And for like 4 hours straight non-stop we would 15:04 be singing as we followed this stream that we hoped 15:08 would terrain into the Frazier River 15:10 behind our school. And, you know I think that singing 15:14 was really key and uplifting our hearts to God 15:17 and giving us peace to be able to trust in Him. 15:20 Yeah. In Isaiah 26:3 it says, that will keep him 15:25 in perfect peace, whose mind is stay on thee, 15:28 because he trusted in thee. And you know that night 15:32 after hiking for eight hours in rain and snow and 15:35 shale and brush and just being cold, wet, and hungry 15:39 we finally made our camp and we were met with the lot 15:42 more difficulties and actually the next day we were 15:47 found by a helicopter and lifted out of there, 15:50 but I just praised God because the whole experience 15:53 was a miracle and just for the promises that 15:57 he gave us in His word and through those songs 16:00 that we were able to sing, it really kept our 16:02 mind focused on Him. Yes. 16:04 And, was able to bring us peace so that we could 16:07 stay calm and trusting in Him throughout that 16:10 situation. Yeah, it certainly did, 16:13 especially the singing for me. 16:16 Thanks for sharing that. 16:19 Bad things happened to everyone 16:21 and this often makes us insecure as we worry about 16:24 what might happen to us. 16:26 But, it's often the anticipation of these things 16:28 that causes us to worry and grieve 16:30 even more so then the avenge itself. 16:34 I would like to share a secret 16:35 that will help you get rid of that uneasy feeling, 16:38 do everything you can to avoid negative experiences 16:42 you can sit back and relax in God's arms. 16:45 He loves you and he'll honor your efforts, 16:47 so you have no need to be afraid or be distressed. 16:51 365 times in the Bible, we are commanded not to fear, 16:56 365 times that's once for every day of the year 17:00 that God tells us not to fear. 17:03 Jesus says in John 16:33, these things 17:07 I've spoken to you that in me you may have peace. 17:10 In the world you will have tribulation. 17:12 But, be of good cheer! I have overcome the world. 17:16 Life may be difficult at times, but we can be assured 17:20 that God will see us through. 17:23 If you're looking for a happy fulfilling life, 17:26 you're not going to find it in the self centered 17:28 activities of this world has to offer, but there Joy 17:32 and satisfaction in the service of God. 17:35 And when this life is over, those who 17:37 have followed Christ in the life of service 17:39 and self sacrifice will continue that life for all 17:42 eternity with sinless angels and with God Himself. 17:47 I can't wait to hear the words from Jesus, 17:50 come ye blessed of my father inherit the kingdom 17:53 prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 17:56 Now that's something worth rejoicing about. 18:23 The timeless theme, Earth and Heaven will pass away. 18:32 It's not a dream, God will make all things new 18:40 that day. Gone is the curse from which I stumbled 18:49 and fell. Evil is banished to eternal hell. 19:04 No more night. No more pain. No more tears. 19:18 Never crying again. And praises to the great 19:29 I Am We will live in the light of the risen Lamb. 19:43 See all around, now the nations bow down to sing. 19:52 The only sound is the praises to Christ, our King. 20:02 Slowly the names from the book are read. 20:12 I know the King, so there's no need to dread. 20:23 No more night. No more pain. No more tears. 20:36 Never crying again. And praises to the great 20:48 I Am We will live in the light of the risen Lamb. 20:59 See over there, there's a mansion 21:03 oh, that's prepared just for me, Where I will live 21:10 with my savior eternally. There will be, 21:19 No more night. No more pain. No more tears. 21:31 Never crying again. And praises to the great 21:41 I Am. We will live in the light of the risen Lamb. 21:52 We will live in the light of the risen Lamb. 22:17 No more night, no more pain, no more tears. 22:20 What a day that would be, but until then 22:24 instead of focusing on the world with all of its 22:26 problems and fears, let's keep our eyes on Jesus. 22:30 His love and wonderful things 22:33 he has in store for each one of us. 22:36 You know David when it comes to rejoicing 22:37 in the Lord what Jonathan said is so true, 22:40 it's about focus. But what about those days 22:42 when you're feeling really stressed out 22:44 and you find it hard to rejoice in the Lord? 22:47 Well, a couple of months ago, I think it was 22:49 back in March, I had a really rough day. 22:53 Work was really bad and school was even worse, 22:57 and I was just really stressed out and it was 22:59 supper time and I was talking to 23:01 Caitlin and Sharon and they were telling me well 23:04 you know if you do something nice for someone 23:06 else that will help you know. So you can be 23:08 more joyful and even though you 23:10 might be stressed out. So in my frustration 23:12 and in my stress, I dismissed their remark, 23:15 I was like yeah whatever and a couple of minutes 23:18 later, I went to check the mail for the guys 23:21 dorm and I found this package that was for Luke 23:24 and it was from the Journal of the 23:26 Adventist Theological Society and so he had 23:29 been expecting this package for so long 23:33 and I was like yeah I guess like I can give it 23:35 to him you know I was something get like anything 23:37 special about it so I just, I just go by all 23:40 the way backup to the dorm and I mean 23:42 he is in the lobby and I have the package behind 23:45 my back and I'm like hey look I have something 23:48 for you and he is like what and then like 23:49 I show him the package and he is like dude awesome 23:52 he like comes to me and gives me a hug 23:54 and he like rips it open, it is just like watching 23:56 the little kid on Christmas time and all that, 23:58 but those kind of cute. And so, been like that event 24:03 that was definitely made my day not because 24:06 he gave me a hug or like or because I was seen 24:09 as the hero basically, but you know because 24:12 he was joyful, he was happy you know and for some reason 24:16 I just felt that my heart was getting 24:18 warm by his happiness and he was exactly 24:21 what Caitlin and Sharon was telling me, but I 24:23 just was to. You weren't listening. Yeah, to dense to, 24:27 actually very accepting and then a couple of days 24:30 later I was written Steps to Christ and it says, 24:33 our not God's promises like to fragrant flowers 24:36 growing beside your path on every hand where you 24:39 now led their beauty and sweetness filled your heart 24:41 with joy, and so what I was thinking is that, 24:44 that day I was looking so much of the thorns, 24:46 so much of the thistles, I wasn't looking at the 24:48 flowers, but then that moment God showed me 24:53 this like beautiful flower you know and he showed me 24:56 the big picture and so it was so amazing you know 24:59 like how you can be so joyful when you do something 25:02 good for others and they're like really happy. 25:05 Amen, amen that's a great illustration. 25:08 You know some people's lives are a clear 25:10 picture of Jesus, and whenever 25:12 I think of that I think of Alice. 25:14 Who was she? She was a member of my church 25:17 when I worked in South Africa and she was also 25:20 a good friend of mine, there were something about 25:22 Alice's smile that was contagious, also about 25:27 the joy you know you could see in her eyes 25:29 and you could hear it in her voice. The day when Alice 25:35 was very sick, she was actually dying, 25:37 she was in the hospital and I went to visit her 25:39 and she was lying contemplatively, her eyes 25:42 were closed in bed, she wasn't asleep and I just 25:44 went to her and I put my hand on her hand and I said 25:46 Alice how are you and she looked up and she 25:48 said isn't a beautiful day, and she said 25:53 Jesus is so good to me and I said yes 25:56 it's a beautiful day and Jesus has given us 25:58 a beautiful day. But you realize Alice that 26:01 the doctor said you are not doing very well, 26:03 and she said well you know I'm gonna be very well 26:07 as long as I have Jesus, but she said, I realize 26:13 I'm very sick and I understand that I'm dying 26:16 and I would like you and the elders 26:18 to anoint me with oil, the way that it 26:21 says in James chapter 5 and maybe the Lord 26:23 will heal me, but if he doesn't, if he allows me 26:26 to go to sleep then when I'm resurrected, 26:30 I will see the beautiful face of Jesus on that day. 26:34 And so we anointed her and we prayed for her. 26:37 And, it was like Jesus had healed her 26:41 completely at least that I thought He had, 26:44 but that was not God's plan. She got two more days 26:48 of extra energy and strength and it was a pain 26:51 free two days. And, it was a time when 26:55 she could witness, she witnessed to her friends 26:57 and family who came faraway to the hospital 26:59 to see her, and she witnessed to her church members 27:02 and the doctors, the nurses and the others patients 27:05 that were in the hospital, but she did die 27:07 she entered peacefully into her sleep in Jesus 27:09 and I conducted her funeral. And I remembered 27:12 being by that graveside and thinking 27:16 Jesus is going to come back and call her 27:18 from the grave. You know I would like to make 27:22 an appeal not only to us, but also to our viewers 27:25 this is the last of our program to Steps to Christ, 27:28 that we give our hearts each one of us to Jesus, 27:32 and to signify our acceptance of his 27:35 ability to live that kind of life. Let's pray to Him 27:39 for that power. Heavenly Father, we pray 27:43 for the life of Jesus to be our life 27:47 that we will dedicate ourselves fully to you 27:50 and that we will be filled with your joy. 27:53 We pray this and thank you in Jesus name, amen. Amen. 28:00 Steps to Christ in Song is a 13 part series 28:03 from Fountain View Productions designed to be an easy 28:06 non-threatening way to share the good news about Jesus Christ 28:09 with friends, relatives and co-workers. 28:12 Order your copies now 28:15 by calling 1-877-490-4141 28:18 or visit us online at www.fountainviewproductions.com. 28:24 Steps to Christ in Song is also available at your local 28:29 ABC Christian Book Store. |
Revised 2014-12-17