Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Philippians 4:4 NIV
Rejoice and Then Rejoice Again
Canadians from coast to coast rejoiced this past August 9. On a damp, rainy day in Paris, the Canadian quartet of Aaron Brown, Brendon Rodney, Jerome Blake and anchor Andre De Grasse shocked the world by capturing gold in the men’s 4×100 relay — a race they entered as massive long-shots to win at 50-1 odds. Adding more theatre to Canada’s incredible triumph was the fact De Grasse, running last, was stuck in the middle of the pack before finding another gear over the last 20-30 metres and blistering past the field to cross the line first in thrilling fashion.
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The church in Philippi was started by Paul and played a key role in the spread of Christianity in that region of the world. In a world very much like ours, the church grew quickly. But the growth was not without its challenges. The early Christians faced persecution from both the Jewish community and the Roman authorities, who viewed Christianity as a threat to their power and control. Additionally, the city of Philippi was a melting pot of different cultures and religions, making it challenging for the church to maintain its distinct identity amidst competing ideologies and practices. Paul’s letter to his friends there was an encouragement to them, and in Philippians 4:4 he writes to them, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” In the midst of a cosmopolitan culture and facing opposition for their claim that Jesus is the only way, Paul tells them to let their joy shine – rejoice!
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley