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I hope you've had a peaceful and joyous working week.

I'm usually up very early in the morning (if 5am is early) and in my car around 6. I enjoy those early mornings when the sun is peaking above the horizon and the birds are singing good morning to the world and there is a peace that comes at no other time of the day. A time of day: when it is easy to rejoice and talk to God; to take the hand of Jesus as we begin the days journey together; to trust completely in the plans He has for us. One of the most neglected principles in the Bible is God's command for us to "Rejoice". In fact, Philippians 4:4-9 stresses the need for just to rejoice in the following ways.

Firstly, we need to "Rejoice ALWAYS". Not sometimes, not even often, but "ALWAYS", through good times and bad. Paul was full of joy because he knew that no matter what happened to him, "Jesus Christ was with him".

Secondly, "Remember, the Lord is coming soon". Don't get so concerned and stressed over the things around us that we forget this most important event about to happen in our lives. If you haven't been joyful lately, let the Holy Spirit remind you that, "true joy is found in the Lord and the promise of His second coming".  

Thirdly, "if we don't worry about things and pray about all things", then we will experience "God's peace that passes all understanding".  

Fourthly and finally, "Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise". Above all, read God's Word and pray. Ask God to help you fill your mind with good and pure thoughts. This takes practice, but it can be done.  It's not enough to hear or read the Word of God or even to know it well, "we must also put what God is teaching us, into practice".

As we remember the death and resurrection of Jesus this weekend, let us rejoice in the Lord because we worship a God who defeated death, a God who conquered evil, a God who gives us life and a God who's coming back for us soon. Rejoice in the Lord friends!!