Core Scripture: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)

Message: Be leery.  This time of year, it sucks you in like a vacuum.  Complaining.  Negativity.  Before you know it, it consumes you. 

If I am being honest, I am on the struggle bus with this right now.  Some of you may know that I have suffered from lower back pain for 13 years.  There are good days, and there are bad days.  It seems like the bad days discourage the dickens out of me. 

I may, however, have found a solution.  Yesterday I awoke stiff and sore.  I iced it, powered my way through a workout, and did my normal Saturday chores.  A warm midday shower felt soothing. 

I was flying solo with my boys.  My wife had taken an impromptu visit to St. Louis, and although I was tempted to tell them to fend for themselves, I made them waffles.  Chocolate chip for one.  Plain for the other.  As for me, I proudly whipped up some Tuna Helper.  Always good to have leftovers for the next day, right?

Something happened over lunch.  I relished the time just to talk to my boys.  We laughed a little, chatted about our afternoon plans, and cleaned up.  I rejoiced in the opportunity to talk. 

Normally at this point I would crash on the couch and feel sorry for my aches and pains, playing on my phone and closing my eyes.  Instead, I pulled out a book recommended to me, The Man Who Loved Clowns.  I rejoiced again, soaking in a good book.

My back pain suddenly didn’t seem so bad. 

I rallied my boys for our afternoon plans.  We stopped by the library and picked up a movie to watch.  We went to Scheels, got some ice cream, and wandered the store afterwards, making time to have a putting contest in the golf section of the store.  I rejoiced in the quality time carved out.

Our evening ended with a couple of Papa Murphy’s pizzas and a movie, Now You See Me.  I rejoiced that my middle schoolers were finally able to watch PG-13 movies with me.  It was a special day.  My heart was full.

I yearn to take that rejoicing with me to work this week.  These moments may not come in dramatic fashion.  They might come through the mundane, everyday moments that I take for granted.  Through a smile from a student or an engaging class discussion. 

Here’s the thing … even if adversity strikes, can’t we still choose to rejoice?  Paul knew about that.  Even after being imprisoned, he and Silas sang hymns of praise, putting complete trust in God to guide them through.  Paul’s words in Philippians 4:11-13 explain this:

“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.  I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.  For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”

Did you catch that?  Through the good AND the bad, we have the power to be content.  We can rejoice!  Not through our own power but through the power of Jesus. 

Challenge: Begin a gratitude journal.  At the end of each day, write something you are thankful for.  When you feel like life is weighing you down, read it and reflect on it.    

Song application: “Gratitude” by Brandon Lake

All my words fall short
I got nothing new
How could I express
All my gratitude?

I could sing these songs
As I often do
But every song must end
And You never do

So I throw up my hands
And praise You again and again
‘Cause all that I have is a
Hallelujah, hallelujah
And I know it’s not much
But I’ve nothing else fit for a king
Except for a heart singing
Hallelujah, hallelujah

Bible study: Read Luke 17:11-19 and journal about or discuss the following questions …

1. Why did only one leper thank Jesus?
2. What was Jesus’ reaction to this scene?
3. How can we apply this truth to our own lives?

Prayer points: Lift up the following areas to the Lord …

• Praise God for the big things.
• Praise God for the little things.
• Pray that God will open your eyes to His blessings around you.

Just for fun: So, over half my students won a trip to tour Arrowhead Stadium last week for selling enough boxes of chocolate for our school fundraiser.  Rumor had it that a few of our 6^th grade boys plucked a few blades of grass from the field as a memento.  One of them decided it would be cool to eat it.  Yes, eat it.  When asked why, he boldly stated, “I wanted to BECOME Arrowhead.”   

Prayer: Father, forgive me for the times I forget to say thank you.  Create a heart in me that appreciates Your gifts.  Amen.