Happy Thanksgiving, Beloved!
God, through Paul, calls us to joy in Phil. 4:4. We certainly want to rejoice in what the Lord has done for us and through us at Rod and Staff Ministries. God has been so very kind and faithful throughout our 25-year history. God has provided space, funding, insight, counselees, trainees, volunteers, answers to prayer…and more so. These good gifts are in addition to the gracious giving of His Son, His Spirit, and His Scripture. It is right and wonderful to rejoice in all the multi-faceted blessings of God. Thank You, Lord—we rejoice in the privilege of extending help and hope to others through Your Word.
Our joy (gladness) is anchored in the Word, Christ’s salvation (Luke 10:22), and His faithfulness and is a product of the Spirit’s work (Gal 5:22; cf. Acts 13:52), so we can even rejoice in suffering and persecution.
“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matt. 5:12). “Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name” (Acts 5:41). “For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one” (Heb. 10:34). “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds” (James 1:2). “But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:13).
In order for anyone to rejoice (be glad) in suffering, one must know the goal and the means. The Christian must be convinced that Jesus is the Treasure—not the ticket to something else—He is the end of pursuits. Secondly, the Christian must see how God uses suffering to remove what prevents you from obtaining Jesus (your treasure), namely self-sufficiency.
Rejoice, Christian, that God promises to use every single ounce of suffering to increase your eternal joy. The thought of seeing and savoring Jesus more (the greatest good ever) must sustain your soul in suffering—for joy.
We rejoice in His Word, His promises, and His faithfulness. You are a testimony to His goodness. We rejoice in every student, every counselee, every kind gift, and every fervent prayer. Thank you for making joy possible. May God inspire you to continue in His work of joy.
We rejoice in being used to point others to THE Joy, Jesus.
10,000 Blessings in The Wonderful Counselor,
Jim Fain