THE SEED
“Rejoice always.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16
Our verse for today is one of the shortest in the Bible. But what a big message these two words convey! This verse is a command, which means joy is not optional for Christians. Joyless Christians are disobedient Christians. Not only that, this verse tells us to rejoice always. But how can we possibly do that? The main thing to consider is the source of our joy. Sometimes we’re tempted to think that the level of our joy is directly related to the situation we are in. The more pleasant our environment, the greater our joy will be. The problem with that way of thinking is that we can’t always choose or control our circumstances. Our health may decline; we may lose our job; a loved one may pass away. What’s more, there’s no guarantee that a happy environment will always produce a happy heart. The only reliable source of joy is Jesus Christ. The external realities of our lives will change, but the internal reality of having Jesus dwell in our hearts never changes. If we stay connected to Jesus, the command to be joyful takes care of itself.
BIBLE READING: 1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-22
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, help us to see our relationship with you as the most important part of our lives, and to find joy in you despite difficult circumstances. Thank you for your faithful love. In your name, Amen.
ÀṢÍRÍ FUN Ẹ̀KÚNRẸ́RẸ́ AYỌ
IRUGBIN NAA
“Ẹ máà yọ̀ nigbagbogbo” 1 Tessalonika 5:16
Ẹsẹ Bíbélì wa, fun oni jẹ ọkan ninu awọn ẹ́sẹ ti o kukuru julọ ninu Bibeli. Ṣugbọn àlàyé nla ni awọn ọrọ meji yii fihan! Ẹsẹ yi jẹ aṣẹ kan, eyiti o tumọ si ayọ kii ṣe a i gbọdọ ma ni fun awọn Kristiani. Àwọn Kristẹni tí kò ní ayọ jẹ́ Kristẹni aláìgbọràn. Kii ṣe eyi nikan, ẹsẹ yii sọ fun wa lati ma yọ nigbagbogbo. Ṣugbọn bawo ni a ṣe le ṣe eyi? Ohun akọkọ, lati gbé yẹ wò ni orisun ayọ wa. Nigba miiran a máà ní ipenija lati ro pe ipele ayọ wa, ni i ṣe pẹlú irú ohun tí a nla kọja. Bí agbegbe wa ba ṣe ni ayọ tó, bẹẹ ni ayọ wa yíó ṣe ga to. Iṣoro kàn ti o pẹlu bí a tí ṣe nri ọ̀rọ̀ yi ni pe, a ko le yan irú tabi ṣakoso awọn ipo wa. Ilera wa le dinku; a le padanu iṣẹ wa; olólùfẹ́ lè kọjá lọ. Yàtọ̀ sí èyí, kò sí ìdánilójú pé àyíká aláyọ̀ yóò máa mú ọkàn ayọ̀ jáde wa nígbà gbogbo. Orísun ayọ̀ kan ṣoṣo tí ó ṣeé gbára lé ni Jesu Kristi. Awọn igbesi aye ti a nri le yipada, ṣugbọn èrò inu pe a ni Jesu ninu ọkan wa ko le yipada. Ti a bá wà ní ìsopọ̀ pẹ̀lú Jésù, àṣẹ náà láti jẹ́ aláyọ̀ yio bójú tó ara rẹ̀.
BIBELI KIKA: 1 Tẹsalóníkà 5:16-22
ADURA: Jesu Oluwa, ran wa lọwọ lati ri ajọṣepọ wa pẹlu Rẹ gege bi ara pataki julọ ninu aye wa. Ati lati le ri ayọ ninu Rẹ pẹlu awọn ipo to le. O ṣeun fun ifẹ otitọ rẹ. Ni oruko Jesu Amin