Joy of My Heart with Anne Graham Lotz - June 25

June 25

The Choice to Rejoice

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Philippians 4:4, niv

The apostle Paul knew the secret of victory when he and Silas were thrown into the inner cell of a prison, their feet fastened in stocks, because they had preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God” (Acts 16:24–25, niv). As a result of their praise, an earthquake collapsed the prison, the jailor was converted, and they were set free! Paul maintained that spirit of praise until the end of his life when he once again found himself in chains in a Roman prison yet emphatically declared, “I will continue to rejoice” (Phil 1:18, niv).

I doubt if, during either of those imprisonments, Paul felt like praising. But he had learned to walk by faith, not by his feelings. And today he commands you and me to exercise our will, making the deliberate, conscious choice to “rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

My Heart’s Cry, (Nashville: W Publishing, 2002).

©2012 Anne Graham Lotz. All rights reserved.

THE KEY TO A LIFE OF IMPACT

What are the secrets to a life of impact? Daniel achieved greatness in the eyes of his contemporaries, in the eyes of history, and most importantly, in the eyes of God. His faith did not waver as he faced his critics, as he served new kings in power, or even as he confronted hungry lions. How can we achieve that kind of faith today? Twenty intentional, key choices made all the difference. Daniel’s choices can be ours, such as:

•  The choice to listen
•  The choice to forgive
•  The choice to pray

Cultivate a life-changing faith when you learn to implement The Daniel Key into your everyday life. Request your copy!

For more from Anne Graham Lotz please visit AnneGrahamLotz.org.