CELEBRATE AGAIN!
Terry R. Baughman

“I will sing and greatly rejoice in Yahweh! My whole being vibrates with shouts of joy in my God! For he has dressed me with salvation and wrapped me in the robe of his righteousness! I appear like a bridegroom on his wedding day, decked out with a beautiful sash, or like a radiant bride adorned with sparkling jewels” (Isaiah 61:10 TPT).

The month of June is often a season for weddings. Many women plan their special occasion so they can be a June Bride. Whatever the date, a marriage is a special event and a time to rejoice.
When God inspired the prophet to choose a metaphor for the joy of salvation, He chose the wedding day. This passage reverberates with joyous celebration, from singing and rejoicing to shouts of joy to God, affecting the entire being. He also spoke of the beautiful clothing of the bride and groom. God dressed them with salvation and a robe of righteousness!

Paul wrote to believers, “To put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV). This new life after the New Birth is a season of rejoicing as we identify with the Bride of Christ. We are clothed in His righteousness and made new in His salvation. That’s a good reason to rejoice! 

The prophet Isaiah predicted miraculous events when Messiah would come bringing the hope of Salvation. Jesus read from these verses when He returned to the synagogue in Nazareth after the launch of His ministry. He declared His mission and stated that the words of the prophet were being fulfilled, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21 NKJ). 

Isaiah declared that Messiah would come, “To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:3 NKJ). It’s time to get dressed for the occasion, it’s a season of joy!



Theme passage:
“For God has given us these seasons of joy, days … decreed for us to celebrate and rejoice” (Psalm 81:4 TPT).

CELEBRATE AGAIN!
Terry R. Baughman

“Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, …” (Ecclesiastes 12:1 NKJ).

During this season of graduations, the Commencement exercises are a time of honoring achievements made, but it is also a challenge to greater things and new beginnings. Speakers are asked to speak to the graduates and others who assemble for the celebration of graduation, but there are few who will remember the words spoken. Most graduates, friends, and family members are just waiting for the name to be called, the folder given, and quick photographs and the moving of the tassel from one side to the other. There are gatherings, parties, and photos with friends that are far more important than the words of the speaker in that moment.

The gravity of the occasion and the challenge of the future is only realized in the days and months after the ceremony. Reality sets in when others are going back to campus and the prior classmates are not included. Classes resume, but the graduates are not on the roll and not expected to attend. Ready or not, it’s time to move on to another course of instruction, a job, vocational training, or military service. These are big decisions that shape the future and require soul-searching and prayerful consideration. 

A Commencement is also a beginning, for that is the weight of decision that rests upon every graduate, “What is next?” It is the start of another phase of life, a step toward a career, new opportunities, or continuing education. 

The wise man wrote, “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, ….” Another translation said, “Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, ‘Life is not pleasant anymore’”(Ecclesiastes 12:1 NLT). The most important aspect of graduation is to seek God’s direction for life and every decision you make. Honoring God in youth brings blessing and fulfillment in time to come. 

Remember the wisdom of the Proverb, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT). Today, and everyday, let us look to God for help making decisions large and small, knowing that only He can know our path and direct us the way we should go as we face another beginning.


Theme passage:
“For God has given us these seasons of joy, days … decreed for us to celebrate and rejoice” (Psalm 81:4 TPT).

CELEBRATE AGAIN!
Terry R. Baughman

“For the commandment, ‘Honor your father and your mother,' was the first of the Ten Commandments with a promise attached: ‘You will prosper and live a long, full life if you honor your parents’” (Ephesians 6:2-3 TPT).

Among the Ten Commandments is one which seems like it should be observed without being listed, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12 NKJ). Respect for parents is something that should be easily understood. These are the people who gave us life and brought us into this world. They cared for us when we were unable to fend for ourselves, and gave guidance for life as we grew older. 

Not everyone has the privilege of kind, loving parents, but most everyone has someone who has filled that role in their life, whether it be another relative, a grandparent, a foster parent, or guardian. Honor is something that should be given to anyone who helps us achieve success in our lives. 

Along with the commandment to “Honor your father and your mother,” there is an additional statement in the same sentence, “that your days may be long….” The Apostle Paul stated that this was the first of the Ten Commandments with a resulting promise. Full life and success was embedded as a promised outcome of following this guidance. 

Honor is something that is taught by example. As a father, we teach humility by honoring others above ourselves. We teach honor by treating others with respect and giving words of affirmation and appreciation. The blessing comes when those we are mentoring begin to show us the same honor, respect, and appreciation that we have shown to others. A long and prosperous life can also be anticipated as we follow this sage advice, by honoring our legacy!  


Theme passage:
“For God has given us these seasons of joy, days … decreed for us to celebrate and rejoice” (Psalm 81:4 TPT).

CELEBRATE AGAIN!
Terry R. Baughman

“You love him passionately although you have not seen him, but through believing in him you are saturated with an ecstatic joy, indescribably sublime and immersed in glory. For you are reaping the harvest of your faith—the full salvation promised you—your souls’ victory!” (1 Peter 1:8-9 TPT).

The church was born on a day of celebration. The feast of Pentecost was a special festival in Jerusalem. It was an occasion to celebrate the first fruit of harvest, and filled with expectation for the fullness of harvest yet to come. The week was filled with joyful anticipation as the crowds assembled for the community celebration. The feast allowed all people to join in the joy of the harvest.

This was the moment the Spirit descended on a roomful of Jesus followers awaiting the “promise of the Father!” Luke wrote, “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, … they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues” (Acts 2:1,4 NKJ). Jesus chose this day of celebration to pour out His Spirit. It is no coincidence that this experience brings joy and a cause for rejoicing. 

A new birth is always exciting; with new life there is cause for joyous celebration. The New Birth experience that Jesus spoke about is also a reason to rejoice. It is a celebration of salvation. While in the Old Testament salvation was more about deliverance from their enemies, the New Testament expands the understanding to embrace the deliverance from sin. We are saved from sin by the blood of Christ and redeemed to God by His sacrifice. 

The prediction of the prophecies anticipated this element of joy. Isaiah wrote, “The Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation. Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation” (Isaiah 12:2-3 NKJ). David’s prophetic song said, “My soul shall be joyful in the Lord; It shall rejoice in His salvation” (Psalm 35:9 NKJ)

The joy of salvation is celebrated today. Pentecost is here again and the experience of baptism in water and Spirit is available to all. Peter wrote that our faith will be revealed in Jesus Christ and “believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8 NKJ). Be filled with His joy!


Theme passage:
“For God has given us these seasons of joy, days … decreed for us to celebrate and rejoice” (Psalm 81:4 TPT).

LIVE AGAIN!
Terry R. Baughman

“Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14 NKJ).

Eternal. Forever. No end. Never thirst. Jesus gave a promise that there would be no limits to this new covenant. The life He came to give would be an everlasting fountain of living water. It was more than a taste, a cupful, or a temporary stream; He said it would be a fountain forever springing forth. 

This promise must have seemed beyond the scale of imagination. What could possibly be such a fountain, so continual as to never be diminished? Yet, Jesus repeated the promises on other occasions. He said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly,” and, “Whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 10:10; 3:15 NKJ). He assured His followers, “He who believes in Me has everlasting life” (John 6:47 NKJ).
Whoever believes. Anyone. Everyone. There are no exclusions to His promises of eternal life. Anyone can come and follow Him. Everyone has a promise beyond the limitations of this world, everlasting life. 

The Gospel is universal. All can respond and be saved. Peter declared that, “Through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:43). This promise is for all time, everywhere, “For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” (See Acts 2:38-39.)

What a hope we have in this covenant, the New Covenant provided by Jesus through the sacrifice of His blood, “the blood of the everlasting covenant” (Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 13:20 NKJ). The message has been spread around the world. The truth is still being proclaimed and eternal life is still our promise!



Theme passage:
“Soon I will leave this world and they will see me no longer, but you will see me, because I will live again, and you will come alive too. So when that day comes, you will know that I am living in the Father and that you are one with me, for I will be living in you” (John 14:19-20 TPT).