Rejoice Like Nobody's Watching!

"The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the NAME."
Acts 5:41

Today, being Monday, the first busy day of your week, we pray that you get your 'JOY' ON and praise the LORD with us, the whole week long!

"The apostles left the Sanhedrin..."  In Acts Chapter five the apostles had been out among the people performing many miraculous signs and wonders, Peter's shadow healed people as he passed by them, every sick and demon possessed person that was brought to the apostles was healed.  

The high priest and the Sadducees filled with jealousy had the apostles arrested, an angel of the LORD opened the prison doors, and instructed the apostles to stand in the temple courts and preach the full message of this new life.  

The High Priest and the members of the Sanhedrin found the jail cells empty.  The apostles were in the temple courts at daybreak teaching the people.  The apostles were rearrested and brought them before the Sanhedrin for questioning by the High Priest.  The apostles were reminded that they had been given strict orders not to teach in 'this' NAME.

Peter who had become quite bold for the LORD uttered his now famous words; "We must obey GOD rather than men!"  Peter went on preaching before the highest court in all of Israel until he and the other apostles were flogged and ordered again not to speak in the Name of JESUS, and they were let go.

"rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the NAME." The word rejoicing used here is not the concept of the apostles smiling and hugging one another with a bunch of male bonding going on.  According to Bible's definition of rejoicing, the apostles were jumping, running and shouting praise to the LORD thanking HIM for counting them worthy of suffering disgrace, by being flogged, for HIM!

I had a friend who years ago agreed in prayer with me for a van to drive my large family around in.  Serving my Church full time, attending Seminary and painting apartments in the early hours of the morning to bring in money for formula and diapers for my five babies. 

When the LORD provided the van we were praying for, I drove the van to show my friend what the LORD had done.  What happened next was a bit embarrassing to me.  My friend must have secretly been a descendant of the apostles that know how to rejoice.  He began to jump and run around shouting praise to JESUS for HIS faithfulness to answer prayer.  From his front yard his rejoicing stopped all traffic in both directions.  I looked at the shocked faces of the drivers of the stopped cars as they listened and watched this man of GOD rejoice without shame.  A moment later I joined in with him in this dance of 'JOY' and learned the biblical definition of rejoicing.

Find time each day to rejoice before the LORD who has counted you worthy of HIS free gift of Eternal Life in JESUS Name.  Today and everyday, live your life in the 'JOY' of the LORD!