"R" Verse - Rejoice Always, The Power of Philippians 4:4

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

 These powerful words from Philippians 4:4 serve as the foundation for today's special R-verse program — a journey through scripture, music, and personal testimony.

Have you ever had a moment when familiar words suddenly take on entirely new meaning? I share my transformative experience hearing "Irish Tenors" perform the classic hymn "Rejoice, Your Lord is King" during a visit to Missouri. 

This encounter was so moving that I now wear a 100% Irish wool hat (yes, I do love my hats!) as a reminder of how profoundly this musical interpretation affected my understanding of biblical joy.

Together, we explore what it truly means to rejoice regardless of circumstances, just as Paul commanded from his prison cell. We delve into the rich tradition of hymns that many churches have moved away from, but which carry timeless truths worth revisiting. 

The episode culminates in a special bilingual performance honoring our Spanish-speaking family across the American Southwest. Whether you're facing challenges or celebrating victories, this episode reminds us that rejoicing isn't just an emotional response—it's a divine command that transforms our perspective.

 The verse: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice" (Philippians 4:4)
• Connection between rejoicing and wearing a 100% Irish wool hat in honor of inspiring "Irish Tenors"
• Performance of the hymn "Rejoice, Your Lord is King" to help remember the verse
• Discussion of how older hymns contain powerful Niblical truths worth revisiting
• Special bilingual English-Spanish rendition of the hymn for Spanish-speaking listeners

Listen, reflect, and join us in reclaiming the lost art of rejoicing in the Lord always. Then share this message with someone who might need this reminder to look beyond their circumstances and find joy in God's unchanging nature.

Please also visit "Mercer Moments in American History" at our YouTube Channel! We are dedicated to both current events, and major moments in American History that for some reason are now erased, deleted from our textbooks and classrooms.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Mercer Moments in American History, a
special program on Bible version.
But today is the R-verse and thekey word is rejoice.
Let's begin R-verse Rejoice inthe Lord always.
I will say it again Rejoice,philippians 4, verse 4.

(00:21):
Let's repeat it togetherR-verse Rejoice in the Lord
always.
Let's repeat it together.
Our verse Rejoice in the Lordalways.
I will say it again Rejoice,philippians 4, verse 4.
This is a great verse, rejoice,and I want to share with you
personally what made the biggestimpact on me.

(00:45):
When I was in Missouri, I hearda group of Irish tenors sing
this song I'm going to sharewith you right now, and the song
had a whole new meaning to meby the way they performed it,
but I think you may know thissong.
It's in the old hymns.
Churches don't sing it a lotanymore, but they probably
should.
Oh, by the way, I'm wearingIrish green and the hat I'm
wearing today you know I love myhats this is a 100% Irish wool

(01:06):
hat in honor of those four Irishtenors who inspired me.
Rejoice, your Lord is King.
Your Lord and King, adore,rejoice, give thanks and sing
and triumph evermore.

(01:29):
Lift up your voice, lift upyour Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice,
rejoice you Lord, he is king.
Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice you,Lord, he is king.

(02:03):
Well, I hope you enjoyed today'smusic, the background, to help
support the R-verse, to help youremember that verse, but also
to strengthen you as you sharewith other people what the Bible
says when it tells us torejoice R-verse Rejoice in the
Lord, always.
I will say it again RejoicePhilippians 4, verse 4.

(02:26):
Thank you, my friends.
God bless you.
Well, let's sing this greathymn one more time.
But for my Spanish-speakingfamily and friends in Florida,
texas, new Mexico, colorado,arizona, I have a special treat
for you.
At the very end, the very endRejoice, the Lord is King, your

(02:54):
Lord and King, adore, rejoice,give thanks and sing and triumph
evermore.
Lift up your voice, lift upyour voice, your heart and sing.
I say rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, rejoice Our Lord, he is King.

(03:15):
Con cantico del Señor, delSeñor gozaré.