Rejoicing and Weeping with Others..Craig Denison Ministries

 Rejoicing and Weeping with Others

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

This week we’re going to take a look at seven principles found in Romans 12 that describe the marks of a true Christian. The intent of studying this passage is not to condemn or lead you to comparison. Instead, let Paul’s teaching fill you with a deep, transformative longing to wholeheartedly pursue the life God intends for you. Ask God to help you see yourself as he sees you, to see the grace he’s placed upon your life by the blood of Jesus so that you might walk more fully in the power and anointing of the Spirit. Open your heart to God, and let him do a mighty work in you. He is near to you, ready to mold and shape you into a disciple filled with and fueled by his incredible love. May you discover God’s grace and perspective this week as you examine your life in light of this powerful passage of Scripture.

Scripture:“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15

Devotional:  

Have you ever experienced love and compassion from someone right when you needed it? Have you laughed or rejoiced with friends or family when you wanted to celebrate something great? Or, have you ever had a friend cry with you in a time of great trial and grief? In Romans 12:15, God commands us, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus because his heart is filled with compassion for people. David exemplifies this truth in Psalm 30:11 when he says, “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness.” Let’s spend time today encountering God’s heart of mercy for his people and learn how we can better share the love we’ve been shown with others.

As children of God, we are called to community. We are called to step away from the path of selfish ambition and sacrifice our lives for others the way Jesus has for us. Often this sacrificial life requires simply being there for those God has placed in our lives in whatever capacity they need. Colossians 3:12-13 says, “Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” God calls us to clothe ourselves with his heart. He asks us to be ambassadors for him by sharing his love with others. Philippians 2:3 says, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Jesus counted our redemption more important than his own life and “humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:8). And he asks us to be like him.

So, how can you and I live our lives like Jesus? How can we better “rejoice with those who rejoice [and] weep with those who weep?” It all starts with encountering the heart of God ourselves. Only in seeing the incredible compassion and love God has for you will you be able to have his heart for others.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” We’re meant to love others out of the overflow of God’s love for us. He doesn’t ask you to have compassion and mercy in your own strength. He knows those are gifts that come from the Spirit working in our lives. You and I can do nothing in and of ourselves. To truly share God’s heart we need God’s help, and that starts with simply spending time encountering God for who he is.

After being filled with the love of God, you must choose to humble yourself before others and step outside of your comfort zone to bless someone. Humility requires strength, courage, and the help of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit will always help you share God’s love for someone. Follow his leading, ask him for his heart for people around you, and follow through with courage in love. If you will make it your goal to see God’s heart proclaimed through your life, you will experience more joy and purpose than you can imagine. Being a person who gives their own life for the sake of others will fill you with more peace and passion than living for yourself could ever produce. Spend time encountering God’s heart today, and walk in obedience to his command: “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” If you do so, you will find yourself filled with the knowledge of God’s love today and satisfied in knowing you proclaimed God’s love through your life.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on God’s love for you. Ask God to show you how he feels about you in this very  moment.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

2. Now ask for God’s heart for someone else today. Who needs you to rejoice with them? Who needs you to weep with them?

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” John 13:34

3. Right now in your own heart, humble yourself before the person that God has shown you. Choose in your own heart to count them as more significant than yourself. And commit to share God's love with them in whatever way the Spirit leads you.

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3

“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” Colossians 3:12-13

Choose to love people today in whatever situation you find yourself. Whether you’re driving, having a conversation, working, or just relaxing with someone, you can always count others as more significant than yourself. You can always show others God’s love. And the more you encounter God’s heart for yourself, the more natural sharing his love with others will become. Share in the joy of co-laboring with God to see his kingdom, founded on love, come to earth today. There is no better life we can live than one spent working with our heavenly Father.

Extended Reading: 2 Corinthians 1

Surrendering Our “Why” Questions..LYSA TERKEURST

 Surrendering Our “Why” Questions

LYSA TERKEURST 

“‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.’” John 9:3 (NIV) 

Have you ever found yourself asking God: Why would You allow this to happen?

I certainly have.

For the last couple of years of my life, I’ve had to face one hardship after another. At many points I’ve wondered how I would make it through. It’s hard to feel confident in the goodness of God when circumstances don’t feel good at all.

We’re often left thinking that if we could just figure out the “why,” then life would make more sense. Especially in the face of pain or suffering.

This is where we find the disciples in the ninth chapter of the book of John — holding out the question of why. Jesus and His disciples had come across a man who’d been blind from birth. It was an encounter that left the disciples asking Jesus, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:2, NIV).

The disciples were looking for someone to blame for this unfortunate situation. If they could only figure out the reason why, then this man’s hurt would be more tolerable, they reasoned.

Being blind in Jesus’ time was often interpreted as a statement about the sin in one’s life. So people who were blind probably didn’t have a whole lot of help from others. Others assumed they were sinners whom God was punishing. But Jesus turned this thinking on its head when He declared the words of our key verse to His disciples:

“‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him’” (John 9:3).

The reason this man was blind was so others could see the amazing power of God. Jesus’ healing of his physical blindness would lead others to spiritual sight. (John 9:6-8) It would shine a light on the One who declared He had come to be the Light of the world.

Sadly, not all who witnessed this man’s healing were open to Jesus’ Truth. In fact, it stirred up a whole mess with the Pharisees — a group of men whose lives prove we don’t have to be physically blind to see only darkness. (John 9:13-41)

The Pharisees knew all about the prophesied Messiah. But when Jesus came on the scene, they couldn’t see He was the One. They knew all the right answers but didn’t make the right choice.

Oh, how this makes my heart pause. What do I want most? What do I need most? Answers … or Jesus?

As much as I want answers for those things that break my heart, what I want and need more is spiritual sight. I want to approach a situation that might look hopeless and see the spiritual potential. I want to read the Bible and see clearly what God wants to say. I want to know how to react to situations in a way that honors Christ.

I’m guessing these are things you want too. So how do we get this kind of spiritual sight?

We ask God for it. And sometimes that means surrendering our “whys” and instead choosing to ask, Will You help me see You, Lord? Even in this? He is the One who can illuminate the dark places for us. His presence alone has the power to bring us peace in the midst of our unanswered questions.

Today, let’s be careful not to get stuck in our “whys.” Let’s not allow them to leave us blind to His presence, blind to His goodness, blind to His power, blind to the hope we have in Him. Let’s not be like the Pharisees — people who could physically see but were blind to the Savior standing right in front of them.

I know this isn’t easy. Trust me. I’ve begged God to give me answers … but I’m realizing instead of answers, He’s given me Himself. A way to come straight to Him, the One who already has it all figured out. The One who reminds me I don’t have to have His answers to have His comfort.

Father God, I might not have all the answers to my struggles, but I’m seeing more hope than ever. Jesus is my light. And because of Him, even my darkest nights aren’t so daunting and confusing. Thank You for reminding me that this day holds Your presence, Your blessings and Your comfort. Give me eyes to see You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Acquiring Wisdom..Dr. Charles Stanley

 Acquiring Wisdom

Dr. Charles Stanley

Proverbs 4:20-27

The most obvious source of godly wisdom is the Bible. You cannot think of a question or life circumstance about which God’s Word is silent. His principles for right character, conduct, and conversation apply to every situation and decision confronting human beings.

We’re all able to recall times when we didn’t respond wisely. Those incidents can be traced back to one of two possibilities—either we didn’t know a certain biblical principle or we knew the principle that applied but chose to ignore or violate it. To ensure that we’ are familiar with God’s standards and the importance of following them, we’ve got to dig into His Word.

For example, suppose that you walk into the office and a coworker verbally assaults you with undeserved blame for a costly mistake. Your flesh and the world would have you respond in kind with anger and malice. But Luke 6:27-29 offers a different approach, that might go something like this: “Is there anything else? Thank you for telling me how you feel” (spoken gently). 

Knowledge comes from learning biblical principles; wisdom has to do with applying them. The Lord cautions us to keep His Word in our heart and in our heads so that we will heed His instructions (Ps. 119:11; Prov. 8:33).

Wisdom is acquired as we pursue the Christian life—absorbing Scripture, doing what it says, and observing the result, which is for our good even when consequences appear less than favorable. Special classes aren’t required; God simply wants obedient hearts and a willing spirit.

The Length of Our Days..Meg Bucher

 The Length of Our Days

By Meg Bucher

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.” - Deuteronomy 30:19-20 ESV

He is your life and length of days. Faith in this fact has gotten me through many hard days. Days which felt heartbreakingly lonely, and long. Sometimes pointless. Confusing and unfair. What I knew about God - what we know about God - in the hard parts of life, makes all the difference. “To choose life is to choose God himself,” the ESV Global Study Bible explains, “It is to trust in God’s grace and the changes he makes in a person’s heart.” When we choose to believe God for who He is, then we believe who we are in Christ. We are able to see through His eyes, life- though some days are painful and hard- is filled with joy.

Concentrate on God.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” - Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV

God does want us to live our lives in fear and confusion. Clarity is found in Christ, alone. Through Him, we begin to see why the world is the way it is. Why life is painful and unfair in some ways and wonderful and fun in others. Sometimes, at the same time! “It is the LORD who goes before you,” Deuteronomy repeats, “He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” (Deut. 31:8 ESV) Life can be scary, and confusing! But we get to walk in the clarity and confidence of Christ Jesus.

God knew His people would be prone to wander away from Him, so He made a way through Christ Jesus for us to be with Him always. His Word, written our hearts. His Holy Spirit, living in us. Paul wrote to the Philippians: 

“What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me- practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:9 ESV)

Paul knew God. He knew Jesus. He knew the Holy Spirt. His confidence and insight were rooted in who God is, not in his circumstances or abilities. He trusted God to move right where he was at, and God did. God isn’t surprised by our daily circumstances. He prepares us for them, and is with us in them.

Intersecting Faith and Life:

“Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.” - 1 Timothy 4:15 ESV

Confidence comes from our surrender to God, daily. Control belongs in His capable hands. As we draw closer to God, the change is visible. His effect on our lives effects others around us. None of it is coincidence. He is the life and length of our days. His will for our lives is good, purposeful, and meant to bring glory to Him! He wants to be with us, for all of our days. Paul wrote:

“For I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,” - Philippians 1:19 ESV

If Paul could trust God from jail, we can trust God with our deliverance. Jesus died so we would live the length of our days to the full, and the key in doing so is to come close to God. Prayerfully, through the movement of the Holy Spirit, we can choose never to be parted from Him.

Further Reading: 

• 2 Corinthians 1:11
• 1 Corinthians 9:17
• Luke 21:13
• 1 Thessalonians 4:1

Can You Miss God’s Will?..Stephen Altrogge

 Can You Miss God’s Will?

By Stephen Altrogge

The fear of missing God’s will is enough to paralyze any Christian. But here’s the question: can a Christian miss the will of God for their life? Could you somehow go your entire life being outside of God’s good plan for you? It seems that the Bible teaches that, yes, you can miss God’s will. It also teaches that no, you can’t miss God’s will.

You Can Miss God’s Will If…

The way to miss God’s will is really simple: ignore the Bible. In the Bible God has told us exactly what we should do when it comes to making decisions.

First, we should determine if our decision goes against anything clearly spelled out in the Bible. The Bible is clear that fellowship with other believers is necessary for our Christian growth. If taking a job will cut you off from fellowship with others, it’s not God’s will for you to take the job.

Second, we should ask God to give us wisdom. James 1:5–6 says: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting…” Getting wisdom from God isn’t a mystical, super-spiritual experience. It means asking God to help us think clearly and biblically about the decision in front of us. When we ask for wisdom we should believe God is going to give it to us. God isn’t trying to hide his good will from us. He wants to help us understand the right way to walk.

Third, we should ask the opinion of others. Proverbs 15:22 says, “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.” This is so gloriously simple. Finding God’s will for your life is as simple as asking the opinion of other, godly Christians. Lay the situation out before them, and then let God speak to you through their counsel.

You Can’t Miss God’s Will If…

If we heed the counsel of scripture, we won’t miss God’s will. God isn’t hiding his will, or trying to trick us into making a bad decision. If we evaluate our decision by scripture, ask for wisdom, and then ask the opinion of others, we are doing what God requires of us. He promises to guide us through that process.

We don’t need to seek a subjective, mystical, spiritual feeling when it comes to decision making. Don’t get me wrong; sometimes God gives us peace about a decision, and that’s a blessing. But that’s not always the case. Sometimes we might not feel one way or another about a decision. In general, feelings are a very bad barometer of the truth. A feeling of peace can come from God, but it can also come from a lot of other things, like a glass of wine or a good nap. Plus, what exactly constitutes the “right” feeling when it comes to a decision? Is it peace? Or maybe joy? Or a sense of rightness?

The Bible doesn’t tell us what we’re supposed to feel about our decisions. Instead, it tells us how to make biblical, God-honoring decisions. So, if you have a big decision to make, don’t freak out. Instead, go to the Word, ask for wisdom, and get others involved.

A Prayer for Endurance..Megan Evans

A Prayer for Endurance
By Megan Evans

“And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” - James 1:4 CSB

Rarely do we seek out opportunities to practice endurance. After all, who enjoys persevering or holding up under challenging circumstances? In fact, our human default might just be to run from or avoid these situations all together. We much prefer easy and unproblematic scenarios. However, James 1:4 reminds us that God wastes nothing and uses even times of trials and suffering to bless us. If you are struggling to make it through another difficult day, don’t give up! God has not forgotten you.

Is there a demanding situation that has left you out of breath today? Instead, maybe you find yourself sighing in the weariness of waiting and watching for movement. God is still with you! He is with us, both in the crashing storm and the desert day, and this frees us to release all control back to our Heavenly Father.

When we let go of control, we become moldable. What a difference it makes when we trust God and surrender our situations to Him. In this verse we are told to “let” endurance have its full effect. Yet, how many times have we done the opposite?

Letting God work in our hearts is the opposite of resisting and rejecting this process. Instead of getting mad at our problems, what if we leaned into Jesus in the midst? Perhaps this is what it means to consider it joy when we experience various trials (James 1:1). Because when we consider our Mighty Savior, we can’t help but experience His peace and hope. And when we experience trials with our Mighty Savior, we can’t help but stand in His power. We don’t have to love our situation, but loving God in the midst points us to praise. 

We humans want answers given, problems solved, and pain ended—and that’s not a bad thing, but sometimes these take time (and we don’t like the waiting). We all experience trials, and sometimes for reasons and lengths of time we may never fully understand this side of heaven. Prayer, therefore, is essential to endurance because it allows the peace of God to surpass our understanding and for our hearts and minds to be protected in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

Endurance involves time and process. It is hard work, but good work, if in Christ we let it have full effect. It is producing in us faith and character that withstand the wear and tear of life. There isn’t a quick fix or alternate route to get from point A to point B in these matters. We can’t go around it or skip steps, we must simply persevere our way through it. However, when we let God work in our hearts along the way, we don’t arrive at point B the same person we were at point A. We will arrive changed. With our faith strengthened, we arrive perhaps looking a little more like Jesus.  

God wants to make us mature and complete, lacking nothing. He wants to grow and shape us to be like His Son. He loves us so much that He doesn’t want us to settle for immaturity or incompleteness. Jesus says in John 16:33, “…You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have overcome the world!” (CSB). Thanks be to God that while I don’t always understand the method, I can trust the end result in Christ. We can endure all things because Jesus has overcome all things!

Let’s Pray:

Father God, you know my heart today and how I am struggling to endure one more moment of this adversity. It feels hard to believe you have good in store for me, but I trust that you are working all things for my good and your glory. Strengthen me today.

Grow and mature me so that I lack nothing in my faith. Help me persevere. Bathe me in your love and peace when the suffering, waiting, and lack of control is hard to endure. Remind me often that You, Jesus, have already overcome the world, including this struggle of mine. I don’t want to resist or reject your work any longer. Flood my heart today with trust and peace as I lean in and let you work in my life through this situation.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Easter Words of Forgiveness.. PowerPoint Ministries / Dr. Jack Graham

 

Easter Words of Forgiveness

PowerPoint Ministries / Dr. Jack Graham

Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."
--Luke 23:34

As we all know, words are powerful… especially dying words. And as we near Easter Sunday, it's important that each of us remembers just exactly what Jesus had to say right before His earthly life ended.

One of the last things Jesus said while hanging from the cross were words of forgiveness.

Today I want to ask you, if Christ could pray a prayer of forgiveness for those who were putting Him to death, can you pray a prayer of forgiveness for those in your life who mistreat you?

Despite what you may be going through today, can you look past your own "junk" and extend forgiveness to others?

Jesus' dying words on the cross are a powerful example of how you and I ought to treat those who mistreat us. Are you willing to follow His perfect example in every area of your life today? Will you extend forgiveness to those who don't deserve it?

I challenge you to pick up your cross today… and live out the life of forgiveness Christ has given you! 

CAN YOU FOLLOW CHRIST'S EXAMPLE AND FORGIVE THOSE WHO MISTREAT YOU?