Saturday, November 7, 2009

TO REJOICE AND TO WEEP


Today is Spiritual Sunday. I've come to truly love this time as it so blesses me to travel around and see what the Lord has layed on the hearts of so many special people. To visit other blogs and gather as many blessings as you can, just click HERE. Thanks to these special ladies Charlotte and Ginger for hosting this event.

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

I came across this verse this week as I have been studying through the book of Romans in my quiet time. I began to think how many times in this last month I have done just that. Both rejoicing with others and weeping with others. This verse tells us very simply to be sensitive to the circumstances and feelings of those around us, living them with them. At first glance, this seems pretty simple. I can do that. Be happy and rejoice when others around me are happy and fortunate and all is going well. And be sad with someone when they are sad, crying with them and offering comfort and support, again, not too tough right? But then I REALLY thought about it and wondered, how easy is it really to be happy for someone whose circumstances and blessings are abundant and seemingly undeserved, when your life might be at that time in your life, depressing, hard, and overwhelming? When you have been unable to have a child, and have just mis-carried for the third time, and someone else has just safely delivered their fourth child? Or when you have just been laid off from a job you've worked at for 10 years, and someone else lands a promotion and a raise? You are facing eviction or are even homeless, and someone else has just been blessed with a large, wonderful new home? Or how about you suffer from a chronic illness and are forced to live your life homebound most of the time and you watch others going about their lives without much thought or appreciation to what they have? I think maybe most of us would think we are safe from conviction here understanding how someone in one of these situations may not want to rejoice with us. But sometimes it can be something a lot less obvious and dramatic as well, something we all are a lot more likely to feel. Like, everything you think about eating turns into unwanted pounds, and someone else is able to eat everything in sight and still zip up their size 8 jeans? Or someone has just completely refurnished their entire family room for the third time, and their old discarded furniture would be a GIANT improvement in yours? Your neighbors brand new car sitting in the driveway is a sad reminder that yours will have to make do for a LONG time yet. I am sure by now you get my point... I think if we are being honest, many of us might find ourselves battling our old natures many times, which could cause us to be jealous, angry and even bitter over another's blessings in many of these situations

2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

It is so much easier to be happy for someone else when all is well with you. But it can be much more difficult to accomplish in those moments when God has allowed a particular set of circumstances in our lives that are both difficult and overwhelming. Even if it is for our ultimate good, or to bring about a desired result. Even if sometimes it might just be so that we might be able to minister to another weary soul who travels a similar road behind us someday.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

In order to live our lives pleasing to Him, we must be living our lives as He would have us, and rejoice in our circumstances, whatever those might be..

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS, and again I say, Rejoice.

Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks ALWAYS for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.


To remember our purpose and our mission here on this earth. The only way to accomplish this is to be filled daily with the Holy Spirit, giving our hearts and minds over to Him. Allowing Him to fill us with His love and His power and might. To REALLY know our lives are in His hands and He will bless us in His perfect timing. To understand deep within our hearts that the Lord always has our ultimate good on His heart. That there are seasons and times for everything for everyone. To love with His heart His people around us.

Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you..

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.


Ecc 3:1 To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:

1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

I don't know about all of you, but this battle of the old man for me is a tough one..It rears it's ugly head every single day, many, many times...I am grateful for the Holy Spirit who is still GREATLY at work in me..and with His help and in His strength I WILL rejoice, with those who rejoice...and sadly, weep with those who weep...

34 comments:

  1. Hi Debbie! What a wonderful post, gal. I think you're right and that we all struggle with these kind of things from time to time. Contentment in undesirable circumstances is impossible without God. I, too am so thankful for His wisdom and that He knows better than I do what I need and what will help make me more like Him. Not an easy process for sure, but definitely one that I desire!! To be made more like Him...a journey that can't be made apart from Him and the Spirit's leading.

    I have been so busy, but things are settling down. Sure do take great delight in visiting you! SOOOO glad we've met!!

    Have a joyful Sunday, my friend!
    Love,
    Becky

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wonderful post with so many good verses to teach us.
    God bless.

    ReplyDelete
  3. You have shared a lot of insight in this post. I'm so thankful for the Holy Spirit who helps us in every situation. Thank you for sharing these thoughts and for the beautiful music. I know my Redeemer Lives.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

    ReplyDelete
  4. Debbie, your post today is filled with so much truth about our sin nature, how we have a daily struggle with so many issues in life. Yet we have a Redeemer that lifts us out of the deep mirey clay, and sets our feet on solid ground once again. He is the reason I can sing, and can get up in the morning and face a new day. Thanks so much for sharing from your own experiences that are so much like our own...and to remind us of our need for the great salvation that comes from the Cross of Jesus, our Savior. In all circumstances, in all adversity, we are held in His wonderful arms.
    Rejoicing with you,
    Mary

    ReplyDelete
  5. These are scriptures that I have read often, along with lots of prayers. I can finally say that I'm content, I have learned the hard way that more, bigger and newer does not mean better. This is such an important post, I wish that some people I know could read this, it's a hard subject, we need to be honest with ourselves.
    Thank-you for sharing this today.

    God Bless,
    Ginger

    ReplyDelete
  6. Debbie,

    this is soo very true....I pray that we can honestly rejoice with those and/or mourn with those who are hurting NO MATTER our circumstances!

    May we seek the Holy Spirit each and every day! I know especially in believers it is important but I believe even more so with unbelievers because they are always watching to see our response!

    Bless you my friend....I love your sweet heart

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a treat to visit your beautiful blog this morning. Your layout is gorgeous and I loved the song My Redeemer Lives. Thank you for the scriptures and insights and for stopping by my blog today! God bless you.

    ReplyDelete
  8. It is a struggle not to be jealous of what others have! Great post and a great reminder, thank you! Enjoy your Sunday!

    ReplyDelete
  9. It's a tough battle for me too, Debbie.

    ReplyDelete
  10. You're right on that...My contenment started only when the Lord found me. I always believe in "actions speak louder than words". It's so easy to say things but the attitude of the heart might not be. But by His grace, yes, we can rejoice with the ones rejoicing and cry with those who are sad. I loved the way you arranged the Scriptures in such a way that it led to His truth. The only way we can overcome our worldly ways is only by the filling of His Spirit. To God be the glory! Blessings to you. Have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment.

    I too am so grateful that, though I was once lost in transgressions and sin, God was rich in mercy and grace. He drew me out of my pit of sin, redeemed me from the marketplace of sin, ransomed me, reconciled me, and restored me-placing me in the body of Christ, seated me in Him in the heavenly places, and sealed my eternal destination in heaven with Him and all the redeemed forever and ever.

    I once was BLIND but now I SEE. AMEN!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow, Debbie. These words have certainly struck a chord! I SO want to be happy and bless others for their good fortune without instinctively making a comparison to my (seeming) lack. Better to give thanks for what we DO have, and trust Him every day.

    Thank you for this important reminder!

    Myra

    ReplyDelete
  13. Debbie, I don't have the words to tell you how good this is!!! Thank you for this post. Your thoughts will help all of us. "I Know My Redeemer Lives" is one of my favorites.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Reading your post reminded me of a situation with my SIL many years ago. She and my BIL had been try to conceive for quite some time but were unsuccessful. Shortly after my husband and I got married, I became pregnant with our daughter. We hadn't even been trying; it just happened. Anyway, I was nervous about telling my SIL, because I didn't want her to feel discouraged by our news. When I finally got up the courage to tell her, she completely blew me away! She stopped the conversation, started praying and praising God. I will never forget that, and thinking about it now brings tears to my eyes.

    Jane

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love your music, it's such a treat! Thank you too for the honest words and scripture.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great truth here! I like this quote: "It is so much easier to be happy for someone else when all is well with you." I once heard a preacher say, "It is easier to mourn with those who mourn than to rejoice with those who rejoice, esp if things aren't going so well with us." I think that is true, but as you point out, God calls for us to do both. Good post.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I think the secret is learning to be grateful for the daily blessings in our lives. Even when things aren't the greatest, they could always be so much worse.

    Thanks for your inspirational words today.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I am so glad you stumbled across my blog yesterday. I so enjoyed these past minutes I've had to read through your blog...your "about me" which included so many of the same things I enjoy..and looking at those adorable grandbaby pictures!! Your posts are so encouraging and as enjoyable as a chat with a friend.

    I will certainly be back - I hope that your Sunday was a truly blessed Lord's day!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. It is opposite our nature to be "others centered" and not self, so this is a good reminder for us today. A high calling for sure!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Excellent post! Thanks for this reminder to do what God wants us to do even when it is difficult. I love all the verses you quoted. I posted a poem that I wrote about being content, "Complete in Christ" at http://bornagainandblessed.blogspot.com/2009/08/complete-in-christ.html .

    Thanks, Debbie, for visiting my blog today. Have a blessed week in the Lord!

    ReplyDelete
  21. It is a struggle but I am thankful I have God on my side, helping me along the way!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Debbie... you are right, it is a tough battle! One I want to win, though. I want to be able to rejoice with others regardless of where my life is at the moment. I want that Christ-like joy.

    Thanks for such a great post!

    ReplyDelete
  23. A beautiful post, with wonderful scripture verses ~

    ReplyDelete
  24. I have found that the more I get to REALLY know someone the more I see that they are going through trials and areas of sufferings; they may have different ones than mine. I have not had too much problems in the area of envying someone because when you really get to know them personally you see they have their troubles too. We live in a very broken world. I am so glad that the future for us will be a restoration of this earth and all that is broken.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi Debbie,
    As always you have given me so much food for thought, and challenged me as well. Thank you for sharing.

    I am so happy to tell you that you are one of the winners in my giveaway, if you will notify me I will be so happy to send your gifts,
    Blessings,
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hey Debbie,

    I've seen you visiting many of the same sites as me and wanted to stop by and meet you!

    Love you site and so blessed by this post. Yes, oh yes, thank the Lord for the precious Holy Spirit filling us daily to live a life pleasing to Him! Praise the Lord!!

    Hope to have you stop by for a visit sometime!

    Sweet Blessings!
    Jackie

    ReplyDelete
  27. This is a post that hits home with us living here in affluent America where we are very apt to compare ourselves to others . In my asking of those guestions or considering the thoughts that you have brought up. I have to say that we are more than we things that we possess . I think of families in the Philipines that live on garbage heaps, they live there & make their living there in the worst of circumstances .I have come to the conclusion that I am no more now than what I would be living on a garbage heap . In other words I am no more than my response to the worst thing God has for me , because there my true state before Jesus would be revealed . Do I really love him , do I really desire him ?or only the good things& circumstances he has given me. ?
    Have a Blessed Week,
    ~Myrna

    ReplyDelete
  28. A very good post. It is so difficult to be truly happy for others when our lives are difficult. Very thought provoking.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hey my friend you are a winner over at Sue's blog
    A beautiful pear tree lane :)

    Congrats!!!

    Bless you :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hi Debbie,
    It was so nice to meet you tonight at Kristi's!! And your sister as well. I hope to get to see you again soon.
    Hugs,
    Kris

    ReplyDelete
  31. What wonderful promises you have shared here on this post! I came by to thank you for the birthday wishes on my blog and as I visited and read over your scriptures, your music played "My Redeemer lives" and what a blessing to know that no matter how old I get or what life brings me ... My Redeemer indeed lives! -blessings my friend.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Such great points and scripture in this post! You are right, the only way we can do it is by relying on Him!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Greetings Debbie, I just stopped by after reading about you on Sue's post and her give away. So glad I did-we have much in common and I am a native Californian transplanted to Colorado. I plan to follow you and check your posts because I love your heart for the Lord.
    Blessings, Noreen

    ReplyDelete

I am so glad that you would take the time to comment on my thoughts and feelings, it is such a blessing to me!