Romans 12:15

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

Have you ever thought about which one of these you do better?
Do you find it easier to rejoice with people when things have gone well with them?
OR
Do you find it easier to weep with those who are hurting?

Maybe you have never even thought about it. I have pondered this verse several times with my life in view of it. I have to say that for me I do both but not consistently. That is that I find myself weeping with those who are hurting but not always. Then there are the times that I can rejoice with someone and again I find that I am not consistent. I was evaluating my life to see if there was a common factor between the two responses and I believe there is. I have found that if I have not been in the Word and have my mind focused on Christ and seeing the world through His lenses then I tend to not be able to empathy or celebration. I see that both of these then can be rooted in Pride. Yes that word and topic yet once again appears on my blog because it is so foundationally opposed to the way of Jesus.

I want to praise God for the work that He has been doing in my life. One of the areas that I was struggling in last year was in the area of jealousy. Specifically in regards to relationships. It can be hard to be around people all the time when they are the ones who are married or getting married or in a relationship headed towards marriage. I have realized that the times that I would be focused on that and allowing it to consume me were the very times that I was not focusing on Jesus and the work that He was trying to bring about in my life. I honestly can say that I can today rejoice with Brian and Emma as I heard the great news of their engagement. Praise God for His work in their lives and the picture of redemption that is displayed in marriage.

On the flip side, weeping with those who weep. I have found that in the past I would be more prone to being what some would call heartless. Granted I believe that the context must be a guide and truly only God and myself know what my heart was thinking. But I find the same to be true about showing empathy towards someone. Even when I can not relate personally to the trial or pain; if I am living life see people the way Jesus sees them then I will be able to honestly comfort and care for them this includes weeping and hurting with them. I believe that this is the heart of God.

Father fill my heart with compassion for the lost and hurting, transform my mind by your word to understand the reality of this life, and give me eyes to see people the way you see them. May your love flow from my heart and my actions. May my words be edifying and uplifting and drenched in the gospel truths. For it is only in through and by Jesus that I am alive.

A humble slave to righteousness

A divided heart renders us usless for Him

This was a poem that I found while reading the journal entries of Jim Elliot.
I believe it came from an old hymnal.
The meditation that has come from reflecting on these thoughts is convicting and inspiring.


Have I an object, Lord, below
Which would divide my heart with Thee?
Which would divert its even flow
In answer to Thy constancy?
O teach me quickly to return
And cause my heart afresh to burn.

Have I a hope, however dear,
Which would defer Thy coming, Lord
Which would detain my spirit here
Where naught can lasting joy afford?
From it, my Savior, set me free
To look and long and wait for Thee.

Be Thou the object bright and fair
To fill and satisfy the heart,
My hope to meet Thee in the air,
And nevermore from Thee to part;
That I may undistracted be
To follow, serve, and wait for Thee.

G.W. Frazer

Am I living for the end?

Phil2:20
"For I have no one like him who is genuinely concerned for your welfare."

Philippians 3

Am I glorying in, am I boasting in, am I proud of things in this world that I should be ashamed of?

Are all the things I think about the things of this earth or are they the things of heaven?

How do I stay focused on eternity?

It is so easy to wake up every day and feel like I am at home here. Rather than being a stranger...that is the reality.

Will I look like an idiot and be a fool for Jesus?

Two questions to ask ourselves

1 What have I done this last week that matters in light of eternity?


2 What have I done this last week that will not matter in eternity?