January, 2020 - The StarLight News Daily On Line Edition - Day 31

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU'RE SUFFERING

[Paul and Barnabas were] strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God."  Acts 14:22

Who can't relate to some form of suffering?  Whether it is:

    a broken heart from rejection. 

    financial disaster from a job loss. 

    physical problems from sickness, disease or injury. 

    deep and lasting hurt from abuse or divorce or the death of a loved one.

we have all experienced suffering in our lives.  

Paul, the great man of God, had more than his fair share of suffering.  He was stoned, beaten, shipwrecked, lied to, lied about, and eventually beheaded for his faith in Christ (see 2 Cor. 11:24-30).  One day, after being stoned and left for dead, God raised him up to preach yet again.  He encouraged the disciples to keep walking with Jesus saying, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God."  Acts 14:22 

What do you do when suffering touches down like a tornado and rocks your world?  

1.  Recognize that suffering is part of life.  Suffering does not necessarily mean you have done something wrong and are being punished as a result.  Paul suffered for doing what was right, not what was wrong.  Our Lord Jesus Christ suffered greatly on earth.  Isaiah tells us that Jesus was "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" (Is. 53:3).  If Jesus did not escape suffering, why should we believe we will?  

2.  Realize that God has a plan in suffering.  The Lord uses suffering to get us to depend upon Him more.  We all have a great tendency to forget God when times are good. but we cry out to Him when times are bad.  God allows the suffering to show us how much we really do need Him.  Jesus said, "Apart from Me you can do nothing" (Jn. 15:5).        

3.  Accept the suffering as an opportunity for Christ to shine through you!  In addition to all of Paul's external issues, he also had a physical issue. a thorn in the flesh that bothered him greatly.  He asked the Lord three times to take it away.  Hear what the Lord said to him about it: 

"My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9).  

Paul went on to say, "Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Cor. 12:10).  

You and I need to remember that weakness and suffering bring humility and dependence, the precise conditions for Christ to really shine through our lives.

Are you suffering today?  His grace IS sufficient in your suffering. and He wants to use it for good.  You will never shine more brightly for Christ than when you experience hardships with a joy and a peace that passes understanding.  That gets people's attention faster than anything and helps them see the reality of Jesus Christ in your life!  

ONE LAST STORY

I heard about a young husband and wife who came to Christ.  They were asked how it happened.  "Well," they said, "our neighbors, Tim and Julie are Christians.  Tim lost his job a year ago due to cutbacks.  We knew things are very hard for them, yet they hadn't lost their joy, their peace, and their confidence that God would take care of them.  We saw through their hardship, a power that we did not have. and we asked them how we could have what they had."    

Allow God to use your suffering for good.  Paul's greatest river of God's power came through his suffering, his thorn in the flesh.  The same can be true of you.

Love, 

Pastor Jeff Schreve,

From His Heart Ministries

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January, 2020 - The StarLight News Daily On Line Edition - Day 30

The Attitude of Christ 

by Gary Chapman 

When [Jesus] saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. —Matthew 9:36 

A young businessman named Michael told me that he never realized how unkind he could be until he asked God to show him. "Each night for a week I prayed for God to make me aware of ways I was being unkind. That was a prayer that he answered. It didn't take long for me to see how I needed to change my words and actions. 

"Recently I tried to help a colleague who was going through a crisis. In the middle of our conversation, he said, ‘I think I might need to go to church with you. I think I need some spiritual help.' I don't remember ever discussing spiritual things with him, but I had tried to treat him with kindness. After he went to church with me, we talked about the life of Jesus and his purposes for us. Within three months, he became a transformed Christian. He had responded to God's love, and his life was in the process of changing." 

Michael learned how to see people as individuals, created in the image of God, each gifted by God to play a particular role in life, and capable of having a love relationship with God. He had developed the attitude of Christ. As Michael realized, the world is filled with people who are like sheep without a shepherd. We are called to share the love of God—and as we do, we see how powerful kindness can be. 

Action Step 

At the end of each day for the next week, ask God to show you ways you were unkind that day. Make a commitment to show kindness no matter how frustrating things get during the day. And if you realize you have hurt someone, apologize to that person.

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January, 2020 - The StarLight News Daily On Line Edition - Day 29

Jesus Is the Only Way to God 

By Lynette Kittle 

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” – John 14:6 

Are you being tolerant of other’s beliefs to the point of saying nothing? Not even sharing your testimony because you don’t want to offend anyone? Is the message of “tolerance” keeping you quiet? 

If so, you may want to consider who is influencing your decision to remain silent. A well-known biblical teacher recently quoted the phrase, “Preach the Gospel, and if necessary, use words.” 

But Scripture states the importance of using words, as Romans 10:17 explains, “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” Words are essential to use in leading individuals to Salvation. 1 Peter 1:23 emphasizes it stating, “For you have been born again, not of perishable see, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.” 

Shutting up is the last thing Christians should be doing because if there are no words, there is no faith that comes from hearing, and consequently leads to no salvations. 

Romans 10:14, explains the importance of speaking out, “How, then, can they call on the One they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” 

However, cultural pressure is pushing Christians to keep silent on the most important life-and-death issue to ever face mankind. As Acts 4:12 stresses, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” 

If you’re waiting until you “feel” like it, take into consideration 1 Timothy 4:2’s urging to “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” 

Instead of keeping quite, contemplate the eternal consequences of keeping tight lips when it comes to sharing the Gospel because Scripture assures, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). 

If you need motivation, think of how God is able to save completely those who come to Him through Jesus (Hebrews 7:25). 

Like the blind man healed by Jesus asked, “Who is He sir? Tell me so that I may believe” (John 9:36), ask God to help you tell the Gospel to those around you, so they may believe, too.

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January, 2020 - The StarLight News Daily On Line Edition - Day 28

The All-Seeing One 

by Cecil Murphey 

"Okay, God, what do I do now? How do I handle this situation?" 

Most of us have asked these and similar questions countless times in prayer. Questions like these usually imply we're ready to do something as soon as the All-Seeing One directs. We want to take action. 

Sometimes, however, we don't need to do anything; we simply need to see the situation differently. In recent days, the word see has become operative in my prayers to God for help. 

For example, suppose I'm aware of a number of problems among my friends. Phil and his son are at odds; unless something happens, Marie and Jim will end up in divorce court; a man I care about very much has started to drink and I suspect it's taking over his life. As I have become aware of these and other situations, my natural inclination is to do something. I want to fix things. 

Yet the Bible shows me that Jesus didn't rush to the rescue. When he heard that his friend Lazarus was sick, he didn't set off for Bethany. He waited until it was God's time for him to go (John 11). He refused to act despite the voices around him that cried, "Do something." 

When we pray, "Show me what to do," it implies that we believe God wants us to do something. Instead, God may want us to hear the words, "Be quiet. Do nothing." 

I don't find it easy to hear the voice that stops me from jumping into action, but I've developed a way to approach God in perplexing situations. I offer my prayer to the All-Seeing One who knows the end from the beginning. I say, "Let me see this situation from the right perspective." When I—or any of us—pray these words, we are opening ourselves to hear God's marching orders—or stopping orders. 

It isn't always easy, but we can learn to ask God to allow us to see the situation and show us where or how we fit into the solution—that is, if we do fit in at all. Maybe the All-Seeing One doesn't want us actively involved. As we ask God to open that all-seeing vision to us, we may become aware that we're to do nothing. When this happens, we can pray for those involved to come up with a solution. 

For instance, how many times do we see things that we're convinced need to be changed at church? Some of us, with our limited view of the entire church program, could come up with a list of twenty things to make a healthier, happier church. Maybe our ideas are good—even brilliant—but our involvement may not be the mandate of the All-Seeing One. 

Praying to the All-Seeing God can be extremely liberating. We realize that we don't have to put out every fire or be the rescuer in every situation. It reminds us that God-Who-Sees-All will direct us: when to take action, when to remove our hands, and when to pray for others to intervene. 

I recall how this worked for me in one situation with a business associate. A problem had risen that did not involve me directly. However, I was sure I knew the solution, and decided to write him a letter. Ordinarily, I would have prayed, "God, show me what to write. Direct my words." I wanted to straighten out the other person involved; I believed that unless I did something, the situation wouldn't work out. Everything hinged on my actions. 

I started to write the letter but then stopped. I was taking action before I heard God speak. I stopped, turned away from my computer, and prayed. "All-Seeing One, help me see what to do in this situation. Where do I fit into it?" 

I waited for God to give me some glorious ideas to zap out on my computer. I heard nothing. No words came. I continued to wait. Within a few minutes, I knew the answer: It wasn't my problem to resolve. The other person hadn't asked me to solve it anyway. 

Such incidents help me realize I don't have everything in life figured out. I've grasped enough, though, to realize that I am limited by my own senses, except when God graciously imparts insight. Like many others, I tend to see myself in the center of the vast universe and, in that position, I have to respond to everything that affects me. But sometimes, God doesn't call us to respond. Sometimes a loving God allows us only to see. And when we see, maybe it's God's call for us to pray to the All-Seeing One to act. 

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go, I will guide you with my eye. --Psalms 32:8 

All-Seeing God, 

forgive me 

for rushing into action; 

forgive me for being so presumptuous to think 

I must always be poised to act; 

forgive me for not allowing you to show me 

what I need to know in a situation. 

Teach me always to ask you to let me see 

what I need to see. Amen.

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January, 2020 - The StarLight News Daily On Line Edition - Day 27

Stop Robbing the Body of Christ 

14 For the body is not one member, but many. 

15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 

16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 

17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 

18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 

19 And if they were all one member, where were the body? 

20 But now are they many members, yet but one body. 

21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

1 Corinthians 12:14-21 

Every day, you get out of bed, put on clothes, and walk to the table to eat breakfast. You greet the rest of the household and maybe read the paper. A few minutes later, you drive to work at 60 m.p.h. on a strip of asphalt where other vehicles can pass by within four feet. In the first hour or so that you’re awake, your body completes thousands of complex tasks that are so routine they go unnoticed. 

Our physical frame is a creation of remarkable beauty and intricacy. And while certain parts seem more attractive than others, all are useful. The body’s interdependent nature—that is, the way every part relies on other parts to perform properly—is an apt metaphor for a Christ-centered church. When believers use their gifts and talents to operate together lovingly, the whole body functions properly to the glory of God. 

However, churches today are filled with people who feel insignificant. Upon seeing the successful work of others, they decide they’re not really needed or assume they haven’t got the “right” talents to make a worthwhile contribution. Those are lies from the Devil. When his misguidance succeeds—which is all too often—he manages to get one more Christian to back away in hopes that someone else will do the Lord’s work. 

Hanging back instead of seeking a place to serve is a form of thievery: you’re robbing the Lord’s church—His people—of your unique contribution. Your role might be small or go unnoticed, but it is vital to Jesus Christ and to the smooth functioning of His body on earth. 

From Dr. Charles Stanley

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January, 2020 - The StarLight News Daily On Line Edition - Day 26

You Are Worth More 

Sharon Jaynes 

Today’s Truth 

Jesus said, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?” he asked His disciples. “Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-31, emphasis added). 

Friend to Friend 

As a little girl, I never felt I was worth very much. I always felt that I wasn’t pretty enough, smart enough, or good enough. I sensed my parents tolerated me, but certainly didn’t delight in me. And if your own parents couldn’t love you, then who could? 

Then there was the definitive day in the eleventh grade that took my self-worth to an all-time low. I can still remember what I was wearing: lavender bell bottom low rise jeans, a bubble knit short-sleeve top, Dr. Scholl’s wooden sandals, and a blue bandanna tied around my head of long oily hair I hadn’t had time to wash that morning. This was acceptable attire for teens when I was in high school, except for the days when a special awards or recognition assembly was held. 

In homeroom that morning, the principal announced over the intercom that an unscheduled assembly would take place at eleven o’clock to recognize students being inducted into the National Honor Society. That’s when I understood why so many of my friends were dressed a notch above the norm. Their parents had received the secretive congratulatory call the night before and made sure their kids had washed their hair and left the frayed jeans in the drawer. 

Four hundred teens found seats in the darkened auditorium. The principal made a speech of commendation from the podium and then said,  “Will the following students come forward when your name is called to receive a certificate and a candle to be lit by last year’s inductees?” 

The principal called each name, and I watched several of my friends walk across the immense stage. Then, to my horror and surprise, my name was called. Why didn’t my parents warn me, I thought. I look horrible—and I did. 

When the houselights went up, I panned the back of the room where proud parents snapped pictures and pointed out their progeny to others standing on tiptoe to catch a glimpse. My parents were not among them—they never were. 

I later discovered that my dad had received the call from the school the night before, but forgot to tell my mom. Even though they both worked across the street from the school, they didn’t come to the ceremony. In my mind, their absence confirmed what I’d suspected for the past 17 years. I’m just not worth the trouble. 

I didn’t care about the certificate or the principal’s accolades. What I really wanted was to know I had value to the two people who mattered most. 

Perhaps you had painful experiences in your past that left you feeling worthless, but Jesus wants you to know you have great value. He gave His life so that you would! 

Jesus said, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?” he asked His disciples. “Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-31, emphasis added). 

You are worth more than the money in your bank account. 

You are worth more than the number of friends you have on Facebook. 

You are worth more than the number of followers for your Twitter account. 

You are worth more than the number of meetings and appointments on your calendar. 

You are worth more than your successes or failures. 

You are worth more than your level of education. 

You are worth more than the price tags in your closet. 

You are worth more than your accomplishments or lack of them. 

You are worth more than many sparrows. 

It took many years, but finally I took hold of Jesus’s words: You are worth more. That’s what he wants you to know today. 

If you believe it, leave a comment and say, “I am worth more.” 

Let’s Pray 

Lord, thank You for caring about me and loving me. Sometimes I feel so worthless, but on those days, help me to remember my great worth to You. That’s all that really matters. 

In Jesus’ Name, 

Amen. 

Now It’s Your Turn 

On what do you tend to base your worth? 

How does that line up with what God says about you and your worth? 

Make your own list of “I am worth more than…”

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January, 2020 - The StarLight News Daily On Line Edition - Day 25

7 Suggestions for When God is Silent 

By Ron Edmondson 

Elijah had been used of God to hold back rain from the people for over three years, because of their sins. Obviously, he was not well liked as a preacher. I can imagine the stress he experienced during those years. 

Something strikes me, however, that seems to further complicate Elijah’s situation. 

Consider 1 Kings 18:1:  “After a long time, in the third year, the word of the LORD came to Elijah: “Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land.” 

According to a couple New Testament passages, this “After a long time” was actually three and a half years. The famine was three and a half years long. For three and a half years, the people apparently continued to sin, Elijah continued to hold on by faith, but God said nothing. God was apparently inactive… not speaking… even to His great servant Elijah during this time. 

Have you ever been there? Has the silence of God in your life ever been eerily strong? 

Imagine you had been faithfully serving… God is using you… you are in constant communication with Him… and then suddenly… everything is quiet. You have to wait. 

The separation must have seemed unbearable. Elijah is not liked and unpopular. He’s an outcast from the people and the One he trusted most was seemingly absent. 

God would soon do a miracle through Elijah… one he couldn’t even imagine… certainly not script, but during this period all Elijah could do was wait. 

If you have been follower of Christ very long, you have had periods where it seems God is nowhere to be found. We often call them periods of spiritual dryness. Sometimes I refer to it as being in a spiritual funk. 

What should we do during the times of silence, before the miracles of God come through for us? 

If you are like me, you can figure out how to celebrate a miracle. You don’t need much help doing that. The tough part of life is figuring out what to do during the years of silence… during the years when miracles are seemingly nowhere to be found. 

What do we do during the spiritually dry periods of life when we don’t hear clearly the voice of God? 

Here are 7 suggestions for those times: 

Don’t ignore the silence – 
Some of the biggest moves God has made in my life have come after a period of spiritual dryness… when it seemed like God was doing nothing in my life. Stay very close to God and watch for Him to eventually display His power. He will in the fullness of time. 

Confront known sin in your life – 
This wasn’t the problem of silence for Elijah, but the problem for the Israelites was that they were chasing after other gods and living lives in total disobedience to God. Sin may not be the reason you don’t sense closeness to God right now, but if you have known sin in your life it will affect your intimacy with God. 

Go back to what you know – 
Get back to the basics of the faith that saved you. You’ll do it 100s of times in your life, but you must remind yourselves of the basis of faith… which is the very character and promises of God. God is in control. He really is… even when it doesn’t seem that He is anywhere to be found. 

Make a decision… Choose sides – 
You can’t adequately serve God and the world. (Consider Joshua 24:15.) Something happens in life, often sin, busyness, boredom, or a tragedy… but if we are normal, we have periods where we grow away from our close relationship with God. God hasn’t moved, but if you’ve shifted in your obedience, get back securely on the right side. 

Trust More… Not less – 
Times of silence may be filled with fear, but ironically, these times require more faith. Times come in our spiritual life when our enthusiasm isn’t as real as when we began our walk with God. That’s not an indication to quit… it may be that God is using that time for something bigger than you could have imagined… but whatever is next will most likely require a deeper level of trust. 

Listen and Watch Closely – 
Some day God is going to make His plans known to you. Don’t miss them. He may come to your personally, through His Word, circumstances, or another person. You’ll need to be in a position to know that God is moving. (Read THIS POST if you need help discerning God’s will.) 

Get ready to receive – 
God will break the silence some day… and when He does it WILL be good. If you mope around in your sorrows, you’ll be less prepared to receive the good things to come. Not because of your circumstances, but because of your faith, clothe yourself in joy as you wait for God to bless you after the period of silence. 

Are you in one of those periods of silence today? How do you handle these periods of time?

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January, 2020 - The StarLight News Daily On Line Edition - Day 24

Into The Storm—With Jesus 

BIBLE MEDITATION: 

“And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” Mark 4:39 

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: 

Remember when Jesus was with his disciples on the Sea of Galilee and a storm came upon them? The lightning began to play in the wind. The sea churned. And the gentle winds turned into a cruel gale. The little ship was tossed and turned like a cork. The disciples despaired and said to the Lord Jesus Christ who was asleep, “Don’t You care if we perish? Do something!” And Jesus said, “Peace, be still.” And the winds ceased and the sea calmed. This world is headed into a storm and the spiritual barometer is dropping. And our world will not know peace until Jesus, the Prince of Peace, comes and says, “Peace, be still.” 

ACTION POINT: 

Read the full account of what happened to the disciples in Mark 4:36-41. What application can you give to your life? 

Devotions taken from the messages of Adrian Rogers.

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January, 2020 - The StarLight News Daily On Line Edition - Day 23

A Prayer to Remind You of Your Worth 

By Julie Sunne 

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” - Psalm 139:14 

For years, I had secretly thought that if I accomplished enough I’d be accepted and worthy. Each day I spent trying to please others by earning enough money, making a name for myself and providing for every need that crossed my path. 

I believed I should be the greatest mom, the perfect wife, the best friend, the hardest worker, the one who had all the answers and cared enough to respond to everyone’s requests. I bought into the lie that success equals validation. 

It was beginning to strangle me. Then the thought snuck in that my worth isn’t something to be found or earned, but it’s innate because of who God created me to be. 

Each of us is created in the image of God — remarkably and wonderfully made. We don’t need to prove ourselves or earn our worth. And as today’s key verse reminds us, God’s works are wonderful. We already have worth in our Creator and Redeemer. That realization alone should give us peace as we live out who we are freely in Christ. 

Who are you trying to prove your worth to? Today, embrace the truth that in Christ you are already worthy. 

Prayer: 

Dear Lord, Thank You for fearfully and wonderfully creating each of us. Thank You for giving us worth in Your eyes. Help us live as the one You uniquely intended us to be. Help us abide instead of strive, living peacefully and joyfully as heirs to Your Kingdom and co-heirs with Christ. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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January, 2020 - The StarLight News Daily On Line Edition - Day 22

Thankful in Trials 

BIBLE MEDITATION: 
“Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the people.” 1 Chronicles 16:8 

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: 
If you are a child of God, you ought to be able to thank God every moment of every day no matter what happens to you. 

Have you ever stopped to thank God for the water that you drink? Did you know that in some countries in the world, the majority of the population doesn’t have reasonably pure drinking water? Millions of people die annually just from water-related diseases. 

If you wear a hearing aid, do you ever thank God for that? Some people wish they had a hearing aid. 

If you are a student in the midst of final exams, do you thank God that you have an exam to take? There are many who wish they could afford college. 

Do you thank God for your next breath? 

ACTION POINT: 
Take whatever it is that looks like a trial in your life today and thank God for it! Thank Him every time the thought enters your mind to grumble or complain. 

Devotions taken from the messages of Adrian Rogers.

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January, 2020 - The StarLight News Daily On Line Edition - Day 21

A "Know-So" or a "Hope-So" Salvation? 

BIBLE MEDITATION: 
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: 
If you think you’re going to get to heaven by your good works, I guarantee you will always wonder if you’ve done enough. You will not have a “know-so” salvation. You will have a “hope-so” salvation. Rather than standing up straight in confidence like an exclamation point, you will be bent over and wondering like a question mark. That is, until you understand that it’s all by grace. 

Suppose everybody who wanted to be saved had to run around the block. Some can’t run. What if you had to read a chapter in the Bible to be saved? Some can’t read. But there is one thing that can make the promise sure, and that is grace. 

ACTION POINT: 
Who can you share this Good News with today? Think of at least one person, and ask God to give you a bold love and a divine opportunity to do just that. We also invite you to read “You Can Be Sure” for more insights on the eternal security of the believer. 

Devotions taken from the messages of Adrian Rogers.

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January, 2020 - The StarLight News Daily On Line Edition - Day 20

I'm Happy for You... (Not) 

by Kelly Givens 

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

“Just installed our kitchen countertops! They’re GOREGEOUS.” 

I rolled my eyes as I glanced at the pictures someone - no older than me - had just posted online. Picture after picture of their sparkly new kitchen, inside their custom built (custom built, I tell you!) house. I looked up from screen and into my own tiny apartment kitchen with its plain, generic countertops. Nothing custom-built in my place. I tried not to think about it, but it was too late - jealousy had flooded my heart. It’s scary how natural it flowed in. All I wanted in that moment was to be OUT of my apartment and into some glamorous space of my own. Can you relate? 

I love it when the Bible is black and white. There’s no confusion surrounding Romans 12:15 - we’re called to rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Pretty simple... except when it isn’t. I bet most of us wouldn’t have to think too hard to remember a time we failed pretty miserably at rejoicing over someone’s joy, or weeping as another wept. Why do we have this challenge? 

When we fail to rejoice with those who rejoice, there could be several reasons why, but here are some I thought of off the top of my head: insecurity, jealousy or envy, discontent, bitterness. 

What about when we fail to weep with those who weep? Here are some reasons (excuses, really) that come to mind: lacking compassion, both generally in life or toward a certain individual; perhaps not taking the time to listen or really put yourself in the person’s position; too busy to notice the suffering of others, distancing yourself emotionally from pain. 

I’ve thought of some scenarios that may indicate we’re failing at Romans 12:15: 

•   Instead of rejoicing at someone’s news, we immediately begin to compare how our circumstances measure up. 
•   We’re quick to say “Oh yes, that happened to me once, too” instead of silently listening and acknowledging the hurt of others. 
•   We try to come to the rescue in every situation, rather than acknowledging that some suffering isn’t solvable or explainable (think Job and his friends). 
•   We brush off the pain of others because we think they are “taking things too hard.” 
•   We’re quick to say, “Well at least you’ve never experienced this" (insert whatever horrible thing we’ve experienced). 
•   We think they cheated their way to the blessings, just got lucky or don’t deserve the good thing they received (their parents are totally paying for that custom-built house!). 

So what’s at the root of all of this? What’s the “sin beneath the sin,” so to speak? 

I think central to our failure to rejoice and weep with others is a preoccupation with self. We can’t step outside of ourselves long enough to truly step into both the blessings and sufferings of those around us. It’s taken me a while, but I’ve tried to make a habit of acknowledging the joys and sufferings of others without immediately inserting myself into the situation. This isn’t a natural inclination for me. Satan is the master of deception and loves to make us fall for one of the oldest tricks in the book: that everything is about us. 

Ultimately, the key to mastering Romans 12:15 isn’t just thinking about ourselves less. We’ve got to think about God more. People are most successful at eliminating bad behaviors or habits from their lives when they replace them with a good habit or behavior. So, I not only have to stop focusing on myself, but I have to replace all that time I spend thinking of myself with thinking of God. This is life transforming; this is the key to killing pride - not simply humbling yourself, but exalting God - who is the only thing worthy of our exaltation. 

When I’m thinking about God, and not about myself, he reminds me of some powerful truths: 

I’ve come from dust and I’ll return to dust.  Genesis 3:19 reminds me that no matter how much I get ahead in life, eventually I’m going to die. And nothing on this earth is worth coveting when I acknowledge that I can’t take it with me. 

I am beautifully and wonderfully made. Psalms 139 reminds me that God made me perfectly, intentionally, knowingly- so I need to stop comparing the body I have to others. He made me just right. 

A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30 reminds me that envy is a crippling sin; I could literally waste my life away being envious of others. Contentment, on the other hand, brings life. 

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 reminds me that our part of our calling as Christians is to care for those burdened and help carry the burdens of others. I don’t get to “pass” on this part of my faith if it doesn’t come naturally to me or if I feel inconvenienced or uncomfortable by it. I don’t get to ignore the sufferings of others; I’m called to step into it. 

After meditating on God’s promises and blessings, I am able to recall all the wonderful things about our apartment (hello, cheap rent!) and the many, many ways God has blessed and provided for me. Proverbs 30:8 says, “Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.” As Christians, contentment in our own circumstances is the surest way to reflect the all satisfying power of Christ to those who may need to be reminded of where their joys and sufferings begin and end. 

Intersecting Faith & Life: Do you struggle to rejoice with those rejoicing or weep with those weeping? Check yourself - what’s stopping you? Pray that God would help uncover the “sin beneath the sin” - the ways you’re focusing on yourself instead of focusing on Him.

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January, 2020 - The StarLight News Daily On Line Edition - Day 19

Our Convictions Our Defense 

20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall. 22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.  Romans 14:20-23 NIV 

A person of conviction has become convinced, by either evidence or argument, that his beliefs are true. Today, most men and women would rather live by preference than conviction. They choose to believe something based on certain conditions and circumstances. When the situation changes, so does their loyalty. In other words, a lot of people vacillate on issues that require a firm resolve. 

Contrast this wishy-washy approach with the mindset of the great men and women of Scripture. Despite many years of unfair treatment, Joseph never wavered in his commitment to godly principles. As a result, he was in the right place at the right time to ensure Israel’s survival (Gen. 50:20). Daniel, another righteous man in an idolatrous land, earned the trust of foreign kings by standing firm in his beliefs (Dan. 1:20). When his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego also refused to compromise their beliefs, they influenced a king to recognize Jehovah as the one true God (3:29). 

As these biblical heroes show, godly convictions can withstand the changing winds of opinion and the persuasive arguments of opponents. If we are grounded in the Word and trust what God has said, we can stand firm in our beliefs. Confidence breeds the courage to remain strong amid conflict. 

Instead of following your own preferences, choose to live by godly conviction. The Bible has much to say about the most important aspects of your life. See if God’s principles and promises hold true. Through prayer and study, allow Him to firmly root you in solid biblical convictions. 

From Dr. Charles Stanley

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