Bear one another’s burdens,
and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who … made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant. § Even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. § He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled … Jesus wept. § Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
All of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
Gal. 6:2; Phil. 2:4–7; Mark 10:45; 2 Cor. 5:15;
John 11:33, 35; Rom. 12:15; 1 Peter 3:8–9
Son, go, work today in my vineyard.
Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
You also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. § As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” § Sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Matt. 21:28; Gal. 4:7; Rom. 6:11–13;
1 Peter 1:14–16; 2 Tim. 2:21; 1 Cor. 15:58
Do you struggle with knowing the will of God for your life? For your marriage? For your family? For your home? Knowing God’s will is not difficult – unless you are not abiding in Him. Jesus indicated that knowing His Father’s will is the fruit of abiding as well as asking: “You did not choose me, but I chose you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name” John 15:16, NIV.
God has chosen you and me for the purpose of bearing much eternal fruit – fruit in our character such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control exhibited toward those within our own home – fruit that is simply the character of God’s Son coming out in us. We are to bear much eternal fruit in our service as we lead other people to faith in Jesus Christ and help them to grow into maturity so that they in turn will produce much eternal fruit in their lives.
Dec 14, 2013
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say
it again: Rejoice!- Philippians 4:4
Does your joy come and go? Ebb and flow? Is it so connected to your feelings that when life unravels, so does your joy? The apostle Paul penned the above words when he was imprisoned in Rome. Yet he had learned to rejoice always. In every situation. Under any circumstance. I have been learning in a fresh way that choosing to rejoice can require intentional focus when things go wrong and I’m hit with multiple problems at the same time. Let me share just a few of the ones that have occurred within the two months leading up to this Christmas…
Make His praise glorious.
This people I have formed for Myself; they shall declare My praise. § I will cleanse them from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against Me, and I will pardon all their iniquities by which they have sinned and by which they have transgressed against Me. Then it shall be to Me a name of joy, a praise, and an honor before all nations of the earth. § Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify Your name forevermore. For great is Your mercy toward me, and You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. § Who is like You, O Lord, … glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? § I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. § They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: “Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty!”
Ps. 66:2; Isa. 43:21; Jer. 33:8–9; Heb. 13:15;
Ps. 86:12–13; Ex. 15:11; Ps. 69:30; Rev. 15:3
By nature children of wrath, just as the others.
We ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. § Do not marvel that I said to you, “You must be born again.”
Job answered the Lord and said: “Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer You? I lay my hand over my mouth.” § The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?”
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me. § David … , to whom also He gave testimony and said, “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.” § I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy. § That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Eph. 2:3; Titus 3:3; John 3:7; Job 40:3–4; 1:8;
Ps. 51:5; Acts 13:22; 1 Tim. 1:13; John 3:6
Jesus looked out at the approaching crowds and saw people who were seeking God but instead had received hundreds of manmade legal burdens.
He saw people who wanted truth but had received political posturing and religious platitudes from the Pharisees.
He saw people as more important than His own plans and need for rest.
He saw people not as an interruption, but as an opportunity to reveal His loving care and His Father’s compassionate power to meet their deepest needs.
He saw people as sheep who needed a shepherd. He saw people as God saw them.
