I began writing yesterday morning, but did not finish it until this morning.

Today is my youngest’s 11th birthday.  She has anticipated this day since her last birthday.  As I write, she is still tucked into bed as it is early morning. The table is set for a birthday breakfast which will soon be surrounded by our family eating Swedish Kringle and Omelets in a Bag.  I can’t wait! After breakfast, we are going to her favorite place; Fawn-Doe-Rosa, where the deer are so tame that they eat out of your hand. Later on, we are having a Taco Tuesday birthday celebration with family. Lord willing, it’s going to be great day.  Celebrations like these are perfect days to be a doer of the word and “rejoice with those who rejoice.”

Romans 12:9-15 says, “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit,serve the Lord. Be joyful in hope, be patient in affliction, be faithful in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”

Celebrations are perfect ways to rejoice with those who rejoice.  However this, at times, is easier said than done. How do you rejoice with those who rejoice when your job is taken and a co-worker’s job remains? How do you rejoice with those who rejoice when attending a wedding of a friend when you want to be married? How do you rejoice with those who rejoice when you can’t lose weight, but your friend can? How do you rejoice with those who rejoice when you go to another baby shower and all you want is a baby?  How do you rejoice with those who rejoice when you walk into someone’s house and see that they have something new or they have remodeled and that is what you want to do? How do you rejoice with those who rejoice when you have lost a child and your friend’s are celebrating their children’s birthdays? This list could go on and on.  So, how do you rejoice with those who rejoice when it’s hard to do so? PRAY and call to mind who He is, what His promises are, and who you are in Him.

1. Know Who God Is – Remember the ABC’s of God?

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.” (Matthew 22:27-28). Knowing who He is will help in the endeavor to rejoice with those who rejoice when it’s hard. 

He is your Shepherd 

Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He is your Provider

Philippians 4:19 God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

He is your Sustainer

Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you.

2. Know His Promises

“For all the promises of God find their Yes in Christ Jesus.” (II Corinthians 1:20) All the promises from Genesis to Revelation find their ‘yes’ in Christ. Calling these to mind will help in the endeavor to rejoice with those who rejoice when it’s hard.

Isaiah 26:3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.

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

3. Know Who You Are In Him

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39) Knowing who you are in Christ is the best way to love yourself which will in turn will help you to love your neighbor and rejoice with them even when it may be hard to do so.  In Christ:

You are Content

I Timothy 6:6 Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment.

You are One who Trusts the Lord

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

You are Strong in the Lord

Philippians 4:11-13 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

You are Cared For

I Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

You are Joyful

Proverbs 17:22 A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Blessings to you as you rejoice with those who rejoice,

Heather

When You Pray…

Each day: 

1. Pray for yourself.
2. Pray for you spouse.
3. Pray for your children.

Weekly:

Sunday – Government

Monday – Immediate Family

Tuesday – Your Church 

Wednesday – Your Extended Family

Thursday – Your Spouse’s Extended Family

Friday – Your Friends

Saturday – Variety

Feel free to go back and review in more detail the weekly prayer points.