Observations:
I asked myself what does 'yet' refer to?
'Yet' refers to Paul's previous statement: "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13, NIV)

I asked myself what does Paul acknowledge about the Philippian church?
It was good of them to share in his troubles.

Interpretations:
I asked myself the significance of Paul saying, “Yet, it was good of you to share in my troubles.”
In the yesterday's devotional, I had learned about where Paul had received his strength! Even though  Paul received His strength from the Lord, he still acknowledges that he needs the body of Christ to help him. This is evidenced by the word 'you' which is plural referring to the Philippians. He is so touched that he uses the word 'good of you' because they shared in Paul's troubles.

Implications:
I asked myself what are the implications for my own life?
Just as the Philippian church did not leave Paul alone thinking he gets his strength from the Lord so why does he need us, I too should not ever think that any brother or sister does not need my help since they are strengthened by the Lord to do everything or bear everything. For just as Paul was glad and thought it was good of the Philippians to share in his troubles, others can be glad when I share in their troubles. Not only that, I can be glad too and experience the love of Christ when others share in my troubles too.

It is wonderful to depend on Christ for strength in life and Christ uses His body many times to give us strength. To receive strength from the Lord, I cannot be away from His body of believers. It is through His body of believers that my troubles can be shared.

I wish I had followed this principle two days ago when I decided to carry an air-conditioner from Best Buy all the way to the bus stop at Giant Eagle in my bare hands for 90% of the way. While I was carrying it, I told myself that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Jesus did give me strength to carry it but I should have shared my trouble of getting the air-conditioner home with my brothers and sisters in Christ, so someone could give me a ride. However, I did not want to burden them on a Saturday evening.  This devotional made me see that the Lord Jesus wants to use His church to strengthen one another and share in their troubles.

I am so glad that I decided to ask Edwin, a dear brother in Christ to help me out this Sunday to install the air-conditioner for my loving wife Chandra without thinking I will do it myself with Christ's help because I don't want it to be a burden to Edwin.

My loving wife Chandra and I were so blessed when Edwin came to our house and installed the air conditioner, sharing in our troubles of being suffocated by the heat. It meant a lot to my wife and me.

My darling was also very touched by what Edwin did to share in our troubles. Also, she was so touched that I would go all the way to get a air-conditioner carrying it in my hands to share in her troubles. I am glad that I did not say to my wife, 'Darling, we can bear the heat with Christ's help for He will give us the strength'. Yes, the Lord would give strength when it necessitates it.

I am amazed by how my mommy was able to bear 100-110 degrees in India while she stayed their for six months to help her brother who was injured. As she looks back, she is amazed at the strength the Lord Jesus gave her especially because they did not have air-conditioner where she was staying and the heat was scorching hot. My mom drew her strength from the Lord. Thank you Jesus.

Yesterday, I wanted to go to Cecilia's friend Meera's surprise birthday party which was to be at exactly 12:00 a.m. but I did not want to go alone without my darling wife accompanying me. I was troubled that I may not be able to go but my sweet wife Chandra saw that I was troubled and wanted to accompany me even though it was going to be very inconvenient for her. She did this for my sake  and to be a blessing to Meera. Even though plans were changed in the last minute via text, I was touched by my wife's gesture to share with me in the celebration if we could have. Also, she wanted Meera to be blessed by Psalm 139:13-18 for her birthday before the cake cutting.

 More than anything, I learned that the Gospel is all about sharing in the troubles of others. Jesus did that exceptionally by sacrificing His own life to share in the troubles of humanity. Jesus shed His precious cleansing Blood to redeem us from the trouble we are in. This trouble was caused by sin and Jesus acted to share in those troubles because of His love for you and me. Jesus is the first One to share in the troubles of others and He did it genuinely and loving.

Jesus reminds me, "I want you to trust in my in your times of trouble, says the Lord, so that I can rescue you and you can give me the glory!" (Psalm 50:15, TLB)

Jesus has rescued me time after time especially when I was in bondage to sin and captive to my own ways. Jesus used His own blood to cover over me and save me by His grace. Thank you Jesus. He can do the same thing for you too!

I want to do the same for others and share in their troubles as much as the Lord Jesus gives me the ability to. You should too.

But to truly share in the troubles of others, I need to first draw my nourishment from Christ and receive my strength from Him. For He is the head of the body and He is before all things and in Him all things hold together. (Colossians 1) That means my relationship with Jesus will also determine how much I share in the troubles of others. It starts with Jesus. I want to imitate Jesus to share in the troubles of others as He has shared in my troubles by dying for my sin and coming back to life to save me. Not only that, He shares in my burdens daily and also uses His body of believers to be a blessing. Thank you Jesus! With Jesus on my side, I can share in the troubles of others as many have shared in my troubles time after time. As you read through the previous devotionals, you will see how others have shared in my troubles. You too can share in the troubles of others.

I ask you now dear friend how do you S.H.A.R.E in others troubles?
Dear friend it is awesome to know that we can share in other people’s troubles by making their load light. I am reminded of the passage in Galatians 6:2 that talks about ‘carrying one another’s burdens and so fulfilling the law of Christ.’ Friend, maybe you are faced with trouble right now and need a helping hand and wish there was someone out there who can visibly give you a hand. I want you to know that Jesus is there and loves you so much. He sends His children to bear in other people's troubles and share them.  I want to share in your trouble as much as I can to make your load light. Others who love you want to share in yours too. Let them.

Whatever you are going through, you can email me, call me, or we can set up a time to meet together so I can listen to what you are going through, look at God's Word together, and pray to the Lord of Heaven and earth. Even if you just need someone to listen to, I am there. Also, whatever I am able to do, I would love to help out. You need not go at it alone. Yes, there is the Lord’s strength to get you through but I believe He uses His children to help others too. I just want you to know that I am available if any of you need help. Of course, I am hoping there are others too that are willing to give a helping hand. My number is 412-641-9426 if you want to get in touch with me and my email is reddy4HisGlory2004@yahoo.com.

Friend, you may not be the one who is in trouble or troubled but there is someone who is troubled that you know of and the Lord has called you at such a time as this to help them out. You can pray with them, listen to them, or if it is in your capability directly help ease their troubles. It is so Scriptural to carry one another’s burdens. You can also be the one to give them the Word of God to comfort them, encourage them, equip them, and enable them to move ahead. Thank you Jesus!

Never think you cannot help someone else in need. Regardless of what they are going through, just your presence there could help them through it even if you do not say a word. Sometimes all people need to know is someone cares for them and they are not ignored. That goes a long way. May you be that one.

One thing I have learned is not being judgmental in a situation where we want to share in others troubles. I know how much Pastor Hugo, Edwin, and Marie shared in my troubles three years ago at a painful ministry time in my life. Lord used them and my mommy at the time to give me strength to move ahead. He is waiting to use you to help someone in trouble to share with them.

Won't you be the one without giving up?

Never think that God cannot use you, for He can! He uses us in our weaknesses and His strength is manifest in us as we yield to Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Jesus has used my mommy so much in my life and continues to use my mom through her prayers, etc. But, now I am so doubly blessed to have such a PLUS wife who is Prayerful, Loving, Understanding, and Supportive. Without her prayers, love, understanding, and support I would have been so troubled in different areas. Thank you Jesus for my darling wife you have blessed me with!

I share this with you because you never know whose life you will touch in a mighty powerful way for the honor and glory of the Lord. I have always had high ambitions to be a lawyer but after how I was helped, I wanted to minister to other students with the love of Christ doing student ministry and have put law on hold. The good thing is I was able to take law classes even as I worked and ministered to students.

Friend, you can be that person to make an impact on someone’s life because you cared enough to share their troubles with them and pray with them. May you see the Lord Jesus work in your life to help others recover as you depend on His Holy Spirit to guide you and lead you! Amen!

"Savior Helps All Recover Everyday!" (S.H.A.R.E)/”How do you S.H.A.R.E in others troubles?”

PRAYER:
Dear Jesus, I want to thank you right now for all those that have made an impact in our own lives. You Oh Lord have used them for your honor and glory and to show your love to those who are hurting and in trouble. Thank you for all those that have helped me in my life. Most of all thank you for the strength you give and for your mighty help Oh Lord. Lord as we have been helped, help us to help others as we trust in you. Lord help us when we are in trouble not to be lone rangers but to seek after help. I thank you Lord for the Philippians who shared in Paul’s troubles. Let us not be prideful to take help. I thank you for the brothers and sisters you have placed in our lives and even those that do not know you that give a helping hand. I pray Lord that they would come to know you as their Lord and personal Savior. Please continue to use children to impact lives for your honor and glory. Thank you so much Jesus! Please use me to help others as you choose. . Please Jesus! I thank you Jesus for your help and for answering our prayer. You know what we go through and where we have been. We give our lives to thee and ask thee for your strength. Thanks for hearing us, strengthening us, and answering us! In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

Lord Jesus, You are my all in all. You are my Prince of Peace, Rock, Savior, and Friend. You are my Holy Father guiding me through to live a life of righteousness, Holy righteousness. Oh God, I need you more than ever. I need to feel your hands around me holding me tight. I need your love to surround me so that you can glow in my life. Help me please Jesus. I desire in your presence. Thank you for guiding me to live a life of righteousness. Oh God you love me more than ever. You hear my voice when I cry out to you. When I seek your face, you fill me up. You are my all in all. Thank you Jesus so much for your help no matter what I face, your grace is available and you take my case. Thank you for hearing us and answering us. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! AMEN! (Most of the prayer is from a vineyard song called “All in All”)