The Sorrow That Leads to Joy

In the first part of 2 Corinthians 7, Paul speaks of the undeserved afflictions suffered by himself and those with him.  He even mentions the word "depression."  However, there was something else here to which I related, and that was the theme of repentance.  

It may sound strange to some people that Paul said he rejoiced the Corinthians were made sorrowful to the point of repentance.  The important thing to see here was not that he wanted them to be sorrowful, but being sorrowful to repentance is a good thing, because true repentance means a person has turned from his or her sin.  If you have ever been a parent, you know what joy it brings when your child realizes something she or he has done is wrong, and tells you he is sorry.   But not only is he sorry, he does not continue the wrong-doing.

In my own life, I thought how happy I am that I have turned from sin and to Jesus.  I already believed and had a rich personal relationship with God;  but after a series of very difficult things in my life and going through severe depression and illness, I began to have doubts about my relationship with God.  Even though I knew that I knew it was real, it no longer felt real.  I prayed and I tried to read scripture, but I could not focus.  However, God in His marvelous mercy and grace continued to work in my life, until I could come to that place of true repentance for my doubt and lack of discipline.

I am far from perfect now, but God has refreshed my soul and my life.  I'm still ill, but I'm happy anyway.  I am filled with His precious peace.  Praise be to God.  Not only that, God has refilled me with a zeal for sharing His word and the message of Jesus Christ to the world.  Because of my illness, I have stopped long enough to answer His call to write.  I am filled with much joy and concern for other people to know Jesus as their Savior, to trust Him with every facet of their lives.  It is absolutely amazing what God does in the hearts and lives of those who  take up their crosses and follow Him.

^{2 Corinthians 7}

⁸ For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; 

though I did regret it—for I see that that letter caused you sorrow,

 though only for a while—

 ⁹ I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful,

 but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; 

for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, 

so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. 

¹⁰ For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret,

 leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.

 ¹¹ For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, 

has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear,

 what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong!

 "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
 Used by permission."

Giving It To God

Yesterday, I was looking through the New Testament to find some verses for two of my grandsons.  As I was flipping through the Bible, my eye was caught by the word "depression."  I am happy to say that this is not a word that comes to my mind much anymore, but once it did;  moreover, I know there are many afflicted year round with depression, and there are others who struggle with seasonal depression.

As Thanksgiving approaches, I hope you are not depressed;  but if you are, take heart.  Even the apostle Paul struggled with depression at times, which is not surprising.  I would be surprised if he did not have PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder).  He had suffered stoning, imprisonment, and even been ship-wrecked.  However, he did not count his sufferings as loss, because they were for the cause of bringing others to salvation in Jesus Christ.  All he did was for God.

You can have the same joy Paul had and I have.  Give your cares to Jesus Christ.  You may think I don't understand, but I assure you I do, because I was so depressed at one time that felt that I was losing my faith.  However, God would not let me go.  Even when I did not know how to pray, the Holy Spirit interceded for me:  In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words (NASB, Romans 8:26).  Romans 8 is a wonderful chapter for Christians to read, because of great comfort for all of us there.  

Blessings upon you.  As I write, you are in my prayers.  I may not know your name, but God does.  Cast all your cares upon Him -- casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you   (NASB, 1 Peter 5:7).

2 Corinthians 7

1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from

 all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

² Make room for us in your hearts; we wronged no one, we corrupted no one, 

we took advantage of no one. ³ I do not speak to condemn you, for I have said

 before that you are in our hearts to die together and to live together.

 ⁴ Great is my confidence in you; great is my boasting on your behalf.

 I am filled with comfort; I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction.

⁵ For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest,

 but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within.

 ⁶ But God, who comforts the depressed,comforted us by the coming of Titus;

 ⁷ and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort

 with which he was comforted in you, as he reported to us your longing,

 your mourning, your zeal for me;  so that I rejoiced even more.

 "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
 Used by permission."

Rejoice! Who me?

Yesterday, I wrote a devotion about Philippians 4:4-8.  Basically, I paraphrased this scripture;  and, I want to say something about what I wrote, because I know many of you may find the thought of being happy all the time hard to swallow.  Guess what!  I agree.  I doubt anyone is happy all the time:  it sounds impossible.  However, that is what I saw yesterday, as I read the scripture.

There is a joy that goes beyond being happy all the time.  And this joy is only available through knowing Jesus Christ, through trusting Him as the Lord of your life, as your Savior.  If you know Jesus, there is always a reason to rejoice.  Paul said, "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice (KJV, Phil. 4:40).  I think he was speaking of celebration.  Celebrate the Lord always, because knowing the Lord gives us reason to rejoice.  

Life doesn't always go the way we want it to go.  Things happen--sometimes, really bad things.  However, our attitude about life can make a difference.  Trusting in God and rejoicing in Him can make a difference.  You may say, she doesn't know:  I bet her life is great all the time.  No, it's not:  I watched my son die in a hospital.  I had a son-in-law that died in a car crash.  However, God gave my family and myself the strength to go through those things.  I can rejoice in God, because in the midst of horrible circumstances, He gives  peace that passes all understanding.

Controversy? Recriminations? Do Not Worry.

Today, I am tired of controversy, speculation, and recriminations.  I admit to having been keeping track of the political comments my friends are making or sharing on a well-known social media site.  I have made a few myself.  And I am tired, stressed, and have had an impending stress headache for several hours.  So, what do I have to say now?  The same thing I said yesterday, today, and tomorrow is what I have to say.  This is it.

Let me break down Philippians 4 into plain American English.  This is my paraphrase:

"Be happy in the Lord all the time.  This is very important -- we must rejoice.  Have restraint in your life, so all men know you are to be trusted, do not be full of excess in your life.  The Lord is near (all the time)  and He is coming soon.  (As we can see now--soon is relative in meaning to us.  We think soon is next week or next year, but it could be longer to the Lord.)  But live like Jesus will come today.  Live a life that pleases Him.  

Don't live your life in fear, worrying about everything.  Bring all your concerns to God in prayer with thanksgiving to God, because we know He answers prayer and He knows best.  If you pray believing in God's answer for whatever you pray, you will have peace that surpasses anything you have ever known.  This peace will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, where they should be.

Finally, brothers, think on things that you know are true, are honest, and are right.  Keep your minds on things that are pure, things that are lovely (wonderful, beautiful) and those things that are good about other people and life.  If there is anything virtuous or good, and if there is anything to be thankful about and about which to praise God, think these good thoughts."

Father in Heaven, I thank you for Your peace that encompasses me.  I can rest in You, knowing that there is nothing which is out of Your reach.  This earth, this universe, everything in it is Yours.  I trust Your wisdom, Your grace, and Your mercy, Lord.  Help me and my brothers and sisters in Christ to remember to lay our lives and our concerns into Your hands, trusting Your will to be done and thanking You for the answers.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

^{Philippians 4: 4-8 (King James Version)}

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

⁵ Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

⁶ Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

His Mercy Is EverLasting

Lamentations 3: 16-24

With the horrible destruction wrought by Hurricane Sandy, this seems an appropriate time to meditate on Affliction and Hope, with the assurance of hope which the afflicted can have in God and his providence.   Those of us who have suffered tragedies, death, loss, and chronic illness in our families most certainly can identify with the pain of the prophet, for it is believed Lamentations was written by the Prophet Jeremiah, although that is not an absolute certainty. The person of whom we can always be sure is God.  

Hear the words of affliction:  He has made me to cower in the dust.   My soul has been rejected from peace;  I have forgotten happiness.  So I say,  My strength has perished and so has my hope from the Lord" (Lamentations 3: 16b-18).  What deep grief the writer feels:  he is suffering from loss of home, health, and emotional peace.  He is disturbed within, and he feels this to the innermost part of his soul.  The pain seems too much to bear; but then, there is a flicker of hope.  He says, Remember my affliction and my wandering, the wormwood and the bitterness.  Surely my soul remembers and is bowed down within me.  This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope (Lamentations 3:19-21).

Courtesy of [Victor Habbick] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

His words of hope lift the heart and the soul:  God's light shines into the cave in which he sits.
Listen:  The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning;  great is Your faithfulness.  "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore, I have hope in Him" (Lamentations 3:22-24).  

What precious knowledge to store within our hearts.   There is no end to God's lovingkindness:  He is full of compassion and mercy.  Moreover, His compassions never fail (Lam 3: 22b)  Every morning  His compassions are new, which means there is freshness and new hope for  us to look forward to tomorrow morning, the next and the next with no end in sight.  We can wait when we know the Lord and we hope;  for then, we know we will have His mercy.  For His mercy is everlasting and His compassions never fail  (Lam 3:22b).  Amen.

All scripture is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).  
  www.lockman.org

Our Heavenly Father of Lights

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.  In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of the truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures (NASB, James 1:17-18).

Image courtesy of nuttakit/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

How I love these verses!  Can you picture our Father-God in the heavens, the creator -- not the created?  He exercised His will to bring  forth man -- that's us;  moreover, he made us to be special -- a kind of first fruits among His creatures (v. 18).  Man is not ordinary:  he is beloved by God.  

Not only that, but God brought Jesus Christ into our world in the form of man, and He is a kind of first fruits, as well.  He is the only-begotten son of God (John 3:16), he died , was buried, was resurrected and lives in a glorified body.  According to 1 Corinthians 15:20, Jesus is a kind of first fruits of those who have died and will be resurrected.   And someday, we who believe will be with Him.  

Image courtesy
of Nuttakit/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

There is more that touches me in this passage:  God is the Father of lights (v. 17).  All the stars that we see in the skies, the planets, the beautiful pictures that astronomers have taken of nebulae and other things that exist in outer space.  That is His territory too.  He made it, and it is wondrous and beautiful.  

Finally, James tells us with whom [God] there is no variation or shifting shadow (v.17).  God never changes:  we can always depend on Him to be God.  He has no hidden agendas:  we can trust Him.  And we can trust the words that He sent us in the Bible.  Our God is loving, faithful, and reliable.  He loves you and me.

Prayer:  Father of lights, Creator of all that is good, I praise you.  I lift my voice up in thanksgiving for your many blessings.  And, I thank you for the reminders of your great power and love You have left in the heavens for us to see.  As I watch the night sky, I am in awe of the immensity of your creation and You.  There are not enough words to express how You fill my heart.  In Jesus Name,  Amen

But I Like Fruit

But, but, but, but -- this is probably the most famous word for excuses.  Often, excuses are valid in the case of someone being ill or having an accident.  However, when one's dog has been blamed for eating the homework, and it wasn't done;  or, one was late, because he/she waited until 25 minutes before he or she had to leave the house to just make it; then, it is the fault of that person.   And then there are the times we make excuses to ourselves about getting a second helping or having that extra piece of cake.  Sometimes, it is hard to know if we are doing something we ought not do.  The bad looks good, and it gets confusing.  I wonder if that is what Eve felt in the Garden of Eden.  What went through her mind, as she disobeyed God?

First, let's look at the serpent of the field.  Do you notice there is a lower-case "s" used in the Bible, which leads me to believe there was an actual serpent talking to her.  God made serpents, and we always assume it was Satan talking to her.  Also, Revelation 20:2 says this:  And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years...In 2 Corinthians 11:14, Satan is described as [transforming] himself into an angel of light  (KJV).  Therefore, I am going to propose that maybe he really is a serpent, because he is also called a serpent in 2 Corinthians 11:14.  However, whether this is actually his appearance, whether he actually spoke aloud, or he spoke to Eve in her thoughts is not the important thing.  

It is important to know the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. (KJV, Genesis 3:1a).  Therefore, we know God created him and he had intelligence.  And as he spoke to Eve, he lied...

Defined by His Mercy

Does God define you by your illnesses or your human imperfections?  No, He doesn't measure us by the world's standards.  It is not our emotional, mental, and physical strengths that are the standard God measures for salvation. What counts is that we love God and follow Jesus Christ.  Psalm 147:1-11 fills me with peace as I read it, and I immediately offer praise to the  Lord.  It speaks of building up Jerusalem and of gathering together the outcasts of Israel; and...

I Choose Jesus

If we love God, then we will love His Son Jesus Christ.  Someone who does not recognize Jesus Christ has missed the signs that God made clear.  And it possible they missed the signs, because they do not really love God;   because their eyes are blinded by the things of the world and their own desires.

It is true that as human beings, we all have desires and most of us have our favorite things in this world;  but, if these things are more important than God's commandments  and the teachings of Jesus, we should examine ourselves and see if the truth is in us.  What is the truth?  God's Spirit...

Love Demonstrated

 "Love And Friendship" by xedos4 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Many of us are well acquainted with 1 Corinthians 13 as being the "love chapter" in the Bible.  We hear it at weddings and funerals.  We look to it for the proof we will understand the things we do not presently understand.  However, 1 Corinthians 13 is not the the only chapter in the New Testament that speaks at length about love...

He Will Give You Rest

Have you been stressed to the point you feel you cannot take another day, another hour, or even another minute of your life?  I know how that feels.  I have been there.  Even as a Christian I have been there, which I found very confusing at times, because I thought I should handle things better.  Constant stress and illness are hard to live with, especially if you are in circumstances where you have felt let down by the Church or by Christian friends.  However, even though, the ideal circumstances are those where you are surrounded by beloved Christian friends, it is not always the case.  I have had both feast and famine in this area;  and I am thankful I have learned to rely on the Lord in both.  

If you have spent much time reading the Bible, you will see ...

Finding Eternal Peace

            "Smoky Lake" by Evgeni Dinev / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Today, I need to say something that is of utmost importance.  Before I go any further in writing devotions, you need to know that there is a way to find eternal peace.  I am speaking of an abundant life lived here on this earth and the promise that when you die, you will go to heaven.  

Probably most of you that read "Take Comfort" have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, but if you have any doubts, I want to give you a couple of places you can go to see what it means to be saved...
I would be remiss not to tell you this for John 3:16-17 says, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved (KJV).
Here are some articles to click on that explain salvation:
Salvation through Christ: a matter of FAITH

Salvation through faith in Jesus alone

I chose the second link, because it was a link to Baptist Campus Ministries at a colllege campus.  Most college campuses have fine Christian organizations to encourage students in their faiths.  I cannot speak for all campuses and orgaizations, but I think its something that could benefit a student's life in college or university.

My  prayer for my readers is that you will have a living, breathing relationship with God, that He not be pushed back in a corner somewhere for that time you need him in an emergency. 

Finally, 

¹⁶ Rejoice evermore.

¹⁷ Pray without ceasing.

¹⁸ In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

¹⁹ Quench not the Spirit.

²⁰ Despise not prophesyings.

²¹ Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

²² Abstain from all appearance of evil.

²³ And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ  (KJV, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-23).

Fear or Praise? Part 2

Fear or Praise?  As a young mother and wife, I could still strongly sense there were dark spiritual forces, even though I had totally given my life to Jesus Christ.  I also had renounced anything to do with the occult, including horoscopes, and I had claimed the blood of our risen Lord over these things.  Some people may think I am being over the top here, but even though I had not dabbled in anything overtly occult like witchcraft,  I had played, like so many unaware teens, with a Ouija Board and Horoscopes.  I know many people disagree about reading their horoscope.  However, I have not been comfortable with these things in my life.

Whether there is fear in one's life caused by illness, worries, world events, personal circumstances, etc., there are many verses in the Bible that show us we do not have to be afraid.  I was reading Colossians 3:16 a couple of days ago, and I knew I had to share how God banished my fears as a young woman and any that might come my way.  It was not with some of the scriptures I have seen listed to combat fear, but with specific scriptures God showed me in my quiet time...

Fear or Praise? Part 1

Fear -- I don't know about you, but I don't even like to say the word, because of the strong memories it evokes.  Yet, today, I want to share with you that fear does not have to be a dirty word:  there are ways to overcome fear.  And I am going to mention a few that have helped me overcome mine.  A positive thing about experiencing fear is that it gives us the wonderful blessing of giving the things that cause our hearts to be afraid to God and knowing His peace.  This is a short series, so I will not be finishing in one devotion.

The first one I want to mention is Psalm 23, because it has been a blessing to me ever since I memorized it in Vacation Bible School as a young girl.  I can picture ...

The Greatest Commandment

How often do you think what it means to love someone else?  I'm not talking about romantic  love, but brotherly and Godly love you have for another person.   Have you ever wondered how your own feelings toward yourself might affect you loving other people?  I have.

And I have come to a conclusion:  it is hard to love other people, as you should, if you don't love yourself.  If one has come to dislike or even hate oneself, it is going to affect his/her relationships with other people.  I base this idea on my own experience and on scripture. 

Christ's Strength, Not Mine

Someone told me once that he did not need Jesus Christ to be his crutch.  However, there comes a point in everyone's life he or she needs somebody to lean on.  Paul, the writer of Philippians 4:10-13 knew that.  He had lived in prosperity; he had been shipwrecked; had gone hungry and he had eaten well.  He knew abundance and he had had gone without needs.  Yet, Paul had learned to be content in all circumstances.

How many of us can identify with Paul?  I believe most of us can;  however, some of us may still be struggling to be content in our circumstances, whatever they may be.   Even though Paul had suffered, he had learned he could be happy.  He had faith that God cares about what is going on in our lives, that Christ strengthened him 

Healing my Thought Life

Have you noticed my new header?  Yes, I know I went awfully pink.  For the men who read this devotional blog, please bear with me.  Eventually, I will change it.  I wanted a special header that was not like anyone else's, for God has made each of us as unique beings.  We have many similarities, but we are like snowflakes--not one is alike.  That is so very important to remember in reading my blogs.  If you, I, and someone else suffer with the same chronic illness, we may not experience all the same symptoms.  However, we have a God that knows exactly what is going on in each of us.  And guys, I am  a female, also I like pink; so bear with me until I change the Header again.

You probably noticed words and a scripture passage on my page header, and I picked these to remind us to notice where our thoughts are going.  Yes, I know things enter in that are unpleasant, and we cannot hide from the constant bombardment most of us experience in this day and age.  But that must have been a problem back when the Bible was written too.  

One evening I felt like doodling.  I was feeling
 fatigued and sad, but this lifted my spirits.
Child's play?  Maybe not.  Maybe this was
good therapy.  I concentrated on this, and I was
able to sort my thoughts in a more positive manner.

 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.  Philippians 4:8 (NASB)

When one is dealing with an illness, it is easy to constantly center on how bad we feel.  If a person is depressed, the dull or heavy pain that seems to never leave is impossible to forget. I understand that.  In fact, when I was reading some self-help material, I tore that book up and threw it in the trash.  How dare the authors tell me I had a choice about being happy!  How could I possibly feel happy when I felt like I was being sucked in a dark hole?

What I want you to know is Philippians 4:8 can help you change your thought life.  

When Morning Comes, Psalm 143:7-12

     "Smoky Lake" by Evgeni Dinev  /   www.freedigitalphotos.net 

Have you ever felt so depressed, that you felt God was hiding His face from You?    That is a horrible feeling, but that is exactly what it is -- a feeling.  I think it must have something to do with the numbness that can come with deep sadness.  Or maybe, it is because a depressed person becomes so withdrawn, he or she is trying to hide from anything that could make one hurt more.  I know from my own experience that it is hard to be constant in the wake of depression.  Deep down in your heart of hearts, in your soul -- you know you cannot be separated from God, but  guilt for not being your normal self weighs you down.  

Psalm 143, Part 2

Have you ever suffered from depression?  I'm not talking about the blues, or the bored-I-don't-know-what-to-do feeling that people sometimes get.  Psalm 143: 3-4 sounds like I felt when I was deeply, darkly depressed.  The author David speaks of the enemy:  for the enemy has persecuted my soul...  The enemy, of which David writes, is probably Saul.  However, I believe the enemy  is Satan, who would persecute the souls of all he could touch.  Yes, he uses people, circumstances, disease, and dark forces of evil to try to touch the minds of even Christians.   For the scientific minded, this may sound superstitious, but I assure you there are dark forces that fight against God and the Godly.  Some of us may have genes that give us a predisposition to Depression and other diseases.  I do not deny that, and the Enemy will use the weapons at hand. 

Depression does overwhelm the spirit;  and the afflicted feel like there is no way out, no where to go.  I cannot speak for other people, but my heart was appalled within me.  I suffered actual physical pain at times;  and even though I had no apparent physical heart problems, I actually felt like I was being stabbed in the heart sometimes.  The three things I had going for me were God, my family, and my friends.  Whether or not I could feel love:  I knew love.  And for those who have never been clinically depressed, I want to explain that depression colors everything in dark grays.  Even though one may be aware of being cared for, the hurt inside makes it very difficult to feel and respond as a well person would.  I know for a fact it was God's spirit that reminded me when I wanted permanently out of everything, that I had to hold on for a while longer.

Courtesy of [James Barker]
 www.freedigitalphotos.net/ 

I remember the days of old; 
I meditate on all Your doings; 
I muse on the work of Your hands.
I stretch out my hands to You;
My soul longs for You, as a parched land.
Answer me quickly, O Lord, my spirit fails;
Do not hide Your face from me...  Psalm 143: 5-7a  (NASB)

I wanted to bold-face this entire section, because this is exactly how I felt. 

I leave you with this:  God does care.  1 John 4:4 states:  You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.

This is one of many verses that sustained me in my dark periods.  I thank God for His great Grace and Mercy.  He is good, and He is good all the time.

Prayer:  Father,  I thank you for sustaining us in the dark times, for carrying us through the periods of our lives that threaten to crush our spirits forever.  It is by your Grace, the human connections you give us, your memorized Word, your written Word, your songs and the memories of how you have touched our lives that help us to heal.  There is also the hope we have, that one day there will be no more tears.  Oh how we all long for that day, no matter what our present condition is.  Father, you are worthy of all praise.  In the precious name of Your Son,  Amen.

P.S.  I would like elucidate further on the words:  remember, meditate, muse, and stretch;  unless, you comment and say you totally get it.  I am  thinking I should share some of the application of those words, as they helped me to heal and brought me moments of respite.


“Scripture quotations taken from the NASB." 
www.lockman.org

Praying Psalm 143, Part 1

Hear my prayer, O Lord...
so why did I not come to your word for comfort yesterday?
The words were there,
   the ones I needed to hear
           the words I needed to say.

A N G E R
generating sadness, confusion, frustration, confusion
    in my mind, in my heart;
          It pervaded everything.
I couldn't escape it with music, with reading, with art, with friend' words.
          Anger colored all I did,            
               Shading it with colors I didn't like.

Give ear to my supplications!
Answer me in Your faithfulness, in Your righteousness!
And do not enter into judgment with your servant,
For in Your sight no man living is righteous.

         "Prayer" coutesy of graur razvan ionut/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Thank you for reminding me, Lord,
            You have the answers,
                You are faithful,
Even when I have trouble with that--
             You are righteous, and I am not;
                                And yet,                                             
                                      You still hear me.

Psalm 143: 1-2
“Scripture quotations taken from the NASB." 
www.lockman.org

Prayer for Deliverance and Guidance

Psalm 143

Prayer for Deliverance and Guidance

Open Bible
Free Digital Photos.net

Today, I am leaving you a reference point for all of Psalm 143.  I often use Bible Gateway,  because it is easy to view when I am working on my laptop.  I appreciate the many texts they have available, as well as options for viewing scripture.   I also enjoy reading my paper texts:  there is comfort in reading my Bible, underlining scripture or again reading passages I have highlighted.  The thing to remember, for all us, is many scriptures do stand alone in meaning;  however, it is always best to read in the context of the text.  May God fully enrich your understanding of His Word.  

Last night, I cried out to God, "Show me the scripture I need to read."  At the time, I was going through an evening of pain and confusion.  My peace felt shattered:  I could no longer feel it.  Instead, I felt as if there was a huge wooden block filling my heart every time I tried to calm myself and make sense of the thing that upset me.

I spent a couple of hours last night trying to block the pain an confusion from my mind by reading, playing a game on the computer, praying, watching TV;  but it wasn't blocking I needed.  It was feeling the feelings and finding the right scripture that would calm my heart and help me see clearly again.

My God did that for me.  I clicked on Bible Gateway, and there it was:  “Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” Psalm 143:10 NASB  God gave me answer I needed so desperately;  and I knew I had to read more, so we are going into a study of Psalm 143.

Prayer:  Indeed, Father, You are the giver of all that is good and can help me in any situation..  Thank you for setting me of the level ground of believing and following you.  Thank you for the confidence and peace with which you fill my heart.  I love you, Lord.  In the name of my savior Jesus Christ, I pray.  Amen

Free from Doubt

There have been times during my illness, that I have begun to doubt important things I know about myself. The most crucial aspect of my life I doubted was my relationship to God;  and this is something I thought I would never doubt.  However, I felt guilty because I wasn't doing the activities that I felt were part of my spiritual service, and even though, I knew my fellowship with the Lord did not depend on activity, I struggled with being too sick to attend church, teach, or sing in the choir.  Your activities may be different.  Perhaps, you have been a volunteer in your community, and you felt like that was your service.  It is hard to give it up.  

I lacked discipline in studying God's word, my prayer life suffered--so it seemed to me.  I couldn't concentrate, and I watched too much television.  I had more time than ever on my hands  to spend time with God, but that was sporadic at best.  I never seemed to be able to finish a Christian book.  I even thought I was a failure as a Christian -- you see, I felt like a failure, because I couldn't get well;  and,  that  is just stinkin' thinkin', as my husband would say.


One of the verses that I have had to read over and over again is Romans 8:35:  Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  (NASB).   I  have been reminded that illness does not separate me from God or His love.  In Romans 8:38-39, I am told that ...that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Absolutely, nothing can separate me or you from God's love if we are in Christ Jesus.