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.

What Gives Me Life

This is my comfort in my affliction,     
For Your word has given me life.
Palm 119:50

__________________________________________________

It is easy to get caught up in day to day ephemera, which distracts me from spending time with God.  Sometimes, in a moment of guilt,

I will rattle off a quick prayer, which is a good thing;  
but, it is often a substitute for quiet reflection and fellowship with God.  The truth is that God's word is essential for my life.  It is what I read in the Bible that feeds my soul and comforts me in my difficulties.  It is His word that will last forever.

Scripture taken from 
New King James Version (NKJV)

The Holy Bible, New King James Version Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Delivered From My Fears

Has your world ever been shattered?  Mine has, more than once.  There are so many culprits in the war against our hearts and minds, so many things that contend in the evil battle to take our peace. I know you can list some:  we all have them;  however, we do not have to succumb to the fears that threaten to overtake us. 

Have you cried out to God?  I have, because my heart felt torn, confused, and betrayed.  Again, I don't need to mention specifics:  I'm sure you have experienced these feelings in your life.  Most of us have experienced pain and suffering, or we know someone else who has  suffered intensely.

The psalmist David spoke words that reach right into my heart, words that remind me that God really cares and He loves me.  David sought the Lord, and  [God]  answered [him].  If God had an answer for David, then He has an answer for me.  I am absolutely sure of that:  I have experienced it in my own life.  However, I haven't always gotten instant answers:  more often than not, I have had to wait.  But there is one thing I have not had to wait on:  I haven't had to wait for peace in my heart, for the angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.    

I sought the Lord,and He answered me, 
And delivered me from all my fears...
^5 6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him 

And saved him out of all his troubles.
⁷ The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him,
And rescues them.

O taste and see that the Lord is good;
How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! 

Psalm 34: 4-8

“Scripture quotations taken from the NASB." 

www.lockman.org



P. S.  Today,  I was reading "God, Are You Aware?"  in Teri Lynne Underwood's blog Where The Sacred And The Secular Collide.   I am often amazed at how God puts a scripture, a sermon, a book, or a blog in my path;  and, it meets a particular need or a lesson God is teaching me.  Even though, I may be amazed, I am not surprised;  because, it has happened so often in my life.