Depression

"I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord."

                                                                                            (Psalm 40 KJV)

Depression of some sort has touched everyone of us at some point in our lives. For some the depression may last longer than for others. It might last for years. Depression might even cling to us for our entire lifetimes. 

Depression can knock a person to the floor. Once down, it is very difficult to get back up. Depression will tell us to stay down even when we're sick and tired of being down. Most of us need some kind of hand to help us back up when we sink into the miry pit.

King David was not always a happy camper, dancing through the streets. He had times of serious depression and stress. But, David knew that his only help would come from the Lord. He turned to God to lift him up no matter how far he had fallen down. And... the Lord did.

"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.

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you." 

                                                                                                  (Phil 4:8-9)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Live Life In The Light

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.” 

                                          (Genesis 1:1-4 KJV) 

God saw that the light that he had created was good. It's probably a good idea; therefore, to live life in the light.

Constantly seeing the negative things of daily life; constantly complaining about how horrible things only drags a person deeper into darkness and despair. The light of Christ, on the other hand, bring life. Living in the light of Christ brings peace and joy and reconciliation with one another.

Live life in the light of Christ!

Pr. J

Fear Nothing

Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me in a broad place. With the Lord on my side I do not fear. What can mortals do to me? (Psalm 118:5-6 NRSV)

Fear is a horrible thing. Fear of failure is one of the most horrible of all. It will stop us in our tracks. It will keep us from trusting our own abilities. It will keep us from reaching out to others for help, for love, for anything. Fear will destroy any chances of happiness; any chances of joy or peace. Fear will keep us from glorifying God.

What can man do to us? Humankind can do nothing to us without the Lord knowing. Often when I faced things that might make me a few powerful enemies, I considered what Jesus told his followers: "Do not fear, those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matt 10:28) We are to fear no one.  After all, what can humankind do to us that would be worse than being separated from God forever? Throw us in jail? Kill us? There is nothing worse than not knowing the love of God. There is nothing worse than not abiding in Christ and in the Kingdom of God. There is nothing anyone can do because they do not have the authority to take away the inheritance that was purchased for us by the blood of Jesus.

All who love the Lord and abide in Him do not have a thing to fear for God is with them. Things may get rough (they often do); things may cause distress. Call upon Him in your time of trouble and He will be there. Do not fear; but, live the life that God has given to you. Be all that He created you to be and that, my friends, is not someone who is afraid to live or to die in Christ.

Have courage and be who God created you to be for His glory.

God's Peace - Pr. J