Bounce Back

 Surely God is my help; the Lord is the One who sustains me. Psalm 54:4

How are you feeling today? Perhaps a dead end feeling where you just do not know if you can go on. Circumstances in your life may have just reached the point you do not know where to turn. This could be as a result of a loss of some sort. Maybe loss of a family member, loss of a dream, loss of good health. Whatever it is, you can make it and you can bounce back on go on! "But I feel so down and out and discouraged" you may say. God does know how you feel and He is your comfort in times of trouble. There have been  times in my life I let things overwhelm me and I just had to get away and get into the Word. Sometimes doing something for others is an excellent remedy.

When feelings overwhelm you and you just want to run away, that is not a feeling from God. That is right from the pit of hell and from Satan. He is not a comic book character with a little red pitchfork but is roaming around seeking to destroy us. The Bible tells us in James 4:7 to "resist the devil and he will flee from us".  Satan is a master of messing with our thoughts and our minds. It is necessary to stay focused on good and not evil. Get control of your mind and fill it with the Word of God.

If you need to 'bounce back' pick up your Bible and open it to the book of Psalms, John, or Proverbs. Just let God's word heal you.

PRAYER: Lord I know you love me and it is not your desire for me to go through life despairing. I trust in you Lord and know your words will guide me and strengthen me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link to worship God in song.

http://youtu.be/DXDGE_lRI0E

Hurting?

Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:4(NIV)

Everyone has hurt sometime in their lives either emotionally or physically. It is hard to know what people are going through. In church one Sunday  in front of me were two individuals who appeared to have hurts. One ended up sitting down, got on his phone,  then left ten minutes into the service. This person just looked lonely. The other was with their spouse and during altar prayer went forward. The spouse stayed behind sitting down praying. It is not just us that have bad days. We who call ourselves believers should reach out to and pray for those in despair as we have all been there. I have a mountain I like to go to and get alone with God. Even Jesus went alone to a quiet place and prayed. (See Luke 6:12-13). 

What creative things can you do to reach out to those in pain? We can pray. If it is a friend, you can send a note or a card. Perhaps you can visit lonely people in hospitals, prisons, or nursing homes. Just know you are not the only one who has ever hurt so go beyond yourself to help others.

PRAYER: Wherever life takes me today Lord help me be aware to give encouragement to others even through a smile. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

The Uplifter

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11(NIV)

Ever had one of those days where you just can't get yourself out of a mood? It can be caused by many factors, but never the less it is one of those times you need a bouquet of flowers, a call from a friend, a hug, or a surprise letter in the mail. Often times when I have had those moments I end up hearing something I needed to hear, such as a Bible verse on the radio, just at the right time or getting an unexpected gift. Once I actually found a palm leaf cross in a puddle outside my car door. Seeing that cross gave me renewed hope and strength. Now tell me that is not God.

If you happen to find yourself in a moment like this get out your Bible and read some Psalms. I find the verses in the 150 chapters in this book very encouraging. Another thing to do is see who else might need help or an encouraging word. Somehow getting out of our own issues and becoming involved with another is a good cure. Say a quick prayer and know God will see you through.

PRAYER: Thanks for another wonderful day you have blessed me with. Show me another that just needs a smile or bit of encouragement today. In Jesus' name. Amen.

NOT SO MERRY?

At Christmas season we are told to be merry, joyful, happy, and have peace on earth and good will. What if you just went through a loss of some sort? Then it may not be easy to rejoice or celebrate. At times like these it is necessary to not rely on your feelings. Sometimes you have to make a choice to have joy whether you feel like it or not.

Sadness is a part of life. Do not allow sadness to drag you down so bad you can not enjoy life. This time of year has a high incidence of suicide. Who puts thoughts like that in our minds? It is not Jesus. Satan likes to drag us down. And get us dwelling on all the bad stuff in life. Those who have lost family members to suicide can attest to the deep sadness and a host of other emotions. Allow Jesus' to transform your pain into reaching out to others. Sometimes getting involved in another persons life can help transform your deep pain.

Try to get your focus on "above". Phillipians 4:8(NIV) says 'Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.' Do not feel you have to fit into a cookie cutter mold of what this time of year is supposed to be. Trust God to carry you through.

PRAYER: Lord I need you every hour. At this time of year many are sad and many hurt. Help me recognize that not all are filled with joy. Show me how to minister to someone who may be hurting. In Jesus' name. Amen.

NOTE: The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255

RISE UP FROM THAT PIT!

What has you down in the dumps? Maybe nothing does and if so praise God for that. But many people struggle with worries, fears, concerns, strife and turmoil in their life. Maybe the problems are real and valid but still God does not want you disabled by fear and worries. He wants you to be set free. When you are paralyzed by fear, chaos, and things in the world it is difficult to praise God. It is easy to start being a 'pit dweller' and be overly consumed with our self and our problems. The good news is God wants to set you free. Freedom comes by trusting Christ and believing He will take care of you. He is behind the scenes. Fear glorifies Satan and peace glorifies God. Who are you giving glory to?

Psalm 107:20 says " He sent His word and healed them and delivered them from their destruction's." Destruction's are things that put you in that 'pit' you are in when you can not seem to get your mind off the past, fears, problems, and things dragging you down. People who are drug down are not very close to God when they are dwelling in the valley. God wants to raise you up to the mountain top with Him.

Psalm 30:3 says "O Lord you brought me up from the grave , you spared me from going down into the pit." The remedy for 'pit dwellers' is to praise God even when you do not feel up to it and to stay in the word of God. A good book of the Bible for pit dwellers is to read a Psalm a day.

So choose today where you will be. Are you going to sink into a pitiful pit or raise yourself up to be on God's mountain. 1 Corinthians 15:57 says "But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

PRAYER: Lord you are my rock,my redeemer,my strength. When I am afraid I will trust in you. Lord I love your word for in it I grow and learn to have your peace. Thank you Lord for setting me free. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on link to worship the Lord in song.

http://youtu.be/VTByzluCtMo

DOWN IN THE DUMPS??TRY GOD.

There are probably times when all of us have had a down kind of day. Circumstances in life, illnesses, and various problems can tend to get our focus off positive things and onto gloom and doom. In many cases a person who is unable to escape from this may need to seek professional help. But many times we are just not focused on happy or positive things. Dwelling on the past has got to stop. Give your worries over to the Lord. If you think about it, much of what you worry about you have no control over anyway so why not get in the practice of being a Bible dweller and not a worry pit dweller.

 Probably everyone has had that kind of day. If things are not going like you want in life and you pray you may wonder why God has not heard. All I know is to stay above the pity pits and gloominess a person has to make a purposeful effort to stay focused on the promises in God's word. It is the enemy, Satan, who wants you to feel all alone and hurt. Don't give the devil a foothold in your life. Stay above the gloom by focusing on God. Read the verses below out loud and see if you do not feel better.

Luke 1:37 Nothing is impossible with God.
Romans 8:28 And we know all things work together for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.
1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your cares on God for He cares for you.
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in time of trouble.
Psalm 27:10 Even  if my father and mother forsake me, you Lord hold me close.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Psalm 56:4  In God whose word I trust. I will not be afraid what mortal man can do to me.

When you have this feeling coming on you don't just run and sit in front of the TV as it may add to the despair by what you view on it. Try reading some of the verses above out loud and then spending some time talking to God. It is the best cure I know.

PRAYER: Lord thank you for your word that gives me hope,freedom,strength,and guidance. I love your word Lord and I know the times I find myself gloomy I need to fix my eyes and thoughts on the promises in your word. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on link below to worship the Lord in song.
http://youtu.be/0ZFN8TBfgNU