Hit Rock Bottom? Going Up!!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:12

I recently saw the most delightful movie entitled 'Sing' which was animated but adults would enjoy as much if not more than children. In it one of the main characters said the only place you can go when you hit rock bottom is up. Isn't that true? 

Have you ever hit rock bottom in your life or feel hopeless in a situation maybe even now? No matter what you are going though or have been through there is light at the end of the tunnel so to speak. Bankruptcy, jail time, divorce, friendship failures, drug or alcohol addiction, lawsuits. You name it and it is not bigger than our Almighty God.

So push that elevator button for the top floor cause my friend you are going up. Don't let Satan make you feel otherwise, tell him to shut up. Now go and look up. 

PRAYER: Many times in life I have been down or messed up. The enemy tries to condemn me making me feel like a huge loser. I am not a loser and I will rise to the top with your help Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.

WHAT ARE YOU HOPING FOR?

Victory from an addiction? Recovery from a loss? Waiting for that military spouse or child to arrive safely home from a war zone? A prodigal child to return? Restoration of a damaged relationship? Gaining custody of a child or grandchild? Trying not to lose your home to foreclosure?

Many things in life at times make us feel hopeless. God is a hope giver. When you feel like you are hanging on to the end of your rope and just want to let go, cry out to Jesus! He cares. He loves you. He has a plan for you even though you may not feel like it at the time.

Many people are just worn out from waiting. Perhaps tired of life and wanting to give up. Satan, the enemy of our souls, would love you to give up and quit on life. He would love it if you had no desire to keep on waiting for your breakthrough.

In life things often are not easy. As an example if you are a divorced woman, through no fault of your own, all of a sudden forced to work to provide for yourself and perhaps children too, it can be very tiring. I know a few people in this situation. It is no fun for them and at the end of a day you just wish sometimes you could throw in the towel or maybe already be in paradise with Jesus.

Friend today is a new day with new hope. Lift your hands up to Jesus and praise Him for the good things in your life. Try for a moment to forget your "plight" and thank Him for what He has done and is going to do. Each day brings new hope in your life.

Psalm 147:11(NIV) says 'The Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love.'

PRAYER: Lord today I thank you for the good things in my life and there are many. Forgive me Lord when I have complained about things or let the enemy make me throw a pity party. I know Lord you are on my side and I have no reason to be disheartened or fear. In Jesus' name. Amen.

NOTE: Please check out my friend author Kathe Wunnenberg's website about hope at www.hopelifters.com.

August 6 her newest book published by Zondervan will be in bookstores and is in pre sale now through Amazon. The title is Hopelifter: Creative Ways To Spread Hope When Life Hurts.

HAVE HOPE

 Do you ever feel hopeless, beat down, in despair and just have no clue how to pull yourself out? Well the first thing is you have to get your mind off yourself and onto God. You might want to try reading the book of Psalms in the Bible. Everyone has probably felt hopeless at one time or another. God is a giver of Hope.

God's word is the ultimate "hope manual" with it's many promises to lift you up and sustain you. One verse that comes to mind right now is Isaiah 40:31(ESV) which says 'They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint.' Jeremiah 29:11-12(NIV) may be familiar to some readers and it says '"For I know the plans I have for you", says the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you."'

What is it that has got you down? Unanswered prayer? Condemnation? Worry? Fear? No matter what God is greater than mere man who brings most of our troubles upon us. You may be in anguish because of the lies that Satan has made you believe. God is much more powerful than demons. Whatever it is that is troubling you, why not let God take that from you today?

PRAYER: Father use me to bring hope to those who need it. Fill me with love and compassion. Give me just the right words to say. I know when resist Satan he has to flee. You are mighty to save. In Jesus' name.Amen.

Check out my friend Kathe Wunnenberg website at www.hopelifters.org

DON'T GIVE UP!

What it is in life that is getting you down with discouragement and
despair? Perhaps it is loss of a job? Maybe an illness that threatens
your life? Is it maybe the state of our country if you are reading
this from the United States? Loss of a friend or family member to
death recently or in the past? Perhaps guilt over abortion? Maybe you
are pregnant and unmarried? Whatever it is God hears and understands.
Sometimes when people feel "down" they may listen to "wrong

voices" and feel that the only way out is to end their life. My
friend, that is never the way out. Ask any surviving family

members of those who have committed suicide.

On talk radio the other day there was a former Navy Seal who called
in, and I wish I had his name to give him credit for something. He
had lost his leg, arm and was suffering greatly, feeling very down but
he said that talk radio "propped him up when he felt like giving up".
That is sort of how God is and our friends too. When you run to God
and run to the Bible you can have peace. When overcome by discouraging
thoughts it is necessary to not drown your problems in alcohol or
drugs. Those cures are placed in your head by the enemy who is out to
destroy you. God is here to make you whole and to get you through the
tough times to the rainbow that awaits you on the others side.

Sometimes a friend just needs to talk it out. At times you may be
tricked by Satan to not unload your burden and get help. Thoughts such
as, you will be made fun of or your friends will not want to be with

you anymore. Don't believe it! In 1 Thessalonians 5:11(NIV) it says

'Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in
fact you are doing.'

You are of great value to God. He has a purpose for you. He wants you
to run your race to win. Psalm 46:1 (NIV) says 'God is our refuge and
strength. A very present
help in time of trouble.' Run to Him today.

PRAYER: Lord thank you for helping me through the storms of life that
come my way. I know Lord I need to get into the word when the enemy
gets me thinking gloomy thoughts. It is only through you that I gain
strength for each day. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on link below for an awesome song to lift you up.
http://youtu.be/CZzUFei6slA

I have included links to some hotlines for those in crisis:
Suicide Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE 

Prayer Hotline:1-800-759-0700 (Operated by volunteer counselors from
The 700 Club)
Pregnancy Hotline: 1-800-395-HELP 
Runaways Hotline:1-800-RUNAWAY
Veterans' Crisis Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 
ALL ISSUES: 1-800-AFAMILY (Not 24 Hours)

HELP IS ON THE WAY!!

What are you struggling with in life? Maybe whatever it is you feel rejected by God because you pray, but still don't see changes or anything positive. You may be mad at God wondering how he let a bad thing happen to you or your family member. You may feel like stopping your prayers and just letting the enemy get his wish and that is having you so upset with God you do not want church, Bible reading, and least of all prayer. You may think "well what good has it done me?" I think of a good example of the school shootings at Littleton, Colorado's Columbine high school where in one case the student killed had a praying mom in a moms prayer group yet he was killed anyway. She prayed for his safety didn't she? So what's up? Why didn't God intervene and stop these shooters? Then there was the Amish school shootings in Pennsylvania. Why on earth didn't God stop that? What about the infant that dies in childbirth after the parents have prayed diligently for a healthy safe delivery?

All I can say is I have been there and been in despair. I have listened to the enemies lies so much one time I nearly quit leading a prayer group and came close to stopping this devotional. Satan is like that. It says in scripture in Revelation 12:10 that he is 'the accuser of the brethern'.

It is hard to understand why people go through things and some seem worse than others but all know is God knows the big picture and if you study and believe His word and hang in there and keep your faith things will be okay and you will have victory.


Let me leave you with this verse in James 1:2-4 which says "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

What battle are you facing today? God is there and the story is not over yet.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus things happen sometimes in life and we wonder why but after we have had sufficient time we understand. Be with those reading this today who are perhaps struggling to come to grips with something overwhelming in their life. Perhaps they see no way out or feel you have abandoned them. Give comfort as only you can. In Jesus name. Amen!

Click on link to be ministered to in song.
http://youtu.be/GsjJmk7tdk4