Pain..Real People, Real Problems

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
In writing devotions each day my attempt is to get my readers into the Bible and off their problems. I realize there are some major issues facing many people and it is not all one happy go lucky world out there. Real pain, real people, real hurt. You may be one of those with real painful issues you are in the midst of.

It is such a pat answer that often angers people to say "God cares" and go on about your day. But He does care. Caving in and getting mad at God only gives more ammunition to your enemy Satan. He wants you to totally give up on this thing we call life. Life is worth living so don't be led down a doomsday path by the great deceiver. 

As the saying goes "Buck up little cowboy." Hang on. The ride may be bumpy but it won't last forever. Fasten your seat belts and get ready for God to carry you through. 

PRAYER: As I start each day I realize many smiling faces might be masking hurt, pain, and major issues in their lives. Sometimes I get overwhelmed by stuff too. I am trying to lean on you and trust you Lord. I know there is light at the end of the tunnel. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link below and take a moment to listen and reflect on the words of this song:

Forever | Kari Jobe (Lyrics)

Forever - Kari Jobe The moon and stars they wept The morning sun was dead The Savior of the world was fallen His body on the cross His blood poured out for u...

Hope and Healing For Your Hurting Soul

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

 It is difficult to make it through a lifetime without experiencing emotional pain. Some I know have had to endure more than their fair share. I am sure you have heard that trials and struggles make you stronger and indeed in a strange way that is how it works. Our pain and suffering often helps us down the road to help others going through their own battles. But why?

All I can say is God is on the throne and even though He did not cause all the calamities we blame Him for, He uses all things to work out for good. Don't tell that to a grieving mother, but it is still true. How do you think Mary felt seeing her son Jesus being whipped, spit on, beaten, and crucified? We as children of God need to know that Jesus knows our pain. Run to Him my friend.

Above all never ever stop praying, believing, or hoping. Our God indeed is a miracle working God even today.

 PRAYER: Lord Jesus sometimes I feel like I can't breathe due to emotions getting me down. I choose to stay lifted up knowing you Lord are my hope. You have been and always will be. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link for a song of praise to lift your spirit. 

https://youtu.be/R3yCod-IfjY

What Do You Say?

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Sometimes things happen in life to friends or family and there are not words to know how to respond or bring comfort. Recently a longtime friend of mine had the unspeakable happen which there's no need to elaborate on as God knows. In this time of her enormous grief and confusion what can you do to help? Flowers, cookie bouquet, note, phone call? Grief,tragedy,and pain are all part of life and can make us stronger. That makes some angry especially if they have lost a close friend in an accident or in war. Only time and prayer help the healing process.

Grief and trouble are all part of life. In the newly released Hollywood movie,"God's Not Dead" ,an atheist college professor has been hurt in the past and hates God and tries to get his students to do likewise. This movie is a must see in my humble opinion. I have seen it three times already.

What are you struggling to deal with in your own life?Run to God,not away from Him. 

PRAYER: Lord I love you. Forgive me if I have ever been mad or blamed you for my grief. In Jesus' name. Amen.

HELP! HELP! HELP!

Have you ever frantically cried out to Jesus to save you or a loved one or help you? I know I have. The two incidents that come to mind are when I was in a roll over accident and the car tumbled only once thankfully, and then slid on the roof through the grass in the ditch as I cried out "help me Jesus, help me Jesus" and He did. Another time I was in Hawaii snorkeling alone in Hanauma Bay, as my sister was on business and could not join me that day. When you snorkel you should do three things. Have a buddy, wear a life jacket just in case, and observe rip current warning flags on the shore. I was so busy taking underwater pictures I did not realize I had been carried out beyond the people on shore in the current. Here I was in deep water and no people. I was extremely frightened. I screamed out "Help me Jesus, Help me Jesus" and out of nowhere, I kid you not, a young couple appeared and asked if I was okay. I said I was and without them even touching me I had strength to get to shore. I do not know where they went but I am pretty sure they were angels.

So have you cried out to God to help you or help a family member who is struggling with an issue in their life? Perhaps you have cried out in desperation for a family member to be set free from an addiction. Maybe they are caught up in deceptive lies of the enemy and are so blinded they do not think they need help so you cry out on their behalf. I know in Moms in Prayer International there are moms all over the world crying out for the lives of their children. Even Christian moms do not have perfect kids sometimes and go through struggles. These others moms in these groups help you lift up your child in prayer.

Psalm 54:4(NIV) says 'Surely God is my help. The Lord is the one who sustains me.' Psalm 30:10 says 'Hear Lord and be merciful to me, be my help.'. Psalm 118:7 says 'The Lord is with me. He is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies.' If you do a word search on your computer you can find many verses where it shows God being your helper. He indeed is the ultimate helper.

What is weighing on your heart today? Go to the Lord in prayer. He will sustain you and help you.

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for the many times in life you have been my help to get me over the hump of a worried and anxious spirit. You have physically helped me as well and for that I give thanks. I know I have no earthly control over situations in my life or that of my family but I can and do pray. I thank you for hearing my prayers and giving me peace and being my helper. In Jesus' name. Amen.

For more information on Moms in Prayer go to www.momsinprayer.org

Click link to worship God in song.

http://youtu.be/MmQzT2upcrY

HELP ME OUT OF THIS PIT!

When you go about you day to day life do you just think about yourself and your own issues and problems or do you ever look around at people and wonder what is going on in their lives? Are any of them in deep emotional pain due to a loss or hurt in their life? We just never know even sometimes with our own friends and maybe even family if some deep problem is weighing them down. It is sure easy to say "Chin up now. God will we you through this storm."

There are those out there who maybe have had so much hurt or so much loss they can hardly believe in God or prayer anymore. This is just what Satan would like for people to do. Give up on God! Friends I have good news. God is always on duty but in life things happen sometimes due to free will we have no control over. God can turn bad things around for the good if you are willing to humble yourself and let Him.

Is there something going on right now in your life you have no control over? Worry is the easiest thing to do but it brings you the least amount of peace. The more you worry the less you trust God. Worry will not change anything but just make the worrier into an ineffective prayer warrior. This is the time to be lifting up shouts of praise to God and calling on Him in prayer.

Matthew 11:28-30 says 'Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.''

Call on God in prayer right now!

PRAYER:Lord today I am concerned about _____________. I know you have a prefect plan and I ask that you work through this situation as only you can. Help me trust you. In Jesus' name. Amen.