Edge of darkness

Psalms 34:18 NIV

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

It’s the day after Thanksgiving.  I imagine families and friends out and about getting in on those Black Friday shopping deals; enjoying each others’ company.  There is a slight longing to want be in the mood, but all I feel is sadness.  I’m crying and I don’t know why.  Perhaps it’s the pull I feel to meet different obligations this holiday season or the dread of dealing with another horrific incident at school.  Worries about the future of my younger son.  I feel like the list can go on as I walk the right rope of depression.  Anxiety comes up beside me trying to tip me over.  It sounds bleak, but praise God I am not without hope. I have hope because of Jesus Christ and He is near me.

His Spirit lives within me and He has not left me comfortless.  It is He Who will bound up my wounds and be a light in the darkness.  It is He who clothes me with strength to face the minutes in the day.  He surrounds me with His love.  The enemy would have me believe I am trapped in the cycle of depression, but my God can break any stronghold.(2 Corinthians 10:4-5) So all is not lost. He saves me.

Lord, thank You for being near.  Thank You for being bigger than problem and a light that dispels darkness.  Thank You for walking with me and talking with me.  Thank You for your love.  Bless others who might be battling with anxiety and depression.  Let them feel your loving touch.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Spending time with God

 

James 4:8 NIV

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Sometimes I call my husband on the way home from work and just listen to him work.  Even when I stop to get gas or go into a store I take the phone with me and just listen.  I hear the noise of the tools or his banter with a colleague and I am at peace.  I love my husband and I like being close to him.

My "phone calls" with my husband got me to think about the peace I have from being in God's presence.  Just knowing He is with me keeps me from getting flustered when problems arise because He is God.  He is on my side.  Just knowing He is there strengthens me.  And like my phone, I can take Him everywhere I go because He lives within me.  I need to draw near to God even more so than I do my husband.

I also noticed how it was calming just to listen.  That's something I need to do more with God.  I need to spend more time just meditating on His Word and listening to what the Spirit says.  I do a lot of talking in my prayer life, but I need to do a lot more listening.  I need to let His peace wash over me as I hear His voice.  I need to be more observant of His work, being grateful and offering praise.  I have a 24-7 open line with God and He beckons me to draw near to Him , just as He draws near to us

Lord, I thank You for wanting me to be near You.  I thank You for all of the benefits being near You brings.  Forgive me of my sins and let me stay close to You.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Checking my filter

 

2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

This week I found myself becoming irritable and grumpy.  My morning routine felt rushed and I couldn't settle into my days. When I started to feel this way I began to pray because I wanted to guard my heart. Proverbs 4: 23 tell us to "above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."

I had to check the filter of my mind and bring negative thoughts into captivity.  I had to look at life the way God sees it.  I had to let go of those thoughts that lifted up pride and self-righteousness.  I had to forgive when it was hard and give things over to God.

I did not want any roots of bitterness to destroy my joy.  The enemy would have us focus on self and all that is going wrong rather than all the good that God does or just simply think on the good that God is.    I had to pause and breathe and let the rhythm of the Spirit run my day.  I had to take those thoughts that would rise up against being gentle and kind and put them in check.  I had to keep my mind on Christ and let His peace settle in.  I used the word to check myself and regulate my mind and heart and as always the word produces.  

It's a busy time of year.  A time where people begin to feel rushed as the days appear to be shortening.  Our "happy" gets bump, but we can keep our joy if we remember to focus on Christ and speak life into our lives.

Lord, I thank You for being with me when I was irritable and I thank You for your redirection.  I thank You for You.  Thank You for dying on the Cross so that I might have my sins forgiven and have life instead of death.  Thank You for being the magnificent God that You are.  In Jesus name I do pray. Amen

Do the Word

 

James 1:22 NIV

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

I remember raising the question to my students, "Are you hearing me or listening to me?"  Hearing requires that you hear sounds, but listening means you are attentive with the intention of doing something with it.  You are preparing to take action.  

I ask myself, am I taking action or is the Word just background noise that I hearing like a song on the radio or am I actively listening so that the Word can make a difference in my life?  Am I doing the Word?  Am I loving my neighbor?  Am I forgiving those who have wronged me?  Am I asking for forgiveness?  Am I walking in faith and trusting God?

Is my quiet time more than just a check on my to do list or am I really trying to get into His presence so that I can be transformed? Listening to the Word is the first step, but I must follow through the whole action by being obedient and doing what it says. The Word tells me when I do this, when I am intentional about following the word I will be blessed in what I do.

James 1:23-25 NIV

Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

I need to hold the proverbial mirror up daily so that I can know what I look like and I should look and act like someone who has been in His presence.  I am His child.

Lord, let me not treat your Word like background noise.  Let my reading of it be accompanied by the intentionality to do what it says.  Your Word is life and I want to live for You.  Forgive me for those times when I have taken it for granted.  In Jesus name I do pray.  Amen