Do you get depressed and not know why?  Has the JOY and peace of mind left?  As with King David, it is not permanent!  The JOY may be interrupted for awhile, but we don't have to let it continue.  May I offer something to think about?  Could it be you're not as close to GOD as you once were; and your attention to "emergencies" and things that "just have to be done" kept GOD from being first in your life?  Psalm 51:12, "Restore unto me the joy of THY salvation; and uphold me with THY free spirit."  Sometimes when this happens try doing something GODLY for someone else.  Washing the dishes, cleaning the house, sending a "Thinking of you" text, phone call or email, or even praying for someone else.  When you start doing GODLY things you can't help but have GODLY thoughts and GODLY thoughts set you free.  Giving thanks to GOD is always a great place to start even if you don't feel like it.  You see, our separation is only temporary, for Salvation is permanent and GOD'S presence will always overwhelm you.  The beautiful thing is; you will have JOY and peace, because of HIS renewed presence in your life.  Your JOY will be renewed but this time YOU WILL KNOW WHY.  AMEN, Peace and Love to you all.


Psalm 139: 23-24
Isaiah  43:1
GOD IS GOD!

2 Corinthians 5:21, "GOD made HIM who had no sin to be sin for us..."  For someone to put themselves in our place for our transgressions is the greatest love.  But what if in doing this they removed the "POWER"  of sin over us?  This not only forgives our willful and unknown sins, but destroyed the power of sin over our souls.  It is the power of GOD over the power of sin; they met "head on" and GOD destroyed this evil that would destroy us.  Sin can only "tempt" us now but it has no power over us when we choose to believe in our JESUS CHRIST.


Psalm 139: 23-24
Isaiah  43:1
GOD IS GOD!

Our attitude toward GOD determines our attitude toward everything else.  Is our love genuine or just pretending?  When we love someone we look forward to being with them; we want to hear what they have to say; we cherish the purity they possess and do we really love someone or is it the GOD in us that loves the GOD in them?  Romans 12:1, "Don't just pretend to love others..." Do we really love or are we just GREAT PRETENDERS, fooling ourselves but not GOD.


Psalm 139: 23-24
Isaiah  43:1
GOD IS GOD!

When we hear the word "Church" do we immediately think of the "Body of CHRIST or do we think of a physical location and building?  When we go "to Church" are we hearing the same sermons, year in and year out, until the same beautiful stories no longer relate to our lives and they lose their power?  Are our "Bible Studies" so "programed" that they are out of touch with our real questions to the point that our Spirit is quelled, where we become depressed and don't know why?  Amos 3:8, "...The LORD GOD has spoken; who can but prophesy."  Who can but prophesy?  When is the last time that your zeal for the LORD was unquenchable; you woke up expecting "unimaginable" Blessings; and you knew your relationship with JESUS was going to be filled with love and revelation?  Maybe you went to Church or Bible Study and the Pastor said, "do you need to know what JESUS says about your circumstance"?  Do you have a heavy heart?  Let's see what JESUS says to give you peace.  Do you want to dance instead of mope; sing instead of worry; and SOAR on the wings of eagles instead of being afraid.  Pray and ask GOD to lead you to HIS Church, where passion is ignited, where the WORD is ALIVE and that Church goes with you where ever you go!  "Where two or three come together in MY name, there am I with them!" Are you getting TOO MUCH "CHURCH" AND NOT ENOUGH JESUS?

Psalm 139: 23-24
Isaiah  43:1
GOD IS GOD!

Many times a verse in Scripture will convey two seemingly different meanings. Then we find out these different meanings when brought together, reveals ONE greater profound meaning of Truth.  2 Corinthians 5:14, "For the love of CHRIST compels us..."  Does this mean CHRIST'S love for us; or does it mean Our love for CHRIST; or does it mean that "both" are needed to deny ourselves?  We will never crucify our flesh out of guilt or obedience to rules, in order to get a promised reward.  If we are WON BY FEAR, of GOD'S wrath which will let us burn in hell, there is no trust or relationship.  If we are ONE BY LOVE, just spending time with HIM gives us life, peace, joy and meets our deepest needs of intimacy.  WON BY FEAR, is temporary; ONE BY LOVE, is for eternity.


Psalm 139: 23-24
Isaiah  43:1
GOD IS GOD!

Ephesians 1:11, "we have an inheritance...been predestined...according to the counsel of HIS will."  GOD knows what's best in everything.  The way we pray to solve our problems and help others does not happen, because we would do more damage than GOD would allow.   When HE denies what I wanted, it is because HE has a better way not only to deal with our circumstances but change us in the process.  Almost always, GOD is doing the opposite of what I want.  When I pray for HIM to "fix" things, HE wants to teach me to trust HIM more.  It seems like HE protects me "in spite" of my prayers instead of "because" of them.   "According to the Counsel of HIS will", this alone is remarkable; HE doesn't depend "upon my way", HE is perfect and loves us perfectly!  We see HIM in every leaf, flower, sunbeam or flash of lightning; the perfect Counsel of our ALL-Present GOD.  Maybe I need to pray "Show me Prayers, THY WILL be done Prayers instead of SAVE ME PRAYERS.


Psalm 139: 23-24
Isaiah  43:1
GOD IS GOD!

Is disobedience the "disease" or the "symptom"?  We are created to share in the relationship that the FATHER, SON, and HOLY SPIRIT have shared for all eternity.  Their unity is the result of their absolute love and trust with one another.  We can do good things or "obey" and yet not trust HIM, thereby losing our relationship with HIM.  But, one cannot trust GOD and be disobedient to HIM.  Disobedience is the "symptom" of  mistrust in GOD'S nature and love.  GOD wants us to relate to HIM in love rather than obey HIM in fear.  The power of trust is to  make GOD'S TRUTH the focus of every event, every sorrow, every prayer with the unshakable conviction that GOD loves us and is totally trustworthy. GOD knows that love flourishes where trust does, and real trust comes only where people are free to reject it.   Psalm 37:5, "Commit your way to the LORD; trust HIM, and HE will act." HE LOVES US ENOUGH TO LET US GO.  Now there is a thought for today!


Psalm 139: 23-24
Isaiah  43:1
GOD IS GOD!
 

A mother sitting on the porch, crippled with arthritis, watching her grown children come and go.  She says, "come sit with me awhile".  Even though we sit just for a moment, she smiles and gives thanks.  2 Corinthians 9:15, "Thanks be to GOD for HIS inexpressible gift!"  Peace be with you, love be in you, and GIVE THANKS.


Psalm 139: 23-24
Isaiah  43:1
GOD IS GOD!

Do we still use a dandelion or daisy to determine who loves us or not?  Do we do the same thing with GOD?  We pass a test, "HE loves me"; we lost our job, "HE loves me not"; we pour our heart out in prayer and our neighbor gets the blessing we asked for, "HE definitely loves me not"!  Ephesians 3:19, "and to know the love of CHRIST that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with the fullness of GOD."  In GOD'S garden, all of the flower petals are, "HE LOVES ME"; HE gave HIS only SON for me! What about our love for HIM?  HE said, "...for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love GOD whom he has not seen." In our actions today, does GOD have to ask, HE LOVES ME, HE LOVES ME NOT?


Psalm 139: 23-24
Isaiah  43:1
GOD IS GOD!

The way we talk to ourselves is who we become.  The way we speak is the way we think; and the way we think depends upon our confidence in the truth, or Faith.  Do we speak to ourselves what is "seen" or do we speak every GODLY thing which is in us?  Proverbs 18:21, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue..." Faith becomes active when we express the desires of the LORD to ourselves.  The desires of the heart communicates itself to others as well as ourselves, and enables all to partake of the fruits.  Do we speak "death" or "LIFE" to ourselves?  WHAT WE SPEAK, IS WHO WE ARE.


Psalm 139: 23-24
Isaiah  43:1
GOD IS GOD!