At this present time I feel like I’m in a battle, a struggle. And it seems to be a battle from within. It doesn’t feel like it’s a direct attack or presents obvious opponents. Though, no doubt they are there. No, it feels like I’m surrounded by a dense fog of despair and discouragement; a little doubt perhaps. When I sin or look inward, it seems to compound the problem. When I disappoint God and ask for His forgiveness I honestly believe that He forgives me and frees me. This I understand and accept. However, the sense of disappointment still continues to linger. I guess I feel the weight of how far away I am from the person I expected/wished to be with God. I still stumble on little things that I thought I had a handle on.
A verse in Luke 16:10 NKJV comes to mind: “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.” I’m stuck on the “least: part. I am overwhelmed when I see that God still uses me to do His work. It confuses me because God can certainly choose a better person. There are a lot more people better qualified and equipped to minister to the people I encounter. I don’t know. God apparently looks at me differently. He gives me opportunities on an ongoing basis to serve Him no matter how weak I am or how I feel about my situation. He opens doors for the lame and the broken-hearted.
Another verse comes to mind, 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 NKJV: “For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.”
I know of one thing that I must do no matter how I feel. One thing that must occur no matter where the battle rages. I must be faithful and trust in God. Every breath I take, every pulse I beat, confirms that He is God, I am not and that He has a purpose for me. So, while I am living in some sort of “funk of discouragement”, I press on. God has not loosed me. He promises to never let me go. To His glory I am worthy!
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus (Lyrics)
V. 1
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There's light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
Refrain
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
V. 2
Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion--
For more than conquerors we are!
(Repeat refrain)
V. 3
His Word shall not fail you--He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!
(Repeat refrain)
Words & Music: Helen H. Lemmel, 1922.
This hymn is in the Public Domain.
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There's light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
Refrain
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
V. 2
Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion--
For more than conquerors we are!
(Repeat refrain)
V. 3
His Word shall not fail you--He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!
(Repeat refrain)
Words & Music: Helen H. Lemmel, 1922.
This hymn is in the Public Domain.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
O Christ, Brand Me Deep!
Luke 23:4 NKJV
Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”And they divided His garments and cast lots.
Psalm 86:5 NKJV
For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.
You and I are to be branded with the spirit of forgiveness. It will go deep, very deep. Never again will we retaliate or harbor resentment. That all belongs to a dead past.
O Christ, Brand me deep. I surrender all hurts, all resentment, all retaliation. I shall love everyone-friend and foe. Only by Your grace can I do this. From this point forward, let no hate trouble me: I bear your brand, amen.
-Taken from Abundant Living, pg. 319, by E. Stanley Jones, edited by Dean Merrill, Summerside Press. Used with permission.
Matthew 6:14-16 NKJV
"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”And they divided His garments and cast lots.
Psalm 86:5 NKJV
For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.
You and I are to be branded with the spirit of forgiveness. It will go deep, very deep. Never again will we retaliate or harbor resentment. That all belongs to a dead past.
O Christ, Brand me deep. I surrender all hurts, all resentment, all retaliation. I shall love everyone-friend and foe. Only by Your grace can I do this. From this point forward, let no hate trouble me: I bear your brand, amen.
-Taken from Abundant Living, pg. 319, by E. Stanley Jones, edited by Dean Merrill, Summerside Press. Used with permission.
Matthew 6:14-16 NKJV
"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
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