DEPRESSION

Sometimes life can just be so depressing, especially when things do not go our way. I read once of a person who just had three words as the cure for depression "rise above it". Rise above it, rise above it, rise above it! What comforting words in times of sadness and sorrow, to rise above it and fight to face the next day. Jesus is so great, He gives us the kind of peace that we can only get from knowing Him. The peace that passes all understanding.
It is only up to us to reach out to Him and seek the comfort that He can provide. He is so gracious.
There is no tomorrow without hope. There is no future without hope. But where can hope come from? I believe it comes from trusting our Saviour, I mean, putting all our trust in Him, not leaving some behind, just like how the toothpaste tube always has 'just a little' left which can not be squeezed out, except with huge determination!
So this is my message for today. There is no shadow of turning with Him who loves us unconditionally. Through loving Him, trusting Him unconditionally, placing all our burdens on Him, we can handle the burdens of life, the depressions of life, all the minor worries and sadnesses! Oh, everything! In fact, He is not called Omnipotent and Omnipresent for nothing!
May these words bless and encourage you.

The rose I used to create the picture below is courtesy of www.wallpapersafari.com

Comfort Songs - "Jesus, we enthrone You and we proclaim you as King"

Do you, like me, have 'comfort songs' that you sing sometimes when you feel that you just need to be close to the Lord? One of my favouritist is this one:

"Jesus, we enthrone You and we proclaim You as King

Standing here in the very midst of us

We raise You up with our praise

And as we worship build Your throne,

And as we worship build Your throne

And as we worship build Your throne,

Come Lord Jesus, and take Your place!"

Oh, it may be an old song, but the glory and power in it and the grace that I feel washing over my life when I sing it! And the feeling of being supported, loved, held up by the King of Kings and Lord and Lords!

I once read that when you are feeling depressed, sing or read the olden day songs, songs like "Amazing Grace" and "How great Thou art", written way back when but with such an anointing over them. They are so deeply biblical that they have brought comfort to many, myself included!

The background picture that I used to create this worship picture is courtesy of: thedanceoflifewithjenna.blogspot.com

Beautiful Christian Inspiration/Carla's blog: “Everyone needs compassion, the kindness of a Saviour, Our God is mighty to save”

Beautiful Christian Inspiration/Carla's blog: “Everyone needs compassion, the kindness of a Saviour, Our God is mighty to save”

“Everyone needs compassion, the kindness of a Saviour, Our God is mighty to save”

“Everyone needs compassion, the kindness of a Saviour, Our God is mighty to save” (Hillsongs)
Needing
We think that we do not need to depend on anyone, as is the modern trend (of which I am no exception!), but it is surprising that we actually do need others! God made us to be in relationship with each other, and it is from the outpouring of our love to Him that we are able to love others. It is impossible, absolutely impossible that we can go through our lives consistently depending on ourselves and still prosper. Is that how you got to where you are today? I doubt it! You had to depend on someone – this is what John Donne says:
“No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as any manner of thy friends or of thine own were; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind. And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.”We need each other and there is no denying it!
CompassionMore than that, we need our Saviour, we need His compassion in our lives! He said: “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give thee rest” (Matthew 11:28). We do not have to strive for His compassion, as we would have to strive to gain the compassion of people whose hearts are merciless and cold. His heart is warm and encompasses us – His mercy surrounds us – He gives us the love that we do not deserve to receive because we are so sinful. He gives us the love that we all beg for and need from the very foundations of our being.
Kindness
Acts of kindness are rare these days because we are filled with mistrust as a result of bad deeds done to us in our lives. And yet what does a little kindness take away from you? In fact, I can bet that kindness actually adds to you, I can bet that a million acts of random kindness could change the world! Kindness in itself from another human being is tainted because we have the attitude that they are doing it somehow for their own self-benefit, but the Saviour has such kindness that it is called ‘lovingkindness’ in the Bible. When I think of that word ‘lovingkindness’, a picture of beauty comes to my mind, a picture of true love, with no secret motives behind it, like a soft pink rosebud with drops of dew glinting on it in the first hours of daylight. This rosebud, the love of our Saviour, does not change or become affected by the environment around it. It rests calm and peaceful in the midst of turmoil and radiates a sweet aroma of love and gentleness.
We need the kindness and compassion of our Saviour, the flow of tender love from God which radiates our hearts and from there shines its light on the lives of others.
Yes, it’s true, our God is mighty in compassion, kindness and love, He is indeed mighty to save!

RITUAL VERSUS PASSION

Yesterday I was convicted that my relationship with God lately has been characterised by ritual rather than passion. I read my Bible daily, say my usual prayers, but it's all been lustreless and not as if I am in a real relationship with a real God. I believe I have a great passion for God but this has not been reflected in my worship of Him. How I need Him in my life!
God is not inspired by rituals, as He said in Amos 5:21 - "I hate, I despise your feasts, and I will take no delight in your solemn assemblies".
How inspiring to read the work of the great man of God, Charles Spurgeon, who said: "In looking back upon the character of our prayers, if we do it honestly, we shall be filled with wonder that God has ever answered them. There may be some who think their prayers worthy of acceptance-as the Pharisee did; but the true Christian, in a more enlightened retrospect, weeps over his prayers, and if he could retrace his stepshe would desire to pray more earnestly. Remember, Christian, how cold thy prayers have been. When in thy closet thou shouldst have wrestledas Jacob did; but instead thereof, thy petitions have been faint and few-far removed from that humble, believing, persevering faith, whichcries, "I will not let thee go except thou bless me." Yet, wonderful to say, God has heard these cold prayers of thine, and not only heard, but answered them. Reflect also, how infrequent have been thy prayers,unless thou hast been in trouble, and then thou hast gone often to themercy-seat: but when deliverance has come, where has been thy constant supplication? Yet, notwithstanding thou hast ceased to pray as once thou didst, God has not ceased to bless. When thou hast neglected the mercy-seat, God has not deserted it, but the bright light of the Shekinah has always been visible between the wings of the cherubim. Oh!it is marvellous that the Lord should regard those intermittent spasms of importunity which come and go with our necessities. What a God is he thus to hear the prayers of those who come to him when they have pressing wants, but neglect him when they have received a mercy; who approach him when they are forced to come, but who almost forget to address him when mercies are plentiful and sorrows are few. Let his gracious kindness in hearing such prayers touch our hearts, so that we may henceforth be found "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit."

Oh, how true that has been, that we come before the throne of God with our hearts so dull and not even seeking His anointing, focusing just on what we need for that moment! I've decided to change my ways of worshipping God, reading the Bible, and praying to Him.
Firstly, by changing my Bible! I did it, but it was difficult! Instead of reading the same version of the Bible all the time, I have changed to another version. It's not that the versions change the meaning of God's word, rather, it's that each different version of the Bible shows God in a new light. I need that new revelation for my soul! Also I am approaching the Bible with the attitude that God is present, it's not just me reading any old book, but it's me approaching the throne of the Almighty God and seeking to know Him in greater ways. As I am reading the Bible, I also ask, "How does this apply to my life?", for there is truth in these words, there is something that can change my attitude in these words, goodness, there is life itself to be found in these precious words from the very mouth of God!
And in this way my prayers have become influenced. God knows what we need even before we ask, so why ask Him? Because we need to draw near to Him, we need to learn great faith, and it is only in drawing near to Him that our faith will grow.
So my fellow Christian, I pray that you can also make an important change in your life, starting TODAY! I hope that these words can inspire you to seek God in greater ways and seek His wisdom for your life.
Be blessed,
Carla

THREE ENCOURAGING MESSAGES

Dear Friends in Christ,
Today I would like to share with you three encouraging messages about the man in the tombs who met Jesus and had a life-changing experience. One would think that the fact that he, A RAGING LUNATIC, was living in the tombs, CUTTING HIMSELF WITH STONES, meant that there was no hope for him. But he met Jesus, and oh, glory to God, in Jesus there is hope, because no-one is hopeless whose hope is in God. No matter what you are going through today, He is the one who promised that He would be with us, “even until the end of the age!”
Be encouraged today
Carla

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Stop Cutting Yourself Down!
“He was...in the tombs...cutting himself with stones.” Mk 5:4-5
Discussing his low self-esteem, cartoon character Charlie Brown says, "It goes back to when I first set foot on the stage of life. They looked at me and said, 'He's just not right for the part!'" You may smile, but when you've spent your life engaged in self-flagellation, you know exactly what he means. The man in the tombs spent his days "cutting himself" because he thought he was worthless. And many of us who wear a game face in public spend our days doing the same thing.
Your self-image is second only to your faith in God. It doesn't matter what others think of you, what matters is what you think of yourself - based on what God thinks! Self-esteem has to come from self. That's why it's hard to believe the good things people say about you when you can't see them in yourself. Plus, how you treat others flows directly from your reservoir of personal dignity and self-respect. It's impossible to "Love your neighbour as yourself" (Mt 19:19) when you don't even like yourself. Paul says a man should love his wife like he loves himself (Eph 5:28). But when you detest yourself, how can you love your mate?
The only time any of us even comes close to perfection is on a job application! Stop cutting yourself down! God made you the way you are in order to use you the way He planned. Start complimenting Him on the great job He did. And remember, He loves you unconditionally - and that's the only reason you need for loving yourself!
~ by Bob Gass


CRYING ON THE INSIDE
“He was...in the...tombs, crying.” Mk 5:5
Jesus didn't cross the Sea of Galilee in a storm just to meet with a disturbed man. There were plenty of those on shore! He did it because, although this man seemed so fierce and tough on the outside, on the inside "he was... crying." He hated who he'd become and the situation he was in. How about you? Are you crying on the inside because of how your life has turned out? Maybe you intended to be a better parent, a more faithful partner, an honest employee or an exemplary leader, but things didn't work out the way you planned and now you're in a mess.
Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled"Mt 5:6. Wanting to change is the first step! Thank God Jesus never said, "Blessed are those who are good enough already," or we'd be in big trouble! No, He was talking to those who want to do the right thing; who still believe they can, even if they aren't right now; those who desire to do better.
Remember, it's not what you've done that makes you a candidate for God's forgiveness, it's how you feel about what you've done. God will never condemn you for asking for His help. In fact, deliverance begins with a desire and a willingness to challenge your problem. So what's your heart's cry today? What do you want to change about yourself and your life? Get alone. Reach to God for help. He'll respond with love and forgiveness. He won't disappoint you!
~ by Bob Gass
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THE DIVIDE-AND-CONQUER STRATEGY
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves.” 1 Jn 1:8
In the New Testament, "A man with an evil spirit...ran to [Jesus] from the graveyard where he had been living...yelling and cutting himself with stones" (Mk 5:2,3 & 5). Why was this man living in a graveyard outside the city, away from everybody who cared about him? Because Satan's strategy is to "divide and conquer," by isolating you from those who care about you. He'll do whatever it takes to convince you to break away. Without a support system he knows he can get the better of you. He'll try to convince you, "you're not like those people; you're better." Or "your situation's unique because of your background; others can't relate because they've never had it this bad." The problem with thinking you're different from everybody else is - concluding that you don't have to abide by the same rules! At that point, Satan’s lies become a license to act and speak in ways that dishonour God and hurt you.
The Bible says, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves.” By hardening your attitude and whipping out the old “yeah but” card, eventually you become disconnected from the truth. And that’s dangerous, especially when you disengage from those who are willing to speak truth to you and have your best interests at heart. When Satan comes with his “divide and conquer” strategy, refuse to buy it. Stay connected no matter what, by refusing to be separated from God’s people, God’s Word, God’s Spirit, God’s plan and God’s purpose for your life.
~ by Bob Gass

You are precious in God’s eyes

“You are fearfully and wonderfully made.” Ps 139:14
I was thinking of what we say outwardly to others and also what we say inwardly to ourselves. The former is a reflection of the latter.
The things we say inwardly, or self-talk as it is known in psychology, are very much a reflection of our self-esteem. For instance, if you are often telling yourself how stupid you are, how nobody loves you, how meaningless your life is, the fruit of this kind of thinking comes out in the way we react to others. Sometimes even the things that other people do or say have the effect of confirming this negativity which we carry within ourselves. An example, somebody at work implies that you are careless, immediately this remark goes straight to the negative feelings you have and it comes out as it's true, I am a useless nobody and I can't even do my work right.
The resultant effect is that the nothingness we feel, the emptiness, the sadness, the lack of understanding of our existence, become heavier and heavier.
But in God, who says that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, we do not need to carry around such negativity. Maybe that other person is carrying around a bundle of hurt just like you are and they make that thoughtless comment that brings your heart right down. Give yourself a break. When you find yourself saying these negative things inwardly, turn it around to the positive and the truth, because you know it’s not true that you are worthless – God says you are very valuable and precious in His eyes. It’s not true that there is no hope for you – God says that our hope is in Him - "so the helpless has hope" Jeremiah 5:16.
It’s not true that you are not loved – God says that He has loved you with an everlasting love ("I have loved you with an everlasting love, therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness" Jeremiah 31:3).
These are not just empty words, they are special promises that God has made. And our God, praise His Name!, is so great and His promises are not like our promises. Our promises are just like our lives, a breath, a wave washing over the shore and then disappearing into the great big sea. But God's promises are everlasting, through the ages HE has proven Himself true to His word.
So why not put your trust in Him, dear friend, dear downtrodden, sad, lonely friend, and ask Him to take the hurts that you feel, which you have been accumulating throughout your whole life, and ask Him to renew your spirit. Often when I feel down I think of those precious words “I am a new creation, no more in condemnation” ("Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new."
2 Corinthians 5:17). Just as I know I am a new creation, I urge you to put these timeless words into your spirit and to put your trust in Him today.
May these words strengthen you.

Discouragement

"In hours of discouragement, God is our encouragement" - Helen Steiner Rice

“Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
Some days should not ever have taken place. That's how you feel. Bleak, discouraged, hopeless.
And yet our Lord says that we should bring all our worries and burdens to Him. He who calmed a storm, walked on water, slept while others were fretful and afraid, how can He not be able to take on and bear our troubles?
There is a saying that noone is hopeless whose hope is in God. Is it possible to live without hope? No, it is impossible. Without hope we are as capable of surviving as a fly that has fallen in the great blue sea. Without hope we are as lost as a dog in a desert. Without hope there is no life.
If you are feeling that the light at the end of the tunnel is growing dimmer, why don’t you put your trust in the Lord today? He is our firm foundation. There is no shadow of turning with Him. His word is eternal, trust in Him, hope in Him, believe in Him.
Dear friend, if we can not bring our troubles to the Lord, where can we stand? Indeed, how can we stand? This great God, to whom so many songs of praise have been penned, is still there for us. He promised us that He would be with us until the end of the age.
So if you are feeling sad and downtrodden today, why not kneel down and share your hurts with Him? This great Comforter, who has comforted so many souls through the ages, will surely comfort and touch your soul as you reach out to Him.


Deut. 33:27 The eternal God is thy refuge,
and underneath are the everlasting arms...

The Everlasting Arms

Are you sunk in depths of sorrow
Where no arm can reach so low;
There is One whose arms almighty
Reach beyond thy deepest woe.
God the Eternal is thy refuge,
Let Him still thy wild alarms;
Underneath thy deepest sorrow
Are the everlasting arms.

Other arms grow faint and weary,
These can never faint nor fail;
Others reach our mounts of blessing,
These our lowest, loneliest vale.
Oh, that all might know His friendship!
Oh, that all might see His charms!
Oh, that all might have beneath them
Jesus' everlasting arms.

Underneath us - oh, how easy!
We have not to mount on high,
But to sink into His fullness
And in trustful weakness lie;
And we find our humbling failures
Save us from the strength that harms;
We may fail, but underneath us
Are the everlasting arms.

Arms of Jesus, fold me closer
To Thy strong and loving breast,
Till my spirit on Thy bosom
Finds it's everlasting rest;
And when time's last sands are sinking,
Shield my heart from all alarms,
Softly whispering, "Underneath thee
Are the everlasting arms."

By A. B. Simpson

THE GREATEST ADVANTAGE

We who are Christians have the greatest advantage of all - we have God on our side! A Friend who never loses hope, an Encourager, a Help in times of trouble. Yes, the Christian life is a great life. I have never regretted a single moment of it. It is a constant learning curve for me. Here are some verses which I hope will encourage you in your walk with the Lord. May you grow in His grace and be strong in Him always. Amen.

LIVE FOR CHRIST
 “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; And He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” 2 Cor 5:14-15
 “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Gal 2:20

OBEY CHRIST
 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of Christ.” Rom 12:1-2
 “He who has my commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” Jn 14:21

THE BIBLE
 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reprof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, That the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Tim 3:16-17
 “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word…Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Ps 119:9,11

PRAYER
 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:6-7
 “If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” Jn 15:7

PROTECTION
 Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
 Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

What has happened to simplicity?

Times have changed since I was young. Well, I'm not really that old and since I'm a woman I have to point that out.
Why I am using this old platitude that things have changed is because I think that multimedia, computers and all things technological have certainly changed the way that our children are being educated, not just their outlook on life (forgive me, another platitude, but not a worthless one, I think. One that should be said time and time again, in fact!).
I went to witness my daughter's play, a really well-organised affair, involving all types of computer graphics and what impressed me the most about it was that it was so polished, compared to what we used to put on for our parents in our days (not so long ago, it seems!. It makes me feel sad in a way because I think of our rustic performances using home-made costumes not very dissimilar to teatowels and sheets in 'Good king Wenceslas', and feathers from real chickens used to make our headgear in the case of 'Pocahontas!
I'm wondering now if this reliance on computer graphics for stage performances has not taken away something unique and precious about acting, the real, old-fashioned talent! Are we so into gimmicks that we can not appreciate something simple and homely?
Probably if my children went to see my own school performances or if they had been captured on video, they would have shuddered and teased me relentlessly about it! But in truth, I think that the lack of perfect props added to the value of those experiences and improvisation probably played a greater part in our lives then than it did now. Even I myself have changed because I probably would not be able to sit through a performance like that. Living in Africa as I do, I did recently have this privilege, on World Water Day, of having to sit through about 2 hours of a very rustic, homely, sweet, unchoreographed, imperfect homily to the importance of water. This is in retrospect. The truth is, I felt bored, irritated, annoyed, and kept on looking at my watch wishing for lunchtime to come because I could see the table of eats from where I was sitting and that was so appetising, more appetising than the fare that was in front of me.
So what is the point of my message? I think we should appreciate simple things again. It was quite an inspiration for me to read about the 'No Impact Man' who chose to live one year in New York without the basic amenities, doing his bit for the environment. Unbelievable in fact that someone could go back to the simple and yet be surrounded by a very complex structure where such amenities are vital to life (apart from the TV, of course! We could all do without a bit of TV!).
My encouragement today is to ask you to consider simplicity once again, try to incorporate it into your daily life, try to improvise again, you don’t need to use the computer for everything!! Jesus was so simple, His message was simple. The Bible says: "In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength…” Isaiah 30:15


SOME THOUGHTS ON SIMPLICITY:
 "Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” Confucius
 “Go placidly amid the noise and haste, And remember what peace there may be in silence.” Max Ehrmann
 “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” Leonardo DaVinci