Tag: despair

How to Fight in A Spiritual War of Terror and Despair

And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. Daniel 10:11-12

Our prayers are heard and God sends forth His angels to respond immediately. Sometimes  because of all the spiritual warfare around us, it may feel to us that the prayers are delayed. But we can be certain, they are being heard and answered immediately! It may take time for the preparation of everything else; but, the answer is already on the way. This was the case in Daniel 10. The messenger angel tells Daniel that he had been delayed while battling demoniac spirits which had been assigned to regions of the world. In the case described to prevent God’s message from arriving to Daniel. Prior to Jesus sending the Holy Spirit to indwell each and every person who accepts Christ as Savior, it was necessary for God to send messengers to His people. Now we have the Holy Spirit indwelling us. Yet, we are called to recognize that there remains a spiritual warfare of which we are a part every day.

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How to Really Know Faith when Facing Fiery Trials

If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Daniel 3;17-18

When fiery trials of life come into our lives, all too often we despair or become angry. We may cry out to God with that piercing question, “Why?” We pray for a miracle when a loved one is ill and then wonder what happened when our loved one dies anyway. Couldn’t God have saved them? Couldn’t God have prevented the storm from ripping away all that I clung to on this earth? Couldn’t God have prevented the Cancer or the years of illness that followed? Of course, He could have!! But He didn’t in my case and often He doesn’t; yet, what He does is more miraculous than the miracle we are asking for.

Nebuchadnezzar had quickly forgotten his own words concerning God spoken to Daniel: “Of a truth it is that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings” (Daniel 2:47). Most certainly, he had either forgotten or misunderstood Daniels proclamation, “Thou, O King, art a king of kings, for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory” (Daniel 2:37). Much like a lot of people we meet. Perhaps they have come to the awareness of God; but, quickly become more occupied in their own self exaltation. Never falling to the ground in praise or awe of God’s Grace and Glory toward them. So it was,

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Arise, My Heart to Sing—Poetry Sunday

Arise, my people! Let your light shine for all the nations to see! For the glory of the Lord is streaming from you.2 Darkness as black as night shall cover all the peoples of the earth, but the glory of the Lord will shine from you. 3 All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see the glory of the Lord upon you. Isaiah 60:1-3 (TLB)

We, the people of God need to let our hearts be comforted in God’s promises and His Everlasting love for us.  It is so easy to feel our hearts break for all the sadness that surrounds us in this world.  Yet, God has called us to be the light of truth shining forth into a darkened world!!  The only truth that we can be assured of is found in God’s Words as He alone can fully reveal to our hearts during our time alone with Him.  Only there can we find solace, strength, and joy; so that we might arise with Hearts of Joy and Praise!!  It is there that we can find a Joy that sustains us even when we are surrounded by Hurricane Force Winds of despair trying to uproot our life.  Alone with God we are reminded that we are His Beloved, Blessed, Redeemed, Chosen, Sanctified Children.  So, let us each and everyone arise early to be alone with God; before, we too become swallowed up in this world’s grief, sorrow, and anger!  Let us arise and let our lights shine for all the nations to see God’s Glory streaming through us!!

Arise, My Heart to Sing

By Effie Darlene Barba

 

In the hustle and bustle of this life

The blasting sounds filled with such rage

Parched from a world of pain and endless strife

I cried to God,” Come now! My thirst assuage!”

 

Then with gentle voice, He called out my name

“My child, dear one. I’ve longed to hear your voice.

To talk awhile, my love for you proclaim

So that your heart could then with me rejoice!”

 

“Oh, Father forgive me,

Began my feeble plea

 

I’ve taken for granted

You are always there

I’ve taken for granted

Your love and your care

 

My Precious Dear Father, how could it be?

Busy with things, my heart had grown quite cold

While you waited ever so patiently

With arms open wide, my life to enfold”

 

Let me never forget

My life’s in Your hand

Let me never forget

In Your strength I stand

 

Let me rise up each morning before the dawn

To lift up my voice in prayer and in song

Let me sing Your praises so loud and clear

That the world might know; both those far and near

You are my God, My Lord, My Precious King

My greatest love, the hope to which I cling

Arise, my heart! Arise and sing!

A Joy filled song to God, My King

[bctt tweet=”Let me sing Your praises so loud and clear That the world might know; both those far and near” username=”effiedarlene”]

[bctt tweet=”You are my God, My Lord, My Precious King My greatest love, the hope to which I cling” username=”effiedarlene”]

[bctt tweet=”Arise, my heart! Arise and sing! A Joy filled song to God, My King” username=”effiedarlene”]

[tweetthis]Let us be diligent in prayer that we may become the light to this world[/tweetthis]

Living Bible (TLB) The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post.  I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

How to Run This Marathon Called Life When Weary

 

Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. Hebrews 12:1-3 (NKJV)

In the last writing we looked back over Hebrews 11, which has always been considered as Faith’s Hall of Fame. For me, I am comforted to know that none of these men or women were perfect. They didn’t always get it right; yet, they kept getting up and going again. Sometimes they stood very strong and at other times they stumbled along the path. For some their lives were surrounded by great and wondrous miracles; others, suffered great loss and persecution. All had times of great trials, sorrows, and struggles.

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Life is really tough at times. No matter how carefully we try to plan our lives; unexpected storms come and surround us. There are times along this journey that our body, spirit and heart are wearied and we just don’t know if we can go one more step. We look behind and see the broken pieces scattered along the path. We wonder how God could still love us. We have said things we wish could be taken back; but alas, it is too late.

Jesus prayed to the Father in John 17 as our Great High Priest.

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In A Despairing World, What Is My Purpose?

Sometimes you were laughed at and beaten, and sometimes you watched and sympathized with others suffering the same things. You suffered with those thrown into jail, and you were actually joyful when all you owned was taken from you, knowing that better things were awaiting you in heaven, things that would be yours forever. Do not let this happy trust in the Lord die away, no matter what happens. Remember your reward! Hebrews 10:33-35 TLB

Can we truly know a steadfast joy that sustains our hearts even when terror strikes around us? Or when we go to the doctor to hear the dreaded word Cancer, where can be find sustaining faith? We see so much sorrow, so many suffering, and so much corruption that our hearts bleed for our nation and our world!  Yet, as followers of Christ we are told that we can hold tight to faith, hope, and joy. In our study on Monday, we began a 3 part series within our larger series through Hebrews.

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There are three key fundamental truths each of us must know in order to have a faith that can stand fearless no matter what happens around us. Even in the center of the storm, we can have a steadfast joy smoldering deep within our heart, spirit and soul. These three key fundamental truths are:

1. Knowing who God is

2. Knowing the purpose for which we were created

3. Knowing the true identity of who we are in Christ

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