Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Looking For A Cure For Discouragement?

My Utmost For His Highest
 
Arise and eat. —1 Kings 19:5
 
“The angel in this passage did not give Elijah a vision, or explain the Scriptures to him, or do anything remarkable. He simply told Elijah to do a very ordinary thing, that is, to get up and eat. […] When the Spirit of God comes to us, He does not give us glorious visions, but He tells us to do the most ordinary things imaginable. […] But whenever God steps in, His inspiration is to do the most natural, simple things— things we would never have imagined God was in, but as we do them we find Him there. […]  But we must take the first step and do it in the inspiration of God. […] As soon as we arise and obey, we enter a higher plane of life.”  CHAMBERS
 
Discouragement.  Have you ever been discouraged?  Think about the word … dis – couraged.  To not have courage.  Life on this planet can be and is very difficult.  We all face many trials and disappointments.  Challenges that leave us without the courage to press on … discouraged.  Jesus said (John 16:33) “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” What had He spoken?  Jesus had just told them that …. V 13 “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth.” V19-20 “I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me, and again a little while, and you will see Me’? Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy.” V 23-24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you.  Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.”
 
Jesus was encouraging the disciples to place their faith in Him and not in what they see or experience.  To not become discouraged by the events of life, but to be encouraged because they belonged to the Giver of life.  And so it is for us.  But we have to be reminded, now and again, of that truth.  If we are not intentionally seeking the Lord every day, discouragement is waiting like a bird of prey, ready to swoop down and snatch us up.  Like Elijah, the Spirit will say to us, arise and eat … not natural food, but spiritual food.  The cure for earthly discouragement is spiritual encouragement.  It is the remedy for what ills us.
 
(Joshua 1:9) “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  ELGIN
 
“Because He Lives”
 
“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, All fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living just because He lives."
 
Charley Elgin

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