Know this

“Know this: God is God, and God, God.

He made us; we didn’t make him.

We’re his people, his well-tended sheep.”

Psalm 100:3

You are not your own.  You’ve been bought and paid for by our Lord and Savior.  So, until you realize that you will never have the quality life you are meant to have.

God loves you so much, however, if you choose to believe that you, or the world, has the control, then you will never get to experience the goodness and mercy of God.  Therefore, give up the belief that you can run your own life, and let God run it for you.  It’s easy – just acknowledge him and give your life to him.  Once you do, anger begins to vanish, resentment goes  by the way-side, depression becomes a thing of the past, and the future gets brighter and brighter with every waking minute.

God is so good my friends – enjoy him; enjoy life.

Test and prove yourselves

"Examine and test and evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your faith and showing the proper fruits of it.  Test and prove yourselves [not Christ].  Do you not yourselves realize and know... that Jesus Christ is in you - unless you are [counterfeit] disapproved on trial and rejected?" II Corinthians 13:5 AMPC

There's not a better way to put it: Examine and test and evaluate yourselves daily to see if there is anything, (sin, wrong thinking, darkness, depression, etc.), in you that needs to be removed.  If there is, and as humans we usually have something dark within, then we need to repent, and ask the Lord to remove it from us; ask the Lord to change our thoughts and actions.  I believe that it is so important for us to stay on our toes when it comes to sin and darkness that we hold on to.  In my opinion, it is what we hold on to that leads us to, or away, from God, so consistent accountability to God of our thoughts and actions is a must.  

Remember, God lives within you!  You are so unique, and so special - you have so much to offer this world.  So, don't let the dark-side of life get the best of you - don't let go of God, not even for a second.  Soon, your inner Light and beauty will come out naturally, you will have more confidence because of the Spirit within you, and the devil will stay further and further behind you, knowing that you are getting too strong for him to even want to deal with.

In our midst

"... yet You, O Lord, are in the midst of us, and we are called by your name..." 

Jeremiah 14:9

You and I are not alone, we are never, nor will be ever be alone - God is always with us!

I know there are times when the feeling of loneliness can get get overwhelming; overwhelming to the point of tears, depression, and fear - but, those are the times when God can do His best work if we let Him, if we call on Him, if we trust Him!  Remember, the pain you've felt, or are feeling now, is only a season, so take hold of God with your life, and in due time you will, once again, see His light shine; there will be a new spring in your step, and the mountain that once stopped you in your tracks will be barely visible in your past.

Arise and Shine

“Arise [from the depression in which circumstances have kept you – rise to new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you… He has beautified and glorified you” Isaiah 60:1, 9

Oh, my friends! Today is a beautiful new day in Christ – a fresh, new day, and a fresh new you! So, wake up, put on the new you; throw out the old you, because God wants to do amazing, new things in your life! Yes, take the bold steps of faith and He will carry you the rest of the way.

Commit to no more depression, darkness, and pain – let it go, lift your arms to Heaven, receive Him into your heart, and let His light and glory overtake you in a way that goes beyond all comprehension! 

You and your life are not, and will not, surprise God

You and your life are not, and will not, surprise God

“Go your way, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart… for God has already accepted your works.” Ecclesiastes 9:7

Whatever mistakes you’ve made, whatever mistakes you will do, God already knows.  It is of no use to sit around and feel guilty over your past, present, or future.  Repent of your sins, dig deeper into your relationship with the Lord, forgive yourself, and move on with your life.  As long as you have a heart for God, are trying to get better every day, then there is no reason to be depressed, down-trodden, guilty, or condemned.  No, mistakes are not fun, but before too long, your current and past mistakes will become your future blessings. 

So, during your times of mistakes, embarrassments, and confrontations, do what you can to step outside the moment and realize that, “This too will pass, and it will turn out for my good.”

Live your life for God; love the person you are; be quick to forgive yourself and others; and, fret not – God loves you unconditionally.

Worth the wait; worth the pain.

When depression overtakes you, when fear torments you, or emotion cannot be found within you: shut your worldly eyes, open your spiritual eyes and see God for who He truly is; omnipresent, ever-powerful, magnificent, abundant, and oh-so merciful !  Yes, God is with you and in an (unknown) instant, you, like Job, will be restored: 

"And the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning..." (Job 42:12).

My dear friend, every ounce of mental and physical pain you are going through is going to be well worth the blessings that God will soon be showering over you!!