Too Tired!

We all know that times can be so rough that even the young & strong faint & fall at times. Yet God defines a special group and promises strength to “they that wait upon the Lord!” We have all been there.

Often we ask:

·  Why is God’s not answering my prayers?

·  Why do I struggle so with this sin in my life?

·  Why can’t I seem to get out this depressed state I’m in? Why? Why? Why?

We know in our heart God is so amazing and yet here I sit with all these problems! I’m too tired, I can’t go on!

We like to wait FOR God to deliver for our own benefit!

God promises his strength to those waiting  UPON HIM! Serving for His benefit & glory!

Promising Renewed strength to:

Reach new heights.

Run the race to win!

Walk the walk & not faint or fall.

When we are tired, we must remember that renewal is found in serving our God not quitting; in serving others in His Name and for their benefit.

We can’t afford to lay down
 and quit now!

A N G E R

Today we find anger and wrath rewarded with advancement and fame. Yet, even when it provides some “success”, it is a terrible trap that will at some point overtake and destroy.

Experience has taught me that anger usually rises out of FEELINGS of powerlessness or inadequacy.

    · I deserve better
      —but I can’t make it happen.

    · I want them to love me
      —but I must not be enough.

    · I want more and since I can’t get it by achievement
      —I will bully my way to more.

Trouble is ANGER leads to bad judgment and bad judgment to growing problems!

Change really occurs in our mind and heart first, and then works out into our behavior!

Ephesians 4:31 "AND" 32

FEAR

 

I remember many times in my life where fear has probably saved me from pain, injury and/or death. However, too often inappropriate fear held me back from things that I could have and should have done. For nearly all of mankind's existence, fear has driven men to the heights of achievement as well as the depths of depravity. Of course all fear is not bad. Here in the West, the sources of our fears have changed significantly. Generally, there is a greater fear man than God! Terrorists both foreign and domestic taking the form of bombers, gangs, police, even neighbors cause many to act irrationally. Fear that our comfortable way of life will fall has many voting for tyranny and laboring for ideals they do not hold. 

Yet, fear can be a great motivator when we fear the right things. Allowing our fear of the wrong things to drive us is extremely destructive to all things righteous. Normally fear perpetuates torment, it is love that casts out fear. (1 John 4:18) "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." Without faith, fear can be debilitating. (Mark 4:40-41) "And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" Nevertheless, where faith boldly carries the light of hope, fear becomes the catalyst for righteous action and beneficial results. (Hebrews 11:7) "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith."

Faith leads in the light of hope
while fear hides in the loveless darkness

DOMESTIC ABUSE an issue of power

Domestic violence / abuse is never right, even if it has become acceptable in your home or culture.
It could turn out to be fortunate that domestic abuse has come center stage in recent days. Fortunate in that the problem of abuse has never gone away, only our willingness to recognize and act against it. We must consider the dialogue that has begun as a potential for progress against this terrible offense. The Bible tells men to "...Dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life..." 1Peter 3:7.

• Knowing the needs of our spouses, and not using them as weapons against them, builds and benefits our relationships and helps us realize that we need each other.
• Honoring them lifts them up from within because they feel the value we place upon them in our lives and we will naturally protect them because of their intrinsic value. 
• Understanding that the life that we have is only by the grace of God, the undeserved and unearned gift of the Almighty, should cause us to treat the gift of their life as a blessing from heaven as well; for we certainly have not earned our life any more than they.

Let us now engage in a dialogue for change and act:

• With godliness in our approach
• With compassion for the victims
• With a plan for protection
• With appropriate action against the offenders