A Hurting Word...
Having a home on the Internet is an exciting experience, but like everything else, it has its ups and downs! Now the stock market may *be* down, kids may *slide* down, and you may *run* down, but when your web page *shuts* down, you're in trouble. No mail! No visitors! No fun!
I KNOW--it happened to me this week. A technical breakdown on the server--my site was down for six hours and my home was out of circulation. Now I could have sat and bit my fingernails or devoured chocolate for those six hours--my favorite stress-reliever (chocolate not nail-biting!) But in the middle of the muddle, the Lord showed up--now, not in visible Person, of course, but almost! For His Holy Spirit knocked on my heart's door with a devotional for down 'n out-ers. And the outline for this devotional was born, like most babies, in the middle of the "night!"
You'll hear lovely music as you read this--I didn't--it was still--that is, once my spirit finally quieted from all the turmoil of the moment. I heard His voice. My internet connection may have been broken--but heaven's wasn't! Aren't you glad our communication with the Lord doesn't depend on any internet provider in town or around the world. It's heaven's best connection; it doesn't break down; and it's free!!
A Helping Word...or Two!
Out of control?...Let's be honest--we've all been there. The inner emotional pain explodes into hurtful words, angry tones, fearful hearts. We blow it--sometimes in the most private places of our homes, sometimes in the most public places of our world. Read the headlines--our whole world is out of control. Peace is nowhere to be found...or is it?
"For he is our peace..(Ephesians 2:14 KJV)."
Let Jesus Christ, God's Son, be your peace. Let him take the fall-flat-on-your-face times, the fail-abort-retry times, and turn them into times of grace, mercy, forgiveness and peace. For you may be "down," but you're not out of His reach. You may be "out of control," but HE'S not--HE knows exactly what's wrong, and HE knows how to fix it. Let Him!
Out of patience?...Let's be honest--we've all been here too! The stresses of life bring wear and tear on our emotions, and the patience we "thought" we had when we jumped out of bed in the morning is gone by ten o'clock--whether it's the thousand interruptions of the office--or the offspring! Patience is nowhere to be found...or is it?
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control...Galatians 5:22, 23 (KJV)."
Let the blessed Holy Spirit be your provider. Let him take the rough edges of your personality, and turn them into the redeeming qualities of His Person. He has a basket full of the graces of heaven He wants to share with you. You may be "down," but you're not out of His care. You may be "out of patience," but HE'S NOT--HE knows exactly what's wrong, and HE knows how to fix it. Let Him!
Out of breath? Let's be honest--we've all run out of steam in the righteous race plenty of times. We jog full speed ahead, in joyous victory, only to tire out, slow down, and steam-out--breathless, worn, and weary! Weary of running. Weary of racing. Just plain worn out! Spiritual exhaustion is no fun--but it happens, and when it does, we feel as though renewal is out of reach...or is it?
"My flesh and my heart fail, but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever (Psalm 73:26 KJV)."
Let a faithful Heavenly Father be your strength. Let Him take your tired spirit and renew it with strength only He can provide. It's in the storehouse of His Word, and He waits to share it with you. Let the water of His Word refresh you--even when you're down. Especially when you're down. For you're not out of His keeping--you may be ready to quit the race--but HE'S NOT--HE knows how you feel, and HE knows how to revive you--ready to resume the race and WIN! You will-if you let Him!
Well, I was down 'n out on the WEB this week--and out of it came His Word to you today. For you see, the Lord wanted a world to know how much He loves us all--even when we're down 'n out! You may be down 'n out for a season, but He'll be right there with you. Understanding, loving, drying your tears, and lifting you up. For remember, while you're down, you are NEVER out of HIs care. This "too" shall pass, and some day soon, all our troubles will be OUT OF SIGHT. You see, HIS long-term benefits are never downers--they are truly OUT OF THIS WORLD!
And that's just a word--or two--from my heart to yours!
His Healing Word
"...Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning (Psalm 30:5 KJV)."
"Why art thou cast DOWN, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; for I shallyet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God (Psalms 42:11 KJV)."
"Lord, I'm down 'n out--out of control, out of patience, and just plain out of breath! There's no more energy to go on--I'm tired, worn out, and beat by the enemy of my soul. So I think. But I'm not, Lord--because I am Yours. Lift me up until I am aware of the presence and JOY of the Triune God in my life. A powerful God Who is NEVER down 'n out, and will bring ME out of my night in triumph to joyfully praise His Name. And in that Name I pray. Amen."
