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Sometimes It’s Hard To Be Happy

I must tell you the hard truth: I am not naturally a very sad person. But because of genetics, chemical malfunction, and a history of some bad theology, I’ve struggled with depression. I have sometimes met with counsellors, and I have sometimes used the medications they prescribed.
I fully believe in Jesus, but I can relate too well to today’s verses. Though God has richly blessed me, on many days my soul is like a dead battery on a winter morning. I say to myself, “Hey—wake up! What’s your problem? Put your hope in God!” Sometimes that helps, and sometimes it doesn’t. So when I write to you today about “happiness”, I am not talking in the abstract.
Some Christians are just naturally bubbly for Jesus. The rest of us, I’m afraid, must fight for happiness by faith. I find that I need to choose it, discipline myself for it, and make hard choices to have it.
Today, as I contemplate Psalm 42, I realise it is the story of a believer battling back-and-forth for faith and for happiness. If you struggle for happiness, that does not mean you are a bad Christian or a failure. You are just a normal human being, like the psalmist, coming forward by faith in a malfunctioning world. Keep working at it, we’ll fight by faith together.
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God. (Psalm 42:5).
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, comfort and bless me through my struggles. Father, I am weak, but you are mighty. Be gracious to me and awaken my soul to your goodness. In Christ’s name, Amen.
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Summer Holidays can Be Hard

Remember:  Christ is the hope for the broken-hearted. Pain is real. He felt it. Heartbreak is inevitable. He experienced it. Tears come. His did. Betrayal happens. He was betrayed. He knows. He sees. He understands. He loves deeply, in ways we can’t even fathom. When your heart breaks when the pain comes, when the whole thing seems like more than you can bear, you can look to the manger. You can look to the cross. You can remember the hope that comes with Jesus Christ.

The pain may not leave. But, His hope will swaddle you tight. His gentle mercy, will hold you until you can breathe again. What you long for this summer may never be, but He is and is to come. You can trust that, even in your summer holiday hurts.

Be patient and kind to yourself. Give yourself extra time and space to process your hurt, and reach out to others around you if you need extra support.

Find a cause to invest in. There is a saying, “grief is just love with no place to go”. Find a cause that honours the memory of a loved one. Giving time or money to a suitable charity can be helpful, as it gives expression to the love in your heart.

Create new traditions. Hurt changes us. Sometimes it is helpful for us to change our traditions to create a new normal. If you have a tradition that feels unbearable, don’t do it. Instead, consider doing something new… Creating new traditions can help alleviate some of the added sadness old traditions often bring.

Today, you may be overwhelmed, bruised and broken, but there is still goodness to be welcomed and blessings to be claimed in this season, even in pain. There will be summers in the future when you will feel stronger and lighter, and these very difficult days are part of the road to them, so accept whatever God has for you. You may not fully open straight away, but as the Spirit gives you strength, watch the heaviness and hurt disappear.

“And in the same way the Spirit is a help to our feeble hearts: for we are not able to make prayer to God in the right way; but the Spirit puts our desires into words which are not in our power to say.” (Romans 8:26).

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your greatness. Thank You that when I am weak, You are strong. Father, the devil is scheming, and I know he desires to keep me from spending time with You this summer – don’t let him win! Give me a measure of Your strength so that I might not give into discouragement, deception, and doubt! Help me honour You in all my ways, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.
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Gifts

God has given each of us gifts, and He’s given us the grace, the supernatural power to operate in those gifts. In other words, if God has called you to do something, He has equipped you by His grace.
Scripture says that His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. That means, when we are doing what we are called to do and operating in our gift, there will be an “easiness” about it. That doesn’t mean there won’t be any opposition. It doesn’t mean there won’t be obstacles, or that it won’t take effort on your part. But it does mean that you will have a supernatural empowerment to do it. It will just come naturally and flow out of you.
If you are doing something that always seems hard or heavy and drains the energy out of you, you might want to pray before God and see if that’s really what He has for you. Just because it’s a “good” thing, doesn’t mean it’s a “God” thing. But when it is God-you’ll know it. You’ll feel His supernatural grace empowering you and refreshing you every step of the way.
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us…” (Romans 12:6, NIV).
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for empowering me to live by Your grace. Help me to discern what You have for me and let go of anything that isn’t Your best for my life. I love You and honour You in all that I do. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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Action Speaks Louder Than Words

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “Actions speak louder than words.” One of my friends at university “oozed” the fruit of the Spirit. His kindness, gentleness, joy, and patience were evident. As people saw this, they were attracted to him, and opportunities to share his faith were multiplied.
Scripture says, the Spirit of God gave Jesus’ apostles the ability to speak in many languages on that day of Pentecost (which was a sign of the last days), and the same Spirit enables us to speak and act in winsome ways in these last days. Through the power of the Spirit, God’s kingdom is advancing, and He has called and equipped each of us to be his witnesses in whatever circumstances we may find ourselves.
Today, as we live in these last days, we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit. But our celebration is not so much meant to be talked about, as it is to be lived in word and deed. By the power of the Spirit working through us, our words and fruit-filled actions are the tools God uses to build his kingdom. The last days should not be a time of fear but of celebrating a God who loves, cares, and keeps his promises. The last days are exciting times of a realisation that it won’t be long and we’ll be going home.
“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” (Acts 2:17).
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank you for the gift of the Spirit poured out on Jesus’ followers. Father, help me to live by the power of the Spirit today and throughout these last days. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Which Side Are You On

In Matthew 25 we see a picture of the end times. We listen as the King, Jesus himself, returns and gathers all the nations before him. He then separates people individually, as a shepherd would do with sheep and goats. And we wonder of course, “Am I a sheep or a goat?”
In this scripture, Jesus says to the sheep, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” Notice that the sheep are astounded by the reason they are given this great reward. They fed the hungry, clothed the naked, invited the stranger, comforted the sick and imprisoned, and it seems they didn’t even realise they were living out Jesus’ kingdom values as they did those things. Perhaps, showing Christ’s love everywhere had become so natural that they didn’t realise they were doing it. We also learn that Jesus isn’t fooled by false people who only call him “Lord” but do not live by his values.
Today in the parable of the sheep and the goats, we are reminded that when we truly believe in Jesus as Saviour, his Spirit (who gives us that belief and faith) motivates us to share his love also. With the Spirit at work in us, doing good becomes almost second nature and this is all by God’s grace!
“The King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” (Matthew 25:34).
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, you came from heaven to earth to show us the way. Lord Guide us each day. We pledge to serve you by showing your love to others in these last days through the power of your Spirit, in Jesus name, Amen.
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A Day of Joy and Sorrow

The second coming is mysterious, and there are differing interpretations about end times and the return of Christ. But in teaching about Christ’s return, the Apostles’ Creed simply states, “He will come to judge the living and the dead.” Someday Jesus will return from heaven. He didn’t say when this will be, but he did say that he will return “with great ­power and glory” for all to see.
The scripture suggests Jesus’ coming again will be a day of great joy for all his followers, who have been redeemed through his sacrifice on the cross. For them, the whole curse of death and hell has been removed. Hallelujah! But Jesus’ return will also be a day of great trembling because, as the Bible warns, he will judge once and for all – all the people who have rejected him.
Today, though believers in Christ may not agree on all the details of his return, we certainly can agree on how we should live for him in these last days. Jesus calls us to follow him faithfully, dying daily to ourselves so that we can walk in step with his Spirit, using our gifts for God’s glory and bearing fruit in his name. This involves showing God’s love to everyone and sharing his desire for everyone to believe in him.
“At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.” (Mark 13:26).
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, we long for your return, when all will be made new. While we wait, help us to serve and love others for your sake in this world. Father, please help those of us who are rejecting you so that we will have a change of heart before it is too late. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Do Not Be Frightened

The Bible predicts that wars, earthquakes, and other disasters will be a sign of the end times. There are lots of these today. Many are being persecuted for their faith in Christ. We also read that in the last days, “people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy”. All these things are happening today.
Jesus says people will try to deceive others by claiming to be the Messiah. That has happened and continues to happen. In A.D. 70 when Jerusalem was destroyed; 29 people claimed to be the Messiah. In the early 1990s, more than 30 people in Korea predicted that the second coming would soon take place. Did it happen? No.
Today, the key to understanding Jesus’ warnings about the last days is “Do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away”. In Mark 13:32 Jesus explains: “About that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father”. The point, when we see these signs, is to be on guard! Be alert! Ask yourself the question, Are you ready for Christ’s return?
“When you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.” (Luke 21:31).
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, until Jesus returns, help me not to be deceived but to live for you each day, and thus be ready; and to share this good news with everyone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Lawlessness

Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd, finds joy in seeing His diseased sheep progress toward healing.
The wickedness Jesus warns about in today’s verse could be called “lawlessness”. It goes beyond refusing to live God’s way – it refuses to live according to anyone’s rules. It’s the attitude that believes “It’s only illegal if I get caught”.
As time passes, this passage in Matthew 24 becomes more frightening. Perhaps every generation feels that the signs of the end times are increasing. Certainly, the generations that are still living have seen plenty of earthquakes, famines, and wars. We see an increase in wickedness all over the world.
Today, the problem with end-time wickedness, according to Jesus, is that it works against love. It holds no commitment to another and is unwilling to sacrifice for anyone. In the end times most people will care only about themselves and most people’s love will grow cold. Taken to the extreme, that’s a bone-chilling thought. It will be “survival of the fittest” among people who are most violent and crafty. May Christ return before we become lawless.
“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.” (Matthew 24:12).
 
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, guide my life and save me from lawlessness in these last days. Father, fill me with your love and wisdom, as your coming becomes imminent. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
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Sabbath A The Game Changer

The former US President, Abraham Lincoln, was considered a great leader because he knew how to interpret the changing times. Someone said that Lincoln “was summoned by events he did not initiate and was exposed to conditions he did not create, but his response was so powerful an interpretation of events that it reshaped the conditions in which they originated.”. In other words, Lincoln’s response to the changing events of the Civil War, helped to maintain the union of a fragile nation. And that changed history. His response was a game-changer.
In scripture, Jesus’ response to the legalistic leaders about the Sabbath, was also a game changer. The Pharisees considered themselves the gatekeepers of the law. They felt it was up to them to make sure people followed many, many laws. Why? Because that way people would be righteous (right with God). But they got so caught up in their laws that the Sabbath became a measuring stick for righteousness instead of a day of worship, joy, and rest in the Lord.
Today, Jesus reconnects the purpose of the Sabbath to its original intent – that is, to notice God, worship, and enjoy him. Jesus’ conversation about legalistic sabbath keeping changed the game from nitpicking legalism, to following the Master and his loving ways. The game has been changed. Jesus is Lord over all things. Enjoy him on the Sabbath. Rest in him on the seventh day. Eat with him on his special day. Let Jesus be Lord over your life.
“The Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:28).
 
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, I have a tendency at times to point out peoples shortcomings, instead of walking in complete freedom with you. Father, on this sabbath, I want to focus on my relationship with you and not what others are doing. Forgive me for my legalistic sabbath keeping and help me to find rest in you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Time is Not Ours

It is God who gives us the time we have, from the beginning to the end of our lives. It is not our own. Many people, however, have the arrogant notion that time is their own, so they should be able to spend it as they wish. But time is not a commodity we get to “spend”.
Scripture teaches, God built creation with Sabbath rest as its goal. This was not because God was exhausted after six days of creation. The rest that God commands is for us, so that we can enjoy His creation and honour the one who gives us life within it. So each week we should enjoy a day of rejoicing in God’s work while setting our own work aside.
Today, plenty of people think that this command is inconsequential. They believe their own work is so important that it super­sedes God’s Sabbath command. It does not. Resting and rejoicing in God reminds us that we are not in control. Some of my friends own supermarkets. Their stores are not open on Sabbath. In this way, they show they love God more than money. They and their employees enjoy a Sabbath rest in honour of God. God has prospered them and will do so for all who keep his Sabbath.
 
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.” (Exodus 20:8-9).
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank you for the time you have given us. Father, thank you for reminding us each week, through the sabbath, that time is not our own. Lord thank you for the gift of time that you Bless us with, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Jesus Is Always Available on the Sabbath

Have you heard the saying, “Some people are so heavenly-minded that they are no earthly good”? The Pharisees were so Sabbath-minded that they were no earthly good. They worried about their righteous standing before God and did not notice the obvious: a woman “crippled by a spirit for eighteen years”.
Scripture says, while teaching on the Sabbath, Jesus made clear that God was available for doing good on the Sabbath too – even if the Pharisees weren’t. Our Lord was interested in bringing hope in God’s Kingdom, in which all will have full life forever. He called the woman to him and said, “You are set free from your infirmity”. Jesus placed his hands on her crooked body and filled her with God’s healing. At once, she was healed and she praised God. Joy came to her on the day that was meant for freedom and worship.
Today, some are not happy with Jesus’ healing on the Sabbath. The Pharisees were unhappy because Jesus healed someone on the Sabbath, a day meant for no work. Jesus, however, knew the Sabbath was for doing good and showing grace in the name of the Father. He restored the Sabbath to its original intent: that all good things come from God, who is always available to help us. Thank God He never takes a sabbath off from caring for you and me!
“Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” (Luke 13:12).
 
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, you are Lord of the Sabbath. Father, help me see that you are always available for your children who cry out to you. Hear my cry o Lord, today, I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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A Rest For The People Of God

Going on holiday is often a source of rest for many people. They are something that we long for ­after many months of hard work. Each week we need a time of rest too. Yesterday we spoke of God’s rest on the seventh day when he completed the work of creation. That set a pattern for us that is worth keeping. In the midst of our busy lives each week, it is good to take a day to rest from our work, to take time to worship and honour God and to share with others.
In scripture, the book of Hebrews points out that the promise to enter God’s rest still stands. So, for all of us, this remains something to strive for and long for. Hebrews notes that some of God’s people hardened their hearts and refused to trust in God, they did not enter his rest. Nevertheless, the promise of entering God’s rest is still there.
Today, the promise of an eternal sabbath is for everyone who believes in the good news of Jesus Christ. Entering God’s rest is something we may long for and desire. It is even something we can begin to enjoy weekly in Christ, and we are promised that it will be complete when Jesus comes again. This is not a call to stop all activity. Instead, it is a call to continue believing in Christ, knowing that through him we will enter God’s promised rest and live with him forever.
There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. (Hebrews 4:9-10).
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, help us to find true rest in you now each week so we can enjoy the eternal rest when you return, in Christ’ name, Amen.
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God, The First Sabbath Keeper

When we hear the word “Sabbath”, many of us think of the Jews—as if the concept of Sabbath began with them. When others of us hear the term, we might think of Protestant Reformers, as if the idea of the Sabbath somehow started in the 16th century.
But the origin of the Sabbath is with God and not with man. He was the very first Sabbath keeper.
Today’s verse says that on the seventh day God “rested from all the work of creating that he had done”. The first six days of creation were filled with a flurry of activity. As God released his creative energy, planets were born, stars were set in place, and the earth began teeming with life. But on the seventh day, the Creator rested.
Today, we need to realise it was God who first started the rhythm of six days of work, followed by one day of rest. He is the one who established the sabbath pattern in the very beginning. And because we have been made in his image, that pattern is built into the very fabric of who we are. Therefore, our lives should reflect the life of the Creator and follow that same “six-and-one” pattern of work and rest.
God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. (Genesis 2:3).
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank you for the sabbath. Father, on the seventh day of creation, you looked out over all you had made and declared it good! May we too follow the pattern of work and rest that you began, weekly. In Christ name, Amen.
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Two Things You Need

Two things you need to make it through hard times; grace and peace. These two are powerful forces in the life of the believer. Grace empowers us, and peace directs us. It’s like this: grace is the gas and peace is the navigation system. You need both to reach your destination.
Scripture says, that we are saved by God’s grace through faith. We don’t deserve it and can’t do anything to earn His grace, but He gives it to us anyway. Grace opens the door to salvation, but it doesn’t stop there. His grace is also supernatural empowerment to live the life God has called us to here on earth.
Peace is every bit as powerful. It’s not just a feeling; it’s a state of being. Peace literally means “to set at one again”. When we are at one with the Father in thought, word and deed, we can physically feel it on the inside. We are settled internally and nothing external can move us from our position of peace.
Today, receive His grace and peace. Let both carry you through the rest 2024 and through out the life of victory He has ordained for you!
“May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.” (2 Thessalonians 1:2, NLT).

Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for Your grace and peace in my life. Father, I choose to stand and follow Your Word. Father thank You for guiding me throughout this year, I receive the life of blessings You have prepared for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Storms of Judgment

The Bible includes many passages about the destruction of the wicked, that is, people who refuse to live God’s way. They decide to go their way instead, leading only to destruction. That’s because we are all sinners. Born with a sinful nature, we cannot live pure and perfect lives on our own. Everything we do is somehow tainted with sin, and we can see this easily because nothing we ever do is perfect.
There is hope. God has reached out to us with the offer of salvation and new life. We cannot save ourselves or live perfectly on our own, but Jesus Christ – God’s Son, has come to pay the debt of our sin. When we believe in him as Saviour, God credits us with Jesus’ righteousness. This means we can actually be righteous, even though we have no way to be righteous on our own. This also means that when the storm of God’s judgment comes at the end of time, we will not be swept away with the wicked. Because of Jesus Christ and his finished work, we will be saved.
Today, are you a believer in Jesus? The one who came to save us and give us full life forever with him? If not, ask him to save you today! Ask God to forgive your sins for Jesus’ sake, and to guide you to live for him by the power of his Spirit. God is our sure and only refuge from the destruction of the judgement, and we need him to help us live faithfully each day.
When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever. (Proverbs 10:25).
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, forgive my sins. Help me to trust in your power to save me during the storms of these last days through Jesus Christ. God, please guide me to live for you each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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The Second Coming And The Judgement

In the last days leading up to his suffering and death, Jesus focused steadily on his heavenly origin and his glorious future. In our verse for today, he speaks again of his return at the end of time in power and glory!
Though Christians have sometimes puzzled over what Jesus meant by “signs in the sun, moon, and stars”, his overall message is clear: the Son of Man is Lord over all things. Just as death could not keep Jesus in its grip, neither can the anguish and perplexity of this world prevent God from fulfilling his promises to his people.
In scripture, Jesus’ words contain a warning: final judgment will be a reality. The Jesus who walked this earth is also the ascended Lord who will return as Judge of all. All who ever lived will either find their redemption in Jesus or be shaken by God’s judgment.
Today, Jesus’ words on the Judgement are actually a comfort for all who trust in him. We face plenty of “anguish and perplexity” in our world. Weather patterns wreak havoc through storms, floods, and droughts. Nations threaten one another. Violence infects our cities and even our homes. Jesus points us beyond the grim reality of death to future resurrection and glory. Whatever you and your loved ones are facing today, “lift up your heads” toward Jesus, your ascended Lord for your “redemption draweth nigh”.
“At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” (Luke 21:27).
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, help me remember my need for you in these last days. Father please protect me from the threats of eternal sin and death, and lift my eyes to you for hope and salvation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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