“Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9
When you feel all alone.
Tag Archives: depressed
Not Just Goliath
We all have a Goliath in our life. See that! Goliath is so famous, I don’t even have to tell you who he was. You’re already imagining a rude, towering brute taunting God & God’s people. Today his very name is synonymous with a big problem.
You say, but – I don’t have just ONE giant, I have a WHOLE CLAN! I’m also up against Saph, Lahmi, & Ishbibenob! (2 Sam. 21:15-22, 1 Chr. 20:4-8)
I’m not just facing fear, but guilt & shame came with it. I’m not just battling porn, but also alcohol & pills. I’m not just wrestling with insecurity, but also anorexia & low self image came to join the party. I am being tag-teamed! I am being ganged-up on! I am outnumbered!
Ok, yes. You are in a sense… but, not really. Let me explain.
Here’s what you’ve been taught: Goliath represents your problem. David is you. If you face your problem with Jesus on your side, you can take that big bully down. Right? Sorry, but that is dead wrong. Goliath IS your problem, that much is correct. But you are not David. Where are you? You are the Israelite army quaking in your boots a mile away.
Jesus is David. He’s the giant-slayer, not you.
Jesus steps in and takes your giant down, not you. He takes your place. He fights your fight. You aren’t even there! You’re not in the Valley of Elah. You are in the background safely hiding behind the other chickens.
It might seem like you are being overtaken by giant problems and if you reject Jesus and try to take on Goliath all by yourself, that certainly could be your fate. However, if you accept Jesus and let Him fight that battle for you, then His victory will be your victory.
It doesn’t matter how many giants you have, Jesus bests them. It doesn’t matter how strong they seem, Jesus is stronger. The only thing that matters is that you make Him your Champion.
Ref: https://answersingenesis.org/bible-characters/giants-in-the-old-testament/
Your Sins Have Been FIRED!
Let’s say someone comes up to you, removes your coat, and sends it away. Would you say you still had your coat?
No. It was removed. It was sent away. Literally, the coat is no longer here.
Jesus takes our sins away. (1 John 3:5). When John the Baptist saw Jesus he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:19)!”
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to FORGIVE US OUR SINS and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9 (Emphasis mine)
Just like that coat; they’re gone. Now, of course we don’t miss the coat or go shopping for new coats, right?
“No one who is born of God [deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin,” – 1 John 3:9 (AMP)
Therefore, if we repent and turn to Him, Jesus forgives our sins (something only God can do, by the way).
The Greek for “forgive” carries the word picture of discharging something so as to leave.
I note it because:
- It is so much fun to say: aphiémi (af-ee’-ay-mee).
- Its roots are apó, “away from” and hiēmi, “send.”
- Properly then, aphiémi means: send away; release (discharge).
- By forgiving our sins, Jesus removes them and discharges them.
Therefore, because of Jesus’s wonderful Love & Grace, your sins have been:
Let go; fired, dismissed, sacked, axed, laid-off, and canned. They have been given their “pink slip” and “walking papers.” Like Elvis, your sins have left the building.
- Stop re-living them.
- Stop obsessing about them.
- Stop beating yourself up over them.
Brother and sister, they are not even there! (Heb. 8:12, Rom. 11:27, Mic. 7:19, Psa. 103:12)
To pretend otherwise is to act like you still have that coat on that someone removed from you and sent away.
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God Makes His Home With You
Come on now, we’ve all felt like the odd-man out. We’ve all felt like we didn’t know the secret handshake. We’ve all felt left out. But I promise you, there is a place where you belong.
There is a home for you with Jesus.
“If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” – John 14:23
Don’t just skim over that: the God of heaven & earth and His Son, Jesus the Christ will make their home with you. That seems pretty substantial. Give it some serious thought.
Your heart is God’s. He made it. Return it to Him. He doesn’t exclude you. He invites you. He meets you where you are and elevates you. Turn from your former life and run to the Savior. Keep His word. Be changed from the inside out.
- There is no need to go it alone.
- There is no need to stay out in the cold.
- The wolves are coming.
17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted & grounded in love, – Eph. 3:17
There is a place you belong. There is a home for you with the Lord.
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Inspired by X Ambassadors, “Home.”
Jesus Will Lift You Up
Look, I know it’s heavy. Too heavy. Who can lift it? Troubles, trials, & temptations; I know they crush you. They weigh you down. I know you feel defeated. Conquered.
So please listen: Jesus can lift you up.
All that heaviness? Light as a feather to the LORD. Lighter still!
- He’s eager to do the heavy lifting. Let Him!
- He wants to take the burden. Let Him!
- He longs to break your chains. Let Him!
- He yearns to set you free! Let Him!
Sound too good to be true?
Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke? – Isa. 58:6
He desires for you to hand over the reigns of your life to Him. Is there anyone more able? Is there anyone more willing? He takes your burden and exchanges it with His rest. Where’s the verse for that you scream?
Come to Me, all you who labor & are heavy laden, & I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you & learn from Me, for I am gentle & lowly in heart, & you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy & My burden is light.” – Matt. 11:28-30
Jesus will lift you up no matter how heavy you think your life has gotten. Jesus will lift you up no matter how badly you think you’ve messed everything up. Jesus will do all of these things & more, if you but submit to Him.
Then WATCH GRACE WORK!
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:6-7 (also Psa. 55:22)
- He will hear you (Psa. 34:17).
- He will carry you (Isa. 46:4).
- He will deliver you. (Isa. 40:11).
- He will help & uphold you with His righteous right hand (Isa. 41:10).
Its all for His glory, not yours. Its all for Him, not you.
So, go out now with a lightened load. Go out with renewed strength. Go out & help your brother (Gal. 6:2). Go out & bring others so He can do the same for them!
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Inspired by: X Ambassadors, “Feather.” (VHS)
A Verse A Day 