AS A PARENT - AM I RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SINS OF MY CHILDREN?

The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. (‭Ezekiel‬ ‭18‬:‭20‬ ESV)

One of the areas of counseling I deal with a lot is with parents who are feeling guilty for the lifestyle and sinful choices that their children are making. I hear phrases like "generational curses" and "the sins of the father will visited upon the third and fourth generations." (Exodus 34:7)

I understand the repercussions of sins will have its effect on those around (especially our family) us but ultimately our children must be responsible for their own choices and decisions.

As a parent, I can't protect my kids from "their" testimony. As God brought me through my dumb decisions - God will bring my/ your kids and grandkids through also.

This is the premise of Ezekiel 18:20 - we are all responsible for our actions in this life.

We did, our children do - live with no thought about tomorrow. We did, they do - feel as if they will live forever and that nothing they will do will have any consequence.

There are always consequences for my actions and they DO affect those around me. My decisions will have an impact for generations to come. But my children will not get to heaven or hell based on what I've done. They are totally responsible for their own decisions. 

In fact, the same God who states that he will visit the iniquity of the fathers to the third and fourth generation is also the same God who says that He will show mercy to those who keep His commandments and make a decision to follow His ways.

You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. (‭Exodus‬ ‭20‬:‭5-6‬ ESV)

If a son or a daughter chooses to not walk in wickedness, refuses to worship idols or commit adultery. If that son or daughter choose to bless the poor and not rob them, etc. - that child will not be responsible for the sins of the father.

Just as the child is responsible for their decisions - so am I as a parent or grandparent.

So, as a parent - QUIT BEATING YOURSELF UP. Do your best. Admit your mistakes. Pray for your children and then put them into the hands of God. Just as God gave you a testimony He is giving your children a testimony also.

As a parent - there is a difference between influence and choice. Over the years, there have been people, circumstances, and environments that have, or have attempted to, influence me. But the influence only goes as far as I allow it to go. 

And the choices of others have influenced us as well. Some of the choices have been bad choices, terrible choices. Choices that we did not deserve have placed upon us.

Ezekiel goes to great pains to say that every man is treated as an individual to God. What happens to him is not dependent purely on heredity (his father’s sins), nor yet on environment (the nation’s sins), but is conditioned by personal choice.’

Parents will often ask themselves is ‘Where did we go wrong?’

I say to those parents that based on the truth of this scripture passage in which God clearly says that we are responsible for our own choices and decisions, ‘Stop beating yourself up!’

Each of us are responsible for our own decisions and consequences of those actions. While we make some of them under conditions of extreme stress, we also make some of them in moments of anger, jealousy, and frustration in reaction to an event or a conversation. But we make the choice and we cannot blame somebody else for the choices that we make.

Enough of the blame game. We need to become people (and we are) of the solution! The solution is simple: Take responsibility for our actions and repent of those that have been made clear to us through the Bible and the Holy Spirit that they are wrong!

Life is too short to go around passing the buck. I have more respect for those who say, ‘I know what I am doing goes against the Bible but I am going to do it anyway,’ than for those who hide and refuse to take responsibility and live in denial about their choices.

We all need grace. We all need forgiveness. We all need God. There is no other way. There is no other hope. There are no other excuses.

To all parents who are reading this, I simply say, keep loving your kids no matter where they are at with the Lord. Keep praying for them. Keep talking with them. Keep interested in them. God has not given up your children because God’s love for them is greater than your love for them. They deeply matter to God! He died for them just as He died for you.

Maybe there are issues that need to be addressed between you and your kids, address them! Ask the Lord to help you and your kids to get ready for a much-needed conversation. (Don’t forget to tell them that you love them.) But don’t give up on you kids and stop beating yourself up! This is a good word for all parents today!

THIS IS THE REASON I SING

There are two reasons why I'm blogging on the subject of worship today:

1- Last night I received a phone call from my dear friend - Robin John from Australia.  He had just heard that I had been in the hospital over my heart issues.  After talking for a few moments, he started to pray, which was one of the most heartfelt 15 minute prayers I've ever heard.  He wasn't just praying - he was worshipping God.  I was truly blessed.

2- Then, this morning, I woke up with a song on my heart: "This is the reason I sing."  It is a song we sing at church and the words kept flowing out of my heart of praise and joy to God Almighty.  I am so thankful for all that He had done and is planning to do.

(By the way, I received two different "words" yesterday from two different people that the aftereffect of my "trial" would be a great outpouring on my church.  Watch out New Life Chapel!)

Let's talk about worship today, about what are the components of true worship in our lives. In the Old Testament Moses was commanded to assemble certain ingredients that would be part of the worship experience. You can read that in Exodus 30:34-38.

The Lord said to Moses, “Take sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum, sweet spices with pure frankincense (of each shall there be an equal part), and make an incense blended as by the perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy. You shall beat some of it very small, and put part of it before the testimony in the tent of meeting where I shall meet with you. It shall be most holy for you. And the incense that you shall make according to its composition, you shall not make for yourselves. It shall be for you holy to the Lord. Whoever makes any like it to use as perfume shall be cut off from his people.” (‭Exodus‬ ‭30‬:‭34-38‬ ESV)

Notice the components and how they relate to our own lives.

The first three ingredients that make up the holy incense speaks of our contribution to worship.  The last ingredient speaks of God’s contribution.

1 - OUR PART IN WORSHIP – (Three ingredients)

• Stacte - This Speaks Of Spontaneity In Worship.  

Stacte is a gum resin that oozes spontaneously from the bark of the storax and opobalsumum trees of the Palestinian region.

As we spend time in the Lord in prayer and in His word, or hearts will “ooze spontaneously in worship.”

• Onycha - True Worship Must Come From Within Our Hearts 

Onycha is a substance which is obtained from the “closing flaps” of a certain deep sea mollusks.

They had to go to the depths of the sea to get this creature.

This is the same way  that God wants our worship to come from deep within our innermost being.  It was a lack of depth that Israel came to God.

And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men, (‭Isaiah‬ ‭29‬:‭13‬ ESV)

Not only are we go go "deep" but we need to come with "open hearts" to God so He can speak to us and give us guidance for our day.

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭18‬ ESV)

“Unveiled face” speaks of a whole hearted, unhidden, honest communication with God the Father.

Our worship should invite Him to examine us, cleanse us, and transform us into the image of His Son.

• Galbanum - Our Worship Proceeds From Brokenness

Galbanum is a amber colored substance gathered by breaking the stem of a certain local plant and by collecting the substance that oozes from the break.

Fig trees, milkweed, and dandelions all produce a milk like this.This speaks of the brokenness God desires in our worship.

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. (‭Psalm‬ ‭34‬:‭18‬ ESV)

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (‭Psalm‬ ‭51‬:‭17‬ ESV)

God asks that you and I bring an open hearted spontaneity which comes from deep within a broken and contrite heart.

These THREE ITEMS are our part in spiritual worship!

2.  GOD'S PART IN WORSHIP – (Frankincense)

• Jesus Worships With Us

This is the same thing as Galbanum.  It is a medicinal plant.  It is a greasy, sticky granulated resin with a strong odor.

Frankincense is pure white and is obtained in the same way as galbanum.

Frankincense represents two things:

1) Purity

2) Brokenness

Only Jesus can be described in these terms.

He was the perfect spotless lamb of God, whose body was broken to take away the sins of the world.

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭21‬ ESV)

So, as you go about this day, take a few moments to think about "This is the reason I sing."  Think about how you approach God and what He means in your life.  Consider the ingredients that God asks us to bring to worship and the ingredients that you are actually bringing.  Some might be bringing Stacte, Onycha and Galbanum while others might be bringing bitter weed.  I want to go "deep" with God today and I want to experience His presence in my life.  May God increase our desire to to truly worship and praise His name.

THE BEAT OF A THANKFUL HEART

On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” (‭Luke‬ ‭17‬:‭11-19‬ ESV)

As I sit this morning my heart is filled with thanks to God for the journey that He has taken me through over the past week and a half.  Spending 4 nights in a hospital bed was definitely not on my "to do list."  I don't want to be like the 9 men who were healed by Jesus  and didn't come back to give thanks to God. I want to give thanks and have a grateful heart for all that God has done for me.

• I am thankful to God, who in His sovereign mercy, has given me a second chance. He has given me a "wake-up" call to re-order some priorities in my life.
• I am thankful for the nurses, doctors and many caretakers for their healing touch in my life.
• I am thankful for the Christian nurses and therapist people who were not afraid to close the door and to pray with boldness over me and to follow up with a phone call the next day stating that I was in their prayers.  One nurse had a badge on that said, "Do you need prayer - ASK ME."  One therapist came in to talk to me.  The next thing I know was that the door was closed and she was praying with power and anointing over me for complete healing.
• I am thankful for my wife who lovingly walked with me through the whole ordeal while dealing with her own elderly mom who is having health issues.
• I am thankful for my daughters and their husbands and children who stepped in and came alongside us - for their cheering me up.
• I am thankful for friends who came and just sat with me - even when I didn't have a lot to say.
• I am thankful for my staff who stepped up and covered for me at the church and for a church who sends their love and prayers often.
• I am thankful for the many persons that I had a chance to pray with during my stay in the hospital.  One woman, who worked at the hospital, came into my room and, after a few moments - she said, "I don't know what it is about you - but I feel so comfortable with you - I'm telling you things I've never told anyone else."  She went on to say, "I feel as if I'm talking to a priest."  Little did she know.
• I'm thankful for the opportunity to just sit and to listen to sermons on my IPAD and to be refilled and refreshed with the presence of God in my life.

Think about all the blessings you've had in your life over the past few years and months.  Have you given thanks?  Do you need to write a letter of thanks to the people who have been a blessing to you?  Do you need to make a phone call?  Do you need to tell Father God thanks for seeing you through?

It is easy to become very inward and self-focused in life.  Slow down a little with me and lift your head up for a bit to great giver of blessings in your life today and just "Thanks God for everything you have done and are doing in my life."

May all of our hearts beat today with gratefulness and thanksgiving. May God fill your soul with satisfaction and may you find great rest at the feet of Jesus.

5 PRAYERS TO PRAY THIS WEEK

This last week I've had a lot of time on my hands to do "nothing" as I've been recuperating from my little heart situation. Actually, from a positive side - it's given me some needed time to recharge spiritually and get back on track with some spiritual disciplines.

Jentezen Franklin, who is a an amazing pastor/speaker that I've been listening over the years, shares the following message that I think will be of great blessing to your life. It is, 5 PRAYERS TO PRAY THIS WEEK.

We all struggle at times with prayer. We know it is a necessity, we know it is important, but being faithful in its disciplines in another thing completely. Pray these prayers this week and watch the difference your life will take.

1. Get God's PERSPECTIVE On Your Life

Do you remember the story of Elijah and his servant? They were surrounded by their enemies and the servant was worried. He could only see his surroundings and his enemy. He didn't see God's angels surrounding him and coming down from heaven. Elijah told him to take another look and see what was really there. He wasn't surrounded by the enemy but the enemy was surrounded by God.

Either you're looking at the enemy or your looking at God's angels. Either you're looking at the problem or you are looking at the promises.

Perspective is everthing. Pray everyday that God would help you see the BIG picture.

2. Be A PERSON Of Prayer

If you want victory in your life - you have to constantly pray "God, let me see the best, and the goodness and the perfect plan you have for my life."

When we pray - things happen. Some people call them coincidences. When we pray - coincidences happen. When don't pray - coincidences don't happen.

P - ray
U - until
S - omething
H - appens

3. Develop Your POTENTIAL

You might have an amazing potential - but that doesn't mean that you will reach your potential.

Have you ever heard of the Japanese Fish called a "Koi Fish." It can adapt to it's environment. If you put it in a small fish bowl - it won't grow over 4" in length. If you take that same fish and put it in a larger fish tank - it could grow to 8" in length. It you put it in a pond - it will grow 18" even though it stayed the same size as long as it was in the smaller fish bowl. If you take it out of the pond and put it in a lake - it will grow 42". The point is this - every coy fish has the potential to grow 42" long. But many only grow to 4" because of the environment that they are kept in.

Some of us need to change our environment and get around people that can draw our potential out.

"The same power that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you."

Don't live in a fish bowl when God has greater things for you.

There is a story about an Ice Factory that caught on fire and they had to call the Fire Department because all their assets were frozen.

You have enormous potential but as long as what you have is not being challenged and is frozen - you cannot be what God intended for you to be.

Say... "God, release my potential."

Pray that God would keep challenging you - moving you from faith unto faith - from victory unto victory.

Don't settle for a little fish tank when God has greater things for your life.

4. Be POSITIVE

When David saw Goliath he could have had two possible reactions. He could have ran out and said, "He's so big, I'm going to run for my life." Instead, he ran out and said, "He's so big, there's no way that I can miss him - I'm going to take him out with a rock."

Be positive.

If Bill and Mary have a problem. If Bill and Sue have a problem. If Bill and Jack have a problem - BILL IS THE PROBLEM.

It's possible the YOU might be the problem in your life.

If negative people keep coming your direction - it's because you attract what you are.  BE POSITIVE. Don't let life get you down. Don't get depressed.

5. Expect God's PROVISION

God owns everything.

Jentezen Franklin stated "When I started out - I didn't have anything. I was broker than the 10 commandments."

God promises to provide for you. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. All He asks for you to do is give 1/10th of your income back to God. Trust Him that He is going "to supply all your needs according to His riches in Glory."

So...

1. Get God's PERSPECTIVE on life

2. Be a PERSON of prayer

3. Develop your POTENTIAL

4. Be POSITIVE

5. Expect God's Provision

HEART PROBLEMS AND A FAITHFUL GOD

Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV 22 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

As many of you know, I recently spent some time in the hospital over some heart issues - my heart lost its rhythm. Thankfully, I am doing better and I believe it was a real wake up call for some lifestyle changes.  My dad had a stroke at my age and I want to be proactive in doing what I need to do in to be stroke free.

Through my whole ordeal I kept reminding myself of the faithfulness of God and that He was ultimately sovereign over my life.

I read a story recently about the faithfulness of a father in Armenia -which reminds us of the faithfulness of God. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

In the country of Armenia, in 1988, Samuel and Danielle sent their young son, Armand, off to school. Samuel squatted before his son and looked him in the eye. “Have a good day at school, and remember, no matter what, I’ll always be there for you.” They hugged and the boy ran off to school.

Hours later, a powerful earthquake rocked the area. In the midst of the pandemonium, Samuel and Danielle tried to discover what happened to their son but they couldn’t get any information. The radio announced that there were thousands of casualties. 

Samuel then grabbed his coat and headed for the schoolyard. When he reached the area, what he saw brought tears to his eyes. Armand’s school was a pile of debris. Other parents were standing around crying.

Samuel found the place where Armand’s classroom used to be and began pulling a broken beam off the pile of rubble. He then grabbed a rock and put it to the side, and then grabbed another one.

One of the parents looking on asked, “What are you doing?” “Digging for my son,” Samuel answered. The man then said, “You’re just going to make things worse! The building is unstable,” and tried to pull Samuel away from his work.

Samuel set his jaw and kept working. As time wore on, one by one, the other parents left. Then a firefighter tried to pull Samuel away from the rubble. Samuel looked at him and said, “Won’t you help me?” The firefighter left and Samuel kept digging.

All through the night and into the next day, Samuel continued digging. Parents placed flowers and pictures of their children on the ruins. But, Samuel just kept working. He picked up a beam and pushed it out of the way when he heard a faint cry. “Help! Help!” Samuel listened but didn’t hear anything again. Then he heard a muffled voice, “Papa?”

Samuel began to dig furiously. Finally he could see his son. “Come on out, son!” he said with relief. “No,” Armand said. “Let the other kids come out first because I know you’ll get me.” Child after child emerged until, finally, little Armand appeared. Samuel took him in his arms and Armand said, “I told the other kids not to worry because you told me that you’d always be there for me!” 

Fourteen children were saved that day because one father was faithful.

Think about this… how much more faithful is our heavenly Father! Whether trapped by fallen debris or ensnared by life’s hardships and struggles, we are never cut off from God’s faithfulness. He is true to His character. He is reliable and trustworthy and can be counted on always. 

Here’s a simple definition: “God’s faithfulness means that everything He says and does is certain.” He is 100% reliable, 100% of the time. He does not fail, forget, falter, change, or disappoint. He says what He means and means what He says ­ and therefore does everything He says He will do.

Here are some key passages on faithfulness…

Exodus 34:6: “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”

Deuteronomy 7:9: “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations…”

Deuteronomy 32:4: “He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He.”

Joshua 21:45: “Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.”

Psalm 25:10: “All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful.”

And, as Psalm 89:8 reminds us, “O Lord God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O Lord, and your faithfulness surrounds you.”

These verses, when taken together, establish that God’s faithfulness is not some minor or secondary part of His character. To say that God is faithful goes to the very core of who He really is. If He didn’t keep His Word, He wouldn’t be God.

Bill Bright, President of Campus Crusade for Christ, compares the attributes of God to an automobile engine. Pistons, fan belts, water pumps, and thousands of moving parts all whirl around within a small space, making power for us to drive our car. The parts all work together harmoniously as components of the whole engine.

That’s the way God’s attributes function too. If you took away love, God’s character would be incomplete. God’s love works with all the other attributes, like His justice, to produce the right kind of results. We can compare God’s faithfulness to the oil in the engine that keeps the internal parts running smoothly. God’s faithfulness means that each attribute in His character is working at full capacity at all times. When does God’s love fail? Never, because He is faithful. When is God less than holy? Never, because His character is pure and He is always faithful to who He is and to what He says. 

A.W. Tozer puts it this way: “All of God’s acts are consistent with all of His attributes. No attribute contradicts any other, but all harmonize and blend into each other in the infinite abyss of the Godhead.”

God’s faithfulness is at the core of His very nature. He is knowable, holy, the creator, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, just, sovereign, unchanging, and loving because He is faithful to His own character. He never changes any of His attributes. Paul drew on this truth when he wrote to the Thessalonians, “the one who calls you is faithful and He will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

Whatever you are facing today - know that God is ALWAYS faithful and that He will ALWAYS see you through to the other side.

ROBIN WILLIAMS AND DEPRESSION

For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the Lord, because they have called you an outcast: ‘It is Zion, for whom no one cares!’ (‭Jeremiah‬ ‭30‬:‭17‬ ESV)

Like many people, I was saddened by the death of the comedic actor Robin Williams the other day.  Apparently his depression was so deep that he ended up taking his own life rather than face the pain that he was having to endure.

If you are a regular reader of my blogs or you have sat under my ministry over the years you will know that I talk openly about the great depression that I once had and the pain and sorrow that I went through.  The darkness was so deep and prolonged that I had to completely step away from ministry for a season to find healing for my soul.

As I read of Robin Williams death I was reminded how dark depression can be and the hopelessness of one's soul in times like that.  I was reminded also of the God who picked me up and brought healing to my soul.

The following is a sermon I did a number of years ago as I was in recovery mode from depression.  I was trying to find answers for my own life as well as finding help for others.  I think this is worthy of attentive reading as a reminder of what deperession is and the path of healing that God often brings our way.  It is a little lengthy but I think it will be helpful to someone today.

Dealing With Depression

We all feel depressed from time to time and it’s not easy to deal with. Feelings of abandonment, betrayal or an illness can take its toll mentally and emotionally.  Everyone is susceptible male or female, Christians or non-Christians. In fact, the Bible tells of us such who have gone through depression.

Notice what Moses said to God in his moment of despair:

Numbers 11:14-15 (NLT) I can’t carry all these people by myself! The load is far too heavy! (15) If this is how you intend to treat me, just go ahead and kill me. Do me a favor and spare me this misery!” 

Job, Elijah, King David and many others cried out to God to help them in their depressin. Even Jesus got depressed in the garden of Gethsemane where He was in deep despair.

King David wrote:

Psalms 69:1-3 (NLT) Save me, O God, for the floodwaters are up to my neck. (2) Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire; I can’t find a foothold. I am in deep water, and the floods overwhelm me. (3) I am exhausted from crying for help; my throat is parched. My eyes are swollen with weeping, waiting for my God to help me. 

So with this, we know that….

DEPRESSION IS NO RESPECTOR OF PERSONS.

Understanding what causes depression is the first step. Then as we learn biblical directives, hope and healing follow.

One thing I want you to know that I am not a medical doctor giving you some medical diagnosis.
                                           
FOUR POSSIBLE CAUSES

Depression is like pouring melted butter down the drain of your kitchen sink and chasing it with cold water. Eventually the sink will not flow or function very well. Instead it becomes clogged.

The same is true with depression. We get mentally and emotionally clogged up, making it difficult to see and think straight. We may either gain weight if our tendency is to eat when stressed. Or we’ll lose weight if we deprive ourselves of food.

In severe depression, suicide is a possibility.  So what are the possible causes for depression?  The first is a sense of…
                                   
GREAT LOSS.

There may be a significant loss in life mainly those from childhood. A classic case would be a person living in an abusive family or a family with alcoholism. Usually there is negativity, rejection and hurtful criticism. This in turn sets the stage for someone to be depressed during childhood and later in life.

Another loss could also be a physical loss like loosing a spouse or a family member. Still another kind of loss could be loss of wishes, hopes or dreams – like a broken expectation.

Then the second possible cause of depression is…

UNRESOLVED ISSUES.

Again, this goes back to childhood. Our parents weren’t perfect people and nor were their parents. We don’t want to blame anyone, but many of our problems were caused by sin. Whether it is our own sin or people sinning against us - sin causes losses and deaths in life.

God says, “The wages of sin is death.”(Rom.6:23)  

Now when there’s a death in society, we usually go through a grieving process. However, if we don’t grieve, our emotions stay pent up inside us. We become hard and take it out on ourselves. Mentally and emotionally we shutdown and get depressed, just as a clogged sink does. Yet another possible cause may be a…

CHEMICAL IMBALANCE.

An empty gas tank of a car would best illustrate a person with a chemical imbalance. Our brains react the same way with a neuro-transmitter chemical in our brain called erotonin and epinephrine. The main chemical serotonin is like gas in our brains. If serotonin is low, you’ll shut down and exhibit symptoms of depression, which are lack of concentration or motivation and dejection.

However, with proper diagnosis, medications are used to increase serotonin levels to help this chemical imbalance.

You may ask: Is it a sin or lack of faith to take medication to increase serotonin? The answer would be the same for example as for someone who is diabetic. We don’t humiliate them for taking insulin nor say they lack faith. Their body simply needs insulin to function. The same is true with a person who needs serotonin. The body needs it. Yet unlike insulin, you don’t have to stay on it for the rest of your life (except with certain conditions like bi-polar and other conditions that’s more chronic).

Usually medication is used to help a person through that period in order for them to work on different issues and resolve them. Thus it allows the body to naturally produce serotonin once again. And finally, the fourth possible cause of depression is…

PROLONGED FATIGUE

Tiredness can set you up for becoming prone to depression. We’re never more vulnerable to depression than when fatigued or over-tired. Therefore, taking care of the physical body is just as important as taking care of the spiritual body.

Understanding these four causes of depression will help us in dealing with it.

Now listen to what Jesus said to His disciples when they were weary, “Come away and rest for awhile”.

Psalms 40:1-2 (NLT) I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. (2) He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.

Many years ago (when I first got married), I was invited by some friends to do go surfing in Huntington Beach. The waves were more than I could handle.  I eventually lost  my board, and my leash. While tossed to and fro, like any man of faith -- I cried to God, “I’m going to die!” My perception of which way to surface was off. In a moment of confusion, I’d lost all sense of direction after being hurled and twisted by powerful waves. As I literally cried out to God, I saw the bubbles from my mouth going into a direction which then made me realize was the way up! Desperately, I quickly swam following my bubbles and reached for surface gasping for air! I then thought, “Ah, I must remember this in the future! Just follow the bubbles!

Isn’t this so true in life? We are thrashed by storms, which cause a state of shock. Then confusion and depression set in and we just don’t know which way is up. Yet that’s when God hears our cries and has the power to lift our spirits up, give us strength, and a fresh hope in life again. I believe that  the Bible has much to say about how to cope and overcome the despair that depression brings.

Let’s look at Elijah and how he dealt with depression… 1 Kings 19

James 5:17 (NLT) Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! 

Elijah was a man with like passions as us - He had his ups and downs emotionally. Basically, he was a man of fire - when he prayed - things took place. Before every great work of God - He sends the Spirit of Elijah…

1 Kings 19:1-2 (NLT) When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including the way he had killed all the prophets of Baal. (2) So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them.” 

V.1 - Every person/ church has a Jezebel in their life.

1 Kings 19:4 (NLT) Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.” 

I don't believe he wanted to die or he would have allowed Jezebel to do it.  He was just telling God that he was hurt and frustrated.

Have you ever wondered… “If God is so great - why are people so depressed, discouraged? Elijah was discouraged and wanted to die.

Psalm 42 - "Why are you cast down, O My soul, don't you hope in God?"

I could give you story after story of people who thought they wanted to die.  They would take their lives if they could be assured of not going to hell.

Many of these are men and women of God - but still battle discouragement in their minds.

Why Was Elijah Depressed?

1- Elijah had an unrealistic view of life.  He thought he was the only answer to the world’s problems.

I Kings 19:4 - "I am no better than my father..."  He wanted to be super human.

He liked the successes but couldn’t deal with the failures.

We get upset when God doesn't jump through our hoops and make every one bow down before us.

2- He ran from the problem. 

If he had just waited 24 more hours, he would have seen that Jezebel wasn't a true prophet and that God would be faithful to His promises.

You cannot afford to run from your problems…. Marital/ Financial/ Lack Of Success/ In-lawsWhen you run - you run right into discouragement. Depression is always rooted in some form of anger.

Example - Jonah/ Ninevah - Jonah 4:3 -  Why are you angry...? "O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live."

God... I'm doing all this - why don't you help out a little bit.  Jonah felt let down by God.

3- He violated God's law of limitations.

He felt God could only work through him.

1 Kings 19:14 (NLT) He replied again, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”

In other words... if Elijah didn't do it - it would get done.

In chps. 17-18 we see Elijah pushing, pushing, pushing... until  he's finally exhausted - sitting under a juniper tree wanting to die.

Exhaustion is one of the greatest enemies of ministries today.

Learn to rest/ laugh/ enjoy life.

Romans 8:28 (NLT) And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 

Zechariah 4:6 (NLT) Then he said to me, “This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

How God Cured Elijah Of Depression  

God cured Elijah by:

1-Showing him His love - the same way he does to us.

When he was down - God gave Him rest and food. Today - you might think you are nothing - but God thinks you are special to Him.  "You're the apple of his eye..."

2- God gave him a spirit of honesty.  - 

He made him look at himself.

3- God was also a friend to Elijah –

"Why are you here..."

4- God gave Elijah a new commission - Para - "Go back to work..."

John 8:32 - "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free."

God wasn't in the fire/ earthquake/ smoke - but in the still small voice.

Do you know the God of the still small voice?  Or do you know only the God of the fire/ earthquake/ smoke, etc?

Remember - You're best days are yet ahead of you... Don't give up. Seek help.  Don't be afraid to reach out and admit that you are struggling. I'm here for you and know many others who will be also.

For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the Lord, because they have called you an outcast: ‘It is Zion, for whom no one cares!’ (Jeremiah 30:17 ESV)

FINDING GOD IN BABYLON

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile. (‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭11-14‬ ESV)

Because of Israel's continued sin (they had been warned over and over) God had to do some drastic measures to help Israel come back to Him. The drastic measure... take them into captivity into Babylon.

God knew that their only hope was to bring them into circumstances so oppressive and difficult that it would eventually bring them back to Him. He knew that they had to go through a season - 70 years of breaking before they would eventually relent and turn back to God.

In the midst of their pain and discomfort Jeremiah sends a message to them that "God is with them and He was thinking about them."

Isn't that amazing... God was thinking about them and is thinking about you. They were oppressed and having a difficult time yet God was thinking about them. They were POW's in Babylon and yet God was thinking about them. They thought God had forgotten them and yet God was actually thinking about them.They were in a season of darkness and yet God was mindful of all that they were going through.

God had already appointed the day of their release. They wanted it immediately. They must wait 70 years. No rushing.

God had plans for them - plans of blessing and peace and prosperity - even in the midst of war.

How dare we chide and accuse God for abandoning us and allowing us to go through whatever trial we go through. He went with them (us) into the trial and stayed with them (us) and He went with them (us) out of the trial. He was (is) with them (us) all the time.

In the midst of whatever we go through - God is there but we must discover Him. "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." (‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭13‬ ESV)

How often do we feel He has utterly forsaken us and has forgotten us. We can't understand the turn of evens. We cary and pray and nothing changes. We start crying "God were are you?"

Like Mary in the garden - He is standing next to us, unrecognized because our vision is blurred. When we finally focus in we discover that God was with us the whole time and we are filled with peace. We stop fighting our current situation and walk in the peace only He can give. We settle down and make the best of it. We are comforted. We take courage knowing that "The Lord is on my side and I will not fear what man will do to me."

In the case of Israel - he had already appointed the day of deliverance. He knew when their salvation would come. He knew when the trial would be over and they would get to go home.

Read this passage again and place your name in it. God knows and understands everything that you are going through. He knows how long that trial will last and He knows the plans He has for your future. Stop fighting Him and what you are going through. Accept the fact that no matter what - God is with and will be with you to the end.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile. (‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭11-14‬ ESV)

GOD'S WORD IS LIKE A HAMMER AND A FIRE

Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? (‭Jeremiah‬ ‭23‬:‭29‬ ESV)

It’s been said that the pen is mightier than the sword. What that means is that words can be powerful. Words can be weapons. A careless, harsh word can cut a person like a knife. Words can also be helpful tools. Wise words spoken at the right time can prevent tragedy. A kind word can also provide comfort and consolation to someone who’s hurting.

Words are powerful. This certainly pertains to the greatest words of all – God’s Word. God’s Word is like no other. It is infallible and all-sufficient. And God’s Word affects people in unimaginable ways. 

TWO THINGS ABOUT GOD'S WORD...

1) The Word Of God Is Like A Hammer - It Tears Down and Rebuilds

One of the first things we’d use a hammer for would be pounding, or even breaking. That’s the picture God paints concerning his holy Word. It functions like a sledge hammer – shattering and breaking down. That’s exactly how Jeremiah understood God’s Word to be used. The situation in Jeremiah’s day was not unlike our day. In this chapter God gives one of the most scathing indictments against false prophets who were scattering His sheep. There had been a controversy between Jeremiah and the false prophets over the simple question, Will God punish sin, yes or no?

There was a war being waged in Judah against the faithfulness of God’s Word. These false prophets were placing false hopes in their own imaginations. “I have dreamed!” they cried. They thought they could make all the others lose sight of God.

What was their dream? Their big hope was that they could dupe the rest of the people into a false sense of security. They wanted everybody to believe their lies, so that they could be popular. 

The sad thing is that they didn’t care if they undermined God’s Word or not. In fact, it was essential for people to doubt God in order for to believe the lies. Just think what they said about God. God even questions their falsehood: “Am I only a God nearby,” declares the LORD, “and not a God far away? Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him? Declares the LORD. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the LORD. By those very questions we can see what kind of lies these false teachers were spreading about God. They’re saying that God can’t see us. He can’t hear us. He’s far away from us. He really doesn’t care about us.

That message contradicts everything Jeremiah had said, and became a stumbling block. Any falsehood against God’s truth is a stumbling block. The same stony lies that were spoken against Jeremiah are still prevalent today. Even in our day and age, there are so many people who claim that God isn’t who he claims to be. They contradict what God has said about Himself.

We might think we can contradict his Word, in order to find freedom and happiness. In the end we find ourselves playing with lies. The Lord smashes down our defenses, breaking our strong lies and crushing our self-reliant hearts. At the same time he uses his powerful Word to build up hearts. God breaks down the stubborn casing to get to the heart of the issue – rotten, sin-infested hearts. He reveals all weakness and frailty, so that he can replace it. 

That’s how God deals with our hearts. The Holy Spirit smashes down our stubborn hearts, rips out all that is rotten and replaces it with good. He reminds us that God hammered his own Son in our place. He hammered him to the cross. Christ Jesus suffered for our stubbornness, doubt and worry. He was nailed to the cross for our hard hearts that are so slow to trust. The wonder is that God left all our sins nailed to the cross. There is forgiveness and hope.

2) The Word Of God Is Like A Fire -It Consumes and Refines.

What God tears down, he rebuilds. God tears down our pride and arrogance. He tears down our tendency to believe the false dreams of the world. And he replaces it with the goodness of his Son, Jesus Christ. He rebuilds us according to his love and faithfulness. And everything God rebuilds, he refines.

Jeremiah brings this point out in our text: “Is not my word like a fire? declares the LORD.” What first comes to mind is a fire out of control. If left unchecked a fire will consume everything in its path. All one has to do is see the devastation of a house fire and the point is obvious. 

The Word of God is like fire. It consumes. The Lord God is in control, and he will not allow lies to be pronounced in his name. He will ultimately consume all lies, and along with it, the liar. All hearts will be subject to the flames of God. His Word aims to consume and expose our hearts. Any mistrust or doubt will be burned away. Any selfishness or pride will be consumed.

People in ranch country have also been taught from an early age that the only way to escape from a range fire is to start a backfire. Burn a place out in the grass where you can stand as the range fire passes by. When the heat of God’s judgment and condemnation burn against us, we can be sure that we have a safe place to stand, a place where God has already poured out his white-hot anger over our sin, and that place is the cross of Jesus Christ our Savior. Our Savior has already paid the punishment we deserve. The Gospel of Christ is our backfire. It has burned out a place of safety among the flames of the sin.

God has burned away our sins by placing them on his own Son and subjecting him to the flames of judgment. We, who stand with Christ, stand in safety. The fire of God’s wrath will pass by. 

It is so important that we spend daily time in God's Word allowing it to breath on us and break ever false lie down with His Hammer. It's so important that we allow the fire of God to burn away any chaff that we have attached to our lives and then allow the fire of God to melt us and remold us into His image. May God strengthen your desire to spend time with Him and to allow His word to shape every part of your being each and every day.

Sermon Inspired  by Edward Frey

WHO ARE YOU TRUSTING IN?

Thus says the Lord : “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” (‭Jeremiah‬ ‭17‬:‭5-8‬ ESV)

I have heard it said that if you are out of God's Will - you will lose time, money and energy. I think that most of us would agree in regards to that statement. To not trust in God and His plan for our lives has devastating results.

These two verses paint a picture of the man who does not trust in God and the man who does and the results for both. The contrast is stark contrast to one another with few similarities apart from the fact that they both truth in some being.

We all have to put our trust, our final reliance, in someone or something. It might be God, or it might be another person. Of course, we are all constantly putting some degree of trust in others, for example trusting that the driver behind you will use his brakes and not come crashing into you. 

What is meant here is not that kind of trust, but the kind of trust in which there is a deep hope and reliance, the thing we expect to hold firm when everything else fails. For many people that trust is in themselves. But the choices in who to trust can be reduced to just two. Is it a human being, or is it God? That is the stark choice, and Jeremiah describes these two choices to us and explains the consequences of each. Let’s have a look at what the Bible has to say here.

The first trust that we are shown here is the Trust Of Man. As life gets more technical and mechanical - as life is filled up with more and more knowledge, I think that we end up trusting the strength of man often over the strength of God.  

The scripture refers to making "flesh our strength." The human race has been shown time and time again, both corporately and individually, to be both feeble and sinful. We don't mean to fail or make bad decisions, but we do.

There is a hymn that has had words slightly changed over the years. It used to say:-

God is with us, God is with us,

So our great forefathers sang,

Far across the field of battle,

Lo their Holy war cry rang

Never once they feared or faltered

Never once they ceased to sing,

God is with is, God is with us!

Christ our Lord shall reign as king!

The change occurred in the fifth line – ‘never once they feared or faltered’ has been changed to the more accurate – ‘though at times they feared and faltered’. All men and women, even the strongest and the bravest fear and falter at times, and fail to deliver. Trusting in humanity, other people or ourselves has dire consequences.

The person who trusts in man is here likened to a desert plant, a piece of desert scrub. These plants are small and spindly. They are dry, they have no fruit. All their effort must be put into getting the tiny bit of moisture that they are able to reach. They live on salty, barren, uninhabited land, where, even if they did grow in beauty, nobody would see them or enjoy them. They were made for a hard existence on the margins. There is nobody to tend them, few insects to pollinate them, or birds and animals to carry their seeds. They rely for survival solely on their own resources, and have become adapted to just relying on themselves.

I live in the High Desert and I get this. The barrenness of land is a picture of the barrenness of soul that many people have. Their spiritual life is so puny and it takes all their energy just to survive let alone bring forth fruit.

If we trust in man, rather than God, we can end up like that. We put all our energy into survival, so we cannot spare any to give fruit. We cannot have those qualities in our lives that bless others. We become dry, with nothing to give. Our interactions with other people do not leave them blessed or strengthened or encouraged. We do not display the beauty and the holiness of Christ in our lives.

What is more, when God moves close in times of blessing, we cannot benefit from it, we cannot enjoy it, we cannot receive the blessings that God wants to give us, because we have so adapted ourselves to living on our own resources that we cannot receive from him. We can sit here while others are being moved by God, experiencing his blessing, worshipping him for his holiness, and spend our time thinking about what we are going to do next, or what has happened in the week just gone and the blessing of God does not touch or move us in the slightest.

The contrast that is given in this passage is to put our trust in God.

In contrast to fallible humans, God is the unfailing one, the one who has never been known to fail or to let anyone down. He is the one who keeps all his promises and always delivered what he has said he will.

Trusting in God has very different consequences to trusting in man. In contrast to the dried-up plants of the desert, the person who puts their trust in God is likened to a strong, fruitful tree. The waters, or rivers, by which this tree is planted were probably irrigation channels, deliberately dug for the purpose of watering the land. The sense of the scripture here is that it was planted deliberately and carefully in a place where it would be bound to flourish. The channels were kept flowing at all times of year and in all weathers. Even in times of draught they flowed on, watering and moistening the soil around them. A tree planted beside them would be able to spread out its roots along the banks, and grow tall and strong. It would not need to put all its effort into finding water, so it would be able to give fruit and to be of use. Such a tree does not rely just on itself for survival, but also on the people who tend it and ensure that the waters continue to flow.

A person who puts their trust in God is first described as ‘blessed’ or ‘happy’, unlike the others who are described as ‘cursed’.  Such a person is like the tree by the water. God provides an endless source of blessing and strength, flowing all the time, no matter what happens in life. Just as the tree can develop roots to reach along the banks to take full advantage of all the water, so a person could develop spiritual roots to reach out and receive all the blessings that God is wishing to give to them. At times when God comes close they know it and are able to be close to him, to spend time with him and enjoy him. They do not rely on themselves for survival and blessing, but on the one who gives them their water, their nourishment, their blessings.

But this flourishing tree is not just growing for its own benefit. It grows tall and strong, and is leafy, so that people can shelter from the fierce heat of the sun under it. Fruit grows, a valuable source of food, vitamins and nourishment. When we grow like this tree people who are suffering from the difficulties of this life can come to us and find relief. They can be nourished from being with us and strengthened and blessed, brought close to the one true God who is the source of all joy.

The person that trusts in God "does not fear the heat" that comes. In other words, times of draught will still hit us, but they shall not cause us damage. Because the channels are still flowing we can still be strong and useful to others.

Therefore the choice is clear. Trust in man who will fail you, you will wither and dry and be of no use to anyone, or trust in God and be well watered, giving shade to others.

THE THINGS THE LORD DELIGHTS IN

Good Monday to everyone.  I pray that you had a relaxing and restful weekend.  I so enjoyed being with God's people worshipping and fellowshipping with God Almighty on Sundays.

Before you get to deep into this week ask yourself these question - "What did God speak to my heart that is still resonating within?"  "Are there any areas in my life that I need to focus on and hone in on for this week?" If nothing comes to mind, perhaps it would be good to stop and listen to Lord's whisper to your heart and allow God to do some amazing things with you this week.

I read the following verse this morning in my devotionals which begs the question "What Does The Lord Delight In?"

Thus says the Lord : “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:23-24 ESV)

The problem that most of us deal with in our lives is listed in v.23 - it is the sin of boasting or pride.  We boast in our might and in our riches.  We have placed a certain confidence in our ability to take care of things and God wants us to turn it around and boast in His ability and to totally trust in Him to lead us and guide us.

He declares bodly in v.24 - "For in these things I delight."  Basically, that we would know and trust in The Lord.

As I look back over my many years of ministry - pride is an area that I have to constantly deal with.  Yet, and thankfully, God doesn't allow me to go very far with that type of thinking - He knows how to pull the rug on me and get me back down on my knees with a repentant heart of reliance and need to Him.

I read different authors and many genre's of literature and books and I have been fascinated over the years about the writtings of the Puritans as they helped develop a formation for theology.

There is one author named William Secker who wrote the book "The Consistent Christian" in 1660 who writes an ariticle called "The Peacock Of Pride."

If you know anything about peacocks - they can strut their feathers and put off quite the show.  Is that not like many of as Christians?

Read this article and let me know how it fits into your life.

THE PEACOCK OF PRIDE  



(William Secker, "The Consistent Christian" 1660)

He is the most lovely Christian--who is the most lowly Christian. As incense smells the sweetest when it is beaten smallest--so saints look loveliest when they lie lowest. God will not allow such a weed as pride to grow in His garden, without taking some course to root it up.

Pride is a sinner's torment--but humility is a saint's ornament. "Be clothed with humility." The garment of humility--should always be worn on the back of Christianity. Where humility is the corner-stone--there glory shall be the top-stone.

God many times places a thorn in the flesh--to pierce the balloon of pride. He makes us feel a sense of our misery--that we may sue for His unmerited mercy. The first Adam was for self-advancement--but the second Adam is for self-abasement. The former was for having SELF deified--the latter is for having SELF crucified.

We live--by dying to ourselves; and die--by living to ourselves. There is no proud man--who is not a foolish man; and scarcely is there any foolish man--who is not a proud man. It is the night-owl of ignorance, which broods and hatches the peacock of pride.

"I hate pride and arrogance!" Proverbs 8:13. God abhors those people worst--who adore themselves most. Pride is not a Bethel--that is, a house where God dwells; but a Babel--that is, a stinking dungeon in which Satan abides. Pride is not only a most hateful evil--but it is a radical evil. As all other lusts are found lodging in it--so they are found springing from it. Pride is a foul leprosy, in the face of morality; and a hurtful worm, gnawing at the root of humility. Pride is a cancer within, and a spreading plague without!

"Clothe yourselves with humility, because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 1 Peter 5:5

May God speak to each of us in regards to this sin of pride.  May we content to walk humbly before God in whatever we do.  May God rid us of this ugly disease and allow to totally depend upon Him.  Our prayer should be of complete reliance upon His grace and mercy in our lives. May completely eradicate that which doesn't belong to Him but belongs to us.  May we learn what it is to walk "humbly" with Him today and everyday.  Amen.

THE GOD WHO SINGS OVER US

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. (‭Zephaniah‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬ ESV)

We are instructed in many passages of scripture to be people of praise and worship to God. If I were to take the time to read to you all the instructions to clap, shout, sing, play music instruments, this blog would take several hours to complete. It's what we've been instructed to do - it's what we love to do.

But did you know that God sings over you also? Did you know that that He is sitting in the heavens rejoicing over you also? Did you know that when you finally returned to God from you rebellious time that He "ran" to you? He had been waiting for you to come back and now He is singing over you.

Look at the lyrics of this song written by Benny Hester…

Almighty God, the great I am
Immovable rock, omnipotent, powerful, awesome Lord
Victorious warrior, commanding King of Kings
Mighty conqueror, and the only time
the only time I ever saw Him run

CHORUS:
Was when He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said,
“Son do you know I still love you?”
He caught me by surprise when God ran

The day I left home I knew I’d broken His heart
And I wondered then if things could ever be the same
Then one night I remembered His love for me
And down that dusty road ahead I could see
It was the only time – it was the only time I ever saw Him run

And then He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said,
“Son do you know I still love you?”
He caught me by surprise as He brought me to my knees
When God ran – I saw Him run to me

BRIDGE:
I was so ashamed, all alone and so far away
But now I know He’s been waiting for this day

I saw Him run to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice I felt His love for me again
He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said, “Son”, He called me Son
He said, “Son do you know I still love you?”
He ran to me and then I ran to Him
When God ran

Here with a God who runs to us… Look at how He ran… Look at Jesus, it was Jesus who told us the story in Luke15 - Lost sheep, Lot coin, lost son… all of them story of a search for precious lost items… when items found, there was joy, with a blow-out party… Jesus gave us a picture here that God is just running for us.

In this prophecy from Zephaniah - it is a picture of how God really feels toward you - of how God really wants to treat us, how He is just so please to have us in His arms…

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. (‭Zephaniah‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬ ESV)

Change the picture you have of God - if it is a picture of a distant father, uninvolved, uncaring, abusive, who seem to have set his sights on you to make sure you stay miserable, bored that you want to end your life going on suicide pact with others on the internet. Change the picture, there is God, who loves you and sent Jesus, to find you and bring you home that He may sing over you, delighting, quieting you with His love. That’s what the cross is for He died for all our sins, yours and mine! Change the picture…

Colossians 3:2 (NLT) “Let heaven FILL your THOUGHTS. Do not think only about things down here on earth.”

Meditate on the heavenly picture of God singing over you! Let this thought dominate, just bring you to your knees. So that nothing corrupt enters in. If anything corrupt does enter in, time to fess up, time to get clean with a God who is mighty to save, takes great delight in you, come back home. Picture this God jumping up and down, saying oh yeah, throwing a party with you as the guest of honor. Let this picture of heaven be in you.

God is crazy in love with you right now. He is watching your every move and celebrating your every victory. He is singing with joy over you right now!

It's interesting - on Valentine's Day, couple's swoon over each other with gifts and niceties. Wouldn't it be cool if we treated every day like Valentine's day with each other. But that's how God is showing his love over you right now. He is so in love with you today and every day. He wants to bestow good gifts over you and bring blessings to your life.

Your God, my God, is singing over us today because He is SO in love with us and delights in us. He is not this God who is far away throwing lightening bolts in my direction but is this God who happy and joyful and is singing wonderful love songs over each and every one of us. You and I fill His thoughts each and every day.