I know that days can be super hard sometimes. I know what it's like to be in a place where things just seem so overwhelming it's hard to even think much less be able to pray. I've had times in my life where I could say that I have experienced what it feels like to be crushed in Spirit. I have dealt with fear, anger, fits of rage, bitterness, resentment, and have struggled with unforgiveness. Everyone has some hard challenges to face throughout their lives. But throughout all of our struggles, hardships, challenges, sorrows, defeats, anxieties, fears, depression, One thing remains.
Yesterday I got to be a part of something amazing. A local church called Conduit is doing an outreach ministry this coming Saturday for the people in their community. They have pulled together resources and put together over 800 backpacks full of school supplies for the kids in a couple of the lower income school districts. They are also preparing 1000 chicken bbq dinners for area families. The Pastor of the church said to me that their agenda is "love".
Yesterday, volunteers came and before we got started everyone laid their hands on another person and a box of items that were going to be added to a backpack and 3 men covered the event in prayer. Then we made an assembly line, passed the bags down and each person added a different school supply. My daughter and I were at the end of the line, I added a highlighter she zipped the bag shut. There was man who took the completed bags and set them on another table, and as he grabbed each bag I heard him pray "Lord bless the child who receives this backpack." Another guy started singing the B I B L E very enthusiastically. Everyone was smiling and in excited anticipation for this event. 200 bags were completed in like 30 min! What a great feeling it is to be a part of something bigger than ourselves! Sharing God's love with others in big ways and small ways.. It is good for the soul, no doubt!
I was doing my quite time this morning and so much seems to keep pointing to love. Starting with Christ's love. Then, as he pours His love into our lives and calls us to love others we ourselves become conduits. A way for His everflowing, self sacrificial, and unconditional love to reach the masses. We love because He first loved us! The scripture references I had for today were John3:16, 1Corinthians13, 1Peter4:8.
So in your challenges, fears, struggles, depression... when all seems overwhelming, hopeless, lost.., take heart in knowing that one thing remains. You are dearly loved with an abundant, never ending, source of love. And He will give you all the love you need to keep loving even the most challenging people in your life. Whether it be your spouse, coworkers, family members, strangers (that can't drive), even your enemy. Always remember for God so loved the world, that He sacrificed His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have life everlasting! All is never lost! Let us become saturated by this love, and let us stomp out the darkness of this world and completely thwart the schemes of the enemy in our own lives and in the lives of others by the one thing that will always remain, the Love of our Lord Jesus Christ. Receive it and pour it out:)!
Father,
I pray that You will give us a better understanding of how great Your love for us truly is. Please allow us to feel your love for us and know that every detail of our lives matters to You. Help us to know and understand that You are wise, and that Your ways are perfect. Please restore to us Your perfect peace as we trust in You. God, enable us to receive Your love. We can not love others if we are not able to be loved ourselves. Help us to see ourselves the way the way that You see us, and to see others the way You see them. God please help us to be willing, living, conduits for Your love to flow through into the lives of others. May the enemy of our souls continue to be cast down by love. Starting with the Love You poured out for us on the cross Lord. May Your love reach the masses through us Father. When all else fails we know by Your Word that Your love never will. And Your word also promises that nothing in all creation can separate us from Your love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Thank You for these life giving Truths! We praise Your Holy name O Lord. And as we allow You to fill us with your love and as we love others may You alone be glorified. Thank You Jesus, for the eternal hope that we have in the One thing that will always remain. Your Love.
In Jesus name, Amen
As you listen to this song allow your Heavenly Father to encompass you with His great love for you and be encouraged. Seek the opportunity to share His love with someone else today:)
Shalom
