Quote from Forum Archives on February 21, 2002, 1:30 pm

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

Having experienced pain, loss, confusion, and even a sense of
hopelessness, I am extremely sympathetic and empathetic when I
encounter someone who is struggling, for whatever reason. It
doesn't matter to me if what they are doing is right or not, I
see a person who is hurting. I think about my own past hurts,
and I know that whether I was doing right or wrong, my hurts were
very real to me.

Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd. He comes to us. He HAS felt
our pain, in fact, He took the pain and punishment of our sins
upon Himself, so that we may find forgiveness, peace, and rest.
He also send God's Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to be with us each
and every day, and to even dwell within OUR spirits!

When I am feeling up, I immerse myself in the scriptures, so that
I know precisely what they say. When I am down, even if I cannot
convince myself to open His Word, it has been written deep within
me. The things I think about in my deepest inner thoughts are
the things of God.

My friends, today, Neil Amderson writes about how he's known
people who have been "languishing in deep spiritual, mental and
emotional torment." He shares a "before" and "after" letter from
one person who has been through such things. I can personally
attest to those kinds of feelings.

If any of you are in that place, I want to encourage you today.
If any of you know someone who is in that place, I would ask you
to be available, if only to listen, if only to care. If there
are any acts of kindness that you can do today, please do them.
But don't draw on your own resources. First, make sure that you
are drawing on the gifts that God has given to you. Then knowing
that they are His gifts, offer them freely to others in the same
spirit that they were given to you. In that way, you will not
grow weary of doing good, and the Name of the Lord will be
praised.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for understanding us. Thank you for loving us. Thank
you for being there, even we were so hurt that we couldn't even
see You or know Your Presence. Strengthen each of us, in order
that we may be Your Strength to others today. I ask these things
humbly, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian

If you are looking to feed and challenge your faith, visit
Crosswalk.com's Spiritual Life Channel at:
spiritual.crosswalk.com
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You can read the Crosswalk devotionals online at
devotionals.crosswalk.com

N E I L A N D E R S O N D A I L Y D E V O T I O N A L
from Freedom in Christ Ministries

February 20

HE'S ALWAYS THERE

I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).

In the early 1980s I counseled a Christian young woman who was
languishing in deep spiritual, mental and emotional torment. She
wrote:

Dear God,

Where are You? How can You watch and not help me? I hurt so
bad, and You don't even care. If You cared You'd make it stop
or let me die. I love You, but You seem so far away. I can't
hear You or feel You or see You, but I'm supposed to believe
You're here. Lord, I feel them and hear them. They are here.
I know You're real, God, but they are more real to me right
now. Please make someone believe me, Lord. Why won't You make
it stop? Please, Lord, please! If You love me You'll let me
die.

A Lost Sheep

Many Christians I deal with are filled with such confusion that
their daily walk with Christ is unfulfilling and unproductive.
When they try to pray, they begin thinking about a million things
they should be doing. When they sit down to read the Bible, they
can't concentrate. When they have an opportunity to serve the
Lord in some way, they are brought up short by discouraging
thoughts of self-doubt.

Having found freedom, "The Lord Sheep" penned a response to her
own prayer based on her new understanding of God's provision in
Christ.

My Dear Lost Sheep,

You ask Me where I am. My child, I am with you and I always
will be. You are weak, but in Me you are strong. I am so
close that I feel everything you feel. Be crucified with Me
and I will live in you, and you shall live with Me. I will
direct you in paths of righteousness. My child, I love you
and I will never forsake you, for you are truly Mine.

Love, God

Loving Shepherd, thank You for tending me and feeding me daily,
showing me that I am precious to You.

-----------
This daily devotional is published and distributed by
Crosswalk.com. It is written by Neil Anderson at
< www.ficm.org >.

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CBD). < shopping.crosswalk.com/bye/devo_na >

Additional devotionals are available from Crosswalk.com:
< devotionals.crosswalk.com >.
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=====
--
Brian Masinick, "The Mas", mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

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