Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Monday June 29, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of Psalm, please read chapters 23-30 in your Bible or Click Here to read them online. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2023-30&version=9


Today's Message: Don't Feel Like It
Physical and mental pain can ruin any joy that we have, but giving praise to the Lord, even when we don't feel like it brings powerful deliverance and wonderful blessings.

David, who grew up a shepherd boy, now king, saw himself nothing more than sheep being led, he was inspired by the Holy Spirit to to write the most famous Psalm in the Bible. “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” - Psalm 23. No other livestock requires more attention than sheep. Left alone, they can easily become separated from the flock and get lost, who are also the most defenseless and helpless animals that God has created. By nature we are all like sheep, as long as we have the Good Shepherd watching over us we are safe and can not fall into danger. “Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep..........I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” - John 10:7,11. However, if we stop following Him, we easily go astray, get lost and head straight for the wolf in sheep's clothing, whom is none other than Satan himself.

After David's recovery from an affliction which had very nearly proven fatal, he wrote this Psalm. “I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me. O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” - Psalm 30:1-5. David began to praise God for healing him and encouraged all to praise Him and thank Him for His grace. Distress of the body is common and sooner or later comes to almost everyone. This distress was the instrument that God used to urge David to write this Psalm, glorifying our wonderful God. David knew that God was the source of his recovery, he prayed wholeheartedly and wholehearted prayer always leads to praise and glory, despite what looks hopeless. We overcome the fears of affliction when we recognize that it is not chance but God that lifted us up.

Whatever else God in mercy, grace, and wisdom may have in mind for His children who experience afflictions, there is one thing very clear, the Lord is near those who are suffering. We can not question why we are faced with bodily pain and suffering, it's not anything that we have done or a punishment from God, as we learned from the book of Job. Instead of wallowing in sorrow for our suffering to end we need to praise God, the only thing wallowing will do it make things worse. “But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;” - II Corinthians 1:9,10. It is we who convince ourselves that there is no hope, but if we put our trust in god and praise Him during every bit of affliction we face, we can always be sure that God will deliver us our of our pain. Praise God!

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
There may be readers who are suffering today, but we know that You alone are the source for healing those fragile bodies. Lord, touch them and give them comfort today knowing that You are near and will heal them when the time is right. Lord, we too struggle at times with suffering, whether it is physical or even mental, help us to rid ourselves of habits and attitudes that bring a complaining, ungrateful or begrudging spirit. Renew us with a persistent spirit of joyful praise, contentment, and gratitude for as long as we live. We can rejoice in your goodness toward us and in Your steadfast love that never ceases. In Jesus' Name.........Amen.

Have a wonderful day/night and week.
God Bless,
Christina