Evil works where discouragement lodges

This past Sunday, I was just not up to braving the icy conditions and cold weather, so I watched the Grove Avenue Baptist Church broadcast. I have come to really like Mark Becton, the pastor. I was struck by one comment he made and it has stayed with me. He said, "Evil works where discouragement lodges."

I know this statement impacted me so much because it applies to me and my life! How about you? Are you discouraged?

I am prone to Seasonal Affective Disorder and it has been a long and cold winter here in Virginia. The snow is beautiful and I have savored the sunrises particularly in the past two weeks. I assume there is some meteorological reason for the especially stunning dawn sky recently. I love sitting in my living room watching the morning sky change and brighten through the glass doors to the deck.

In my writing nook hangs the calendar my son gave me for Christmas. Each month displays an absolutely gorgeous nature scene and offers a verse of scripture. The photo for February is a close up of a cherry blossom branch with a white dove, either landing or preparing to take off. The background is nothing but the blue sky.

We have been to Washington DC for many a Cherry Blossom festival and it's difficult to imagine balmy breezes and the almost overpowering scent of cherry blossom trees blooming when the thermometer reads 12 degrees and the landscape resembles a frozen tundra!

My discouragement whispers to me that winter will never end and I will experience this near claustrophobia until I die! Discouragement revisits the nibbling thought that the cherry blossoms will never bloom when I'm tired. I can deal with the 'regular' discouragements of life on a "good day." In the depths of winter, smothered by cold and draped in snow, I can all too readily invite discouragement in to where I lodge.

I rejoice that I know Jesus, the defeater of discouragement! With Him I have the energy and the strength to kick discouragement out, clean out the guest room where he comes to visit and send him packing on a one-way trip back to where he came from!

Spring is just around the corner!


"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33 NIV).

Blessings on your journey,
Mary

Overcome fear and discouragement with the "three J's"

In the midst of all the snow and due to church services being canceled today, we did some "channel surfing" to find some spiritual programming that might take the place of our attending our own church.

I was not disappointed! Pastor Zachery Tims of New Destiny Christian Center talked today about how we can overcome fear and disappointment with the "Three J's."

The first "J" was Joseph. Pastor Tims reassured listeners not to be afraid of their current circumstance--no matter how hard it is. "But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them." (Genesis 50:19-21 NIV).

The second "J" to which Dr. Tims referred was Job. "At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing" (Job1:20-22 NIV).

The third "J" was Jesus. "But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith( Philippians 3:7-9 NIV).



Blessings on your journey,
Mary