DEPRESSION AND FAITH - “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Depression is something that almost everyone faces, to some degree, at some point in time, depression becomes a jailer that locks you within the bowels of darkness and seems to allow no light into the cell. There are many external factors which contribute to depression: unfulfilled expectations, personal failures of all kinds, circumstances from which there seems to be no escape, loneliness, let-downs, physical weariness, and the oppression which comes from Satan. Then there are internal or biological factors. Sometimes depression is spiritual. The individual who turns his back on God realizes there is no other hope or light, and that’s depressing. Some people work through their own depression. Others need help, and without strong individuals to lean on, they may be swallowed up by the darkness of the soul that vexes their lives. God is not indifferent to the suffering of someone who needs to break the bondage of depression, and those who struggle with it need help emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Help them realize that life has not ended and as long as there is God there is hope, gradually let them get their hand on the doorknob that leads down the hall to their families and their lives again. He is the God of the living “his compassions fail not.”

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Depression and Faith

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God is not indifferent to the suffering of someone who needs to break the bondage of depression, and those who struggle with it need help emotionally, physically, and spiritually – we must help them realize that life has not ended and as long as there is God there is hope, gradually let them get their hand on the doorknob that leads down the hall to their families and their lives again - God is the god of the living - “his compassions fail not”

Dr. Harold J. Sala

Guidelines For Living

“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 43:5

Charles Haddon Spurgeon, known for more than a century as the prince of preachers, began his remarkable ministry at the age of 18.

Early in his ministry Spurgeon was speaking when a fire broke out in the tabernacle.

Not hearing what the commotion was about, Spurgeon urged the people to remain seated, something that caused the deaths of several people. 

Spurgeon was devastated and the tragedy plunged this young man into deep depression.

He overcame it, but for the rest of his life he battled depression, sometimes so severely that he couldn’t rise from his bed.

Depression is something that almost everyone faces, to some degree, at some point in time, but in most cases the depression is temporary and, in a few days or weeks those dark clouds seem to lift and the sunshine appears.

For others, however, like a dark shadow, depression becomes a jailer that locks you within the bowels of darkness and seems to allow no light into the cell.

There are many external factors which contribute to depression: unfulfilled expectations, personal failures of all kinds, circumstances from which there seems to be no escape, loneliness, let-downs, physical weariness, and the oppression which comes from Satan.

Then there are internal or biological factors — chemical imbalances, temperaments which are dark and moody, and a host of other factors, far too elusive to document and often even to understand.

Sometimes depression is spiritual. Look at Jonah, who ran from God, whose self-pity turned to depression.

The individual who turns his back on God realizes there is no other hope or light, and that’s depressing.

Sometimes trying to pinpoint the cause is futile. If it is there, it’s there no matter what has caused it. The objective is to escape its grasp.

Spurgeon took heart that one of his favorite biblical characters, an individual who was known as “a man after God’s own heart,” King David, struggled with depression.

In one of David’s prayers he cried out, “O Lord... your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down upon me... there is no health in my body; my bones have no soundness because of my sin. My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear... I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart” (Psalm 38:3-8).

But David threw himself on the mercy of God and his equilibrium was restored. Again, he cried, “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 43:5).

Some people work through their own depression. Others need help, and without strong individuals to lean on, they may be swallowed up by the darkness of the soul that vexes their lives.

Knowing that it is OK to say, “I need help and need it now!” takes courage, but it’s the first step.

If you see someone who withdraws, who isolates himself or herself, who neglects appearance, who sleeps or turns to drugs or alcohol, who despairs of getting better, you need to be the one who helps that person get help.

God is not indifferent to the suffering of someone who needs to break the bondage of depression, and those who struggle with it need help emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

Personally I have never struggled with depression, and having sat and listened to those who describe its darkness is like listening to sometime tell about a world that I’ve never entered; but helping them realize that life has not ended and as long as there is God there is hope, gradually lets them get their hand on the doorknob that leads down the hall to their families and their lives again.

He is the God of the living, and as Jeremiah wrote, “his compassions fail not.”

Resource reading: Psalm 43

Speaker, author and Bible teacher, Dr. Harold Sala founded Guidelines in 1963. Pioneering the five-minute commentary in Christian radio, Dr. Sala’s daily "Guidelines for Living" is heard the world over in a variety of languages. Sala, who holds a Ph.D. in biblical text, has authored over 60 books published in19 languages. He speaks and teaches frequently at conferences, seminars, and churches worldwide. Residing in Mission Viejo, California, Harold has been married to Darlene for nearly wonderful 60 years.

https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/depression-and-faith/

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JOY IN DESPAIR - Of all the people to whom he could have spoken, Jesus went first to Mary - the weeping, heartbroken woman who once had seven demons. “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Watch for it - expect it as you would the morning sunrise or the evening twilight. Keep coming to Jesus - open your Bible - meditate on Scripture - sing hymns - talk to other believers. Darkness comes, but so does the morning - sadness comes, but so does hope - sorrow may have the night, but joy comes in the morning - Does God have a word for the dark nights of the soul? He does. The promise begins with this phrase: “Weeping may last through the night.” Of course, you knew that much. Weeping may last through the night, and the next night, and the next. This is not new news to you, but this may be: “Joy comes with the morning.” Night might delay the dawn, but it cannot defeat it. Morning comes. And with it comes joy. Watch for it. Expect it as you would the morning sunrise or the evening twilight. Keep coming to Jesus. You’ll be tempted to give up and walk away. But don’t. Even when you don’t feel like it, keep walking the trail to the empty tomb. Open your Bible. Meditate on Scripture. Sing hymns. Talk to other believers. Place yourself in a position to be found by faith, and listen carefully. That gardener very well might be your redeemer. Darkness comes, but so does the morning. Sorrow may have the night, but joy comes in the morning.

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Joy In Despair

Can you find joy in despair?

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Of all the people to whom he could have spoken, Jesus went first to Mary - the weeping, heartbroken woman who once had seven demons. “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Watch for it - expect it as you would the morning sunrise or the evening twilight. Keep coming to Jesus - open your Bible - meditate on Scripture - sing hymns - talk to other believers. Darkness comes, but so does the morning - sadness comes, but so does hope - sorrow may have the night, but joy comes in the morning

Max Lucado

Amanda Todd became an unwitting spokesperson for despair at the age of fifteen after a predator had convinced her to pose topless for a photo, and then posted it online.

With one keystroke, Amanda became a laughingstock.

Already a fragile and private person, she retreated even further.

She avoided friends, stayed home. Still, she couldn’t escape the texts, calls, and stares.

She changed schools, but the mockery followed.

She descended into drugs and alcohol, and began cutting herself. She attempted suicide.

Finally, in an act of desperation, she posted a nine-minute video on YouTube.

Using flash cards, she recounted her months of horror, shame, and despair.

One month after posting the video, she succeeded in taking her own life.

Does God have hope for someone like Amanda Todd?

Self-help manuals might get you through a bad mood or a tough patch.

But what about an abusive childhood or a debilitating accident or years of chronic pain or public ridicule?

Does God have a word for the dark nights of the soul?

He does.

The promise begins with this phrase: “Weeping may last through the night” (Psalm 30:5).

Of course, you knew that much.

Weeping may last through the night, and the next night, and the next.

This is not new news to you, but this may be: “Joy comes with the morning” (Psalm 30:5).

Night might delay the dawn, but it cannot defeat it.

Morning comes. And with it comes joy.

Do you need this promise?

Mary Magdalene did.

In the forest of the Bible, she was the weeping willow.

She had seven demons (Luke 8:2).

Maybe she’d been abused, abandoned.

Perhaps she was a recluse or a prostitute.

The number seven is sometimes used in the Bible to describe completeness.

It could be that Mary Magdalene was completely consumed with troubles.

But then something happened. Jesus stepped into her world and when he spoke, the demons fled.

From that day forward, everywhere Jesus went, Mary Magdalene followed.

She heard him teach. She saw him perform miracles. She helped pay his expenses.

She was always near Christ, even at his crucifixion.

On that Friday, Mary Magdalene watched Jesus die.

On Saturday, she observed a sad Sabbath.

When Sunday came, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb to finish the work she had begun when they lowered Jesus from his cross.

She knew nothing of the empty tomb. She came with no other motive than to prepare his body for burial and say goodbye.

When she arrived at the tomb, the nightmare of the last three days grew even darker.

Mary Magdalene “saw that the stone had been taken away” - (John 20:1 NKJV).

Assuming that grave robbers had taken the body, she hurried to find Peter and John.

They ran to the tomb, found it empty, then left to tell the rest of the disciples on what they had seen.

We expect the camera lens of the gospel to follow them. After all, they were apostles, future authors of epistles. But, it doesn’t. The story lingers with Mary.

Her face was awash with tears. Her shoulders heaved with sobs. “As she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain” (verses 11–12).

Mary Magdalene mistook the angels for men. She had no reason to think angels would be in the tomb.

Bone diggers? Maybe. Caretakers? Possibly.

But her Sunday was too dark to expect the presence of angels. Her world had officially hit rock bottom.

Have you ever had a moment like this? A moment in which bad news became worse? In which you came looking for God yet couldn’t find him?

Maybe Mary Magdalene’s story is your story. If so, you’re going to love what happened next.

In the midst of Mary’s darkest moment, the Son came out.

“Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.

“Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?’

“She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, ‘Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away’” (verses 14–15).

She didn’t recognize her Lord.

So, Jesus did something about it. He called her by name, and when he did, Mary recognized the voice that had first called her to freedom.

In the time it took for Jesus to say “Mary”, her world went from hopeless to hope-filled.

Of all the people to whom he could have spoken, Jesus went first to Mary - the weeping, heartbroken woman who once had seven demons.

Why her? As far as we know, she didn’t become a missionary.

No epistle bears her name.

Perhaps, Jesus wanted to send a message to all the heavyhearted people: “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Psalm 30:5).

Watch for it. Expect it as you would the morning sunrise or the evening twilight. Keep coming to Jesus.

You’ll be tempted to give up and walk away. But don’t.

Even when you don’t feel like it, keep walking the trail to the empty tomb.

Open your Bible. Meditate on Scripture. Sing hymns. Talk to other believers.

Place yourself in a position to be found by faith, and listen carefully. That gardener very well might be your redeemer.

Darkness comes, but so does the morning. Sadness comes, but so does hope.

Sorrow may have the night, but joy comes in the morning.

Max Lucado, “Unshakable Hope: Building Our Lives on the Promises of God” 

To meet Max in person: Max greets visitors between worship services at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, TX, when he is preaching. Please check the church preaching schedule or call the church office at (210) 698-6868 to confirm the dates you plan to visit. Any published speaking engagement or preaching date is subject to last minute change without notice. For worship times, directions, and schedule, visit the Oak Hills website: oakhillschurch.com.

https://maxlucado.com/can-you-find-joy-in-despair/

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EXPAND YOUR SPIRITUAL HORIZONS - Embrace Endless Possibilities - the very best days for the people of God are right before us — not behind us - these are days of advance, it’s time to remove the lids of limitation by expanding our expectations - start believing for greater exploits from God and for God - God desires to take you to new levels of victory in every area of your life, spirit, soul and body - Call unto me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you know not. GOD Is ABLE To DO - Exceedingly Abundantly Above All - God can do anything and has outstanding plans for each and every one of us, plans that are “exceedingly abundantly” more wonderful and sure than we could ever imagine or guess or request. We simply cannot exaggerate what He is about to do because His work in our hearts and lives will always surpass all that we could possibly think or imagine. God can work a work in our day that will be so awesome and amazing we will truly be awestruck. Even if you are facing great hardship, take heart: we have His precious promises as our comfort, joy and security. No matter what trial you are experiencing — in your health, finances, marriage, children or with your loved ones — God has unimaginably great blessings in store for you as you simply turn to Jesus, to His Spirit within you and His living Word. We know that every one of His promises are true: His Word promises a certain, divine turnaround. All heaven and earth may pass away, but God's Word never fails you! Never, no never!

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Expand Your Spiritual Horizons -

Embrace Endless Possibilities
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the very best days for the people of God are right before us — not behind us - these are days of advance, it’s time to remove the lids of limitation by expanding our expectations - start believing for greater exploits from God and for God - God desires to take you to new levels of victory in every area of your life, spirit, soul and body

Bobby Conner

Eagles View Ministries

“Call unto me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you know not.” - Jeremiah 33:3

GOD Is ABLE To DO - Exceedingly Abundantly Above All

In an extremely powerful prophetic encounter The Lord Jesus Christ, said “Bobby, I give you My personal permission to attempt to exaggerate what I am about to do!”  

Amazed by this remarkable suggestion, I asked Him for a Scripture reference.  

The Lord Jesus promptly answered, “No problem!” and spoke these verses from Ephesians 3:20-21:

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Consider the Message Bible's version of this Scripture:

“God can do anything, you know — far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us.”
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Exceedingly Abundant Plans for Your Life

Think BIG!
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These are days of advance, it’s time to remove the lids of limitation by expanding our expectations. Start believing for greater exploits from God and for God. Beloved saints, God desires to take you to new levels of victory in every area of your life, spirit, soul and body (Romans 8:37).

I can tell you with great confidence that the very best days for the people of God are right before us — not behind us! 

Indeed, God can do anything (Genesis 18:14) and has outstanding plans for each and every one of us, plans that are “exceedingly abundantly” more wonderful and sure than we could ever imagine or guess or request!  

We simply cannot exaggerate what He is about to do because His work in our hearts and lives will always surpass all that we could possibly think or imagine!God’s declaration in Habakkuk 1:5 is still for us today!

He can work a work in our day that will be so awesome and amazing we will truly be awestruck!

God’s spectacular plans for you are only for your good (Jeremiah 29:11).  

Even if you are facing great hardship, take heart: we have His precious promises as our comfort, joy and security.  

No matter what trial you are experiencing — in your health, finances, marriage, children or with your loved ones — God has unimaginably great blessings in store for you as you simply turn to Jesus, to His Spirit within you and His living Word (Romans 8:28).  

We know that every one of His promises are true: His Word promises a certain, divine turnaround.  

All heaven and earth may pass away, but God's Word never fails you! 

Never, no never!

Exceedingly Abundant Intimacy

The Lord specifically wants to increase your capacity for intimate communion with Him. 

He longs to speak to you “deep unto deep,” Spirit to spirit. 

Just as the Lord promised the prophet Jeremiah, He assures us that He will answer our cries to know Him and commune with our Maker: “Call unto me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you know not.” 

This word translated mighty (Strong’s 1219) is from the Hebrew bâtsar, which means to be isolated, inaccessible by height or fortification, fenced, walled up. 

The Lord is saying here that if we call to Him, He will absolutely reveal what has been inaccessible to us, the “mysteries of the Kingdom” secured within His magnificent heart of love, that which has been “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think”!

Cry out, beloved, with the Apostle Paul, “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto his death…” (Philippians 3:10).

He will answer this prayer in a measure that exceeds your wildest dreams!

Exceedingly Abundant Wisdom

The Lord Jesus Christ also wants to give you “exceedingly abundantly above all” of His wisdom so you can make better decisions. 

Consider James 1:5: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” 

In Psalm 32:8, we have His promise: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shalt go: I will guide you with my eye.”  

This is a sure word of prophecy! 

We have the Word of the Lord and the mind of Christ to provide abundant, extravagant wisdom every hour of our lives.

Take this Scripture to heart: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5). 

This Hebrew word translated lean is Strong’s 8172, shâ’an, which means to lean, lie, rely, rest on, stay. 

We are called to stay and rest upon the promises of our God, the mind of Christ, not upon our own reasoning or observations, however well meaning. 

This is a call to extravagant dependency, childlike faith and trust. 

If we offer the Lord our exceedingly abundant leaning, relying, resting and trusting, He will respond with His exceedingly abundant wisdom and guidance!

Exceedingly Abundant Anointing

Christ also longs to give you a stronger anointing so you can have greater influence for the Kingdom. 

Consider Psalm 92:10: “But my horn (emblem of excessive strength and stately grace) You have exalted like that of a wild ox; I am anointed with fresh oil."

Having “exceedingly abundant” anointing for every occasion, empowers us to work the works of God on earth, for “He that says he abides in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” 

This superabundant anointing not only empowers to perform the very same signs, wonders and miracles as our Master, the Lord Jesus Christ, but enables us to understand His will and speak His truth in every situation. 

Meditate on this most amazing promise from the Lord: “… you have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.”  

The Hebrew word translated “unction” in this verse is Strong’s 5545, the Greek chrisma, derived from chrio (Strong’s 5548), which means to smear or rub with oil; to consecrate to an office or religious service; to anoint. 

We have been smeared with the Holy Spirit, consecrated to the office of royal priest and king to serve our Lord God! 

This anointing is given freely, liberally, exceedingly abundantly to you, dear saint. 

Believe this promise and begin to act on the unction that has already been given to you, to work the works of the Kingdom on earth. 

Exceedingly Abundant Provision

Your Father God also wants to bless you with exceedingly abundant provision in your finances and ministry — workplace so you can be a greater blessing to others (2 Corinthians 9:6-8).

Christ Jesus states if we are faithful in our giving, others will give back to us in an overwhelming manner (Luke 6:38).

I urge you, dear believer: when faced with outstanding bills and debt or problems in your workplace, ministry or investments, do not become stuck, weak, impotent, stagnant or paralyzed in the same old ruts of fear, doubt and unbelief.

Submit to the God of peace, resist these demons and they will flee from you (James 4:7): remember, these “emotions” of fear and anxiety are not just negative emotions but actual demonic spirits and strongholds with an assignment to destroy your life and rob you of your destiny.  

Instead of receiving and agreeing with these demons of fear and unbelief, receive instead His Holy Spirit and His precious promises regarding His provision for you.

Never doubt this fact that the greater power of God lives within you (1 John 4:4).

Beloved, His Word is rock-solid truth. 

Stand on that Rock of Christ and begin to act accordingly, casting all your cares on God, giving abundantly and freely to others as the Spirit leads, and rejoicing greatly that your Father is certainly doing "exceedingly more" than you can ask or imagine in your finances, career, ministry and investments. 

Do not look at the news from Wall Street, the global markets’ ups and downs or the financial forecasts offered by mere mortals — but look to your eternal, omnipotent and omniscient Creator to release abundant provision into your life and the life of your loved ones!  

Exceedingly Abundant Glory

The Lord Jesus Christ is inviting you to lift your vision up and above your natural circumstances and situations to fix your eyes on Him and His Word alone (Psalms 34:5).  

As we do this, beloved, we can expect to see the exceedingly abundant glory of God fill the entire earth! 

Above all else, accept His invitation to come up higher into the realms of glory (Revelation 4:1-2) by focusing on Christ your Provider, Redeemer, Deliverer, Guide and Healer. 

Do not focus and dwell on your difficulties, no matter how painful this may be to your flesh (Isaiah 26:3). 

God is inviting you to turn your eyes upon Jesus and away from your natural, earthly challenges because He has brand new frontiers of the Spirit for you to explore and higher mountains of faith and glory to climb!

Your walk with Christ should never be monotonous or mundane; on the contrary, it can be filled with “exceedingly abundant” adventures and exciting exploits beyond what we can imagine. 

Each day with Jesus can bring thrills and great excitement about His ever-increasing glory upon the earth and within each and every one of us. 

Every day, we are invited to fall more and more in love with our precious King and beloved Savior.
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There is so much more to life in Christ than we can ever imagine (Psalm 36:9).  

In His Presence, we find true fulfillment and lasting joy, “joy unspeakable and full of glory” (Psalms 16:11, 1 Peter 1:8).  

Do not allow yourself to be distracted by the trials of this world; rather, choose this day to bask in the radiance of His glory, believing in the “exceedingly abundant” love, mercy and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ within you!
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Be a bright beacon of hope in a world filled with despair, let your light of victory in Christ Jesus shine bright and brighter.

Bobby Conner – Eagles View Ministries

For almost five decades, Bobby Conner has been ministering around the world as a seasoned prophet of God. Bobby is uniquely anointed with a profound, passionate love for the Lord Jesus Christ and a fervent desire to discern and herald God’s voice to prepare the Lamb’s Bride to establish the Kingdom of God. Specifically, Bobby is called to sound the alarm and awaken the warriors to arise and contend for the true faith.

https://www.bobbyconner.org/articles/Expand-Your-Spiritual-Horizons%E2%80%94Embrace-Endless-Possibilities