Lessons

 Lessons Learned and Relearned

Yesterday began with an overwhelming sense of strengthlessness--physically, spiritually, mentally, emotionally.

Yesterday ended with an overwhelming sense of His presence, His enabling, His peace, and His comforting care.

How? Intercessory prayer. All day long my name was taken into the throne room of the God who promises mercy and grace to those who come into His presence to ask for both in time of need. And He supplies both just as He promises. Thank you for taking my name and my need into our Father's presence.

How? His People. He sent my Good Samaritan out to the house, And he went beyond all that I could ask or think to lift my spirit with His help and encouragement. Thanks again Tom.

By early afternoon He even gave me the strength to spend time with a dear friend who lifted and encouraged my spirit as well.

Never forget that the Christian walk is a group project. We are a community of believers.

How? Renewing of the mind. All my supposed spiritual strength, manufactured by own spiritual pride was useless. I needed to rely on the Spirit that lives within me for the strength needed for the struggles of each day. Without Him I can do nothing.

Why do I wait to ask for prayer? I need to humble myself, surrender to His will, admit my weakness and total dependence on Him.

Prayer. Community. A mind open to the Spirit's teaching--re-teaching. These gifts from Him turned a day mired in despondency to a day of immeasurable joy. And if He had not allowed my spiritual pride to lead me to despondency, I would never have been reminded of and refreshed by the power of the love of others and the power of the Spirit's patience in leading me into a deep awareness of His presence and His joy.

"Day by day, and with each passing moment, strength I find to meet my trials here; trusting in my Father's wise bestowment, I've no cause for worry or for fear, He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure, gives unto each day what He deems best, lovingly its part of pain and pleasure, mingling toil with peace and rest.

"Help me then, in every tribulation, so to trust The promises, O Lord, that I lose not faith's sweet consolation, offered me within Thy holy word. Help me Lord, when toil and tribulation meeting, e'er to take as from a father's hand, one by one, the days, the moments fleeting, till I reach the promised land."