There is no Darkness in God

 The service was a blessing. I went home with my wife encouraged. We did some shopping on the way. In the supermarket I felt foggy and empty. It was a bit like the depression of my youth.

Why is that? We can often sense the depressed moods of those around us. God often allows this so that we can learn to resist the devil and pray for the suffering people around us.

If you feel depressed or sad, you can pray quietly right away. Where is this oppression coming from, dear God? How should I respond? How can I overcome this darkness? Not only the darkness in me, but also the darkness around me and in others around me?

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” Jn 8:12 NRSV

Every time you feel darkness, whether it is in your soul, or from the feelings of those around you, or from the presence of demons, or from the situation in the world, no matter where the darkness comes from, you can seek God's truth and God's presence.

Call to me, and I will answer you and reveal to you great and unsearchable things that you do not know. Jer 33:3 L17

When you belong to Jesus, there is an invisible mobile phone in your spirit. You are always in touch with Jesus. With God there is no mobile phone blackout.

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. 1 Jn 1:5 NRSV

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Ps 27:1 NRSV

Trusting God on Grey Days

 Dear God, I feel grey and deflated. The sky is grey, but where is the rain?
It's warm, but not nice and warm.

What can I do when everything around me and inside me is grey? Never forget that God's love envelops me.

If you know Jesus as your Saviour, God's Spirit lives in you 24 hours a day.
You carry heaven within you.

Are you threatened by evil people?

I've been thinking about it since yesterday. I feel anger and no love, but I must love my enemies.
I pray for my enemy to meet Jesus before he dies.

I pray without tender feelings, but I pray anyway.

To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
O my God, I trust in You; Let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me. Ps 25:1–2 NKJV

Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance. Ps 42:5 NKJV

Hope for Dark Times

 You are weak, but you refuse to stop believing.. God will reward you.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Mt 5:3 NIV

You are broken, misunderstood, mistreated, but you refuse to blame God. God wants to comfort you.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Mt 5:4 NIV

You are in a dark place. You see no way out, but the light of God's love shines in the darkness.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Jn 1:5 NIV

You are in trouble, but Jesus is on your side. Don't give up!

“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.” Jn 16:33 NIV

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Ro 8:31 NIV

When you are mistreated, never give in to hate and bitterness. God still loves you. Never give in.

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Ro 12:21 NIV

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. Jas 1:12 NIV

Finding God in the Darkness

Church was a blessing. I drove home with my wife, encouraged. On the way we did some shopping. In the supermarket I felt foggy and empty. It was a bit like the depression of my youth.

Why is that? We can often sense the depressed moods of people around us. God often allows this so that we can learn to resist the devil and pray for the suffering people around us.

When you feel depressed or sad, you can pray quietly straight away. Where does this depression come from dear God? How should I respond? How can I overcome this darkness? Not only the darkness in me, but also the darkness around me and in others around me?

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 ESV

Every time you feel darkness, whether it is in your soul, or from the feelings of your fellow man, or from the presence of demons, or from the situation in the world, no matter where the darkness comes from, you may seek God's truth and God's presence.

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. Jeremiah 33:3 ESV

When you belong to Jesus, there is an invisible mobile phone in your spirit. You are always connected to Jesus. God is always waiting for your call.

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5 NKJV

The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 NKJV

Jesus the best Therapist

 Many devout Muslims live under the dark clouds of fear. They never know if their obedience will be enough to save them from the flames of hell.

Some compare themselves to not so virtuous nominal Christians, and they feel proud and superior.

Others compare themselves to extremely religious Muslims, and they judge themselves as failures.

Then they can become extremely fanatical because they can never be sure if their religious virtue is enough to save them from hell.

Unfortunately, there are also some Christians who live in this kind of religious no-man's land.

There are Christians who are caught in pornography addiction. They feel helpless to escape from slavery and are full of fear of God's judgement.

There are other Christians who believe in Jesus, but they have never understood that they can only receive their salvation as a gift from God. They live rather like Muslims, with the feeling that they have to earn their salvation.

When you think like that, you can become very strictly religious, and look down on Christians who are not so strictly virtuous. That's exactly how the Pharisees were.

Or you can condemn yourself as inferior because you keep failing.

If you are addicted to pornography or gambling, you desperately need help, from God but also from people.

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. James 5:16 NLT

Many Christians need deliverance from demons and many need good counselling or a good therapist. 

Jesus did not come to burden us with guilt complexes. On the contrary.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 NIV84

Such a life is only possible in close communion with God. God is love. Only those who experience the love of God daily have access to this abundant life.

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 NLT

How do these morbid religious attitudes arise, where legalism, pride or guilt complexes keep us away from the love of God?

Legalistic religion, tradition, unbending or manipulative parents or pastors, narrow-minded culture.
Sin, perversion, abuse, shame.

I know Christians who were seduced or abused as children. That can lead to all kinds of feelings and thoughts, all kinds of waywardness, so that we are full of shame.

If you cannot get rid of wrong thoughts and feelings, you need to know that Jesus loves you unconditionally. Let Jesus be your therapist. He wants to help you, not condemn you.

 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 NLT

Hope in Dark Places

When you're overwhelmed with problems, when the way ahead looks hopeless, when your thoughts go in dark circles, then it is time to expect something new from God.

God was your Creator when you were conceived. God was there at your birth.

In your helpless dependence, you experienced a mother’s love, that special love that stirred your hunger for a heavenly love.

Then you learned to stand on your own feet and walk.

You went to school, perhaps studied and then got a job, but never forget that you are from God and your life was prepared by God.

No matter how strong and clever you have become, you need to know that your power and success was only possible through God's loving care.

Human strength and material things don’t last for ever.

You may experience painful setbacks. You lose your job. Your marriage fails. Your children go astray and break your heart. You grow old and your strength fails.

You come to a place where you cannot manage your life with your limited health and strength.

How do you react then?
Many become depressed, pessimistic, resigned. Maybe this is you.

If you have not been in these dark places, your time may yet come. 
But if life knocks you down, do you have to stay down forever?

Recently I was very down. I went into a dark place, until it occurred to me that God still has plans for me that I can not think of myself.

I have come so far with God’s amazing help. It was not my own strength or ability that brought me this far.

God has led me so far, and will he not take care of me when I grow old?

God has always rescued me with beautiful surprises from impossible situations. If Jesus rescued me before, will he change His mind when I am old?
 
When Jesus called Peter to leave his job as a fisherman, Peter had to follow a new path, a path that looks very insecure to our natural minds.

Does the way ahead of you look uncertain?

God sees where you are, and he sees the path that lies before you. Nothing is uncertain for God.

God has prepared a bridge that leads from your past to your future.
Would a good engineer design a bridge that leads from one bank to another, or a bridge that does not quite reach the other bank?

 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD.
 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. Isa 55:8-9 NKJ

We need God's loving care. You need to get God's thoughts. You have a Bible, but the Bible is a big book. To reach your destination you need not only a good map, but also a reliable guide.

Jesus did not leave his disciples on earth without help.
We have the best of all guides and mentors, the Holy Spirit.

`Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.' Jer 33:3 NKJ

Just as the Holy Spirit was to the prophets in the Old Testament, even so he is our wonderful comforter and guide today. He is the great encourager. He wants to give you new hope.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.  Jer 29:11 NKJ