The thought life determines everything else.
And, the thought life is determined by the presence or lack of freshness in God's Word.
So many Christians are miserable and focus on the problem, repeating familiar verses over and over like mantras, hoping to exert some power over the circumstance.
I was 22 years old and had just arrived in Rochester New York. I remember taking a package to a basement mail room in McCurdy's department store, and handing it to a man who must have been close to 70 years old. His hands were gnarled and badly twisted. He could barely manage to do his job, but it was clear he was filled to the brim with joy. I knew it was supernatural. Today, it is as clear as it was then.
Years later I had a close friend who was an atheist. One day he told me he had quit his job of taking care of a quadriplegic man who was a Christian. When I asked my friend why he quit, he said "I can't stand it- the guy is so happy all the time!"
About a year before I gave my life to the Lord, I answered a knock at my door to find one of the ugliest young men I have ever seen. His face was badly pitted and his features looked misplaced. I mean, it was really bad. He asked me if he could come in and tell me about Jesus. I said a firm "No!" and told him not to come back. But I will never forget the unbridled joy and love that poured out of those gray-blue eyes.
We all have times of sorrow and even grief. No one is expected to be above it all a hundred percent of the time. And there are those who have a need for medical help- Amy Carmichael said she thought God's gift to the 20th century was medical drugs!
We have the gift of submission to a sovereign God.
We have His Word that is alive and full of Power.
We have the Body of Christ.
We have the Hope of Eternity.
We have the Indwelling Holy Spirit.
We have the stunning privilege of prayer.
Ours must be an active journey. We must take hold of the Hand extended to us. We must be filled afresh with the Word that is "Alive and full of Power". What an amazing statement! Is it really true?
Soldier of The Cross, be encouraged today.
Claim what is yours. Act.
Do it aloud and before Him.
Then, look up and move on!