The Bible - "A Book Worth More than all the other Books that were ever printed" - (Patrick Henry)

I am going to be prefectly honest with you all. My spiritual life in these past few weeks has been most pitiful! I was defeated and discouraged in almost every way and well...I was pretty much miserable! My prayer life was basically non-existent and I had very little hunger for the Word. Honestly I was scared at how unresponsive I was being! However, I am SO thankful for godly friends who point my direction and focus off of myself and back where it needs to be. I e-mailed several friends and just asked them to pray for me. One friend, in particular, especially encouraged me. She wrote me back and simply said "Gods Word never changes!" Basically, in a very kind and gentle way she was saying. "If you don't have a desire to get into God's Word, the problem isn't with God's Word. The problem is with you! And if you ever want God's Word to become interesting, exciting and life-changing again, YOU are the one who is going to have to make some changes" Yes, in all reality it is a very simple thing, but sometimes we just need things pointed out to us. In another e-mail to me this same friend said something else, that I found most helpful and hope you will too...

"In many moments throughout the day you are discouraged, and struggling - with this or that, usually little matters that refuse to budge from your mind. This leads to frustration--no matter how hard you try, victory seems just out of your reach. I think this position in a Christian's life is precious, and however discouraging, is a strategic tool in God's plan for our lives. It grinds into our minds " I cannot get the victory. I cannot get the victory. I cannot get the victory." Our sin overwhelms us--- and we get extremely annoyed at the 'insignificant', habitual sins that hold us in bonds. Then- as we should expect our Savior to--- He gathers us in His arms and asks us, "who saved you?" "who forgave your sin?" "Who gives you victory over sin?" "Who grows you spiritually?" Of course--- the answer : the Lord, the Lord, the Lord.... I get really impatient some times- I see others who are more spiritually mature than me, and I see annoying habits in my life that I want fixed NOW! Isn't it good to remember----- Moses spent 40 years in the wilderness just learning, Joseph spent 13-15 (???) years in prison, Jesus didn't start his ministry until age 30, and Paul spent 3 years learning? If we are hurried- we can be assured God is not. He is perfectly working on you and me, molding us and changing us into His image (IN HIS TIMING!) He knows our frustrations, He sees all our faults--- and He's working on them- to make us more like Him- but this happens NOT overnight. Praise the Lord for struggle. For allowing us to feel defeated- so we offer Him the opportunity to give us the victory. For his perfect, unchanging character: Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord!"

As I was reading what she wrote to me I couldn't help but smile! It sounds exactly like something I would have written for it is what I have been going through recently. Every time I get discouraged, God has to remind me that He is the One that I need to turn to if I ever want to see my spiritual life changed and maturing. How can it be that our minds so easily forget that as we strive to live the Christian life? Especially when He alone is at the heart of the very meaning of the word Christianity!

If youre struggling...go to God's Word and read the promises He has for you. Read until you begin to grasp the unending love He has for you, despite how unfaithful you have been. Read until all you can do is fall on your knees, cry out to Him, and give Him the devotion He deserves. I went to Gods Word and He lead me to the book of Hosea. If you want a clear picture of how undeserving and unfaithful you really are, all while God holds out His continual forgiveness and love, you should go read Hosea for yourself sometime.

Anyways, having my focus pointed back to Christ and God's Word, another friend gave me a cd with a song on it that, unknowingly to her, deals with this exact thing. Katie Hefflefinger just gave me the cd, "If Eyes Could See" by the Steve Pettit Evangelistic Team, and the first song on there is "This is My Word" and it goes like this...

"As the Snow falls from heaven
As it comes in swirling showers from the sky,
So is my Word.
As the rains bring the water to the earth that is thristy and dry,
So is my Word.
And the Word of my mouth, it shall not return empty;
It will bless the earth wherever it is heard.
This is my Word.

As the rains bring renewal
And the tender buds begin to come alive,
So is my Word.
Giving seed to the sower,
And the bread to the hungry til they thrive
So is my Word.
And the Word of my mouth, it shall not return empty;
It will bless the earth wherever it is heard.
This is my Word.

O Lord, when I am weary,
When I feel the days I'm living are in vain,
My God, help me be faithful to the Word You have given to proclaim.
Proclaim the Word and you will go out in joy,
And be led forth in peace,
And the hills will break before you into song.
So be faithful, brave and true
For I will go before you.
And when your earthly journey here is done,
I'll say "Well Done! Well Done!"

God has given me victory in the last couple days, but please keep praying for me. I didn't tell you that I've been struggling just to make you all realize how unspiritual I really am! I value your prayers!

Chrystal