Previous Service
Welcome
“The Bees working together produce the lovely honey. We, working together, pass on the Good-News of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the World; trusting and believing in Him people receive salvation, eternal life, and become children of God also.”
Stella.
Worship
Word
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Saviour and my God.
Ps. 42:5,11, and Ps. 43:5
I doubt whether there is a believer living, who, has not at some point been depressed / downcast. Paul, who exhorts us to rejoice in the Lord, always, also writes,
“I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart …”
Rom. 9:2
God said about Job,
“Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”
Job 1:8
And yet look what he went through. Everyone is different as are the situations we go through, although there will be similarities. Advice we may be given includes: Commit it to the Lord; Read the Scriptures; Fellowship with those who have gone through it. How did they deal with it? There are no slick, quick answers to those who are depressed.
The Psalmist knows to put his hope in God, and he will yet praise Him. Paul sees what Scripture states and sees things from God’s perspective. Praise the Lord for Job’s response to the tragic loss of his sons, daughters, servants, and animals. He did not charge God with wrongdoing but fell to the ground in worship:
Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.
Job 1:21
For what it’s worth, I learned a few things going through a bad depression between the ages of 12-15 years brought about by:
(i) Physical exhaustion
(ii) Outside pressures to be the best at everything
(iii) Viewing God as cold, aloof, indifferent
(iv) An outlook on life that was too intense
(v) Allowing football to become my god rather than Jesus.
Regarding (i) We need to acknowledge physical / mental exhaustion and be ruthless in making changes (ii) People wanting the best for us, can unwittingly put pressure on us. Find out what the Lord wants and concentrate on that (iii) Spend quality time with Him every day. Never lose sight of the fact that He loves us deeply. (iv) We can so easily make this walk of faith a very heavy burden. Rather, Jesus says,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest … I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden light.”
Matt. 11:28-30
Surely, the ultimate key, to find our rest, our new life in Jesus who tells us:
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
(v) Check it out: “Is there anything or anyone in my life who has number one place rather than Jesus?” If so change the order, put Jesus first!
Quote of the week
“Before any great achievement, some measure of depression is very usual.”
Charles Spurgeon
Verse of the week
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.
Phil. 4:8
Let’s Pray
Heavenly Father, by Your Spirit within, continue to help us through whatever we are going through. Make us aware that You are always with us, in Jesus Christ, Amen