What to do when you feel Lonely

Daily God Walk for Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. – Deuteronomy 31:6

Have you ever heard anyone say that the times they feel most vulnerable to temptation is when they feel lonely? It’s like they have a need for comfort from someone or something that is familiar.

It is at those times that most of us just naturally turn to behaviors that are not good for us. For some of us that is comfort foods, for others it is alcohol or drugs. Some just go into a depression or another unhealthy emotional state.

When our hope is in Him, and our trust is in Him, and His Word is our strength and comfort we can go to him in these lonely times and find the strength and comfort we need. He has promised to never leave us or forsake us. He is faithful and His word is true – trust him it works.

I have also found that when I’m struggling with an issue, or just feel alone, if I go to a trusted friend and share just where I am emotionally that friend can give me encouragement and remind me that God, and my friend, will walk beside me all the way.

Some folks are lonely even around friends because they have not learned how to open up and be a friend. Here is an antidote for loneliness: Trust God to be your friend then be a friend to someone else. Try it – it works.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, I thank you for being there for me. I am grateful that I never have to worry about whether you will leave me alone. Now, grant me the faith to believe what I know. Amen.

we would love to hear from you. Send email to: paul@newhopeministryresources.org

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Scripture is The End of Your Search For Life

Daily God Walk for Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of me. – John 5:39

Remember that thing that came in a box that said, “Some assembly required?” When you opened the box it was full of pieces that needed to be put together and there was an instruction booklet there to help you put it together.

I’ve done that before, except I thought I was smart enough to figure it out on my own. Just give me the pieces and I’ll figure out how to make it work. I usually wind up with something that does ok – but it doesn’t work quite right and I always wonder what would have happened if I had followed the instructions and used all of the parts instead of just sticking the left over parts in a drawer somewhere.

Then the thing breaks down; and I complain about the company that produces a lousy product that doesn’t work like it is supposed to and breaks down too often.

Wake Up – we’re the box of pieces and our ego is the one trying to put us together without following the instructions. God has given us a wonderful book of instruction on how to gain eternal, abundant, life. Let’s just follow the instruction.

I have talked to many people whose lives are being controlled by addictions and as a result they are living in abject poverty. Yet, when I talk with them they claim to be walking with God. The saddest part of that is they could be living the abundant blessed life if they would only search the scripture to see what it says and follow it.

Prayer:  OK Lord. I think I finally get it. Today I will follow the instructions in the book. Grant me the grace of faith to trust you. In Your name, amen.

we would love to hear from you. Send email to: paul@newhopeministryresources.org

Would you like a printed copy of the Daily God Walk? Visit us at: www.newhopeministryresources.org/dgw-orderinfo.html

Jesus Is the True Vine

Daily God Walk for Monday, February 27, 2012

I am the true Vine, and my Father is the gardener… Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. – John 15:1-4

So many of us feel so self sufficient that we believe we can make it through the day without anyone else giving us support. So, we start the day with all kinds of good intentions; then, bit by bit our good intentions begin to unravel.

Anger jumps up unexpectedly. Desire for things that we know would not be good for us begin to rise up. And, out of the blue, someone turns up from our old life and begins to talk about the “good old days.” We begin to feel ourselves being drawn away from the vine, the source of our strength.

Does that scenario sound familiar? I think we have all fallen into that trap a few times, but we don’t have to. Jesus said, “remain in me.” What does it mean to “remain” in him?

Each day we must make a purpose to yield ourselves to him. We renew our commitment to follow where he leads and to deny our own tendency toward things that would not be good for us.

It takes effort to stay in the vine, but the rewards of being “in Christ” far outweigh the cost of the effort.

 Prayer: Lord, I tend to begin feeling confident enough to make it on my own, and each time I try it I fall short. I truly do need your strength. Grant me a strong desire to stay in the vine and to do what I must to do so. In Jesus name, amen.

we would love to hear from you. Send email to: paul@newhopeministryresources.org

Would you like a printed copy of the Daily God Walk? Visit us at: www.newhopeministryresources.org/dgw-orderinfo.html

Fellowship Strengthens the Body

Daily God Walk for Sunday, February 26, 2012

Speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. – Ephesians 5:19-20

There is a lot of instruction in the Bible about our interaction with each other. We are told to regard others in higher esteem than ourselves, to submit to one another, to forgive one another and to bear one another’s burdens. This passage is about having spiritual fellowship with one another.

Can you remember a time when you might have been feeling just a little down and either a friend came over, or you went over to the friends place, and you began to have fellowship. Maybe someone brought up a scripture that encouraged them and someone else will lead out in a song that has been on their mind.

It’s at those times that we realize the value of believing friends who can share with us how God is working in their lives and thereby bringing us encouragement and hope.

Shortly after the birth of the church Acts records, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). Fellowship was crucial in the early days of the church and it is crucial today. Call a friend today and offer a thanksgiving to the Lord for He is worthy of our praise.

 

Prayer: Lord, I tend to try and “go through it alone,” because I don’t want to burden others with what is going on with me – but I need others in my life to lift me up. Give me the desire to reach out for others and to others. In Jesus name, amen.

we would love to hear from you. Send email to: paul@newhopeministryresources.org

Would you like a printed copy of the Daily God Walk? Visit us at: www.newhopeministryresources.org/dgw-orderinfo.html

Blessing Abraham’s Offspring

Daily God Walk for Saturday, February 25, 2012

The promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring – not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.  –Romans 4:16-17

Throughout his writings Paul teaches that we, who through the grace of God serve him in faith, though we were not born into the physical family of Abraham, have been born into the promises of God concerning his offspring.

It was God’s intention that through the offspring of Abraham He would open heaven to give many blessings to mankind. In fact, in Genesis God promises, “All peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (12:3).

Life, health, prosperity and many blessings are promised to Abraham’s offspring – and by virtue of the grace of God that has been extended to us through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord, he has extended those same blessings to the church.

Remember who you are in Christ and the heritage you have been born into through faith in Him. It is time to begin thinking of yourself as a child of promise and step up to the Father’s table.

We no longer have to take a back seat to anyone else. God is offering the best of heaven to us.

Prayer: Lord, there are times that I forget just who you have called me to be and what you have made available to me. Grant me the faith to step out into your promises and declare them to be your will for my life. In Jesus name, amen.

we would love to hear from you. Send email to: paul@newhopeministryresources.org

Would you like a printed copy of the Daily God Walk? Visit us at: www.newhopeministryresources.org/dgw-orderinfo.html

Sometimes We Need To Re-Prioritize

Daily God Walk for Friday, February 24, 2012

If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands… The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.                  – Deuteronomy 28:1-8

The promise of blessing in this passage begins with the caution, “If you fully obey the Lord your God.” We all want God’s blessing, but we are not as anxious to follow his commands.

It is popular today for preachers to talk about sowing seeds (into their ministry of course) to reap a bountiful harvest. It is not popular to preach that these blessings are promised only to those who live in obedience of God’s will.

Not every time we are in a financial strait is it related to obedience, but it does happen often enough that we should pay attention to our lifestyle. If we find ourselves unable to make the monthly payments on our two cars, boat, sports club, big screen TV and assorted other toys, we may need to evaluate our priorities.

On the other hand there is the promise of prosperity and continued blessing to those who follow the Lord whole heartedly.

Our challenge is to serve without expecting a reward and receive his blessing without feeling a sense of entitlement.

Prayer: Lord, I didn’t think I was being less than committed to your will, but if I have had my priorities mixed up, grant me the will to surrender all of these things to you and trust you for the outcome. I will trust you as I serve you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

we would love to hear from you. Send email to: paul@newhopeministryresources.org

Would you like a printed copy of the Daily God Walk? Visit us at: www.newhopeministryresources.org/dgw-orderinfo.html

God’s Promise When You Need Of Courage

Daily God Walk for Thursday, February 23, 2012

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10

Most of us parents have had the occasion when we were shopping with our child beside us when something caught their attention and they wandered off. They gave no thought to being alone or lost, they were just following the object of their attention.

Then, all at once, they look around and there is no parent in sight. Fear grips them, they start crying and running frantically to find the parent who is their security.

We’ve all been there as parents, and we have all been there as adults too. We were just moving through life following the thing that had gotten our attention when all at once we realize that we are in a dangerous place and we are alone with no help in sight.

But there is help and protection. The Lord has said, “Do not fear, I am with you.” We must remember to look for him because he is there, wherever “there” is for you. Alone there is little we can do, but with God all things are possible.

Of course, not all of the dangers we face are the result of our own mistakes, but often danger comes to us from unexpected places and in unexpected times. It is in those times particularly that we must remember that God is with us and he will uphold us with his righteous hand.

In every circumstance of life we must remember to hold to the hand of the one who is never changing.

Prayer: Father, so often I am in difficult situations that leave me feeling alone and helpless. I need you to remind me that you are there, that you are with me. Help to remember that. In Your name, amen.

we would love to hear from you. Send email to: paul@newhopeministryresources.org

Would you like a printed copy of the Daily God Walk? Visit us at: www.newhopeministryresources.org/dgw-orderinfo.html

The Bible Is Food For The Soul

Daily God Walk for Tuesday, February 21, 2012

He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

– Deuteronomy 8:3

 This is an interesting passage. Moses seems to be saying that God caused the Israelite people to be hungry so that he could show his ability to provide for them. And, that the provision was not the important thing, but the important thing was the Word of God because it was the word of God that made the provision available.

Just like Israel, we tend to focus on the provision and accuse God when the provision doesn’t come like we expected. But we must remember that the availability of the provision depends on our response to the Word of God. When God speaks and we respond he opens the storehouse of heaven and we are able to partake of the promised provision.

When we look only to the provision we miss the impact of the Word which leads us to get off track and miss the greater thing that God has planned for us. The purpose of temporal provision is to lead us to faith for his eternal provision.

God’s Word is food for our soul – eat it regularly.

Prayer: Lord, help me not to look at you as the magic provider, but to see you as the one who is himself the provision. Grant me the grace of faith to believe in every Word that proceeds from you and submit myself to it. In Christ’s name, amen.

we would love to hear from you. Send email to: paul@newhopeministryresources.org

Would you like a printed copy of the Daily God Walk? Visit us at: www.newhopeministryresources.org/dgw-orderinfo.html

Daily God Walk for Monday, February 20, 2012

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. – Isaiah 43:2

We are not promised protection from the trials, but we are promised protection through the trials. There are times when life’s circumstances come upon us like a flood and we feel that we will be swept away by the tide of troubles before us. In those times we turn Him who is master of the storm and who will protect us from the ravishes of life.

In times of trial it is passages like this one in Isaiah that give us courage to stand and with boldness to enter the thrown room of heaven and declare to Him, “You said that when we walk through the fire that we would not be burned and the flame would not scorch us – I am in the fire and I need your protection.”

Have you been feeling like life is battle than victory? Are your mountains to high and your valleys to low? Remember his promise. Whatever we face he faces it with us. Sincere faith and faithfulness to Him will bring the reward of his protection in the darkest of trials.

If you are feeling overwhelmed I would encourage you take a moment and pray this passage back to the One who gave the promise. Tell Him what you are facing and remind Him (when you remind Him you are actually reminding yourself) what He has promised.

Prayer:  Father God, You said you would bring us through when it seemed there would be no way so I am trusting you today to be my guardian in the storms I am facing. In Jesus name, amen.

we would love to hear from you. Send email to: paul@newhopeministryresources.org

Would you like a printed copy of the Daily God Walk? Visit us at: www.newhopeministryresources.org/dgw-orderinfo.html

Unity Promotes Glorifying God

Daily God Walk for Monday, November 7, 2011

 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.                    – Romans 15:5-6

 Paul had just been giving the church at Rome instructions on how to get along with those who differed with them. Some of the early believers felt that it was important to continue honoring the Jewish feasts and holidays and, in fact, felt that it was necessary for all believers to do so.

In chapter 14 he says, “Everyone of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another” (v12-13). In the following verses he makes the point that some are convinced that certain foods or actions are wrong for them and those people must live according to their conscience. However, he goes on to tell them that in those things they should not require others to agree but allow them to have their own conscience before God.

If we would only follow that advice we would see a lot less division among believers and unity would prevail. It is for unity that Paul is appealing to the church.

While we are striving with the evil in the world let us not carry that strife over into the body of Christ by requiring other believers to practice their faith just the way we do. I’m not talking about ignoring sin or allowing heresy, but I am talking about things like days of worship and lifestyle issues that are not in contradiction to the teaching of the Word of God.

When we can look past the individual differences we have with others in the body of Christ and allow them the same freedom we expect to have, then we can come together in unity. It is this coming together united in our common faith to worship the Lord God as one that glorifies our Father.

So let us with one heart and one mouth give praise and thanksgiving to the Lord of Glory.

 Prayer: Lord, grant me the grace to look past my differences with other believers and join with them in glorifying you. Amen.

we would love to hear from you. Send email to: paul@newhopeministryresources.org

Would you like a printed copy of the Daily God Walk? Visit us at: www.newhopeministryresources.org/dgw-orderinfo.html