In a roller-coaster ride from the heights of fame to laying under a bush wanting to die, today’s chapter gives insight into the crippling effects of depression…
READ 1 Kings 19 (By clicking the drop-down, you can access various language versions, or click the sound icon for the audio) You are also welcome to make notes of what stands out for you then feel free to use the “Leave a Comment” box below to also write some of your thoughts.
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
After our only son passed away from us, we came to understand the repetative cycle of the grief wheel. In a sort of circular/recurring way (like being endlessly tumbled in the surf until you finally get washed up onto something other than shifting sand), we experienced the ebb and flow of emotion. So looking at Elijah’s experience in today’s chapter, about 2850 years ago, I can spot a few things worth noting for my life today…
To begin will, Elijah had a series of four emotionally high-output moments one-after-another. This we read in yesterday’s Breadcrumb. However, he had no time to return to an equilibrium. After every high adrenaline output is a natural low. The higher the output, the lower the emotional dip afterwards. But why is Elijah’s experience important for us to know about today?
If satan (personified evil behind all our wrestling and negative experience today) knows how depression works in human emotion and how to stick the knife in, then we need to understand how depressions works and how to travel through the dips and troughs in our own Faith journey. This is especially so when we’re low on spiritual fuel. Just like Elijah experiencing high output drain (with his energy and adrenaline spent on the latest event or series of events), we too are likely not to have any elasticity left in our emotional and spiritual “rope”. Elijah’s story shows that when this happens, logic (and Faith in our Maker’s word – His Handbook for LIFE), can often be overridden with irrational fear. Read More? …CLICK on “15 June – Additional Notes”
But what about your thoughts – can you tell me what today’s “breadcrumb” is? Leave a note in the “Comments” box below to tell me what you think of today’s chapter.
Wondering how to connect with our Gracious & Compassionate God who really cares? The rest of this webpage uses Jesus’ own prayer to help…[a]
THE LORD’S PRAYER:
1. Praise: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Your Kingdom come! Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven …”
How great You are, Sovereign Lord! There’s no one like You, and there’s no god but You – just as we’ve heard with our own ears. [2 Samuel 7:22]
2. Ask: “…Give us today our daily bread…”
The World: Pray for the Vatican City State[b]
Your Country: Night Clubs
Yourself: Needs of your immediate family
Your concerns for today
The righteous cry out, and You Lord hear them. You deliver them from all their troubles. You’re close to the broken-hearted and You save those who are crushed in spirit. [Psalm 34:17-18]
3. Admit: “…Forgive us our sin as we forgive those who sin against us…”
When I listen and turn from my evil ways, You Father God, relent from inflicting on me the disaster I deserve because of the evil I’ve done. [Jeremiah 26:3]
4. Protect: “…Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”
Thank-you Lord that no eye has seen, no ear has heard, nor human mind has conceived the things You’ve prepared for those who love You! [1 Corinthians 2:9]
“For Yours Lord is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory now and forever. Amen!”
When questioned, tested, tricked, or in His hour of great need, Jesus spoke what was previously written in God’s Word.[c] So, the final section on this page is about memorizing the script through 10 topics. Following these will help you learn 52 portions from the bible in a year! THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE: Using our Gifting
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” [Romans 12:6-8]
[a] Matthew 6:5-15
[b] http://www.operationworld.org/country/holy/owtext.html
[c] Matthew 4:4,6,7,10; 11:10; 21:13; and 26:24,31