Prayer for Joy

(NLT)Psalm 30:11-12
You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, [12] that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!

Oh Lord God of Heaven, our Creator and King, pour out Your joy on Your people today. Clothe us in pure joy and cause praise to replace our mourning. Spirit of God force our blessings to the front of our thoughts and cause thanksgiving to be on our lips.

We are blessed. May we, this day, proclaim those blessings and the praises of the One who gives them to us. (NLT)James 1:17
Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood, Sr.

Deep depression

Luke 10:17-20 NLT

  17 When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, "Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!"
  18 "Yes," he told them, "I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! 19 Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. 20 But don't rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven."

It has been awhile since I last wrote the Daily Encouragement. For the last few weeks I have been battling a deep depression. The sharing of this comes with much hesitation for fear of all the well meaning concern with which it will be met. Please understand, I did not battle this entirely alone. My wife and a few very close friends were privy to my plight.

As I began me ascent from the despair I discovered that several others were in the heat of the same battle. I am convinced that some of you who read this have been there as well. Perhaps this writing today will assist you to win the victory over your own despair.

The passage above points out three things that are important in the daily life of every believer.

1. In Christ Jesus you have authority over the kingdom of darkness and all of it's power.

2. Don't get overly excited about #1. Just know it is true and take that authority, rather matter of factly if you will.

3. Rejoice in this fact... your name is written in the record of Heaven. It is written in the Lambs book of Life. (NLT)Revelation 20:15
And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.
So rejoice that you are His child, His precious possession. You need not fear judgment as do those whose names are not written there.

Today, Lift up your head and rejoice you are His. Now, in His Name, the name above every name, trample on some snakes and scorpions... do it like your stepping on ants that have gotten into your house. Don't get overly excited about this part. Just do it because it has to be done or they will torment you. Then go ahead and rejoice some more that you are His. Now that you can get excited about. (NLT)John 1:12-13
But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. [13] They are reborn-not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr