Thoughts for Teens
Thoughts for Teens is a set of devotionals written by Aidan's daughter, Mary. These devotionals are designed to encourage and challenge other teens as well as non-teens to a closer walk with the Lord. We hope you are blessed as you read Mary's Thoughts for Teens.
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GOD'S ALTERNATIVE FOR YOU -TO DESPAIR |
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GOD'S ALTERNATIVE FOR YOU - TO DESPAIR {LOSING HEART}
" I would have despaired UNLESS I had Believed that I would See the Goodness of the LORD in the land of the living"- Psalm 27:13"
FACT 1- The Psalmist knew this Fact; The
word "despaired" means "to lose heart," or "to faint," the Psalmist knew the
facts, namely in and of himself he would "faint," tumble down into "despair"
completely "lose heart," he knew this was inevitable.... but there was a
glorious Sighting Of God in this verse, for if we had stopped reading here we
too would be left in our circumstances without hope...but there is hope...in
this verse...indeed there is GOD'S ALTERNATIVE...
FACT 2- The Psalmist had a glorious "But
God..." the word seen in the word "UNLESS"...this was the hinge that turned the
door from potential despair into one of HOPE....GLORIOUS GOD GIVEN HOPE.... as
seen in these words, " Unless I had believed I would see the Goodness of the
LORD in the land of the living." FACT 2 is the HOPE of experiencing God's
Goodness and he would see it, he would experience the favor and goodness of God
in this present life, and considering the difficult circumstances he was in what
a statement of FAITH in the LORD... He was not naïve but neither was he dwelling
on the circumstances but he was choosing to THINK on the LORD and His character
in his circumstances. The word "LORD"- is used in various ways in the Old
Testament to speak of Him as the SELF Existent One,{Ex 3:13-15} the Covenant
Keeping One,{ Deut 7:9} the Unchanging One, {Mal 3:6 } The Providing One,{Gen
22:14} The Sovereign One,{Ish 45} who is GOD, {Gen 2:4}. LOOK AGAIN at these
verses...go read them and see the HOPE that DAVID had and his FAITH was anchored
in the LORD and this was what kept him from losing heart , leading to despair
and spiritually fainting!
FACT
3- We choose to
embrace Fact 1 Or Fact 2!!!.... FACT
1 offers, "Despair...To Lose heart...to spiritually faint"- yep,
sign me up for that one that sounds...like what? Who in their right mind would
want that emotional turmoil!!!...
FACT 2
OFFERS....HOPE...which is found in THE LORD and FAITH in THE
LORD.... He has reason for confidence and trust to rest in the LORD...life at
times is not easy, nor are the battles there are troubles in this life but in
the troubles TRUTH Triumphs despair and HOPE ABOUNDS and FAITH is anchored in
the PERSON- THE LORD- GOD- Reigns!
Difficulties come, that's life.... responses are
inevitable... BUT GODLY RESPONSES ARE A CHOICE....may we speak
to ourselves when we find our hearts would want to sink into despair, when we
find we are beginning to lose heart, or to spiritually faint.... but we must
EMBRACE TRUTH.... THE TRUTH ABOUT THE LORD...HOPE in HIM... FAITH in Him, He is
the LORD GOD- Gen2:4- memorize this verse...pray it speak it to your own heart
in times of temptation to lose heart! You are loved. As He has been faithful to
the Psalmist He will be to you AGAIN!
God has made an ALTERNATIVE for
you TO DESPAIR....which begins with embracing a LIE and Looking to
yourself and to leaning to yourself as if there is NO GOD.... There is a
BLESSED "UNLESS" for you...it is the GOODNESS of the LORD ...in the land of the
living.
1. CHOOSE TO MEDITIATE UPON THE TRUTH about the
LORD
2. RECALL HIS
PAST GOODNESS TO YOU
3.
THINK ON HIM
4. TRUST
HIM
5. TALK THE TRUTH TO
YOURSELF
6. TELL SOMEOME TODAY OF
GOD’S ALTERATIVE DESPAIR. – And the THREE FACTS.
GOD HAS AN ALTERNATIVE TO
DESPAIR AND IT IS- HIMSELF!
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Verse of the Day
"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." - Colossians 3:12-13
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Contact Information
This ministry is a non-profit organization supported by God through the kindness of His people. You may contact us at
Aidan@ProclaimingHim.com
or you can send your questions, comments, or tax-deductible donations to
Reconciliation Ministries Inc.
PO Box 4052
Greenville, SC 29608
USA
Aidan McKenzie
Aidan
was born in Ireland. He is a former professional football [soccer] player in
the English football League and the American Soccer League.
Upon graduation from Bible school in 1985 he began his ministry...
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