Dear Ladies,
In the middle of page 15 of our workbook it asks the following question: "Name 3 reasons why John might easily have lapsed into spiritual despondency while exiled on the island of Patmos."
What are the 3 reasons you gave? (put your answer in the comments section)
Speaking of spiritual despondency, what do you do to encourage yourself when you are feeling despondent? What encourages you? (put your answer in the comments section.)
Hope you are having a blessed day.....I pray for each of you that you will have a spiritually encouraging week!
Blessings,
Janet
Thursday, September 9, 2010
What encourages you?
Posted by JayCee at 8:09 AM
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2 comments:
I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
Revelation 1:9
John, the beloved; loving Jesus, loving His family, loving His chosen people. He worked with them, taught them, and suffered alongside them, yet now he's all alone. Their suffering continues, but he's helpless. He can offer no companionship, no encouragement, no support in their testimony and witness. He can draw no strength from shared vision or joy in a community of worship. It seems an infallible recipe for spiritual dispair; yet there was John on the Lord's Day, confident, patient and "...in the Spirit".
Thanks, Cheryl, I hadn't thought of it from the people's perspective before. I bet they were restling with discouragement, as well.
It seems to me that the Lord draws near whenever we come before Him and especially when we praise Him!
So, the next time we are struggling with spiritual despair, we should call out to Him and praise Him, even if we don't "feel" like it, and even if we don't have fellow brothers and sisters to worship "in the Spirit" alongside us.
I once read a powerful testimony of a Christian who was in prison (falsely accused for his faith) and inspite of the discouragement he might have felt, he decided to "worship" so he took communion (without any elements) and he said it was the most meaningful/memorable Lord's supper service he had ever participated in!
To God Be The Glory!!
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