Our youth are choosing suicide on a daily basis to ease the pain of the life they are living.   I often think on times when I was younger and should have been without many cares.  The stress of life was tearing me up inside and I was ready to throw in the towel.  At fifteen, I did not think life was really worth living and started on a course to end it.  But God had other plans.

When I look at the youth and teens of today I want to reach them and show them God has a plan for them.  In the midst of trouble we can usually only see ourselves and the pain we are suffering.  In my youth I grabbed on to one scripture which guided me through mental breakdowns and low self esteem. Philippians 4:13 (NKJ) - “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Even today, as adults, we can find ourselves bound by our fears, emotions, and problems.  We are only looking at what we are able to do ourselves.  But God says there is no limit to what you can do when you do it through Him.  Our calling and anointing is so much less without the guiding of the Holy Spirit.  Our paths are less definite without the teachings of Christ.  For me, that scripture is a push when all else feels lost - Christ is my ram in the bush.  He is my strength during times when I have missed the mark or have been let down.

Christ is here for us even when we think we are the only ones who care.  Today I am going to challenge you as well as myself.  Go to someone who is hurting and let them know God loves them.  Speak into their life Philippians 4:13 and let them know the love of Christ.

Doesn’t it just sound like something hideous?  I mean, if it takes that many words to describe it, there is something wrong.  But this disease affects millions of women and most do not know they have it. 

Women with PCOS have ovaries that create an abundance of follicles each month without producing an egg. PCOS can contribute to irregular periods, depression, excessive weight gain (despite diet and exercise efforts), acne, and excess facial hair. It is also a common cause of infertility.  (www.womantowoman.com)

I know this is a christian site, but I feel certain things effect and are important to many different people with many different backgrounds.  PCOS is a very difficult disorder/disease to contend with when you want to lose weight, get pregnant, or have a problem with facial hair.  Take it from me, I have been losing the same six pounds since February 2007.  I loose some and gain it right back… a hideous cycle.

Now that is not because I do not have good health practices, it is because I seem to hit a barrier what I have deemed the Polycystic Obesity Status line.  But I know as I fight PCOS, God is fighting right beside me… covering me and leading me to the right things.  PCOS also is identifiable with insulin resistance.

Signs of PCOS include acne, high blood pressure, obesity, and abnormal facial and body hair growth (due to too much testosterone). One of the less recognizable symptoms of PCOS is depression.  If you have PCOS, I commisserate with you.  If you have not been diagnosed but exhibit many of these characteristic, please see your doctor.

As the reflective music filtered through my Pontiac Vibe, I felt the Holy Spirit taking me on a detour, a ride through my old neighborhood. I was on my way back to work from a client’s site, but I know when to be obedient to God. I mean, He gave me the job… so, at the Farm Show Complex, I made a right and started to see some things unfold right before my eyes.

I rode down popular streets and past my childhood homes, past deserted areas and homes that once thrived. Structures remained the same, but the people changed. They were much harder than I remembered. The atmosphere changed. It was more dark than I remembered. God spoke, “You are always searching for something - wanting to be better. You wanted out - I gave you an out. You wanted to prosper - you have a child, material things, and your faith. And you are still looking for something…” I continued to drive and realized I was still indeed looking and searching for this thing or that. I was slightly ashamed at my behavior because whatever I am looking or searching for has been found in Christ.

I have had the bonds of a depressive mind broken down. I have stood up to family and friends for what I believed in. I have fought many obstacles to build my faith, and I am still building. I have had good times and bad, and yet I find myself still running. For what and to what? On the streets of Harrisburg, I see people from my youth that look 20 years older than I do with the weight of life bearing down on them. I have been set free, with no guilt or shame.

When I was running in my youth, I kept running until God reached His hand in and lifted me out of my prison… out of my depression… out of my own darkness. I looked up and He had all I needed - peace, unconditional love, grace, and mercy. While He allows me desires, He wants me to allow Him to bring them to me and not let it be a creation of my hands. I was getting to a point of handling a very important situation myself - but today I was reminded God handles all my situations… big and small. I am thankful for the remembrance that He has everything I need. AND, I need to look or seek things no further than through prayer and faith, believing it is already done. The best thing I can do is to get myself in position for God to use and bless me. What I force with my hands can fail, but with God I can not fail. 

For those who are searching for more information concerning Dr. Bynum and current events with her husband, it is located on http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007Aug23/0,4670,TelevangelistAssault,00.html.  But at the same time, please pray for this husband and wife.  They are on the front line.  Pray for Dr. Bynum that she heals and angels surround her during this time.

Write Faith sends out prayer and sympathies to this couple.  May God, in His infinite mercy, give Dr. Bynum strength and see her through.  We are all part of the kingdom of God.  Even in our most fragmented state, God is the glue to put us back together again.

Rejoice in the Lord always again I will say rejoice! PHILIPPIANS 4:4 NKJV

It doesn’t matter what we go through, or how bad it seems sometimes because our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is ALWAYS with us. Friends may come and go, family may distance themselves from us to the point that months go by without a word.

For me today its about placing my focus on the Lord. Giving Him praise for my life and trusting Him that the things going on around me have no long lasting negative effects. Its not about who I have surrounding me, but who I have WITHIN me. I have the Only One who matters and most importantly the only one I need. Christ fills me emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. Wow how awesome is that?

I believe with all of my being that as long as my focus is on the Lord, instead of myself His joy will fill me to the brim. I trust that as we all endure trials and temptations our focus will remain steadfast on that which is eternal, not this which is temporary.

May you all continue in the blessings of our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ.

⁸ The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
       your love, O LORD, endures forever—
       do not abandon the works of your hands.
                                                                   -Psalm 138:8                                       

Just the other day, I was pondering what God’s purpose was for my life.  I felt as if I was in limbo.  I am being transparent now and pray you understand.  There was not a complaint from my lips; there was not worry in my heart… There was a vagueness I could not put my finger on.  There was a need to know if I was going in the right direction.  I wanted to be sure of God’s purpose in my life.

While we struggle with direction and getting the very best out of our daily lives, we have to know God has a definite purpose.  He had a purpose in the beginning and creation of this world and He has a purpose for each of us.  He knew us from the womb and knows our end.  David said in the scripture above God would fulfill His purpose for him.  He will not leave us or forsake us in this land per His word so He will not abandon us.  God will give us hope for the future and joy in our tomorrows.

So, why the internal WWF battle for direction?  A lot of times we look for our purpose to come out of the mouths of others.  We want our Pastors and Ministers, our family and friends to see us, prophesy over us, and mentor us when God is the greatest mentor of all.  I had to ask myself, do you think God does not know His plans for you?  Do you think God would give up on you or leave you in a state of limbo?  When you chose to serve God, did you think you would instantly have all the answers or know His every thought concerning you?

Those were tough questions to ask myself and my reality sent me back to the word for relief.  As humans, we often have a need to control our own destiny.  The word says the Lord will fulfill His purpose for me because He has filled me with purpose and His word can not lie.  I do not have to worry, be upset, or continuously be in limbo.  I am His child to whom He as shaped and molded… so are you!

The Bible says He being the potter has the ability to shape us, some for noble use and others for ignoble use.  And as He shapes us, there will be times of certainty and uncertainty, mercy and hardness because He wants us to know He is in control, gives us hope, and in His love has for us an expected end.  We are filled with His purpose and seeing that we follow Him, He will reveal it to us.  We must be steadfast, patient, and give over control of our lives and our outcomes to the One who crafted us.  We must trust in the Lord for everything, including the purpose and direction for our lives.  He has a vested interest in each one of His children and with Him we can not fail.
 

Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God’ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7

I know we each have our own things we go through. The trials and tribulations we have no control of, combined with the ones we do. For me this morning was rougher than most. I had personal things going on, and although I knew better I still allowed myself to ponder on the ‘what if’s’ for the outcome. I also wasted the majority of the weekend fretting over my granddaughter leaving in 7 days. I woke up dragging and practically depressed that it was Monday morning!

Because I’ve had a transformation in my life, where I am no longer prone to anxiety and depression I couldn’t stand it past noon! I put on the teaching from yesterday morning and listened to the praise and worship. As I did, I felt the peace of the Lord surround me. I knew that my behavior had been wrong and that I had allowed the enemy to steal my joy. My thoughts weren’t focused on what the Word of God tells me, and the results had bogged me down.

As the Holy Spirit filled me with Love, Peace and Joy I seen that instead of worrying about my granddaughter leaving in 5 days, I need to make the MOST of each moment we still have together. Instead of allowing the ugliness of anxiety to come in, I need to remember that in all the days Caylin is in San Antonio, the LORD keeps and protects her. She belongs to HIM first, and if I love her as much as I do, I cannot imagine how much GOD HIMSELF loves her.

My focus is on the LORD and in giving HIM honor, praise, and glory for every single thing I have in my life. HIS Breath, HIS Life, and that we woke up this morning, is more than enough to give thanks for.

May God Richly Bless You in All You Do Today & Everyday!!!