Be Not Discouraged

Have you ever seen so many people discouraged? Many are coping with depression, anxiety, and discouragement in many ways that sometimes include drugs, alcohols, porn, and sexual addictions, etc – all this, in order to suppress negative emotions. But why are so many in the church discouraged? Are we praying, not seeing results, and getting discouraged? I don’t write this newsletter pretending to have all of the answers, but this one thing I know, God is good all of the time.

I’m finding that many of the discouraged Christians are in church, faithfully reading their Bibles, and making their requests known to God (Phil. 4:6-8). “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” So what’s wrong? As you see, we are promised that we should not be worried or anxious about anything -- we should have the peace of God that keeps our hearts and minds through Jesus. We see in this passage what we must think on. My mind can regress to the thoughts of fear, worry, and anxiety, too; esp. in the night. Usually, this happens to me when I have a negative thought. Can these arise from our own thoughts? …Yes, but I believe that demons are calling out to God’s children with his roars of negative imaginations (1 Pet. 5:8&9). I recently had a young woman come to me talking about the many demons that she sees around us. She felt the liberty to talk to me because she knew that I had seen them, too. We must not give place to demons by sinning; he will take advantage of us if we do. Your life may be right with the Lord; yet, he is attacking you with discouragement. We must resist him in Jesus’ Name, think and speak God’s Promises.

I’ve been compelled by the Holy Spirit to minister encouragement to the body of Christ. “Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing” (1 Thes. 5:11 Amp.) We must expect the answer to our prayers. “This is in keeping with my own eager desire and persistent expectation and hope, that I shall not disgrace myself nor be put to shame in anything; but that with the utmost freedom of speech and unfailing courage, now as always heretofore, Christ (the Messiah) will be magnified and get glory and praise in this body of mine and be boldly exalted in my person, whether through (by) life or through (by) death” (Phil. 1:20 Amp.) “… and having done all, to stand” (Eph. 6:13). NEVER GIVE UP! We are told that we are encouraged and comforted by being reminded that Jesus is coming again (1 Thes. 4:18). Finally, remember that gross darkness (deep obscurity) is covering the earth (Is. 60:1&2). Does all of this attempt to wear on us? Yes, BUT, we are commanded to “arise and shine and that the glory of our great God shall be seen upon us.” Have you ever seen so much darkness? Well, this is not the time to lay down in that darkness!

Did you know that it’s believed that this is the Year of Jubilee? We see in Leviticus 25 that every 50 years, there was rest for the land; hereditary lands and property were to be restored to the original family without compensation; bondservants were freed, and debts were cancelled. What could this mean for the church? I personally believe that it may mean a revival like we have never heard or dreamed of. Where the enemy has stolen from God’s people – financially, health, depression, fear, worry – I believe we will see it restored! Amen! Jesus said, “Don’t be discouraged” (Jn. 14:27 Amp.); so, “Don’t YOU be discouraged.”