Faith-bearing Seed for the Soul
"While the earth remaineth,
Seedtime and harvest
....shall not cease"

Genesis 8:22

Depression Lifted...

If you have ever been in the hospital for any length of time and had to have "sponge baths" instead of jumping into a hot shower, you know how wonderful that first shower after recovery felt. I'd like to discuss how sometimes we settle for "sponge baths" of the Word, rather than an invigorating washing of the Word directly from the anointing and personal intimacy of the Holy Spirit.

I went to hear Pastor Tommy Barnett at Phoenix First Assembly several times during my visit home. He's a powerful, wonderfully articulate preacher, one of the best ministers I've heard. One of his messages was just for me and it sent me to the altar in tears, yet, in spite of hearing these wonderful messages, when I got home from the trip I was in the deepest depression that I've experienced in a long while.

I couldn't quite put my finger on what was wrong...I had heard God's convicting Word, but holiday preparations and visiting relatives had taken precedence over my personal time with the Lord and studying the Word for myself. It was like I had been sponge bathed but lacked a thorough washing that can only come personally from the Lord Himself.

Ephesians 5:25-26

"...Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."

Good preaching is wonderful, convicting and uplifting, but Christ wants us to spend time with Himself that "He might sanctify and cleanse us with the washing of water by the word"... When we allow anything, even good things, to come between us and our time with the Lord for any length of time, it can become a type of idol. In Jeremiah, chapter 2,  God's people had turned away from Him and He defined their idol worship this way:

Jeremiah 2:13

They have forsaken me, the Fountain of Life-giving Water; and they  have built for themselves broken cisterns that can't hold water!

It wasn't until I began my daily reading again that the depression lifted. As I bathed in God's Word, allowing the Holy Spirit to minister to my needs personally and intimately, the refreshing joy, peace and love of God cleansed my stale, stained soul and the depression was washed away and down the drain. I felt like I had been in a hot invigorating shower of God's glory. To be in the Word is to be as close to Him as we can get, and being close to Him washes away depression and restores LIFE!

John 1:1-4 (Emphasis mine)

In the beginning was the Word, And the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; Without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men.

His light disburses the darkness that depression clings to...

This year I want to encourage you to spend time in God's Word by yourself, and to allow Him to build you up, cleanse you and strengthen you, because hearing and reading someone else's messages and revelations is not enough.

My husband bought me one of the most valuable gifts I've ever received for $12.95... "The Daily Bible"...In Chronological Order...365 Daily Readings...NIV Published by Harvest House. It gives about five pages of the Word and some commentary for each day and will take you through the Bible in a year's time... I highly recommend it! I look forward to reading it each day.

Rooted and grounded in the love of Christ Jesus,

Marlene JuHaros,

Texas Seed Sower

Seed for Thought Devotionals are written as the Lord leads and are sent only if you request a subscription by e-mail.  

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which will grow--perhaps it all will."

Eccl. 11:6

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