I'M LOST WITHOUT YOU...

SCRIPTURE

Psalm 107:1-16 (NRSV)
God gives food and light

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
those he redeemed from trouble
and gathered in from the lands,
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.

Some wandered in desert wastes,
finding no way to an inhabited town;
hungry and thirsty,
their soul fainted within them.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress;
he led them by a straight way,
until they reached an inhabited town.
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wonderful works to humankind.
For he satisfies the thirsty,
and the hungry he fills with good things.

Some sat in darkness and in gloom,
prisoners in misery and in irons,
for they had rebelled against the words of God,
and spurned the counsel of the Most High.
Their hearts were bowed down with hard labor;
they fell down, with no one to help.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress;
he brought them out of darkness and gloom,
and broke their bonds asunder.
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wonderful works to humankind.
For he shatters the doors of bronze,
and cuts in two the bars of iron.

DEVOTION

Today’s GOOD NEWS from the Psalms is a wonderful reminder of the fact that it is easy to grow weary in well doing. No matter who you are, or whom you serve, there will come a day when you just feel too tired to accomplish the work that you have promised to do!

When this happens, it seems to me that we have two choices. We can crawl back into bed, pull the covers over our heads, and duck out of our responsibilities; or we can remember that a believer’s motivation to do ministry, or to offer service, is to spend time with God, not to “do work.”

In today’s Psalm when the people became lost and afraid, the solution was GOD. When they were hungry and thirsty, the solution was GOD. When their souls fainted within them, the solution was GOD. When they were in darkness and gloom, the solution was GOD. When they were bound up in chains, the solution was GOD.

In all cases, when we experience a “dark night of the soul,” the solution is to stand in the Light of God’s countenance.

When we worry that we are losing our zeal for life and for ministry, God invites us to drink from the well that never grows dry. When we experience a deep hunger in the pit of our souls, God calls us to a table prepared with Bread from Heaven.

How can this be? Where does the water and bread come from? Well my friends, the answer is so simple that it sometimes eludes us! JESUS is the source of living water and his words are the daily bread we need to fill our hungry souls!

The Psalmist rightly stated, “Let [us] thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind. For he satisfies the thirsty, and the hungry he fills with good things… Let [us] thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind.”

As we begin to acknowledge the presence of God in our lives, we will hear joy bells ringing in our hearts. As we begin to think about God’s great love for us, we will praise God for what was accomplished on the cross. As we bathe in the God’s Holy Spirit through prayer, meditation, and Bible Study, we will remember that GOD is the air that we breathe!

As we intentionally spend time with God, God’s Spirit will overflow in our hearts! Out of that overflow, we will have all that we need to offer ministry and service to others! Out of that overflow, we will be empowered and equipped to share the GOOD NEWS that God loves, God gave, God saves! Out of that overflow, we will be made “alive” again; no longer hungry, thirst, weary, and lost, but ready to be God’s partner in the Work of Love.

Now, let me add just one more word of caution friends! Please, do not attempt to serve others whilst you are on empty! Christian ministry is always meant to be offered from the overflow of God’s spirit in your heart. Exercise wisdom my friends and take the time to get filled up before attempting to fill others! Do not try to operate in your own power, but let the Power of God, help, heal, save, and deliver those in need.

God is more than able my friends, let God do all of the work!

Are you attempting to operate on empty? Will you take time to allow God to fill you up?

Holy God, I confess to you that I have been working for work’s sake and I am tired. Today, please help me to draw near to you so that I can be filled up with your Spirit. I want to do your holy will and I know that I can only accomplish that awesome work out of a heart which is overflowing with your love and with your Spirit. Thank you that you are willing to be the air that I breathe, as well as my daily bread. I am lost without you and desperate for you today…I draw near to you Jesus. Amen.



ANNOUNCEMENTS

We are celebrating with all of the people who have put all of their hope in Jesus! Happy Re-Birth-Day!

Please take a moment to notice TWO features located directly under Pastor Yolanda’s biography. First of all, you will see the link for the GOOD NEWS CHAT ROOM! That is where we will hold our book discussion on Saturday morning. Secondly, you will notice the link for the GOOD NEWS PRAYER MINISTRY! That is where you can post prayer requests, or pray for others!

You are invited to follow Pastor Yolanda on Twitter www.twitter.com/PastorYolanda

Good News has now added a Prayer Ministry. http://www.kindlejoy.com/groups/goodnews

THREE DAYS: The Good News Living Book Club will be reading Hinds Feet On High Places by Hannah Hurnard during March. Please mark your calendars for our very first book club meeting to be held on Saturday, March 28, 2009, from 9:00-10:00am CST in the Good News Living Chat Room. Even if you don’t read the book, please join us for a discussion of our faith!

You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.

EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right! Thanks for reading and please come again.

Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.

From Pastor Yolanda’s blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/