Friday, October 7, 2011

My Heavy Heart


The past few weeks I had a heavy heart.
So many trials have compounded
I actually cried out to the Lord,
 "Please let something good happen to me.
I just need joy!"

I was that low.

 I know my joy is supposed to be in the character of Christ
 and not in my circumstances.
I know true joy doesn't come just when things are going my way.

I know, but I wasn't walking in that knowledge.
However, Lord looks down with love on His children
who are stooped down in sorrow and trials.
Even when they
push away His touch,
 doubt His Word,
 and don't agree with His plan,
He keeps reaching, speaking, wooing.


Proverbs 12:25
Heaviness in the heart of man makes it stoop:
but a good word makes it glad.


What makes our heart heavy?
From carrying burdens we shouldn't be carrying.
We're supposed to fling them onto the back of Christ,
the same back that was marred by stripes and bore the cross for us.

Surely, whatever burdens our hearts
 can be added to that pile on His holy back.

Stoop actually means to depress;
 our physical body can betray the condition of our heart.

What's the "good word?"
Anything the Lord says in the Bible.
It's all good.



But, sometimes we just need someone to listen,
someone to throw their arms around us and promise us
everything is going to work out for good.
The Lord promises to provide that for us.



2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father,
who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace,
comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.

And just when I've needed it,
 Christians have provided that good word.

The Lord allowed two divine encounters with sisters
that have been seriously praying for the Innocent Man.
(A Christian man falsely accused of a crime, punishable up to 60 years in jail.)
They both reminded me they're praying.

Many people have dropped emails or messages on Facebook,
just when I need them.
Some of you have silently supported us with prayer,
and we feel the presence of your faith.

The Innocent Man has also been upheld by the Lord's people.

As I cried out to the Lord,
I felt Him lightening the load.
Every prayer on our behalf,
every word of encouragement,
every reminder of the Lord's faithfulness,
has helped lift that burden.

Thank you for being used of the Lord in our lives.
None of us could have walked this path alone.


We've lived through this nightmare on earth for eight months.
We've felt the Lord's presence,
we've seen answer to prayer,
the Gospel has gone forth,
the saints have been encouraged.


The trial is
Tuesday, October 11th,
and they think it will last three days.

Please pray.

Will you also please leave a word of encouragement for
the Innocent Man in my comments?
He's in the Garden of Gethsemene,
he knows what's ahead.

Thank you for helping carry the cross,
it relieves the burden.

Thank you for praying.







18 comments:

  1. i will keep you and him in my prayers!

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  2. Praying.

    As for a note of encouragement, I feel at a loss. I cannot possibly imagine the pain he is going through but I know the Lord Jesus suffered rejection for 33 years and He still loved and obey His Father. I pray the Innocent Man is able to Trust and Obey as well. May he feel the comfort that the Lord Jesus gives during this horrific time.

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  3. This is heavy, but God has promised to lighten our load. Praying that truth will prevail and light will shine through the darkness.

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  4. Almighty God, rich in mercy and full of power, we cry out to you for justice on behalf of the Innocent Man. We know you understand what he is experiencing. Help him put on the full armor of God and STAND. Give him courage, strength, and a stout heart. As he waits, give him peace and joy. We pray the truth will be revealed, his enemies will be defeated, and he will be free. Even now, continue to help him realize the real freedom he already has in Jesus. Thank you that you understand our sorrow and grief. And you are there beside us, always with us. And we look for the joy ahead (Hebrews 12:1-2). In Jesus' name. Amen.

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  5. Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, He [it is] that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." There is always hope. Hope in the truth and that truth is Jesus. Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." You are in my prayers. May the Lord grant you His strenth, His courage, His peace that passes all understanding.

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  6. Praying too! My 4-year-old always adds this statement to his prayers "pray for everyone around the world who loves you and follows you." As I listen to him pray that, I will think especially of you and the Innocent Man.

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  7. prayed this morning, before I even read this!

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  8. I pray for the jury, that they would be granted discernment and desire truth; I pray for the defense attorney, that he would seek the wisdom of the Lord and not merely follow the wisdom of the world and that the Lord would grant him favor in the eyes of the court and the jury; I pray for the judge, that he/she would desire justice and that the Lord would guide; I pray for the prosecutor to realize the errors in this case and to honestly address them. I pray for the Innocent Man, that You, Jesus, would uphold him by Your Spirit.
    -- Shannon

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  9. I pray that the truth be revealed. Praying for you too.

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  10. God doesnt sit on the throne feeling anxious, frustrated or fearful. He sits on the throne with his mighty hand upon every circumstance. We are vessels of his love in all situations - good or bad. God, please show mercy to our brother.

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  11. Isa. 54:17 "No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their vindication is from Me," declares the LORD."

    Matt. 10:19 "But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say,"

    What a scary thing to feel as if your life is in the hands of a court, a defense attorney, or a jury.

    But it's really not. God is Sovereign and in control, as we know.

    And He cannot fail.

    I am praying, my friend!

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  12. "When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul." (Psalm 94:19)

    Praying for you . . .

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  13. Psalm 50:5-6
    "Gather My saints together to Me, those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice." Let the heavens declare His righteousness, for God Himself is Judge.

    Brings joy to my heart to see all the Lord's saints coming together on His behalf. Praying without ceasing!! Much Love!!

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  14. I love You, O LORD, my strength.
    The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
    My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies.
    Ps. 18:2 God is our stronghold. He's holding you all.

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  15. Just wanted to let you know I'll be praying you through the next few days -- and all involved!

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