"OUR DAILY BREAD", "GOD SEE'S HER" ' "AND ME"

 FIRST:  " OUR DAILY BREAD"        Ps.88:1  (Lord you are the God that saves me).       "HEAVY BUT HOPEFUL"

  IN a comic strip there's such lighthearted entertainment that brings a momentary smile, the sadness and gloom that can grip us when real life happens is not that easily dismissed. Feelings of hopelessness and despair are real, and sometimes professional attention is needed. However, the writer of Psalm 88 does offer something instructive and hopeful. A truckload of trouble had arrived at his doorstep. And so, with raw honesty, he poured out his heart to God. " I am overwhelmed with troubles and my life draws near to death" (v.3). "You have put me in the lowest pit, in the darkest depths" (v.6). "Darkness is my closet friend" (v.18). We hear, feel, and perhaps identify with the psalmist's pain. Yet, that's not all. His lament is laced with hope. "Lord, you are the God who saves me; day and night I cry out to you. May my prayer come before you; turn your ear to  my cry" (vv.1-2; see vv. 9,13). Heavy things do come and practical steps such as counsel and medical care may be needed. But  never abandon hope in God. 
 "Prayer: FATHER, HELP ME TO SEE YOUR OPEN, ARMS REGARDLESS OF MY SITUATION".
  I am overwhelmed with troubles and my life draws near to death. I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am like one without strength. I am set apart with the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more, who are cut off from your care.
  You have put me in the lowest pit, in the darkest depths. Your wrath lies heavily on me; you have overwhelmed me with all your waves. You have taken from me my closest friends and have made me repulsive to them,, I am confined and cannot escape; my eyes are dim with grief. I call to you, Lord, every day.  I cry out to you every day Lord; In my morning prayers and again in my evening prayers. I cry to you to help me, Me Lord, I know my prayers are coming before you. I still believe and I know in time YOU will answer me.
  Remember Christ died for you and me. He loved us so very much that HE laid his own life down for our sins. HE WAS AND STILL IS THE PERFECT "LAMB of  GOD".  No-matter why HE chose you, YES, YOU. No matter what, there's nothing, nothing at all is keeping YOU from HIS LOVE but YOU. He choose to die so you'll have life, and freedom. All you have to do is ask. (John 3:16,17).
   ONE MORE THING; " THE RIGHT WORDS".
  THE INVITATION TO LEARN TO "SPEAK" TO GOD FROM SCRATCH.
   Reminds me of Paul, who devoted his life to "( becoming) all things to all people... for the sake of the gospel" (1 Corinthians 9:22-23). He never assumed he knew best how to communicate what Jesus had done. Instead, he relied on constant prayer and pleaded for fellow believers to pray for him as well- to help him find " the right words" (Ephesians 6:19) to share the Good News. 
   The apostle also knew the need for each believer in Christ to remain humble and receptive each day to their need for deeper roots in His love (Jo. 3:16-17). It's only as we deepen our roots in God's love, each day becoming more aware of our dependence on His grace, that we can begin to find the right words to share the incredible news of what he's done for us.
  Finally, stay strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. Pray that the "blood of Jesus" (spiritual speaking) to cover all of you and everything that you've been given. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteous in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. The helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 
  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people. Pray also for me, that Whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. 
  Paul says, " OUR REAL BATTLE IS SPIRITUAL, and GOD's HOLY SPIRIT is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTILA FOR THIS STUGGLE, ("WAR"). WOULD YOU PLEASE ALWAYS, ALWAYS PRAY BY THE SPIRIT AFTER USING REGULAR LANGUAGE. THAT'S THE WAY, ONLY WAY WE WILL WIN THE WAR.