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Listen while you read: "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus"1 (Lyrics) |
I have a dog run. This is a fenced area where the dogs can be outside to attend to their personal needs anytime they want. The area is thickly layered with gravel, making cleanup and disinfecting easy. The gravel, however, gets depleted; it gets eaten, not by the dogs, but by the ground itself. Little by little, the earth absorbs the gravel back into itself. To keep on top of this problem, I replenish it once or twice yearly.
Likewise, I, too, have found that I need replenishing from time to time. My physical, mental, and spiritual being becomes depleted by the cares of this world. I get worn thin. My patience is sorely tried. My temper bubbles more easily. What is normally a pleasure becomes a burden. My spirit is dry, and grumbling can easily replace praise and thanksgiving. Perhaps, most of my readers know exactly what I mean: human beings becoming depleted in various areas of their lives is, indeed, a fact of earthly life.
Becoming depleted, however, can be kept to a minimum by learning to allow ourselves to be replenished before the situation becomes dire. As Benjamin Franklin advised, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." In other words, it is wiser, whenever possible, to stop a problem from happening, than to deal with its consequences. So, today, let's do just that:
Psalm 34:17-18 – The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (NIV)
If we are beginning to feel tired and worn thin, depleted by whatever struggles that we are wrestling with, let us make a point of stopping and doing as the psalmist did amidst his times of need. Let us cry out to the Lord, Who not only hears, but is able to help. He is able to replenish us — body, mind, and soul — as we look to Him amidst our need, for He and He alone knows us inside and out. He knows just what we require even before we ourselves do. Perhaps it is rest or food, laughter or friendship, a healing touch, a word of truth, a holiday, financial assistance, a solution to an ongoing problem, strength, or courage. Whatever it is, He knows. Let us therefore be wise, take advantage of His wonderful knowledge. and allow Him to guide, to direct, and to fill us up anew, for an ounce of prevention is indeed worth a pound of cure.
Prayer: Father God, thank You that You know us inside out. Help us in wisdom to cry out to You for the replenishment of body, mind, and soul, before our situation becomes dire, that we might glorify You at all times and in all ways. In Christ's name, we ask. Amen.
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Saturday, May 18, 2024 – In North Africa — Living in North Africa we get so used to hearing the call to prayer it becomes like background noise and sometimes I don't hear it anymore. I am challenged by the fact that some Muslims are so committed to pray that they go to the mosque 5 times a day. Would you consider, with me, setting your alarm to go off at 3:00 every day and pray for these three things: 5 families to come to know Christ, 3 people for us to read scripture with,1 new church plant.
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Thank you, Lynne, for this wise advice.
Great post and important advice, Lynn! Thanks and blessings!
Thank you, Lynne! Your practical thoughts are so inspiring!! PTL!!
Thank, Lynne, I needed that!
(Ontario)
Hi Lynne, just read your wonderfully encouraging Devotional. Thank you.
Again you brought truth to my sometimes-weary heart! Thank you for sharing.
Those dogs will be thankful for spring.
Thank you for replenishing my spirit with your thoughtful writings.
(Manitoba)
Lynne, I too have been to depletion valley many times and 1 Samuel 30:6b really does wonders; “David encouraged himself in the Lord.” Amen.
Thank you for sharing!
Thanks Lynne, I am doing just that, pausing quietly through the day, when the events are “heavy”. The Word of God is always refreshing.
Bless you, dear friend.
Thanks, Lynne,
That word ALL is wonderful in that Scripture verse. By the way, you seem to have some of Solomon’s character!!!
Good morning, Lynne,
Your devotional today was just what I needed to hear. Thank you very much for your message.
Grace and Peace to you!
Thanks, Lynne! This ‘depletion’ is a feeling that besets many of us, often, as fewer people (and younger people) show up at church! Your devotionals never fail to encourage and educate me. Thank you!
(ON)
Just what I needed to hear this morning, Lynne. Our congregation is older, but we are beginning to attract some younger families. As a result, I am teaching Sunday School again at the age of 86! Thank you for today’s devotional.
Morning Lynne, so very relatable! Hoping to replenish today. Our daughter is running a ‘High Tea’ at her church this afternoon. It’s keeping her very busy during a very difficult time for her. A serious surgery could be imminent for her. Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for another inspiring read.
Good morning, Lynne. Thank you for your devotional this morning. Thank you and blessings on your day and your weekend.
Hi Lynne,
Just another little note to thank you for taking the time to write the messages in the Presbyterian devotional. As soon as I start reading the articles you send, I immediately think that “this must be Lynne Phipps”. I thank our Lord for this gift of writing that you have. I do so enjoy reading as your notes are always encouraging, thoughtful and so well written.
God loves you – and so do I.
(ON)
Many thanks Lynne for another of your very good devotionals. You wrote such an excellent comparison of the depleted gravel and how one can feel so depleted at times. Over times reading about your busy and active life with grandchildren, your family pets and farm animals, I can well imagine you feel depleted and exhausted of energy at times. Daily life and activities can take us down at times, but we have the great reassurance that our loving Lord is ever present to pick us up and help us through whatever circumstance.
He sure deserves our gratitude for His bounteous care. Blessings for your special writings and may you have a restful weekend.
Good morning, Lynne.
Thank you for this, it is so true what you wrote about. I recently found myself a little more easily irritated with people and things than usual. I pray and ask forgiveness and help. Other times I wonder if what is going on is actually discernment about something or someone. In this ongoing situation I really feel it is that. The Holy Spirit was also giving the message to a couple of others because now actions are happening. God is so good!
Have a blessed weekend.
Hi Lynne
I learned something new tonight about the gravel of a dog-run disappearing into the ground and it needing to be replenished just like we need replenishing in our spirit on a regular basis. I know I need to have my body, mind, and soul replenished but at times I get too busy and forget to take the time to allow this to happen.
Thank you for the reminder.
I see an analogy here to cheering on my hockey team which sometimes takes patience waiting for them to score and win the game. Patience is a difficult thing at times, but as we learn patience we are often rewarded in ways we do not expect.
Good morning, Lynne,
The other day I was just thinking how good I feel, and I have no idea why. I totally understand when you talk about feeling depleted, but for the last while, I have felt wonderful which is really nice.
I think with age I have come to accept there will be times of feeling okay and times of feeling good. I have learned to believe that what is today does not mean it will be that way tomorrow so I can accept life as it comes along. I pray to God for his wisdom and His help so that I can be at peace and be able to offer comfort and joy to others as I try to shine the light of my faith.
I enjoyed your honest sharing and probably needed to read about depletion as a reminder when I get there once again. It is not that everything is wonderful in my life, it is just an inner peace I have at the moment. May you be blessed with many more thoughts to share to help us all.