With Christ in the Heavenly Realms

Christ is above all things: our everyday concerns, our paid, the events that overwhelm us. He invites us to rise above these worldly troubles. Ephesians 2:4-7 gives us the invitation, "But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."
What a transforming thought: God didn't leave us to die because of our sin, but had such love and mercy for us He made us alive in Christ so that we can dwell with Him in the heavenly places. Doesn't your small worry fade in comparison to these riches? Don't you long to leave the world of woe behind and live with Christ? It's not an impossible dream. That is where God wants us to be.
Whenever circumstances get you down, simply ask for Jesus to help you. He is draw you out of the turmoil and give you peace and rest.
Take a moment to thank Him, then take Him up on His offer. Walk in His presence. Be with Christ in the heavenly realms.

Beating the Blues

For no apparent reason I was feeling 'down' last night. It seemed I was such a failure in so many areas of my life: money, men, dieting. I took my eyes off Jesus for just one moment and all the cares of the world come crashing down. It can happen to any of us ... at any time.
Give Satan an inch and he'll take a mile, as the saying goes. He can turn even good things into despair. He is always lurking ... waiting for a minute of weakness to rob us of our joy.
I'm so glad that God gives us refreshment from sleep and a new outlook each morning. What a wonderful, dependable promise in Lamentations 3:22-23, "The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning."
Today's devotion in Jesus Calling gave me this to think about: "I (God) can fit everything into a pattern for good, including the things you wish were different. Start with where you are at this point in time and space, accepting that this is where I intend you to be." What great news. God has put be where He wants me to be. I can thank Him for all the things he provides: a safe home, a reliable car, food to eat, friends who care, a wonderful church to attend, my precious pets, on and on, too many to name. God is good.
Psalm 42:11 asks, "Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for once again I will praise him, since his presence saves me and he is my God."
The blues can catch any of us unawares. But praise God that He won't leave us in our depression. If we look for Him, we will find Him anew every morning. Focusing again on Him and His power will beat those blues.