Friday Writing...11/30/18..."The Broken-hearted"

Good Morning,

This writing considers the difficulties that people suffering with various reasons to be among the broken hearted and how the holidays exacerbate the feelings and sorrows that affect their lives. 

Karen wrote.  "Help us to watch for the lonely and depressed this Christmas, 

so we can share the beauty of Your love for all of us, and the wonder of Your birth. 

May we remind them of Your reason for coming to earth and please give us 

the help we need to be Your instruments to assure them there is great reason 

to celebrate and be joyful, because they are a part of that reason,"

Have a time of giving to those who need help during the holidays!
Karen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today's Devotional 

"The Broken-hearted" 

Written by 

Karen Bennett

This time of year is a happy time for most of us. We will soon be celebrating the birth of the Christ Child. There’s all the hustle-bustle of decorating, shopping, dinner planning. There’s the music everywhere, the crowds of people, and all the busyness that goes with it.

Most churches have a midweek advent service for each of the four weeks before Christmas. Many attend to their fulfillment in God’s word.

So many people get caught up in all the activities of the season, they somewhat forget about its reason. Our world is becoming more and more secular and Christ, the very reason for the holiday, is being removed from it. Store employees are to refrain from saying “ Merry Christmas “ and are to say “Happy Holidays “ or “Seasons Greetings” instead, because the word Christmas is offensive to many.

There is another group of people at this time of year we should think of. There are those people who suffer from depression, and this is a very sad time of year for them. There are varied reasons for their depression. Most of the time it’s a deeply rooted loneliness, a longing for someone or for times gone by, or wishing for and missing something that never was, yet was always longed for.

As Christians, we know the importance of Christ’s birth and His reason for coming to earth from heaven. We should take more time to share His great love, especially with those living in sadness and bewilderment. Take time to pray for these souls - all of them - even those you don’t know. For those you do know, send a card, make a phone call, extend an invitation, give a small gift, whether you live near or far. Be God’s living instrument by sharing His love and your faith.

“The Lord is close to the broken-hearted 

and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” 

Psalm 34:18.

Be the Lord’s voice and share His words of love. Be His arms and share a hug. Remember Jesus also told us it was like doing it for Him.

“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth,

 whatever you did 

for one of the least of these brothers 

of mine, you did for me’.”

 Matthew 25:40

Lord, 

Help us to watch for the lonely and depressed this Christmas, 

so we can share the beauty of Your love for all of us, and the wonder of Your birth. 

May we remind them of Your reason for coming to earth and please give us 

the help we need to be Your instruments to assure them there is great reason 

to celebrate and be joyful, because they are a part of that reason. Help them be 

receptive to Your word. May “Joy To The World” enter their hearts 

as the holy season goes on. In Jesus’ name. 

Amen!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Matthew West 
Singing 
"DO SOMETHING"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Whatever you do for the least of His children

ARE DOING FOR GOD.

It makes a world of difference.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prayers are lifted up daily for you

 by the Devotional Writers and the Monthly Writing Staff

 of Women's Focus Ministries.

Blog Writers:

Jan Andersen, Sandy Billingham, Carol Steficek,   

 Brother Thomas Ukwute, Jody Ward,  Karen Bennett, 

Bre Miller, Cathy Friberg, and  Corinne Mustafa
Elizabeth McElderry, Betty Espindola,  Lynda Kinnard
Amie Spruiell, and Debbie Rodriguez

Occasional Contributors:

Kathy Bireley, Terri Baker, Beverley Napier,
 Kelly Dobyns, Glenna Williamson,  

Amie Spruiell, and Lisabeth Lipp