by Sarah B. from Virtuous Daughters, August 2013~Volume 13, Number 5 Discouragement. Do you ever find yourself discouraged? Maybe today you are having a less-than-optimal day, and are discouraged over your own failures. We all have days when we feel more keenly our own sinfulness and inability to fully obey the Lord.
I remember one particular summer morning. I woke up with good intentions to honor the Lord; however, within one hour, these hopes were dashed by several failures in the very areas I had been praying for victory. I had been desiring change and had prayed that the Lord would grant victory—and then, I had failed this quickly! I felt like a complete failure and wondered if, in any of my infant-like haltering steps, I ever would make any progress forward. It seemed like every time I thought I had made one frail step forward, I took a fall backward. I wearily went to my devotional time that morning, without an enthusiasm for reading the Word. I sat dejectedly at my desk, not even reaching to open my Bible. All joy had fled, as I looked over the wickedness of my life. My thoughts condemningly nagged, “Who are you to say you are even a Christian when you fail like this every day? What kind of example are you, anyway?” A faint cry for forgiveness passed through my lips, as I slowly moved for the Bible. I opened it, flipping to the passage where David had cried out in humble forgiveness for his great sin (Psalm 51). I came across his earnest words and my heart echoed, “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions!” I knew my Lord's lovingkindness and mercy was so great (Psalm 69:16)...but I also knew I did not deserve it. For some reason, in my proud discouragement, I did not want to so easily fall back to rest in His forgiveness. However, He is always faithful to forgive, no matter what our sins are. We must chose to accept and embrace this glorious truth! “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9). by Cheryl S. from Virtuous Daughters, April 2003~Volume 3, Number 1 Written lovingly to my daughters
Darling “virtuous daughters,” This you long to be. And such a noble goal, For you will one day see. By allowing God to mold you, To conform you with His hands; You become a priceless jewel, The rarest of the lands. So do you see dear darlings? The work in you has begun. By living today as a “virtuous daughter,” A “virtuous woman” you become. by Cheryl S. from Virtuous Daughters, February 2006~Volume 5, Number 11 "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”—John 14:18
Darling Virtuous Daughters, “The Fellowship of Loneliness, what a strange title . . . what a paradox!” you must be thinking. But, dear girls, it is my hopes to show you just this. The greatest fellowship often comes during times of loneliness. Of course that fellowship is with the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, girls, I have felt the depths of loneliness in my lifetime. I understand that when you are in the midst of it, it can feel quite sorrowful at times. So I write this with compassion knowing that if you are experiencing loneliness right now, you are probably experiencing pain along with it. But be encouraged, there is Hope and Help. |
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