Mood Swings and the Gospel

"Your mood swings prove that you are relying on yourself, not the Gospel."

Pastor Mike mentioned this in his message today...describes me exactly. I go through mood swings constantly depending on whether or not I feel like I'm spending time with Jesus. When I'm not, I feel like such a sorry excuse of a Christian and then I don't want to pray at all.

It's hard for me to wrap my mind around Mike's two-word summary of the gospel: Christ, crucified. I don't know what that means, I don't know what that translates to in my everyday walk. It comes from Paul's verse: " I decided to know nothing except Christ and him crucified."

What does that mean? What does it mean in those days when I don't act like I want to know Christ, those days when I don't pray, or don't live like a beacon of light? 

I don't know. I simply don't know. Can you please illuminate me Lord?

Faith & Joy, Meditations

But let all those who take refuge and put their trust in You rejoice; let them ever sing and  shout for joy, because You make a covering over them and defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You and be in high spirits. (Psalm 5:11 AMP)

"Joy- an unwavering gladness of heart that transcends our outward circumstances...Faith is joy's starting point. Joy is born and begins to grow when we place our confidence  in the greatness of God, when we acknowledge all He's capable of, and when we realize all His love accomplishes on our behalf. Joy, true transcendent joy, cannot be gained apart from an abiding trust in God. It's like trying to produce light from darkness. It simply won't happen. But joy abounds limitless for all who make the Lord their confidence. Where there is faith in him, there is joy."
~From the Active Word Daily Devotional.

I think this is the most awesome devotional ever. It's so true, God, my joy abounds in you when I am most focused on your greatness and your mercies towards me all my life. I adore you God, I delight in being your daughter and my joy abounds. You are my portion, my inheritance and my life. Help me to memorize this verse above God. I want to inscribe and memorialize it in my heart every day. I Loooove you my sweet Jesus.