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A Day of Hope
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James 4:13-14 NKJV — Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
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The sun shines down on us all. Sometimes the clouds roll in and the skies can become grey. We all experience trials and tribulations but some of us have a difficult time finding the peace to get through them. There are times when the clouds get dark and when the storm ensues all hope appears to be lost. They cry out but they believe that no one hears. Things look bleak and desperation sets in. What they don’t see is that soon the storm will pass and blue sunny skies await them.
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The Storm
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Matthew 5:45 NKJV — …for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
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The storm that is before us is heavy with fear. We are enveloped with a downpour of disturbing predictions of doom and warnings of eminent death if we venture outside of our very own homes. It’s a storm that is affecting everyone, just and unjust. No one is excluded and that’s why so many are losing hope. Lockdowns and isolation have caused many to make desperate decisions. Running and chasing after false hopes and promises and then finding out that they were deceived. Losing their jobs, loved ones and their dignity. The grief and despair is so gripping that the only escape they see is for them to take their own lives.
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Many mental health professionals are concerned that suicide rates will greatly increase over the next few months related to how people are dealing with the devastation of all that is happening. Suicide rates had actually been on the rise already. In fact, in 2020, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that suicide deaths among the ages of 16 to 64 had increased 35% in less than two decades. The uncertainty of these current times have brought many who are weak in spirit to take such a drastic action. Blaming COVID-19 and racial tensions for the rise in suicides is too easy of a target when the circumstances that contribute to someone taking their own life are more complicated than anyone could comprehend.
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Hope is Near
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Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJV — “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
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The “them” we should consider in this current situation are those who want to spread fear to the masses. The leftist mainstream media, pseudo scientists who dwell in conjecture and sensationalism, politicians and globalists have an agenda to control and lord over people with fear being their greatest weapon. We must understand that fear is a relentless, oppressive spirit. It will attack the mind and will stop at nothing to try and convince someone to believe that what is being said is true. Once a person’s mind is convinced then it will affect their heart and their soul. If fear succeeds then the devil will tell them that the only way to stop the hurting and pain is to take the so-called, “easy way out.” This is a total lie from the pit of hell. Life is precious to God. If it wasn’t, He would have never created it. The Lord wants us to know that He is there for us and who it is that is trying to destroy us.
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John 10:9-11 NKJV — “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
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Depression is real. Depression is cruel. It steals your happiness and robs you from the fulfillment of life. Jesus is saying to us,
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John 13:34-35 NKJV — “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
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Jesus is reminding us that we are our brother’s keeper. We must love and pray for each other. Offer help when it is needed and even be available when our fellow brother or sister needs a shoulder to cry on.
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The Loss of a Friend – Courtesy of WTVT TV
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It is with a heavy heart that we here at TopicalWave.Com are sad to report the passing of an old colleague and friend. The details were kept private but the cause of her passing was due to suicide. She was beloved by many but was unaware of what may have been troubling her. She was a hard working vibrant person who had worked on many news breaking events including a special assignment as a photojournalist in the country of Cuba. We pray for her family and that the Lord will comfort them during this time of mourning. She will be missed.
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In Remembrance
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We may never know the struggles of another but if we remember when the Lord help us in our time of greatest need and if we remember on how and who He sent our way to comfort us then we can ask God on how to direct and guide us on how to help others. In these perilous times we need the love and saving grace of Jesus Christ. Do not be taken in by false promises or listen to the voices of fear. Pray and love one another for if we gather together in His name, there He will be with us. Taking your own life is not the answer. Jesus is the truth, the way and the life. He is the answer for you today. Please don’t hesitate to call on Him for there is no other day, like today.
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Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV — “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
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