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Christina Cook Lee

Media Producer - Author - Blogger - Songwriter

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The importance of really knowing the Lord

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Topic: You’re not alone

Focus: The importance of really knowing the Lord

Psalm 145:18-19 (NKJV) The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them.

God could have created us in such a way that we would never have to feel alone. He had the ability and the power to leave that part out of our existence—but He didn’t. He wanted us to need Him.He made us to need Him…and we sincerely do.

A couple of nights ago, I was walking through a large, crowded shopping mall. I was by myself and had time to observe the people I passed, who were headed in the opposite direction I was going. The mall was in a big city, so I noticed the diversity of the people who were shopping that night. All kinds of people. We had all come to the mall to try to find something that would make us—or someone we were shopping for—happy.

I couldn’t help feeling compelled to pray for the people I was passing. I know some of them probably know the Lord, but I had the sense that I was in a sea of people who were lost. Another thing I was keenly aware of, was the fact that the only thing that will truly help the conditions in this world and the people who live in it—is the Lord. I had the knowledge that we desperately need the Lord to pour out His Spirit upon all flesh, as He said He would in the last days.

The Lord said He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him—yet, how many people today actually fear the Lord? If we don’t fear the Lord and we’re not crying out to Him—how will He save us?

I had to wonder as I passed by hundreds of people, how many of them cared anything at all about Jesus. It would have been interesting if at some point, a ‘freeze frame’ could have been taken of all the people who were around me—and all of the ones who had a real relationship with Christ would have been circled in red. I wish I could know how many of the people around me might have had an interest in knowing more about Jesus at one time of their life, but for some reason, became disinterested. I also wish I could know how many of them ever attended a Christian church in their lifetime…and what their impression was.

(Read more below)

Now, you can listen and/or read!

Link to New Strength Audio Version
New Strength Inspirational Statement of the Day

As humans, we have failed so miserably as representatives of Jesus Christ. I wonder sometimes if we have turned more people away from God than we have helped lead to Him, because of our misunderstanding of who He really is.

What I saw at the mall caused me to understand that the world has no hope except that the Spirit of God would be poured out on all people—giving them a true revelation of Jesus Christ.

Besides being aware that there were many lost people in the mall—I was also aware of how much we who are Christians should be trying to live a life that would be attractive to the people who haven’t received their salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. I don’t think we really know how to do that in a way that would help them see HIM and not us…especially when we may be struggling with our own weaknesses.

Knowing we live in a world full of people who are lost, doesn’t do much to help us fight the feeling that we are ‘alone’, does it? With so many people who are lost and so many others who are dysfunctional as Christians—we have practically no choice but to turn to the Lord, if what we are seeking is a true and authentic relationship based on real and honest love. The Lord is truly the only hope for us and for all of the millions of lost and lonely people in this world. We can’t fill their needs—and they can’t fill ours. We all need the Lord.

Coming to the conclusion that we have no hope besides the Lord is not a devastating thing. He is full of strength and power. So it isn’t a hopeless situation that we are faced with, when we find we have no strength of our own and we can’t solve the world’s problems single-handedly…or even by being part of a huge missionary effort. It is the Lord who comes to seek and save those who are lost—and those who are His, as well.

The Lord could use us—but are we in a position for Him to use us, or are there a few things we may need to work on, if the ‘lost’ are going to have any kind of a good impression when they look at our lives?

This is the final thing I was impressed with as I was in the mall the other night. I was aware that I need to be very focused on enriching my relationship with the Lord. As I am focused on Him—and only Him—other people will see a truer picture of who He is when they look at me. When I am focused completely on Him, I won’t feel alone at all.

Declaration: I will find new strength by focusing on the Lord who is able to meet all my needs for love and friendship. As I am more completely transformed into His likeness—I will represent Him better in this world.

IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO NEW STRENGTH DEVOTIONAL BELOW, A NEW SEGMENT WILL COME TO YOUR EMAIL EACH DAY.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.

Choosing change for the better

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Topic: Finding the heart

Focus: Choosing change for the better

Ecclesiastes 3:4 (KJV) A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance…

Have you ever thought about whether depression might be a habit? When depression itself has hung on for an awful long time, it’s hard to remember what it was like to feel otherwise. But besides general and ongoing depression, there are certain times of the year, when depression can be harder to fight.

It might not be the same for everyone, but it can be a struggle to get through a time of the year when we may have gone through particularly hard things in the past. It seems like when that time of year comes around, memories come flooding back that make it difficult to shake off the gloom during that season.

For years and years, I have had to go through the motions from Thanksgiving all the way through the Christmas season. While people around me are decorating their homes, shopping, and planning—I am having a hard time doing anything about it.

With that problem, it always gets to the point where it all comes crashing down at the last minute and I finally have no choice but to pull it all together. Exhausted from the intensity of how much has to be accomplished the last few days and especially the night before…by Christmas, I am usually a zombie.

I was thinking about that whole thing today and contemplating what a stronghold painful memories can have over our moods and our ability to be happy. As I was thinking about it, I recalled many valid reasons why I could fall into a slump year after year, and just allow myself to go on forever in the same habit.

I have to admit it never occurred to me that the ‘holiday blues’ was something I could pray about and ask God to change. But, today I had the smallest thought that I guessed it was something I might as well ask God to help me with…so I prayed a simple prayer…something to the effect of, “it would be nice not to have to feel like this every year.”

(Read more below)

Now, you can listen and/or read!

Link to New Strength Audio Version
New Strength Inspirational Statement of the Day

I was pretty surprised when almost immediately, I started feeling ‘lighter’. I was aware of a new sense of motivation and optimism inside of me. I found myself feeling hopeful that maybe things could be different than they usually are.

I actually think the change started last night, when I felt in my heart that the Lord was trying to help me get started on some preparations that I don’t normally do until the very last minute. Getting some of those things out of the way ‘earlier that usual’, gave me some freedom today that helped open my mind.

This year, we aren’t doing as much as we usually do, and I think that is having a positive effect, too. As in other areas of our life, we are trying to simplify and not be as driven by our past pattern of ‘excess’. I have felt released from the bondage that I have to try to make every year better than the year before. Could it be that I was somehow trying to compensate for my own lack of enthusiasm?

These are hard realities to face…but it’s a good thing to do.

We aren’t obligated to grieve forever…no matter what it is we are grieving about. The Word of God says, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV)

Some grief is hard to part with, for the fact that we feel the act of grieving is our last connection to the loss we experienced. Letting go of grief is letting go of some of the loss.

Sometimes we may be ready to move on, but feel obligated to continue grieving for other people…or we wonder what other people will think if we are finally able to lay our grief to rest and start moving forward.

No doubt about it, depression and grief are very complex.

You might be in a place of habitual depression right now, too. Whether consciously, or unconsciously—you may be filled with a heaviness that God doesn’t require of you. He stands ready to release you—as soon as you are able to release yourself. Freedom is available…but being free is something you must choose.

Declaration: I will find new strength by choosing to break the habit of depression. It will be a change for the better.

IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO NEW STRENGTH DEVOTIONAL BELOW, A NEW SEGMENT WILL COME TO YOUR EMAIL EACH DAY.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.

 

Choosing the call

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Topic: Right relationships

Focus: Choosing the call

Ephesians 4:4-6 (NKJV) There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

I was pretty cynical about things like being ‘called of God’ until it happened to me. I thought people who said God ‘called them’ into the ministry, were just trying to sound holy. I didn’t think people could actually hear from God and receive specific guidance about what He wanted them to become.

Half of me didn’t believe things like that could happen…and the other half of me wouldn’t have wanted to hear anything God had to say because I was too busy following after my own ‘dream of the moment’.

Do you relate to that? Have you ever considered that God could actually have a purpose for you that is more than you have already seen?

What if the purpose for your life is really a ‘calling’? How would you feel about that?

I’m going to paraphrase—or re-word Ephesians 4:11-16, which happens to be one long sentence in the Bible.

“God, Himself placed some people here on earth to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry and for the edifying of the body of Christ.

He did this, so that all of the different people who are here to perform all of those positions, would also be able to operate as one unit—full of faith and the knowledge of the Son of God.

(Read more below)

Now, you can listen and/or read!

Link to New Strength Audio Version

 

New Strength Inspirational Statement of the Day

God knew we were imperfect, but he wanted us to work at becoming perfect in the faith and as much like Christ as possible. God didn’t want us to be weak and immature—running here and there and being tricked by the wrong things some people intentionally teach.

Instead of that, God wants us to be capable of speaking the truth in love and growing up in all things into the likeness of the head over all of the various parts of the body of believers—and that would be Christ.

It’s by Christ alone that we are actually a whole and complete body. We are joined and knit together by what each one of us supplies at the point where we are connected.

Each one of us has something that the others can benefit from. When we are all working together properly—using our gifts and callings to the best advantage—the whole body of Christ not only benefits and grows—but is filled with love.”

Isn’t that a beautiful concept of how we should be connected with the entire body of believers? According to this passage, when everything is working right and all of us are doing what we’re supposed to be doing without trying to manipulate each other or compete—we will become very effective as a whole. When we are doing what God called us to do, we don’t have to make excuses. We no longer have to ‘justify’ ourselves, because we are justified by God.

When God called me into ministry work, I wasn’t trying to imagine what I could do for Him. I don’t know if you’ve wondered about things like that, or not. Maybe you’ve spent lots of time thinking about how God might use you, or maybe you’ve never wanted to consider anything like that at all.

Either way, it’s time to contemplate not only your purpose, but your true calling. Even if you’ve heard from God in the past—there may be more He would like to say to you. He may be wanting to take you further into the light of His love so that you can see Him better and He can reveal more of His plan to you.

It’s always good to be completely open and available to God. It’s important for you to tell Him you are willing and waiting to hear from Him.

Don’t be afraid of what God will tell you that He wants you to do. If it doesn’t sound right to you—it will eventually.

Declaration: I will find new strength by embracing the call of God on my life. I am sure He is leading me into something unique, yet something that will blend perfectly with others. What God has in mind for me will lead me to become better connected with the body of Christ. By choosing His call, I will be a connecting link that is useful and vital to the body as a whole.

IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO NEW STRENGTH DEVOTIONAL BELOW, A NEW SEGMENT WILL COME TO YOUR EMAIL EACH DAY.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.

Justification

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Topic: Justice

Focus: Justification

Titus 2:11-14 (NKJV) For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

The Bible contains a short book which was originally a letter written by the Apostle Paul. It was one of his last pieces of correspondence before he died. The letter was written to a man named Titus. It contained some important points concerning the church that Titus had been appointed to oversee by the Apostle Paul.

The portion of the letter we are looking at is a pep talk of sorts to Titus, from Paul, his life coach. Paul is leaving some final instructions that he wanted Titus to always remember to teach others.

After Paul confirms that God meant for us to live clean and sober, righteous lives, he goes on to give further details that he wanted Titus to share with his church members about how they should behave.

Paul started off by saying, “Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.”

Paul was quick to acknowledge the fact that both he and Titus were once guilty of some of the things his church members were now struggling with, when he states: “For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.”

(Read more below)

Now, you can listen and/or read! 

Link to New Strength Audio Version
New Strength Inspirational Statement of the Day

Just as quickly as Paul admits that we all are guilty of past sin, he immediately moves toward several blessings that we have received from God as a result of His goodness in spite our sinful condition.

Paul names five qualities of God’s character: “But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly (generosity) through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:1-7 NKJV)

Almost hidden in Paul’s exposition is the word, “justified”. Justified is what you and I have become because of the five attributes of God’s character that Paul listed.

To be JUSTIFIED by God is as good as getting a big red stamp of APPROVAL. It means the same thing as the words, PAID IN FULL or NO CHARGE for our sins.

Jesus Christ had the desire to redeem us from every lawless deed we had committed as sinners. By purifying us through his blood, He created His own special group of people…the justified ones.

The Apostle Paul almost always used his own life as an example of the redeeming power of the blood of Jesus Christ. Before he was converted, Paul was extremely self-righteous. He tried to perform all kinds of good works and did everything according to the letter of the law, in hopes of being considered righteous.

After Paul became aware that he was a plain old sinner in spite of the righteous things he thought he was doing, he realized that true and zealous good works were done as a result of being saved by the grace of God.

Humility is a part of justification. We can’t become justified without being willing to admit that we are guilty and without hope…except for the help of our Savior. Paul wanted Titus to be sure to pass down this same humility to the people he had influence over.

When we’ve had some success in our recovery from depression and dependency, we have to remember the importance of never becoming too self-assured. No matter how much improvement we have made, we will always be a sinner who was saved and justified by the kindness, love, mercy, generosity, and grace of God—through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Declaration: I will find new strength by remembering to always be a humble example of the power of redemption. I will not consider myself better than anyone else, but will be committed to reflect kindness, love, mercy, generosity and grace in all of my relationships.

IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO NEW STRENGTH DEVOTIONAL BELOW, A NEW SEGMENT WILL COME TO YOUR EMAIL EACH DAY.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.

Not worrying about money

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Topic: Finances

Focus: Not worrying about money

1 Timothy 6:8 (NCV) But, if we have food and clothes, we will be satisfied with that.

Some of the teachings of Jesus went ‘against the grain’. He constantly challenged us in the areas of fear and self-sufficiency. In everything Jesus taught, He tried to get us to think about others more than ourselves and to trust God rather than relying on our own abilities.

Isn’t it a common fantasy to want a regular paycheck? Or better yet, someone to just take care of us? Wouldn’t we all love to know that we never had to give another moment’s thought as to how next month’s bills would be met? Or have to wonder about how we’d afford to live when we’re too old to work for a living?

Times have changed a lot since Jesus walked the earth. The cost of living has increased considerably. We have grown accustomed to a much higher standard of living. Yet in spite of all of those things—God has not changed. He still controls the universe. He still owns the cattle on a thousand hills and the wealth in every mine. His resources have not run out. He will always be able to supply more than we have the capability of using.

No matter how many times we’ve heard it before, it’s always good to review how Jesus responded to the things He knew His followers were concerned about.

Jesus said, “Don’t worry about the food you need to stay alive, or about the clothes you need for your body. Life is more than food and the body is more than clothes.”

(Read more below)

Now, you can listen and/or read!

Link to New Strength Audio Version
New Strength Inspirational Statement of the Day

Jesus told them to look at the birds. “They don’t plant crops or harvest them. They don’t have storehouses or barns, but God feeds them.” He reminded the people that they are worth much more than birds. Jesus made a profound statement when He said, “You can’t add any time to your life by worrying about things.”

Worrying doesn’t produce anything positive. When we worry, it’s more than likely life will be ‘subtracted’, as opposed to ‘added’.

Jesus scolded His followers by pointing out that they weren’t even capable of doing the little things—so why worry about the big things?

Jesus said, “Consider how the lilies grow. They don’t work or make clothes for themselves. But I tell you that even Solomon with his riches was not dressed as beautifully as one of these flowers. God clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today but tomorrow is thrown into the fire. So how much more will God clothe you? Don’t have so little faith!”

It must have been hard for Jesus to deal with the kind of cares and concerns we have here on earth compared to what He knew about the vast riches and loving kindness of His Heavenly Father. Yet, His motivation was not to make us feel bad, but to encourage us to trust God instead of being afraid for the future.

Jesus went on to say, “Don’t always think about what you will eat or what you will drink, and don’t keep worrying. All the people in the world are trying to get these things, and your Father knows you need them. But seek God’s kingdom first, and all your other needs will be met as well.”

The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy warning him that some people thought of serving God as a way to get rich. Paul went on to explain that serving God does make us very rich, if we’re satisfied with what we have. We brought nothing into the world and we won’t be taking anything out. Considering this, we should be content with food and clothes.

Paul continued instructing Timothy by telling him that people who want to become rich bring temptation upon themselves and they’re caught up in a trap. Some people have even left the faith because they wanted to get more money. In the end, they caused themselves much sorrow.

The best way for us to live is by serving God and having faith, love, patience, and gentleness. We are to fight the good fight of faith and grab hold of the life that will continue forever.

Declaration: I will find new strength by refusing to worry or fear about my future finances. The Lord will take care of me. He will meet all of my needs and provide me with a future and a home.

IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO NEW STRENGTH DEVOTIONAL BELOW, A NEW SEGMENT WILL COME TO YOUR EMAIL EACH DAY.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.

The legacy of everlasting life

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Topic: Legacy

Focus: The legacy of everlasting life

John 3:16 (NKJV) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

When my dad passed away, we had one daughter who turned two years old just six days after he went to heaven. Stephanie was very close to her Papa, and missed him a lot when he was gone. We had told her that Papa went to heaven, so heaven was a place she wanted to know more about. It was through Stephanie asking day after day, at her naptime and bedtime, if we could talk about heaven—that the following story unfolded based on the story from the Book of Revelation in the Bible..

“Not everybody gets to go to heaven. God decides who gets to go to heaven and when they get to go.

When we do things we know are naughty…that is sin. People who don’t believe that God’s Son, Jesus died for our sins and that He lives again, will have to go to hell instead of heaven. Hell is a terrible place where nobody would really want to go.

If we believe that God’s Son, Jesus died for our sins…and that He lives again…then our name will be written in the Lamb’s book of life. And when God decides it’s the right time…we will get to go to heaven.

Some people get to go to heaven when they are little—and some people have to wait until they are bigger.

Someday, we will close our eyes…and when we open them…we will be in heaven. We might not even know how we got there, but we will be there.

We will see great big pearly gates and streets of pure gold with no holes and no bumps and no dirt…just clean shiny roads. Inside the pearly gates we will see the Holy City, New Jerusalem, built on twelve layers of pretty colored stones…bright green, dark blue, orange, dark green, brown and white, red, gold, light green, yellow green, bright blue, and purple.

(Read more below)

Now, you can listen and/or read!

Link to New Strength Audio Version
New Strength Inspirational Statement of the Day

In the middle of the Holy City we will see God’s great, white throne—and right next to Him is Jesus, the Lamb of God.

All around the throne is an emerald green rainbow and twenty four elders with crowns of gold on their heads. All of the elders are dressed in white and they sit on smaller thrones. On all four sides of God’s throne are four other living beings that are covered with eyes.

One of the beings is like a lion, the second like an ox. The third has a face like a man and the fourth is like an eagle with its wings spread out. Each of the beings has six wings. And their wings have eyes in them, too. These beings never stop saying, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

And when those four beings give glory and honor and thanks to God, the twenty four elders bow down before the throne of God and worship Him, too. They take off their crowns and place them before God’s throne saying, “You are worthy, Oh Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for You have made all things, and for Your pleasure they are and were made.”

Out of God’s throne flows a pure river filled with water of life, clear as crystal. Down the middle of the biggest street, and on either side of the river are big beautiful trees of life with twelve kinds of fruit. The trees have new fruit every month. And the leaves of the trees are for the healing of the nations.

There won’t be anything bad in the Holy City and we won’t need any lights or the sun. The glory of God will lighten the Holy City and Jesus, the Lamb of God, will be the light. There won’t be any night. The gates of the Holy City will never be closed, but only the people whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life can go in.

There won’t be any more death, crying, or tears. No more owies or being sick. No more bad times…only good times, and God will make all things new.

We will get to be with lots of people we love…we will live forever…and never have to say good-bye again.”

Declaration: I will find new strength by remembering the beautiful description of Heaven given in the book of Revelation. By sharing the details of that wonderful place and the future that awaits us in heaven, I will pass on the legacy…

IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO NEW STRENGTH DEVOTIONAL BELOW, A NEW SEGMENT WILL COME TO YOUR EMAIL EACH DAY.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.