New Day, New Year

It's a new day and a new year. Time to start over? Today's the day. Looking for a fresh beginning? You couldn't pick a better time to do the right things. Choices, choices, choices. I know I have them to make too. And I know I cannot do this on my own. Lord Jesus, give me the strength I need and the desire to walk with you more fully. It's something I cannot do on my own. 

Depression and Suicidal Thoughts

Depression and suicide has hit our extended family and friends in the last month. Really. It is heartbreaking to live through and watch the survivors try to piece their lives back together. Are you hearing many more stories about depression and how common it is especially during the holidays? I certainly am!  If you are someone who struggles with depression ( I do!) and even thoughts of ending your own life, don't give up! Read on, be encouraged, and get the help you need.

Thanks to men such as Dwayne Johnson, The Rock, discussion about male depression is not as uncommon as it used to be.  Thankfully. Wintertime is always a season where this sense of overwhelming sadness is triggered in me. This gets worse especially after the holidays when everything goes back to normal, and Spring seems oh so far away. That said, I have a slight understanding of the ups and downs that can accompany the feeling of things not being 100% "right". There is hope!

Although it's less so than in years past, I have been constantly amazed by the general reluctance of the society and sometimes even the faith community to discuss this very common human condition. Yet, I have read two very interesting pieces in the New Testament where both the great Apostle Paul and even Jesus himself struggled with despair. Imagine that! Here's a quote from Paul written to the church in Corinth.

"We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we even despised of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened what we might not rely on ourselves, but on God,who raises the dead" (II Corinthians 1:8-9).

Jesus' words are even more important here, as He is God in the flesh: In the garden of Gethsemane before his crucifixion, he says to Peter, James and John, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death" (Matthew 26:38). Is this not shocking to realize the Son of God and also Christianity's greatest evangelist felt with despair? 

How much more direct and descriptive can that be?

Personally speaking, it's taken me years to accept the fluctuations that come in life. I've been trained in the Southern California mindset of "Always sunny and free all the time". But life is not like that- which is why I am also so against the prosperity teachers that can populate the Christian airwaves and bookstores. Your best life ever? It includes pain, suffering and sorrow. These form our character and help put our priorities into focus us.

It is possible to manage life's ups and downs when dealing with depression. One of the few things I have discovered: First, stay as far away from sin as possible! Instead of looking toward the things that will seem to meet my needs in the moment or distract me from my pain but ultimately keep me addicted, I will ask God for strength to avoid them. The truth is giving in to them only adds  to my problems by doing things I know will cause me to be more deeply depressed later. Be it too much food or alcohol, drugs, illicit sex, gambling, the internet, shopping etc, the actions which numb our pain can also be the very ones that keep us captive instead of free.

Secondly, when my need feels great, when I am sad, or even when I am just craving what I know is ultimately destructive, I am training myself to see that as my clue that I need more peaceful alone time with my heavenly father. Time for quiet reflection, prayer, worship, and reading my Bible will bring me back to a peaceful place if I discipline myself to engage in these essential activities. I've made the decision that my life belongs to Jesus, so I can go right to Him when I know He can and will show tender care for me. He always meets me when I need Him. He never turns away regardless of what I am feeling or what I have done.

Third, develop a pattern of choosing to have a thankful heart. It is a challenge in our culture that continuously tells us we need more to be satisfied. (Isn't that the core message of any advertising?) The next trip, the next purchase, the next relationship will not take away the pain. In fact, they may add to it! Everything we own owns us to some degree, either by the financial investment to purchase it or the time it takes to maintain it. I am so blessed by God! Yet, how often do I long for more of everything and not be grateful for my life. It will never be perfect or free from want or conflict, so I might as well be as joyful, thankful and at peace as I can be. Thankfulness brings hope and a very needed reminder that things do not always stay hard or without the chance for change.

Tears ago, there was a brief season of a few months where I even took  antidepressants on the advice of my doctor. That helped balance me out when I need it. Others need them as a long term part of their lives. If that's you, please consider it. God uses doctors to heal, too! This includes counselors and leaders in the faith community. Keep that in consideration if you struggle.

When all else fails- WAIT. Stop. Rest. Get help. Sleep. Do not take any action to hurt yourself or others. Wait for a new day. I know that when the pain is deep and the depression is overwhelming, everything else in our lives gets blocked from our view. 

A friend sent me this (below). I think you'll find it VERY helpful:

"The Beloved Romans 1:7- 

“To all those in Rome who are loved [beloved] by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." 

Paul says that the saints in Rome, those who have placed their trust in Jesus Christ to save their souls, are loved by God, or more acurately, they are The Beloved. This word beloved is more accurate because it is in the present tense and never ending. Revealing the love from God towards His children. The first 9 uses of this Word in the New Testament is used of how the Father loved Jesus His Son. This should give us insight into how God loves you!    God's Love for His Kids is Unchanging    Unconditional and Unselfish. 

Remember this encouraging and uplifting Truth when you do not feel like the Beloved of God. Pick up the shield of faith that stops the firey missles of the enemy and speak the Truth of God out of your mouth, as the Sword of the Spirit like David did; "Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? (Then preach this exhortation to your soul) Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence." 

Father God, You are Present, never leaving me, never forsaking me. Help me to preach the gospel to myself over and over again today, elevating You in my heart and allowing Your Presence to rise in my mind, so that I walk with You morning noon and night, in Jesus name amen ACTION: Be-loved."

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God is faithful as we continue to look to Him for hope and strength. In fact, God so loved YOU that He sent Jesus to earth to die in your place. The baby in the manger grew up to be God's perfect and complete sacrifice for the sins of all who believe in Him. May my disclosure and insights help give you who struggle some ideas about how to live life well in the midst of difficulty.

God's Plan for Freedom from Shame- His Work and Our Response

Do you walk out your life in a constant sense of shame, guilt, or not being worthy of anything good? Does depression take over when you least expect it? Then, you're just like me! But there is a way to freedom and to joy and peace and feeling worthy of the good things in life. Yes, once more, God offers the answer. Are we humble enough to accept His plan? How free do you want to be?

God's Plan for Freedom from Shame is something powerful! Looking at Psalm 34 from the Bible as a beginning point, we'll discover the key to real freedom.

Just to put things in a historical context,  this psalm is poem. David, the future king of Israel, wrote it when he was faking insanity so that Abimelech would set him free. We’ll focus on the personal application of this beloved piece of Scripture.

Before we read it, take time and pray, asking God to make this a personal thing for you. As you encounter Him through reading the Scripture, may He instruct and encourage you!

Let's look at Psalm 34, verses 1-8:

I will extol the Lord at all times;

    his praise will always be on my lips.

2 I will glory in the Lord;

    let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

3 Glorify the Lord with me;

    let us exalt his name together.

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me;

    he delivered me from all my fears.

5 Those who look to him are radiant;

    their faces are never covered with shame.

6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;

    he saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,

    and he delivers them.

8 Taste and see that the Lord is good;

    blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

I.  SOURCES OF SHAME-  OUR SHAME DOESN’T JUST COME FROM OUR UNFAITHFULNESS TO GOD

It’s not just a Biblical concept. It’s also a very personal issue.  Many of us have experienced shame due to the circumstances around our birth, our family background (be it economic or social status). What things about your family's history embarrass you or make you uneasy? What stories do you rarely tell? These could be indicators of shame being part of your life.

My mother was 16 and unmarried when she became pregnant with me. My maternal grandmother was so distressed, she had a nervous breakdown and spent some time in an institution (proving once more that even believers can have real life difficulties that aren't easily solved by faith.) The local priest refused to openly perform a wedding ceremony for my parents. He eventually did so begrudgingly with little celebration and even less involvement from either side of the family. At 18, my father was not ready to be one, and without a solid education or interest in it, he began shoveling concrete to help provide for his family. Although he is quite successful now by many standards, this was a job reserved for the lowest and least educated.

All said, perhaps you're like me and your background is rooted in shame.

Let's pick back up and continue in Psalm 34, beginning again at verse 8 and reading through verse 11:

8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!

    Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,

    for those who fear him have no lack!

10 The young lions suffer want and hunger;

    but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

11 Come, O children, listen to me;

    I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

II.  OUR SHAME ALSO COMES FROM SINS AGAINST US.

Not only can our shame come from our background, shame can and does enter our life through the way others treat us. When you think of interactions with others in your life, were you given encouragement and love? Or were you a burden or even an emotional or verbal punching bag? Correction is one thing, but abuse is something totally different.

Many people in authority sinned against me. Although I was a good student, I was not perfect in attaining grades. I was uninteresting and quiet, neither a trouble maker nor a stand out student. Easy to overlook, young for my age, small and uncoordinated. Teachers' disinterest stung. Friends were few and far between, and my awkwardness made me any easy and ongoing target for neighborhood bullies. Ridicule from other was a regular part of my school day, making me even more introverted and anxious. Some but not all in our extended family were abusive in different ways. Anger was easily expressed and often was out of control. Words were used to tear down rather than build up. I couldn't wait to graduate, break free, and move on.

Perhaps you're like me. My shame also came from things done against me. A word of caution here. As we'll see in the next few verses, retaliation and revenge are not the ways a believer should handle themselves. Look at verses 12-14:

12 What man is there who desires life

    and loves many days, that he may see good?

13 Keep your tongue from evil

    and your lips from speaking deceit.

14 Turn away from evil and do good;

    seek peace and pursue it.

The hidden benefit in keeping the response in the Lord's hands is when we choose to trust Him instead of taking matters into our own hands, we watch God work on our behalf and our faith is built up.

There's consequences for lack of obedience here. First, we perpetuate evil if we respond in an ungodly manner. This tears down our witness as well as being sinful in and of itself. It also helps erode our faith as disobedience directly moves us away from God's will, chipping away at His authority and place in our lives.

The second consequence is just as powerful:  When we take matters into our own hands, we rob God of the glory He deserves. When we do not wait for Him, we communicate to others He is unable or unwilling to be involved in our lives.

There's also a very practical consequence.

How often can we seek after our own good and go our own way, thinking we know what is best. We may even attain it. But are we missing something even better from the hand of our Lord? I believe this is often the case. The self-made man (or woman) only gets what they themselves can provide. We know our God is limitless, so why not place things in His hands and watch what happens! Our God is good- ALL THE TIME!

Verse 15 forward through 22 is great news for those of us who believe the Lord and take Him at His word.

15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous

    and his ears toward their cry.  

16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,

    to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears

    and delivers them out of all their troubles.

18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted

    and saves the crushed in spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,

    but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

20 He keeps all his bones;

    not one of them is broken.

21 Affliction will slay the wicked,

    and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

22 The Lord redeems the life of his servants;

    none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

 

The Lord hears our cries. He is near to the broken hearted. And there is no condemnation for us. It's a very sweet relationship!

So far, we've seen that our shame can come from our backgrounds, our family of origin and from the sins of others against us.

Yet, there's another place shame comes from- the place that causes us the most trouble of all.

 III.  OUR SHAME COMES FROM OUR OWN SIN, THE CHOICES WE MAKE THAT HURT PEOPLE AND HURT OURSELVES

Even as I say this, you may be remembering things you’ve done, choices you’ve made that you regret, the embarrassment that comes from those nagging temptations (note that temptation is not sin- it's just temptation to sin), and the pain that comes from ungodly relationships, misuse of power, and many other ways you’ve hurt others.

The shame from what we’ve done to ourselves and others may be the hardest to overcome!

In middle school, I drank a good amount of alcohol, trying to cover my shame from my background, my family, and the things others had done to hurt me. Instead, it only made it worse. I let my anger against others -and even more so myself- destroy relationships and stop them before they even began. I was drenched in shame, as if I was caught in a deep pool under a powerful waterfall I could not free myself from.

Maybe you're like me. Perhaps the things you’ve done- your bad decisions and choices- bring the most shame of all.

In the middle of my shame, dying under an ocean of pain and anger and regret…. I wanted to die.

“BUT JESUS!”  

I heard His message which brings forgiveness of sins and an end to a life of bondage to shame!

When I came to believe in Jesus and gave my life away to Him, not only did He forgive me of all my sin, I gained an unexpected benefit. For a full six months, my depression and my shame gave way to joy and a hope for the future!

The truth is, at one time or another, we all have broken our relationship with God by disobedience to His commandments and giving our love to idols that are hollow and lifeless. Our own ego causes us to disobey as we choose to lie, cheat, steal, and take advantage of others. We're disgraced and certainly worthy to be punished and banished from his presence forever. We all deserve an eternity in Hell.

"BUT JESUS!"

Not only does God offer salvation through Jesus Christ alone, He offers a plan for freedom from shame. I'm still learning how to walk this out, but let me share a few hard earned truths.

1- God has Done and Is Doing His Part.    

Our God is not just a god of words, He is a god who takes action on our behalf.  

Look at  Romans 5:6-8 -

6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

There are some things only God can do. Thankfully, He just doesn't tell us we are broken, lost, and sinful, He alone provide the solution to the problem. And our God continues to change us from within as we yield ourselves to Him. This process continues throughout our lives as we press into loving Him and obeying Him.

God's word in the Holy Bible reaffirms our standing before Him once we believe. Through His declaration, He reminds us of who we are and how He sees us.  Read these three verses in Psalm 103, verses 10-13. It's one of many verses that speak loudly to us.

10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,

    nor repay us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

    so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;

12 as far as the east is from the west,

    so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

13 As a father shows compassion to his children,

    so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

The Book of Romans states it bluntly:  “For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” (Chapter 10, verse 11)

He is our good, good- shall I say it again?- good Father! The God of love, mercy, compassion, and forgiveness.

God does his part, and we must do ours.

2.    We Must Do Our Part.  

We have a responsibility in our Freedom. Not to earn it but to walk in it!

We must take Him at His Word, choosing to believe what He says. The solution is in believing God for what He says- including believing our new identity in Christ! God says we are free from shame and that He removes us from our sin.

This is first a battle for our mind!  Then it’s a battle of our will. Today we talk a lot about Identity.

But, what is YOUR Identity? For example, “Are you an alcoholic?” OR “Are you a Christian who struggles with alcohol?” Your answer reveals much about how you view God and how you see yourself!

We MUST choose to praise Him! (Look back at the first three verses of Psalm 34) There’s something powerful about praise. Maybe it is because it takes our minds off ourselves.

When we pray, do we begin with a time of Acknowledging Who God Is- His goodness, love, mercy, faithfulness etc.? Do we have hearts and words to express Thanksgiving? Or do we go right into a mode of need or even complaint? Our God is enough or He is not.

This is just like Peter stepping out of the boat into the waves to reach Jesus: " Save me from myself!" You can almost hear the words come out of his mouth as you read the account in Matthew 14. We step out in faith to the new life, trusting in Jesus- and then the enemy moves into attack. We can fall into old patterns of sin… and old patterns of thinking!

We may hold onto anger, hate, fear, perhaps even toward God. It’s easier and better to confess the state of your soul or that sin to the Lord and be cleansed than it is to justify your choices and argue with God, creating even more tension within yourself.

We must continue to look to Him.  In the world, when we’ve hurt someone, it’s difficult to look into their eyes. Yet, God is not like man. When we look deeply at Him, He reminds us that our faces will NEVER be covered with shame!

Maybe you just can't forgive yourself. Are you better than God who has already forgiven you once you come to Him?  

Our church has offered a program from the U.K. called The Alpha Course. It's incredible! Our time in the series has driven this potion home extremely well: OUR VALUE IS SET BY GOD! - He sent Jesus to pay the penalty for your sins by dying on the cross. That is how much you are loved.

Look at God's words in Isaiah 43: 18-19, 25.

18 “Forget the former things;  do not dwell on the past.

19 See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

25 “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake,  and remembers your sins no more.

For God’s sake? What does that mean? It means we'd  be so thankful that we would make His name known wherever we go. This is the Great Commission in its simplest terms.

When Satan reminds us of our past or tempts us to sin, be aware it means the battle is on! Remind him of his defeat. And then remind yourself of your future:

Romans 2:6-10-

6 God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

We are clean and whole in Jesus!

We may have a broken past. We may be seeped in shame, like tea in boiling water!

Our shame may come from our backgrounds, our family of origin and those stories we never tell. Our shame may come from the sins of other people against us. The sins that weigh us down may be our own sin, our disobedience to God when we live in ways that don't please Him. It may come from the choices we make and the temptations we face.

"BUT JESUS!"

We may have a broken past. We way even have a difficult present. But we do not have a broken future!

Can I hear an "AMEN!"?

Let's praise God for His plan for freedom to shame as we walk this out together.

Conquering Shame and Living Beyond Our Limitations

Have you grown weary standing up against people that oppose you? Do you want to become someone stronger and freer? Ever feel like giving up when you once again face the struggles in your life? You know, the ones that tire you out, the secret places deep inside that you’d be ashamed to admit exist, the pain you’ve tried and often failed to overcome, the depression that haunts you. Thankfully, there’s hope.

 

Let’s cut to the chase: Without the power of God acting in your life and on your behalf, there is no hope but only human effort.

 

As those who follow Jesus Christ, we know we are choosing to go against the grain in how we live and have different priorities. This creates a tension we can’t deny. But all these troubles are in exchange for an eternal life with God instead of an eternity of pain and torment with Him.

 

This Christian life that we’ve chosen is a vigorous life- hard but rewarding!  

 

As a Jesus follower, we will have 3 main areas of trials and tribulations:

1- External Battles (Living against the grain of our culture)

2- Internal Battles (Nagging temptations, struggles, a “thorn in the flesh”)

3- I’ll share this one a few paragraphs down the line.

 

Some battles we win; others we lose. But Jesus has won the war! Let’s talk about one of our biggest battles- the fight against shame.

 

What creates shame in our lives?

Shame comes from many places:

·       Family History (Background, social status, ethnicity)

·       Our Personal History

·       Sexual and Physical Abuse

·       Our Sin - Our Temptations - Our Secrets!

 

Even as you are reading this, I bet these secret, darker places in your heart and mind are coming to the forefront! These are the same things that cause us to walk in brokenness instead of wholeness! Now, right now, stop and pray. Pray for God to protect your mind and heart from the attacks of Satan, who doesn’t want you to be whole and free! Below is a key verse to remember:

 

Ephesians 6:12   ^“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. “

 

The world hated Jesus first (John 15:18). He is our model as well as Lord and Savior! Just look at the temptations Jesus faced and at the hand of Satan no less! Look at Luke 4:1-14

 

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, ² where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. ³ The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” ⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’” (Deut. 8:3)

 

⁵ The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. ⁶ And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. ⁷ If you worship me, it will all be yours.” ⁸ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” (Deut. 6:13)  

 

⁹ The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here.¹⁰ For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; ¹¹ they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” (Psalm 91:11-12)

¹² Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” (Deut. 6:16)  

 

¹³ When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time. 14  Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 

 

Overall, Satan offered Jesus a way to live that left God out of the picture. Although we know Jesus is divine, the One True God, we also know that he had very real needs as a man on this earth. Imagine being in the desert, in the rough untamed wilderness for forty days.

 

·       Hungry?  ⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Deut. 8:3)

Satan offers: Meet your own need (the counterfeit of trusting God’s provision)

 

·       Power, Position, Influence?   ⁷ Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” (Deut. 6:16)  

Satan offers:  Power and position that comes from the world (a counterfeit of true authority and impact that comes from obedience to God)

 

·       ¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” (Deut. 6:13)

 

Safety, Security, Proving Yourself to Others?   

Satan offers: Trust in yourself and human wisdom (the counterfeit of God’s wisdom)

 

Ultimately, Satan offers results without relationship with God! Our enemy is trying to separate people from the Living God, the only one that brings hope, joy, peace, and eternal life. Just like Adam and Eve in the garden, Jesus was given and a chance to bypass obedience to God, taking glory from God. Where Adam failed, Jesus succeeded.

 

We fool ourselves into thinking we can avoid a similar life of hardship and trouble. And our very nature fights against these things. But even if we gain some measure of success in that, we are missing out on God’s good plans for us. Plans better than we can imagine or create for ourselves.

 

Obeying God brings suffering, but it brings glory to God- and don’t miss this- we are often healed of our shame and pain in the process!

 

Winning the Internal Battles

 

1-     We must know and believe the promises of God.

 

o   Nothing can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:35)

o   When we look to Him, we are never covered with shame (Psalm 34:4-5)

o   Our sins are removed from us (Psalm 103:1-13)

o   God has good plans for us (1 Corinthians 2:9)

o   We are created intentionally and with purpose. Created for His Glory (Isaiah 43:7)

 

We can know the truth, but still feel lies. How you will choose to live will have as impact on your healing.

 

2-     Our Identity Comes from God now, not the world. Not from who others say we are. Not our parents, not our society, not our boss, the news, or our political affiliation… and not even our own self-doubt.

 

Proverbs 23:7- “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (American KJB translation)

 

3-     We have power of Holy Spirit-   

·       Luke 11:9-14 tells us that the Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask!

·       God gives us the gifts we need to bring Him glory and do His will (Hebrews 2:3-13- and We are HIS family!)

 

NOTE: We have grace to succeed or fail! 

Ephesians 2:8-9. “⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. “

 

Salvation doesn’t depend on our performance. It’s a gift- but how we choose to live reflects our thankfulness for God and all he has done through Jesus Christ.

 

(Need more? Read Romans 61-23. Won’t do that now.)

 

Let’s get practical!

Those deepest ongoing temptations are signals you need time with the Lord. Spend a good portion of time in prayer, in reading the Bible, in worship.

 

Choose obedience. You are as free as you want to be- Every choice you make (obedience or sin) shows how free you will live. And who is your master. When we bring God glory as we should, we receive joy!

 

Focus on the work of the Kingdom and your love for God- not on your wounding! When we are self-focused, we tend to concentrate on what we DO NOT have vs. What we DO have! This is a practical application of this verse:

 

Luke 9:23- “Then he said to them all, “If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.”

 

 

How to Bring Healing and Wholeness

 

As I said earlier, you will have 3 main areas of trials and tribulations (see Jesus’ words in John 16)

1- External battles (you are used to these living in your culture)

2- Internal battles (thorn in the flesh, torment, temptation)

And now the last one…

3- BATTLES AND JUDGMENTS WITHIN THE BODY OF BELIEVERS. (Yes, we can be our own worst enemy...)

 

1.     LOVE one another!  

 

Look at Matthew 22:37-39

“Jesus said to him, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

 

“Can we love from afar?” It’s difficult! But we must go beyond our choices to love as well!

 

2.     We Must also ACCEPT one another!

 

Read  I Corinthians 1:10-13

¹⁰ I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. ¹¹ My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. ¹² What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”

¹³ Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? 

 

We may not be divided by teacher or church, but we divide ourselves out in other ways:

·       Leader vs. Follower

·       Married or single

·       With or without children

·       By interests and hobbies (athletes vs. Creatives, introverts vs. Extroverts- other examples)

·       By our beliefs on secondary theologies

·       We need friendships with those different than us! God uses those not like us to bring pain to the surface so that he can heal! He uses our differences to conform us to Christlikeness.

 

3.     Forgive One Another

 

Romans 15:7

“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”

 

Colossians 3:12-17 (A mini conclusion to this section of the book)

 

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

 

The hardest and sometimes most powerful? Confession.

 

1-Personal Confession before God (See 1 Peter 2:1- Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.)

 

2- Confession to Each Other

 

James 5:16

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

 

I’m going to leave the following in caps. And I hope it makes an impact:

 

THE ENEMY’S PLAN IS DIVIDE AND CONQUER. SEPARATE OUT THE SHEEP, THEY’LL SCATTER, AND THE WOLF WILL PICK THEM OFF ONE BY ONE!

 

Let’s not help our enemy defeat us by playing into his hands! And let us not grow weary, but let us give God time to complete our transformation into Christlikeness.

 

 Yes, our past, our sins, our secrets, can leave us living in shame! Certainly, we’ll be tempted by the enemy to meet our own needs and not letting God do His work in His time. We’ve got to know God’s word, know our identity, and then we must embrace His power to walk in grace!

 

Help us Lord to accept each other, forgive each other, and confess our sins before God and to our family in Christ. Amen!

 

Moving On

I think I'm "ok". Grief is such a difficult thing to overcome completely, but I am finally moving into the acceptance stage of this process after hitting a short season of denial, a long season of anger, and a brief season of depression. Yet, acceptance does not mean a plan is in place! That's the next part for me. And my wife and I are in the midst of discussing what that should be. 

The gift of time to walk through this process is something only God could give me- and He has. If you know Jesus Christ and have a relationship with him that is real and intimate and personal, you know what I'm talking about. Only in Him is this rest and help and purpose for the future. I may be entering a new season of life, but that does not mean I cannot glorify God and do his work- or enjoy the process of embracing new things and letting go of the old.

What will change? Will this blog even continue? Many things are up for reevaluation, and I'll take it steady and slow without drastic moves unless the Lord directs. "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand." Proverbs 19:21.
 

Depression Wins- For Now

Depression has been a part of my life just about for as long as I can remember. There was one brief period of about six months when that wasn't the case. Instead I was filled with unexpected joy- it began the night I gave my life over to Jesus. When depression returned as it often does, it felt different as it has ever since that night. 

There was an odd mix of peace and hope along with it. That was new! There was even a desire in me to press into it and fight it instead of giving into it. This is a season when the battle is particularly strong. Yet, I know it too will pass. In this world, you will have trouble. I read that somewhere. And I know it. And there is blessing and hope and peace, and yes, even joy, as I press into Jesus Christ. I know that as well- as I have for years.

A Beautiful Harvest

What an incredibly beautiful picture a field of wheat is! The golden grain nestling against each stalk in the acreage; the golden gleams of sunlight almost aglow against it. It'd be easy to watch the field until eternity. And yet, that's not what the wheat is made for.

The grain must be harvested in oder to fulfill its purpose and feed the people. It must give up its life in order to do what it is most productive. Oftentimes, I run to the safe places, the places of comfort or safety that offer a release from the stress of the world. You know what I mean! Where we go when we just want to get away from it all- when people are mean, when circumstances don't go our way, or when we just want to seek pleasure and avoid the difficulties of the news at home and abroad. Don't you do the same?

The problem is, all the running to these places of indulgence bring a dependency on them- and this brings death as we die more and more to our real freedom and walk into the grip of deeper despair, depression, and ultimately bondage. Bondage to the very things we thought would set us free.

Jesus himself spoke of this. Listen to his words from the book of John, chapter 12:

"Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.

Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

“Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!”

Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.

Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.

The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law that the Messiah will remain forever, so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?”

Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them."

Are you ready to give up the rights to yourself and experience true joy and peace... and as a main benefit, eternal life? In his deep love, Jesus not only shares the way but makes the way on our behalf. It's my call for the new year to give more and more of myself to Him. Who is with me? We will reap what we sow.