22590
👋 🌍 Welcome to everyone 🌍 👋 stay strong 💪 in the Bible 📕 We have a christian chat, join to enjoy friendship with other people https://t.me/biblegroup Feedback: @Mardocheo https://www.instagram.com/ilario_mariani/ 📸🌇🌄
Walk In The Light
“If we walk in the light…the blood of Jesus…cleanseth us from all sin.” 1Jn 1:7
Twice in Scripture God spoke into our darkness. In Genesis chapter one He said, “Let there be lights” (v. 14). And in John chapter three Jesus declared, “Light [has] come into the world” (v. 19). To walk with God you must reject the ways of darkness and walk in the light. Fungus grows best in the dark, but when you turn on the light it withers and dies. This is more than a metaphor—it’s a spiritual fact of life! Jesus said, “[People] loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil” (Jn 3:19 NIV). As Ester Nicholson says, “Secrets keep us sick. They keep us in shame and uncertainty.” Secrecy is the ideal environment for sin to grow until ultimately you’re taken captive by thoughts, deeds, and habits. And staying in darkness intensifies your cycle of secrecy and slavery to sin. “If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth” (1Jn 1:6 NIV). Once you step into the light everything changes! So confess your secret sins to God, and, if necessary, to a trusted friend or counselor who can pray with you. Then through God’s strength reclaim your power to overcome sin and live victoriously. Once you’ve turned on the light, the fungus begins to wither. Its grip loosens, and freedom dawns. Each time sin comes knocking at your door bring it into the light immediately. When you do, cleansing and fellowship with God will be yours. The Bible says, “If we walk in the light…we have fellowship…and the blood of Jesus…cleanseth us from all sin.”
A Relationship Addict Finds Lasting Satisfaction
“But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again.” Jn 4:14 NLT
Jesus asked the woman at the well for a drink of water. Surprised that a Jew would talk to a Samaritan, she asked Him why He was asking her for water. He replied: “If you knew…who I am, you would be asking me for…living water. Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever” (vv. 10, 13-14 TM). Notice the distinction between “this water” and “the water I give.” Jesus wasn’t discussing regional water qualities. He was talking about her five failed marriages and the man she was currently living with. The truth is, she had no idea how or where to find the satisfaction she’d thirsted for. One disappointing relationship after another; no matter how often she drank from “this water” her thirst could not be satisfied. And her response to each failed relationship was another failed relationship—supposing, as we often do, that doing more of what doesn’t work will eventually make it work! Jesus wasn’t criticizing her lack of morals. No, He was offering her the only real cure for emptiness. “Anyone who drinks the water…I give will never thirst again.” Whatever you’re looking to for fulfillment—drugs, alcohol, sex, pornography, serial relationships, money, or popularity—it’s all water that can never satisfy. Focusing your life on Jesus, spending time with Him, talking with Him, and “drinking in” His Word daily will absolutely fill the void within you.
Increase Your Pastor’s Effectiveness (5)
“Pastors…prepare God’s people for works of service.” Eph 4:11-12 NIV
Here are two final principles for increasing your pastor’s effectiveness: (1) Don’t limit them by what happened in the past. The “ghost of pastors past” can block what God wants your church to do now. Don’t say, “In the good old days when Pastor Smith was here we didn’t do it that way.” That hinders your church’s growth and obstructs your pastor’s effectiveness. God is always on the move, and He requires us to stay in step with Him. Don’t expect your pastor to do things exactly like his predecessors. Appreciate what God did in the past but understand that His blessings—like His mercies—are “new every morning”! Yesterday’s manna won’t do for today; God will give your pastor fresh manna and fresh vision to take your church to new spiritual heights. The pastor’s job is to lead—yours is to follow. (2) Your pastor can’t do it all alone. “Pastors…prepare God’s people (that’s you!) for works of service.” Paul writes: “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us” (Ro 12:4-6 NIV). Who’s responsible for your church’s growth? You are! And if you don’t know where you fit, ask God and your pastor for direction. Until you know your place you’re an unemployed body-member. Get connected and help fulfill the vision God has given your pastor.
Increase Your Pastor’s Effectiveness (3)
“[Pastors]…should be considered worthy of respect.” 1Ti 5:17 PHPS
When it comes to your pastor: (1) You must pray for them. Nothing releases the power of a pastor’s ministry like the prayers of their flock. Paul recognized that his effectiveness in ministry depended on the people’s prayers: “Pray in the Spirit…Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me…that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel” (Eph 6:18-19 NIV). Satan targets pastors who preach the truth. The thing he hates and fears most is God’s Word: “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against…the powers of this dark world and…spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (v. 12 NIV). Often when pastors are preaching, the spiritual struggle is so intense that afterwards they find themselves drained. Praying “in the Spirit” for your pastor strengthens them and maximizes their effectiveness when it comes to reaching the lost and bringing those who are saved into spiritual maturity (See 1Co 1:21). (2) You must respect them. In a day when church has become more “casual,” it’s easy to lose respect for God’s leaders. The Israelites did it: “The anger of the Lord…divided them; he will no more regard them: they respected not the persons of the priests, they favoured not the elders” (La 4:16). And God’s standards haven’t changed: “Elders [pastors] with a gift of leadership should be considered worthy of respect.” By respecting your pastor and church leaders, you act as a role model for the sacredness of God’s ministry to this generation and the next.
Increase Your Pastor’s Effectiveness (1)
“[Pastors] who do their work well should be paid well.” 1Ti 5:17 NLT
Your attitude and actions affect your pastor and your church. When you bless your pastor you bless your church, and when you hinder your pastor you hinder your church. Let’s look at some ways in which you can increase your pastor’s effectiveness: Provide a good salary. Once in the Old Testament and twice in the New Testament, God holds us responsible to provide generously for our pastor. The old quip, “Lord, You keep him humble and we’ll keep him poor!” is no joking matter, and is contrary to the teaching of Scripture. Many a pastor is hampered by inadequate income, causing them stress and worry over their family’s financial needs. God established the law of compensation for those who provide for our bodies and souls—from oxen to pastors. An ox’s strength and capacity to do its job effectively required that it ate as much as it needed from the grain it was threshing. “But was God concerned only about an ox? No, he wasn’t! He was talking about [his servants]” (1Co 9:9-10 CEV). And Paul applies the same principle when it comes to compensating those who minister to us: “[Pastors] with a gift of leadership should be considered worthy of respect, and…adequate salary, particularly if they work hard at their preaching and teaching. Remember the scriptural principle: ‘Thou shall not muzzle an ox when he treadeth out the corn,’ and the labourer is worthy of his hire” (1Ti 5:17-18 PHPS). When possible, free your pastor from financial worry. Allow them to focus on developing the potential God sees in you, your church, and His kingdom in your community.
The Key To A Successful Life
“These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature.” 2Pe 1:4 NLT
The story is told of a pastor who was invited to dinner with one of the families in his congregation, so the woman of the house decided to impress him. After dinner she wanted him to read something inspiring to the family. She said to one of her children, “Please go and get the Good Book, the book we love, the book we read every day.” Guess what happened? The child came back with a Sears shopping catalog! Seriously, just as you cannot thrive physically without a daily intake of good nutrition, you cannot thrive spiritually without a daily intake of God’s Word. Everything you need for living a joyful and victorious Christian life is found in your Bible. “By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself…he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires” (vv. 3-4 NLT). What did Jesus use to overcome Satan’s temptations in the wilderness? Intellect? Willpower? No, He used the Scriptures because He knew Satan has no defense against them. Do you want to succeed in your career, in your home, in your relationships, and everywhere else? “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do” (Jos 1:8 NLT).
The Hardest Thing You’ll Ever Do
“[Jesus] made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant.” Php 2:7
The hardest thing you’ll ever do is to put others first and yourself second, because we intuitively look out for ourselves. Self-preservation is man’s first instinct—but it doesn’t work. Do you know how two goats respond when they meet on a narrow path above a river? They can’t turn back, and they can’t pass each other because they lack even an inch of spare room. The goats instinctively know that if they butt each other they’ll both fall into the river and drown. So how do they handle it? Nature has taught one goat to lie down so the other can pass over it; and as a result both animals survive and arrive at their destination safe and sound. Instead of seeing itself as a doormat to be walked on, the goat sees itself as a bridge to be crossed over. So it becomes a win/win. The Bible says Jesus “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant.” And to do that you must focus on other people’s needs instead of your own “rights.” President Calvin Coolidge once said: “No enterprise can exist for itself alone. It ministers to some great need, it performs some great service, not for itself, but for others; or failing therein, it ceases to be profitable and ceases to exist.” And what’s true for any organization or business operation, is true for you. And here’s the best part: Every time you sacrifice in order to serve someone, you’re sowing seeds of blessing you will surely reap.
Dealing With Depression (5)
“They are trying to kill me too.” 1Ki 19:10 NIV
Here’s another mistake that triggered Elijah’s depression: He exaggerated the negative. It’s that old “everybody’s against me!” thinking. The fact is, almost nobody was against Elijah. Only one person opposed him, and her threat wasn’t real. Queen Jezebel didn’t dare kill Elijah. Think about it: If she’d really intended to kill him she wouldn’t have sent a messenger to warn him, she’d have sent a hit man! Jezebel feared Elijah’s influence. If he’d ended up a martyr, that would have increased his influence and likely caused a revolution. Having just witnessed what God did to the prophets of Baal, Jezebel was probably afraid of what God would do to her if she touched His prophet. So her words were empty threats. But instead of stopping to realistically evaluate the situation, Elijah ran away. When we’re depressed we tend to exaggerate the negative. In reality, Elijah wasn’t the only person still faithful to God. There were seven thousand other prophets who hadn’t succumbed to pagan religion (See v. 18 NIV), but Elijah exaggerated the problem and ended up sinking lower than ever. If you feel depressed today, put your trust in God. Rise up and say, “This too shall pass. What does not destroy me will only make me stronger.” Here’s a promise you can stand on with complete confidence: “Your goodness is so great! You have stored up great blessings for those who honor you. You have done so much for those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world” (Ps 31:19 NLT).
Dealing With Depression (3)
“Lord…Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 1Ki 19:4 NIV
Another cause for depression is comparing ourselves with other people. We think, “If I could just be like so-and-so I’d be happy.” When you compare yourself with other people you’re asking for trouble (See 2Co 10:12). There’s only one person you should strive to be—and that’s yourself. When you try to imitate another person and act like them, invariably you end up depressed. You need to be honest with yourself, and be who you are. That’s all God wants. That’s all He expects. When we start comparing ourselves with other people, we fall into another trap: We compare our weaknesses with their strengths. We forget that those people may be weak in areas where we are strong. What’s more, we try to motivate ourselves through self-criticism and condemnation. We do it by “should-ing” ourselves: “I should be able to be like that person. I should be able to act better. I should be able to accomplish it. I should be able to stop it”—as if whipping ourselves verbally is going to change us! Nagging doesn’t work when we do it to another person, and nagging ourselves doesn’t work either. So what’s the solution? Start reprogramming your mind with God’s Word. “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself…has given us great and precious promises…that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires” (2Pe 1:3-4 NLT).
Catalog channels from the largest media network in the Telegram - @catalog_channels
Читать полностью…
Understanding Your Child
“Give to Your servant an understanding heart.” 1Ki 3:9 NKJV
Do you remember the “class clown” in the school? He could make everyone crack up at the most inopportune times. He was a trial to his teachers, an embarrassment to his parents, and an utter delight to every child who wanted to escape the boredom of school. Teachers probably wonder if the Board of Education assigns at least one clown to every class to make sure they earn every dollar of their salaries. These skilled little disrupters are usually boys. Often they have reading or other academic problems. They may be small in stature, although not always, and they’ll do anything for a laugh. Their parents and teachers may not recognize that behind the boisterous behavior is often the pain of inferiority. You see, humor is a classic response to feelings of low self-esteem. That’s why within many successful comedians is the memory of a hurting child. Jonathan Winters’ parents were divorced when he was seven, and he used to cry when he was alone because other children teased him about not having a father. Joan Rivers frequently joked about her unattractiveness as a girl. She said she was such a “dog,” her father had to throw a bone down the aisle to get her married. These famous comedians got their training during childhood, using humor as a defense. That’s also the inspiration for the class clown. By making an enormous joke out of everything, they often conceal the self-doubt that churns inside them. Understanding that should help you meet their needs and manage them more effectively. “Give to Your servant an understanding heart” is a prayer every parent and teacher should pray.
When You Pray
“While He prayed…heaven…opened.” Lk 3:21 NKJV
When Jesus was baptized the Bible says, “While He prayed…the Holy Spirit descended…upon Him…and a voice…from heaven…said, ‘You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased’” (vv. 21-22 NKJV). After the crucifixion the disciples “prayed with a single purpose” (Ac 1:14 CEV) and “the place…was shaken. They were…filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke God’s word without fear” (Ac 4:31 NCV). Make no mistake, prayer can be hard work, but our most rewarding moments will come from time spent on our knees. God uses prayer to accomplish things that won’t happen any other way. Henry Blackaby says: “As we pray our attention is turned towards God and we become more receptive to aligning our lives with His will. He won’t equip us with His power while we’re racing off to our next appointment! His Spirit won’t empower us if we’re oblivious to what He’s saying. He requires our complete attention…‘Jesus told his disciples…they should always pray and not give up’ (Lk 18:1 NIV). If you’ll commit yourself to spend sustained time in prayer…God will work in your life as He did in the lives of Jesus and His disciples…The fervent prayer of the people at Pentecost didn’t induce the Holy Spirit to come upon them. Prayer brought them to where they were ready to participate in the mighty work God had already planned.” The Bible says, “Before daylight, [Jesus] went…to a solitary place; and…prayed” (Mk 1:35 NKJV). And before He chose His disciples, “he spent the night praying” (Lk 6:12 NCV). If it took a whole night for Jesus to determine His Father’s will, what makes you think you can do it in a few hurried moments?
The Golden Rule (2)
“For you will be treated as you treat others.” Mt 7:2 NLT
In his book Running with the Giants, John Maxwell tells of a new pastor who shared the following eight rules with his congregation: (1) If you’ve a problem with me, come and see me privately. I’ll do the same for you. (2) If someone else has a problem with me and comes to you, send them to me. I’ll do the same. (3) If someone won’t come to me, say, “Let’s go see him together.” I’ll do the same. (4) Be careful how you interpret me—I’d rather do that. It’s too easy to misinterpret intentions. I’ll also be careful how I interpret you. (5) If it’s confidential, don’t tell. If you or anyone else comes to me in confidence, I won’t tell, unless they’re going to harm themselves, harm someone else, or a child has been physically or sexually abused. I expect the same from you. (6) I don’t read unsigned letters. (7) I don’t manipulate. I won’t be manipulated. Don’t let others manipulate you. And don’t let others try to manipulate me through you. (8) When in doubt, just say so. If I can answer without misrepresenting something or breaking a confidence, I will. Those eight rules can be reduced to one sentence: “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.” Good marriages, business relationships, and friendships are based on the Golden Rule Jesus gave us. One final thought: “Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1Th 5:22). If people could construe that you’re taking advantage of them even after you’ve had a chance to explain your motives, you may need to rethink your idea.
Mighty Men and Women of God (3)
‘All these men of war…were of one mind to make David king.’ 1 Chronicles 12:38 NKJV
Here’s another quality that set David’s ‘mighty men’ apart from others:They understood the importance of connection, unity, and strong relationships. ‘All these men of war, who could keep ranks, came to Hebron with a loyal heart, to make David king over all Israel.’ Did you know that when Roman soldiers went into battle, their shields, which protected them from chin to toe, were linked to one another forming a wall of defence? What a picture! The Bible instructs us to pray for one another, defend one another, strengthen one another, sharpen one another, bear one another’s burdens, and yes, lovingly confront one another when it’s called for. When you have a stubborn habit you can’t conquer on your own, you need someone to support you and keep you accountable. You only mature spiritually as you connect with spiritually mature people. Paul addresses those who couldn’t work with anybody and always wanted to go off and do their own thing: ‘There should be no schism in the body, but…the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.’ (1 Corinthians 12:25-27 NKJV) Disconnected from other believers you are like a body part without the benefit of a brain, a blood supply, a source of nutrition, a system that eliminates toxins, etc. Literally, you are incapable of getting anywhere or accomplishing anything worthwhile. So the word for you today is: ‘Keep rank!’
Mighty Men and Women of God (1)
“All these men of war…were of one mind to make David king.” 1Ch 12:38 NKJV
David’s “mighty men” established his rule in Israel. Likewise, you are called to submit to the Lordship of Christ and demonstrate to the world what it’s like to live according to the rules—and benefits—of His kingdom. Jesus would not have taught you to pray, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth,” if it’s a prayer God wouldn’t answer (See Mt 6:10). And He answers it through people like you. So, are you interested in becoming a mighty man or woman of God? Then let’s look at King David’s army. First: They were balanced! “They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left” (1Ch 12:2). When you go to extremes and get out of balance, you hurt God’s kingdom rather than help it. For example, there are nine “gifts” of the Spirit and nine “fruits” of the Spirit listed in Scripture. The gifts are skill sets needed to get the job done. The fruits are Christ-like qualities that help us work together. And you must have both! Notice how God designed the garments of the high priest. On the hem at the bottom of his robe were bells and pomegranates—gifts and fruits. Why? Because the bells would clang harshly against one another. So God placed pomegranates in between to keep it from happening. Getting the idea? If you’re joyful at church but cantankerous at home, you’re out of balance. If you can talk to Christians but you’ve nothing to say to non-Christians, you’re out of balance. Spiritually speaking, you’re supposed to be ambidextrous!
What Forgiveness Really Is
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34a NIV).
Forgiveness may be the most misused, misapplied, and misunderstood quality in our culture. We think we know what forgiveness is all about, but we really don’t. Before reading further, take a minute to do this little quiz by deciding if each statement is true or false.
A person should not be forgiven until he asks for it.Forgiving includes minimizing the offense and the pain caused.Forgiveness includes restoring trust and reuniting a relationship.You haven’t really forgiven until you’ve forgotten the offense.When you see somebody hurt, it is your duty to forgive the offender.
When you read the Bible and see what God has to say about forgiveness, you discover that all five of those statements are false. How did you do?
We’re going to spend the next few days looking at what forgiveness really is, because most people don’t understand forgiveness.
First, real forgiveness is unconditional. There’s no attachment to it. You don’t earn it. You don’t deserve it. You don’t bargain for it. Forgiveness is not based on a promise to never do it again. You offer it to somebody whether they ask for it or not.
When Jesus stretched out his hands on the cross and said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing,” nobody had asked for it (Luke 23:34a NIV). Nobody had said, “Please forgive me, Jesus, for what we’re doing to you.” He just offered it. He took the initiative.
Second, forgiveness isn’t minimizing the seriousness of the offense. When somebody asks for your forgiveness and you say, “It’s no big deal. It really didn’t hurt,” that actually cheapens forgiveness. If it wasn’t a big deal, you don’t need forgiveness and you don’t need to offer it.
Forgiveness is only for the big stuff. You don’t use it for slights that are just minor issues. If something really requires forgiveness, then you should not minimize it when somebody asks you for forgiveness. You shouldn’t say it wasn’t a big deal. It wasa big deal! If it wasn’t a big deal, just say, “You don’t need to ask forgiveness.” But if it is a big deal, then you need to admit it.
There are a lot of big deals in life. Have you noticed that? But there is a difference in being wounded and being wronged. Being wounded requires patience and acceptance, not forgiveness, because the person did it unintentionally. Being wronged requires forgiveness.
Remember that God will give you the grace to forgive as you walk in faith with him.
Don’t Look Back
“Anyone who…looks behind him is useless for the kingdom of God.” Lk 9:62 PHPS
Jesus sought out people prepared to do more than just believe in Him—He wanted people willing to follow Him. His early ministry was marked by people like Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathaniel (See Jn 1:35-52): people willing to leave where they were and what they owned in order to follow Him. Jesus called people to a life of radical commitment. When He “called the crowd to Him…He said, ‘If people want to follow me, they must give up the things they want. They must be willing even to give up their lives’” (Mk 8:34 NCV). No half-measures, but a willingness to follow Him full-time. Trusting in Jesus will get you into heaven, but nothing less than following Him daily will make you useful in His kingdom on earth. Three different men told Jesus, “I’ll follow you, Lord” (Lk 9:61 GWT), but they weren’t willing to give up the priorities of their old lives (See v. 62). And Jesus responded with this powerful metaphor: “Anyone who puts his hand to the plough and…looks behind him is useless for the kingdom of God.” Following Jesus means whatever is back there, stays back there—old hang-ups, attachments, and lifestyles. You can’t plow the straight furrow of discipleship looking back at the past. Don’t let the gravitational pull of past failure, guilt, fear, shame, betrayal, loss, abuse, rejection, resentment, and unforgiveness ruin your future. Cut the cord; join those willing to “follow the Lamb wherever He goes” (Rev 14:4 NKJV).
Increase Your Pastor’s Effectiveness (4)
“Make disciples of all nations.” Mt 28:19 NIV
Don’t tie your pastor’s hands when it comes to a budget. A church’s budget reveals its heart, and it should also reflect God’s values and priorities. Jesus said, “Make disciples of all nations…teaching them to obey everything I…commanded you” (vv. 19-20 NIV). Our responsibility is twofold: to evangelize sinners and to equip saints. Many churches tie the pastors’ hands by penny-pinching, preventing the church from fulfilling the great commission. It’s commendable to be wise about spending money, but fear-driven churches stockpile savings and investments for a rainy day. This not only hinders effective ministry, it discourages giving. When people know there’s lots of money squirreled away in a bank account, they’re apt to say, “Why should I give from my limited resources?” Mission-focused churches aren’t afraid to spend money on ministry, and as a result God moves people’s hearts to give generously. Remember the three stewards in Matthew 25 who were charged with administering their master’s money? Two put the money to work and earned his approval by doubling their investment. The third risk-averse steward held on to the money, returning just the original amount. Consequently the master said, “Take the thousand (from him) and give it to the one who risked the most…get rid of this ‘play-it-safe’ [steward] who won’t go out on a limb” (vv. 28-30 TM). The church’s job isn’t to amass funds—it’s to “go out on a limb of faith” by enabling God’s servants to do His work unhindered, and trust God for the “rainy days.”
Increase Your Pastor’s Effectiveness (2)
“Preach the Word…correct, rebuke and encourage.” 2Ti 4:2 NIV
Let’s consider some other ways you can help your pastor be more effective: (1) Understand that it’s your pastor’s responsibility to enlighten you, not entertain you. Writing to Timothy, Paul says, “Preach the Word…correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” Encouragement we enjoy; correction and rebuke we must learn to accept. “The Lord disciplines those he loves” (Heb 12:6 NIV). Your pastor is God’s instrument for your spiritual growth, not for your entertainment. When you don’t like the sermon, maybe it’s “scratching where the real itch is.” Don’t resent the messenger; instead review the message in light of God’s Word. Emulate the Berean Christians who “received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true” (Ac 17:11 NIV). (2) Talk to—not about—your pastor. If you’ve an issue, you’ve a scriptural obligation to talk first to the Lord, then personally to your pastor—and always with love and grace (See Mt 18:15; Eph 4:15). Remember, pastors are cut from the same bolt of cloth as you. They forget things, have “off days,” make mistakes, and are occasionally insensitive. And a good pastor will receive the truth when it’s spoken in love. They’ll consider your concerns, admit when they’re wrong, and seek to grow by it. On the other hand, talking about your pastor creates strife in the church. Like yeast, it “leavens the whole lump of dough” (1Co 5:6 NAS). Bottom line: “Don’t touch [God’s] chosen [ones]” (1Ch 16:22 CEV) by talking about them behind their back, and don’t give credence to those who do.
Put On The Garment Of Praise
“The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” Isa 61:3 NKJV
Praise works like a magnifying glass. It causes what you’re focusing on to get bigger, to be “magnified.” David said, “Magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Ps 34:3-4 NKJV). It’s a mistake to wait until you’ve no problems, fewer problems, or your problems are solved before you praise the Lord. Praise is one of the great scriptural keys to problem-solving because it gets your focus on God, the problem solver. Charles Spurgeon said: “My happiest moments are when I am worshipping God, really adoring the Lord Jesus Christ…In that worship I forget the cares of the church and everything else. To me it is the nearest approach to what it will be in heaven.” God has promised you “the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” It works like this. When you begin to praise Him with a heavy heart, you experience a new sense of hope and joy. Through worship you are reminded that God is bigger than the situation you face; that He’s not only capable of managing your concerns but willing, wanting, and waiting to. The Psalmist wrote: “Seven times a day I praise You” (Ps 119:164 NKJV). Fill your day with praise. Don’t just take coffee breaks and tea breaks, take “praise breaks.” Begin to praise God for two things: (1) His attributes. His power, love, grace, favor, guidance, etc. (2) His acts. Recall His goodness to you. Go ahead; take off the spirit of heaviness and put on the garment of praise today.
Bibleverses
Meeting point to talk about:
✳️ Bible
✳️ Discipleship
✳️ Friendship
✳️ And all about christian faith in the Lord Jesus
❌ off-topic conversation NOT allowed
📢 @bibleverses
/channel/bibleword
Transformed By Beholding
“We all…beholding…the Lord, are being transformed into the same image…by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2Co 3:18 NKJV
Many Christians think God is just waiting to pounce on them for their failures, and their wrong believing produces wrong living. When you view God that way you can’t help but live in constant fear, insecurity, and anxiety over your sins and struggles. Today make a decision to turn your eyes away from yourself and place them on Jesus, for He has already made you righteous with His blood (See 2Co 5:21). The more you behold Jesus, the more you will be transformed into His likeness. “We all…beholding…the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory [by degrees (AMP)]…by the Spirit of the Lord.” Keeping your eyes on Jesus leads to the greatest expression of holiness. Many of us think we have to do more in order to be more holy and accepted by God. As you focus on Jesus and see His love, His forgiveness, His abundant grace, and His gift of righteousness purchased for you with His own blood, your approach to Christian living changes and you are transformed—from the inside out. Holiness comes by focusing on Jesus, not yourself. This is not outward behavior modification, it’s inward change sustained by a heart that’s been touched by grace and an emancipated conscience that’s freed from guilt and condemnation. As a result you begin to walk in victory instead of defeat. And this is the life that God wants you to experience today.
Dealing With Depression (4)
“I’ve been working my heart out for…God.” 1Ki 19:10 TM
After Elijah fled to the desert and hid in a cave, God asked him, “What are you doing here?” (v. 9 TM). Whereupon Elijah replied, “I’ve been working my heart out…because the people of Israel have abandoned your covenant, destroyed your places of worship, and murdered your prophets. I’m the only one left, and now they’re trying to kill me” (v. 14 TM). Another thing that causes depression is assuming false blame. When we take on a responsibility God never gave us, it’s too heavy a burden to bear. If you’re in the habit of helping people, you soon realize they don’t always respond in the way you’d like. And that’s the case whether it’s your children, your friends, your spouse, or the people you work with. People react in many different ways, and you can’t assume personal responsibility for their responses. God has given each of us a free will, and when you accept responsibility for other people’s decisions you take on a burden that will only depress you. At best, you can influence people but you can’t control them. The final decision is theirs, so don’t let yourself get down over something that you can’t control. When you know you’ve done what God told you to do, trust Him to do what you can’t do. Any time you try to convict, convince, convert, control, or change another person, you’re setting yourself up for misery. The Bible says, “It is God who works in you [and others] to will and to act according to his good purpose “(Php 2:13 NIV). So when you’ve done your part, back off and let God do His.
Dealing With Depression (2)
“He…collapsed…wanting…to be done with it all.” 1Ki 19:4 TM
The Bible says: “When Elijah saw how things were, he ran for dear life to Beersheba…He left his young servant there and…went on into the desert another day’s journey. He came to a lone broom bush and collapsed in its shade, wanting in the worst way to be done with it all—just to die” (vv. 3-4 TM). What was Elijah’s mistake? The same one we sometimes make when we’re depressed: We focus on our feelings rather than on the facts of the situation. It happens when we get down. Elijah felt like a failure because of one incident that intimidated him. He thought to himself, “I’m such a coward—why am I running?” And because he felt like a failure he assumed he was a failure. Feelings often lie; and when we focus on how we feel instead of focusing on reality we get into trouble. For instance, when we make a mistake in one area, we tend to feel like we’re failures at all of life in general. That’s a misconception. Everyone is entitled to make mistakes, and you can fail in some areas without being a failure as a person. Mental health experts encourage us to vent our feelings and get them out. But that’s not the complete answer, because feelings are notoriously unreliable. God doesn’t tell us to get in touch with our feelings, but to get in touch with the truth of His Word because ultimately that’s what sets us free (See Jn 8:32). To overcome depression you must study God’s Word and practice bringing your feelings into alignment with what it says.
Dealing With Depression (1)
“Elijah was a man just like us.” Jas 5:17 NIV
Elijah, who’d been fearless for three years, became frightened when Jezebel threatened his life. So he ran to the desert, where he became depressed and announced, “I have had enough, Lord…Take my life” (1Ki 19:4 NIV). Elijah became a prime candidate for depression when he got physically tired, emotionally drained, and felt threatened. He was a basket case of emotional problems: fear, resentment, guilt, anger, loneliness, and worry. And the Bible says, “Elijah was a man just like us.” He wrestled with the same problems we do. He got so depressed that he wanted to die! Why do we get ourselves into such emotional messes? Sometimes it’s because of what happens to us—bad circumstances that occur in our lives. But more often it’s due to faulty thinking. The truth is our emotions are generated by our thoughts, and when we think in destructive ways we are going to feel depressed. Our emotions spring from how we interpret life, and if you always see things from a negative viewpoint you’re going to get down. To rid yourself of harmful emotions you must learn to change the way you think. That’s why the Bible talks about being “transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Ro 12:2). To overcome depression you must learn to correct your wrong thinking and attitudes about life. In the words of Jesus, when you “know the truth…the truth will set you free” (Jn 8:32 NIV). Looking at things from the right point of view—God’s viewpoint—is the path to overcoming depression.
Don’t Be So Self-Absorbed
“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Php 2:4 NIV
Do you want to maintain other people’s respect? When they share their struggles and successes with you, don’t say, “That’s nothing; let me tell you about my…!” Haman, a Persian government official mentioned in the book of Esther, was self-absorption personified. He “boasted to [his friends and wife] about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored…and…elevated him above the other nobles and officials” (Est 5:11 NIV). Not once do we read of his expressing interest in anyone but himself. Indeed, he was so resentful of the favor the king had shown toward Mordecai, a Jew, that he built a gallows on which to hang him. And how did the story end? The king hanged Haman on the gallows he had built for Mordecai. So unless you want to tie a noose around your own neck, stop talking so much about yourself! Chances are you may not even be aware of this character flaw in your communication. So ask God to point it out when you do it, and give you grace to overcome it. Self-centeredness dies slowly, so start with small steps. Try going for a whole day without making your issues the focus of every conversation. Give everyone you meet your full attention—and watch your friendships multiply and your relationships deepen. The word for you today is: “Look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
The Golden Rule (3)
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” Mt 22:39 NIV
To make the Golden Rule part of your daily life, you must try to do three things for others: (1) Trust them. Without trust there can be no real relationship. Secretary of State Henry L. Stimson said, “The chief lesson I’ve learned in a long life is that the only way to make a man trustworthy is by trusting him; and the surest way to make him untrustworthy is to distrust him and show your distrust.” Is it always easy? No, especially when it’s someone you don’t know very well. Nevertheless, that’s Christ’s Golden Rule. As you strive to invest confidence in others just as you’d like it to be invested in you, remember that the person who trusts others will always lose less than the person who distrusts them. (2) Thank them. Human relations expert Donald Laird said, “Always help people increase their self-esteem…There’s hardly a higher compliment you can pay an individual than helping him to be useful and to find satisfaction in his usefulness.” How do you do that? By letting them know you appreciate their efforts. By making a point of praising them in the presence of those closest to them. As Broadway producer Billy Rose observed: “It’s hard for a fellow to keep a chip on his shoulder if you allow him to take a bow.” (3) Value them. Surveys confirm that 70 percent of workers who leave their jobs do so because they don’t feel valued. That’s an indictment of how poorly some leaders treat employees! There isn’t a person in the world who doesn’t want to be appreciated. Don’t you? So make a habit of practicing the Golden Rule.
The Golden Rule (1)
“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.” Mt 7:12 NLT
Try to slot yourself based on one of these statements: (a) I’m always ethical. (b) I’m mostly ethical. (c) I’m somewhat ethical. (d) I’m seldom ethical. (e) I’m never ethical. Which slot do you fall into? If we’re truthful, most of us would likely put ourselves in slot (b). Why? Because of personal convenience. Think about it. Paying the price for success is inconvenient. Putting others first is inconvenient. Practicing personal discipline is inconvenient. Risking confrontation is inconvenient. Most of us think being ethical is fine—unless we’re on the losing end of somebody else’s ethical lapse. But if you’re serious about establishing an ethical standard to live by, you need look no further than the Golden Rule: “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.” And: (1) It brings peace and self-worth. When all is said and done, you need to be able to live with yourself because “wherever you go you take yourself with you.” If the only way you can win is by cheating, you lose self-respect, fear being exposed, lack confidence in approaching God, and your successes feel hollow. (2) It results in a win-win. Are you the kind of person who thinks that in order for you to win, somebody else must lose? That philosophy doesn’t work. When you treat other people the way you want to be treated, they win; and when they reciprocate, you win. There are no losers. (3) It’s easy to understand. You simply put yourself in the other person’s shoes. That’s it! There are no complicated rules and no loopholes.
Mighty Men and Women of God (2)
‘All these men of war…were of one mind to make David king.’
1 Chronicles 12:38 NKJV
Here’s a second quality found in David’s ‘mighty men’: They understood the situation and had wisdom to deal with it. ‘The sons of Issachar…had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do…’ (v32 NKJV) You are not called to avoid the world or denounce it, but to engage it and say, ‘God has a solution to your problem.’ Jesus promised: ‘I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.’ (Luke 21:15 NIV) When you walk with the Lord you won’t just see what’s happening around you, He will tell you what to do about it. Furthermore, when you are going the wrong way He will redirect you onto the right path… ‘They tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.’ (Acts16:7 NKJV) That night God gave Paul a vision directing him to go to Macedonia and preach. God even gave Paul a warning that the ship he was on was heading into a storm that would result in great loss. Unfortunately, nobody would listen to him (Acts 27:9-11). God not only told Joseph how to prepare for seven years of recession, but how to prosper and come out of it stronger. A lot of us have discovered that if we simply follow the advice of people and don’t consult God, it can cost us dearly. Stop compartmentalising your Christianity or confining it to Sunday mornings at church. The Bible says, ‘…The Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.’ (Proverbs 2:6 NKJV)
Don’t forget to thank God
“When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God.” Dt 8:10 NIV
We decided to reprint this story because its message is timeless. “They huddled inside the storm door—two children in ragged, oversized coats. ‘Any old papers, lady?’ I was busy. I wanted to say no—until I saw their feet. Little sandals sopped with sleet. ‘Come in and I’ll make you some hot cocoa.’ There was no conversation. Their soggy sandals left marks on the hearthstone. I served them cocoa with toast and jam to fortify them against the chill outside. Then I went back to the kitchen to work on my household budget. The silence in the front room struck through me. I looked in. The little girl held the empty cup in her hands and looked at it. The boy asked, ‘Lady, are you rich?’ I looked at my shabby slipcovers. ‘Am I rich? Mercy, no!’ The girl put the cup in its saucer—carefully. ‘Your cups match your saucers.’ Her voice was old with a hunger not of the stomach. They then left, holding their bundles of paper against the wind. They hadn’t said thank you. They didn’t need to—they’d done more than that. Much more. Plain blue pottery cups and saucers, but they matched. Potatoes in brown gravy; a roof over our heads; my man with a good steady job—these things matched, too. I moved the chairs back from the fire and tidied the living room. The muddy prints of small sandals were still wet on my hearth. I let them be. I want them there in case I ever forget how rich I am!” The word for you today is: Don’t forget to thank God.