Month: August 2014

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Demon of depression and suicide

There’s a story of a man whose son had been plagued by a demon since birth. It would convulse him into seizures and the child was often hurt in the process. He would burn himself and try to drown himself.

The young man seems to have a self-destructive nature. No doubt he is demon possessed because the Bible says so. However the demon perhaps has an affect of depression and suicide on its host.

However, there are many that have the same depression and self-destructive nature. Demons are not blamed nor diagnosed. Meds are prescribed and perhaps psychiatric care.

I don’t downplay doctors and medicines – but doctors often downplay the spiritual.

The disciples had tried to help but could not. In desperation the dad turned to Jesus.
Jesus in turn frees the man from this demon.

There are a few great quotes and lessons that come from this story in Mark 9:17-29

Jesus –

“If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Mark 9:23

The dad –

“Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9:24

The disciples –

“Why could we not cast it out?” Mark 9:28

Jesus –

“This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.” Mark 9:29

The message to me is clear. If you struggle with these things you can be delivered from it. Believing, prayer, and fasting are all keys to breaking the chains of depression and suicide.

Abba Father, help my unbelief too! In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Depressed – Look Up!

The death of Robin Williams caught me by surprise. I found him a multi-talented comedian. He was lightning quick on delivery, while changing voices or subjects in a wink! Robin was made for improv!

Little did I know that such a talented man that could make so many others laugh had trouble laughing himself as he suffered with depression.

Prov 12:25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression,

One of my first thoughts upon hearing about his death was his soul – did he know Jesus as Savior. It’s a question I can judge but not one I can answer.

Last night one of the ladies at church told me that while he was receiving an award, he pointed up and thanked his Father!

My response was maybe he was thanking his dad.

Uncertainty about the future can cause anxiety; and anxiety can cause depression.

Prov 12:25 But a good word makes it[the heart] glad.

I am not uncertain about my future. I have a good word from God’s word and I have given my life to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Col 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

That’s not to say that a Christian cannot be depressed. When you take your eyes off of Him and begin looking at the world around you, it can happen.

Keep looking up to Christ!

Abba, I pray for those suffering from depression. Please help me recognize them and share with them the only real Hope – Jesus! YES&AMEN

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Jumping to Conclussions

Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was? John 7:41-42

Those that wanted to deny Jesus as Messiah did it based on the scripture – the lineage and birthplace.

What they failed to do was to get all the facts about Jesus Himself. They supposed He was born and raised in Galilee, not knowing of His birth in Bethlehem so many years ago.

They judged Him by what they knew, not by the facts!

Jumping to conclusions seldom leads to happy landings.

Throughout the day I can hear a bit of conversation here and another bit there. I will always come to some conclusion based on what I hear.

Or I see someone act a certain way. Perhaps they are stumbling around while walking. I may think they are inebriated when they may actually be having a reaction to cold medicine.
Often my conclusions are wrong.

There are a lot of people today that have come to a conclusion about Jesus based on partial information – a little bit of a sermon here or a part of a Bible verse there.
But when you read the entire Bible you will get the entire picture.

It will change your life. The more you read – the more you will change.

Abba, I want to know more about You. I want to know all about You. I want Your word to continue to change me and those around me. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Cut the little things.

Sin is certainly something that should be cut from your life. Sin will not allow a relationship with God to flourish.

I know many people that won’t give up the vices in their lives despite the fact they say they have been born-again and know Jesus as Savior.
They decide that the things they are doing aren’t really severe enough to be called sin.

But reconsider the covenant God made with Abraham. The procedure of circumcision is really as small matter. It seems insignificant. It’s not like God demanded something totally useful like a thumb or an ear.

There are times the little things interfere more with getting closer to God.

What makes the little things so tough to conquer is the attitude that because they are little, they really don’t matter. It’s the unwillingness to let go of the little things.
I believe that is why God said…

Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer. Deut 10:16

It was Stephen that said,

“You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.” Acts 7:51

Do not resist when the Holy Spirit tells you to cut away some small part of your life. End the stiff-necked rebellious nature that keeps you from growing closer to God.

Abba, circumcise my heart and remove those small things from my life – things I don’t need and that keep me from You. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Cutting it Away

When God makes a covenant you don’t have any choice in the terms.

God has chosen Jesus as the way back to Him. It is through the blood of Jesus that you have the forgiveness of sin. You have no choice. It is His chosen way!

I believe there are things God would have you cut out of your life as a result of the covenant. These things you can live without. They are not necessary for your relationship with the Savior; and could be detrimental.

The main thing that needs to be cut from your life is sin!

Abraham was presented with the terms of a covenant with God.

Gen 17:10 This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised;

If given the choice, I’m sure Abraham would not have chosen that particular procedure. He may have chosen to give up red meat or wine.
But what God demanded be cut away was useless to the life of Abraham – something not really needed and something he could live without, yet painful to remove.

I’m sure there are things in your life that would be painful for you to get rid of; but you can live without.

Abba, help me cut out of my life those things I don’t need to make room for more of You. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Praise The Lord

I don’t normally watch a lot of church services on TV but somehow I ended watching the Praise & Worship of one of those televised services.

The music was great – don’t get me wrong. And I don’t mean any offense by what I say but I thought it was over produced.

The lights flashed on and off in a strobe effect while colored lights alternated bright and dim. The singers backed up and did some little choreographed dance move.

While I watched I could see genuine worship in the audience and the team itself. And perhaps the person with their finger on switch that was flipping the lights on and off was also praising the Lord in this way.

While it was entertaining, the thought came to me “does God want to be entertained or praised?”

The answer is always in His word.

Ps 150
Praise the Lord!

Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament!

Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!

Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals!

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!

Yes indeed, the Lord should be praised in all things.

However I have discovered you cannot choreograph praise.

It is spontaneous. It is not planned out. It is not timed. It is eruptive. It comes from inside your heart and soul to touch the face of God. It spreads. It’s contagious. It takes different forms.

Raised hands will praise the Lord as well as silent weeping. Standing will praise the Lord as well as falling face down at the altar. You can praise Him while sitting or prostrate on the ground.

You can praise Him in the best suit or dress and praise Him in torn jeans.

There are times when I’m on the praise team and spontaneous worship begins to happen. While we practice our songs – we never practice praise or worship. It just happens.

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Your name

A name says a lot about a person. There are names that you hear and associate with different things.

For instance, if you hear Wright Brothers you may think about flying.
John Adams may bring a thought of statesman or president.
Billy Graham is associated with preaching or evangelism.
You may not know anything else about any of these people other than those simple things.

There other names about people you know personally and you may think drug user, drunk, creep, teacher, good person, athlete, grandmother, or any number of things.
The fact is you will associate some characteristic with a name.

And your name is associated with a characteristic by others.

Gen 17:5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham;

Abram had his name changed by God to Abraham. Abram is lost in meaning and Abraham becomes the new association. Abraham is the father of Isaac. Abraham is the one that pleaded for Sodom and Gommorah. Abraham is the Patriarch of Israel.

What does your name say to others? Do they think bad or good? Do others think of Christ at the mention of your name or do they think about sinfulness?

By the way, Abram is never mentioned in the Bible again. He is known by the name of change – Abraham!

Abba, I want my name to be a reflection of You! In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Better Friends

1 Cor 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”

For years I have said, “You have to get some new friends” to certain individuals. The problem is while they are striving to better themselves, they have friends that continually drag them down.

There are those people that have toxic personalities and unknowingly want to fulfill the old saying ‘misery loves company’.

Evil company deceives!
“Oh, come on! No one will know”
“Just one drink won’t hurt!”
“You’ll get home in plenty of time!”

Such things said are as deceptions.

If such company wants you to hide what you’re going to be doing or they have to assure you that it’s not going to hurt – then stay away from it.

Surround yourself with those that will help you; those that will encourage you to do better and not drag you down.

Separate yourself from poisonous, toxic people that will lead you into sin.

Abba, give me those that will encourage me. And let me be an encouragement to others that are trapped by their friends. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Assembly

Ps 26:5 I have hated the assembly of evildoers,

Just as Christians assemble together in a church – evildoers also assemble together.

All it takes is some commonality between them. It doesn’t matter if it’s a gang or a gathering of terrorists.

Why do people gather at a bar? To drink, to get a buzz, and even to get drunk. Do you find non-drinkers gathered drinking in a bar? Not likely.
Do you find a non-gang member gathering with the gang or a non-terrorist grouped with the terrorists? Not likely!

Like minded people gather together.

The like-minded men of Sodom gathered at the house of Lot. Gen 19:4
A gang of at least 42 young men gathered together and made fun of the prophet Elisha. 2 Kings 2:23, 24
Demetrius gathered together his fellow idol-makers. Acts 19:23-34

So who do you gather with?
What type of people are you like minded with?
Are you getting together for something honorable, evil, or just “fun”?
And is your fun honoring God?

Abba, I love gathering with your people, whether it’s in church, at work, or in my home. I abhor the gathering of those that seek to do evil but I know that Jesus died so they may also have forgiveness, salvation, eternal life, and gather together with Your people also. YES&AMEN

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Fruit of the Spirit

Gal 5:22-23 the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Over the weekend we had the Fruit of the Spirit VBS. During the first song I remember someone saying, “That’s what I need; self-control!”
My response was you start with love!

The fruit of the Spirit is a staircase.

What you will need first is love! You cannot have kindness or gentleness without it. You can’t have joy or peace if you have hate.

Love is the key – the first step to the fruit of the Spirit.

Self-control is last on the list. Before you will attain it completely you will have to have things like patience, faithfulness, and gentleness. Self-control is not possible without them.

The great thing is the fruit of the Spirit is not dependent on others. You can have it without any help and despite any opposition. It’s all about your personal relationship and availability to the Holy Spirit.

John 15:8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

Abba, I want to be an orchard of good fruit for You! In Jesus name, YES&AMEN