Depression

Although people tend to think of depression as a mental, emotional, or spiritual issue, it is also a physical issue. It may not have a physical cause but it does affect the body. Many people who are depressed report physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches , and bowel irritations. The body also typically feels sluggish, lethargic and achy. An effective tool to help the body as well as provide mental and emotional recharge is physical exercise. Clearly physical workouts affect us emotionally. God designed us as whole beings. When your mind and heart are aching your body is affected as well. It is common for a depressed individual to feel an abundance of guilt and or shame. Guilt can be a helpful alarm system that signals when we have sinned against God and others. However if the guilt is true and appropriate, then it can be dealt with in a healthy way by confession and repentance and then moving on. Depressed individuals tend to hang on to guilt and more often than not make it about themselves rather than their behaviors, resulting in shame. If the guilt is false guilt as is often the case in depression, or if shame exists, then the individual needs to understand the grace and mercy of God. Depression triggers are different for everyone. Some of these include: work stress , burnout, family/relational conflict, poor eating/ binging habits, sleeping habits, alcohol and drug abuse, chronic medical conditions, post partum, feeling overwhelmed, and unresolved grief. Those who are depressed become overwhelmed easily and may need assistance with setting reasonable and realistic goals. Identifying time wasters and making lists to prioritize can greatly assist in small yet forward moving steps. Finally a depressed individual will find amazing relief in Gods word and prayer time. It is a relationship with the source of all peace, joy and faith that can bring the best out of us. Bring comfort to the hurting, forgiveness to the guilty and love to the forgotten. In Jesus anybody can find the cure for life's toughest problems. We must not walk away in difficult times, rather we must seek Him ever more with a desperate cry and He will heal us and comfort our souls.

Thou shalt not commit Adultery

Friend, can we do a heart check here? Are you dabbling in an emotional or physical affair with another man? Do you find yourself in a pit of sinful attraction? There's nothing worse than being blind to sin. Emotions and attachment have been paving the way for your destruction and you don't even know it. Maybe you're in denial, or you try to minimize it to a simple friendship . The reality is when it comes to consequences, pain, misery and guilt there will be no minimizing, no turning back. Look to Gods word for warning signs. The Lord does say to you : My daughter give me your heart! Let me ask you this, is your heart entirely Gods? Or are you giving it away to another person? To an addictive relationship? If you're ready to be honest about your sinful attraction here's some signs that might describe you.

You find yourself thinking of this person often, looking for ways to somehow run into him, or openly seeking moments to meet for lunch, making up excuses to text with him, or even dressing up every time his gonna be around. You're feeding the monster that will destroy your honor, your purity and maybe even your marriage.

If you look forward to his emails, talk on the phone or send IM's to each other, if you hide this friendship from your husband ... RUN. Delete all accounts, change numbers/email addresses, and repent. Get accountability from a friend. Confess to someone as soon as you can. Repent before The Lord, and look for God in prayer and scripture . Memorize bible verses that deal with adultery, self control, and purity. Avoid triggers such as keeping gifts, pictures, or cards. Avoid places, songs and contact in all ways possible. This will be much easier if you replace the old relationship with a good strong relationship with The Lord. Begin with prayer every morning, confess and ask for victory. Read your bible when you're feeling tempted to return. Cry out to The Lord. Get involved in women's ministries . Healing will take time but it is very possible with Gods help. Stay connected with your husband and begin to invest time and effort in your marriage. 

We're not saying men don't do this either, but today we're looking at our own actions and going to take the necessary steps to be in line with God's Word and live in His glorious freedom. Deal?

"For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." ~Titus 2:11-14

A calling for change

I'm not about to write a post asking the readers to give it a like if you love Jesus, I'm not gonna put a beautiful quote that reminds you how good you are and how good you can become, I'm not gonna say everything will be okay because it won't. There's a desperate calling of the Almighty God to this nation, to its people and to You! It's a calling to repentance! That means you realize you're making everyday choices that go against what Jesus left in his word. We are loving the world and becoming more like it everyday. We love the very things God hates, we pursue pointless passions and forget the laws of God!! How can we say we love Him? God doesn't want a "like" He wants your entire life, but when reality hits, most will turn away. Some people will never change and others will when it's too late. Wake up nation! Wake up !!

Battling same sex attraction

Fist of all let me share with you the fact and truth that you're not alone in this struggle. Even when your desires and or actions can be secret to many, they're never hidden from the Lord. Let me continue by assuring you with the bible truth that Jesus Christ loves you fully and unconditionally. Your sin is no worse nor different than mine or those of others. Though you might not see how right now but the truth is you have a great blessing in being different. What I mean is you can see God at a perspective that many will never understand. Having said that we must understand that love does not justify sin under any circumstance. Just as any other sinful inclination , desire or passion we must submit it under Gods laws.  My desire should never over power that of Gods commandments. Unfortunately we are sinners and sold to sin. It will be a battle thru our lives and thru the years here in earth, but if God is your anchor, your rock and your foundation, if you have given Him your heart, he will equip you and strengthen you. Don't beat yourself up, don't let anyone's judgement affect you. Know in Jesus there is no condemnation  but forgiveness not so we will dwell on sin, but rather so we may humbly acknowledge Him as holy, pure and sinless. So we may humbly seek Him and humble ourselves before Him. Stop fighting, stop hating yourself. You're of much value to God. In Jesus you can find victory, purity and forgiveness . The pleasure this world offers, the emotions that you can fulfill will never compare with the true joy and peace that come when you give your burdens to Jesus, when you deny yourself and begin to follow Him. Many are the afflictions but God will be with you thru every single one. I encourage you to seek God in prayer and in His word. Look for a friend who can mentor you. Know that there's always a new beginning for those who have faith. Giving in to our sins will always bring misery, destruction and pain. Jesus loves you!! No matter what!! He loved me, a sinner saved by grace. He can give you a different life today!

On Death

I'm writing this paragraph as I sit by my fathers bed in a hospital. He has been very ill for almost two years. A few days ago he had a feeding tube placed on his stomach. This illness has been killing him slowly. Even thru the pain and discomfort there has been moments when a glimpse of his old self comes back, thru a smile, a movement, or a laughter even. As I reflect on the life we have here and the fragility of our bodies and our very existence. I cannot fully grasp the meaning of life, the reality of death and the fact that nothing lasts forever. So many of us are wasting away in pleasures and accomplishments that have no eternal value. One day each of us will face a death bed, a burial , a grave yard. No riches, no beauty or talent will matter there. Life will end and death will knock at your very door. A day of judgement will come for all of us. When will we realize nothing will matter then?

What will you say to the One who formed you and gave you life and every ability to enjoy it? What will you say to the One who gave his life to pay for your every sin and error? The God who can count every strand of hair , every leaf that falls on every winter. He who knows your every thought and every word before you speak it? What will you offer to repay? Will you repent then? Will you cry tears for forgiveness then? Will you believe then? Will your pretense buy you grace ? Will your empty words mean anything? But what about those wasted years? The indifference and hardened heart? An account will be required, a price will be demanded. A price that was payed long ago in a wooden cross. Filled with blood, the Son of God was torn to pieces for your sake. Jesus Christ calls you today! For in the grave there is no hope, for in death there is no will. The same spirit that moved creation, the same voice that cried out in the desert speaks to your heart today! Repent! Repent! Turn away from your sins, believe in Jesus! Turn from your wicked ways and receive the blood that cleanses. Drink the water of life and you shall never be thirsty again. The clock is ticking , the days are fading, don't over look it and don't forget it. Your life will be over. The chance is now! The day today! Doubt no more and don't waste more time. I plead with you and even now Repent! Receive His grace! Call out to Him!