Depression: January 20, 2017

TODAY’S WORD FOR FRIDAY JANUARY 20, 2017.

DEPRESSION

DEFINITION:

Sadness; gloom; an unwarranted and prolonged condition of emotional dejection; a low state of functional activity.

SCRIPTURE:

Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.
Proverbs 12:25.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Just hearing the word depression probably brings to mind some time or times of depression that you have gone through. It may perhaps surprise you to know that great men of God have struggled with depression. One of them that we read about in the scriptures was so depressed that he prayed that he would die. Can you guess who that was?

This man was totally committed to God. He lived during the reign of Israel’s most wicked King and Queen, Ahab and Jezebel. Under their rule, they led many of the Israelites to forsake God and to worship Baal. God chose this man to confront the King and Queen concerning their terrible sin and tell them that the judgment of God on them would be a terrible drought in Israel. Perhaps you have guessed that the man was Elijah, God’s great prophet.

There was great famine in the land and Ahab blamed God’s prophet Elijah for the lack of rain. It was in this setting that Jezebel, who was very wicked and anti-God was committed to kill Elijah. She sent a messenger to Elijah telling him that by the same time the next day his life would be over.

Elijah ran away because he had great fear and was in deep depression. Elijah tried to run away from his emotions but running away left him outside of the will of God. He reacted to his feelings and concern and seemingly lost his focus on God who had been with him in the victories in the past.

Being depressed in life always seems to bring isolation. This is what happened to Elijah. He took what the scripture tells us was a day’s journey into the wilderness. He felt alone, rejected and abandoned. He felt life wasn’t worth living. He was at such a low point in his life that he prayed, “I have had enough, Lord. Take my life” (I Kings 19:4). Per our definition above, depression brings about a low state of functional activity.

We need to remember that Elijah was a man of God and a prophet. Through these hours and days of depression God never left Elijah but Elijah seemed to think that He had. He had lost all desire to carry on. It was at Elijah’s lowest point that God appeared on the scene. He sent an angel to where Elijah was sleeping in the wilderness who told Elijah to get up and get going. This is how God works.

God still had work for Elijah to do. God saw that Elijah was down and out and didn’t have the strength to carry on. In times of need God provides just what we need. The angel brought Elijah food and water for two days to strengthen him for his journey.

In life today we as believers are going to have moments when we feel that everything is going wrong and we cannot carry on. We will have to make a choice. Elijah chose to run but that was not the will of God. We can’t run away from ourselves. Our choice must be to run to God and let Him strengthen us and put us back into action. The verse we have put above reminds us that when anxiety drives us into depression, we need to turn to God for the Word of God can make the heart glad.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Galatians 6:7-8.

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

PRAYER:

It is my prayer today that when I feel depressed and alone that I will remember You are always with me. When the events of my life seem to be faltering help me not to run away from You but instead run quickly to You, casting all my cares upon You.

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Deeds: January 19, 2017

TODAY’S WORD FOR THURSDAY JANUARY 19, 2017.

DEEDS

DEFINITION:

A thing done; an act.

SCRIPTURE:

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Accepting Christ as our Savior will bring about a change in our behavior and in our attitude if we sincerely believe in Him. It is not enough to just say we believe. Our conduct needs to back up our words. As believers we become a new creation in Christ and it should be evident by our deeds.

Luke wrote in Acts 26:20 that Paul preached that we are to repent and turn to God and prove our repentance by our deeds. Genuine repentance will result in a changed lifestyle.

The apostle Paul speaks about what the heart of the believer must be like. He begins in verses 15-16 of Colossians 3 by saying that the believers are to allow their heart to be ruled by the peace of God and to be filled with the Words of Christ.

God’s peace is God’s gift to us but we must choose to let it rule our heart. What rules our heart will direct our actions and the deeds we do.

With this in mind Paul goes on in verse 17 to tell us that as believers we are Christ’s representatives and every aspect of our life reflects on the name of Christ. He is telling us that our words and deeds need to exemplify Christ at all times.

We as believers have a choice. We speak and act for ourselves and no one speaks or acts for us. Whether we speak and act for Christ therefore is our choice. The command is made clear in the verse we have written above, and that is that we are to, in our words and deeds, do all in the name of Christ.

Jesus said, “If you love Me you will keep My commandments” John 14:15. Our love for Jesus is shown clearly by our obedience to His commandments.

Paul tells us that we are to act and speak in the name of Jesus. What does he mean? The name of Jesus is the only name that God accepts in His presence. Therefore, we are to live with the sole purpose of bringing honor and glory to the name of Jesus.

To be what Christ wants us to be we must put all of our trust in the name of Christ and our total dependence on Him. We need to claim the name of Christ in all that we say and do. This includes all of our deeds. We must remember that the non-believers are watching and that we must represent Christ in everything we say and do.

Simply said, we must do nothing as believers in Jesus to dishonor Christ. When we speak, our words should be consistent with what Jesus taught and honor Him as our Lord and Savior. When we act, Christ should be upheld and glorified by our behavior and serve as an example of Jesus’ love and forgiveness.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Galatians 6:7-8.

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

PRAYER:

Give me wisdom to honor and bless Your name through my words and actions. Help me to be saturated by Your Word that I may always have a clear understanding of what is right and what is wrong.

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Bitterness: January 18, 2017

TODAY’S WORD FOR WEDNESDAY JANUARY 18, 2017.

BITTERNESS

DEFINITION:

Anger; disappointment at being treated unfairly; resentment.

SCRIPTURE:

For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity. Acts 8:23.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Bitterness is one of the most destructive of human emotions. Bitterness stems from the greedy desire for something that we feel has been unfairly denied to us. Bitterness results in anger and resentment that can lead us to do sinful things and can lead to our downfall. There are many situations in life today that cause bitterness. They include broken relationships, being treated unfairly, economic concerns, losing a job or a home, family disagreements, jealousy of others, coveting what someone else has, etc.

Bitterness sneaks into a person’s life when worldly desires become a priority in life and a right relationship with the Lord is not happening. Many times, unfortunate situations come our way as believers in Jesus and our minds move from the Lord to the situation. For others (non-believers) bitterness is part of a person’s life because they never have had a relationship with God. They seem to be bitter about something all the time because they live for their own self-serving purposes. Bitterness results when they are denied what they desire and see others obtain it. How many times have we ourselves said or heard others complain “It just isn’t fair.” That’s bitterness for you.

In the eighth chapter of Acts (verses 5-25), we read about Philip, a disciple of Jesus, who became an evangelist in Samaria. Philip, like many of the followers of Jesus had left Jerusalem to escape persecution. He continued, wherever he went, to preach the gospel message. Philip was preaching to people that were listening to false prophets who were teaching a false religion and urging false confessions.

Among them was a man named Simon, who used sorcery and bewitched the people of Samaria by claiming that he was the great power of God. The people followed him because he amazed them with his magic. The scripture tells us that when Simon heard Philip preach and saw him perform great genuine miracles that he repented and believed in Jesus and was baptized.

Peter and John came to Samaria to help Philip and to pray for him in this revival. When Peter and John laid hands on the believers they received the Holy Spirit. Simon wanted to buy this ability and he offered them money so he could perform the same miracles.

It was Peter who saw that Simon’s heart was not right in the sight of God. He told Simon that he needed to repent and ask God to forgive him of his wickedness. Peter told Simon that he saw that he “was full of bitterness and a captive of sin.”  Simon was still tied up in the bond of iniquity even though he professed to be a believer. Like Simon, many people today claim to be saved but still cannot get free of their sinful ways.

The point is made very clear in this incident with Simon. Simon’s life was filled with hypocrisy, trying to fool people that he was something that he was not. He wanted to be known as the great man of God but for his own selfish purpose.

As so often happens, Simon became bitter because he was denied what he thought he should have. In Ephesians 4:30-31 we are told to get rid of all bitterness and anger because it grieves the Holy Spirit.

Where do you stand in your life? Are you bitter because of circumstances in your life that are causing you to be angry and resentful? If you are, it is sin in God’s sight and now is the time to ask for forgiveness as Peter told Simon to do. God is willing and waiting to forgive you. You are the one that needs to take that step and the Lord will change your bitterness to joy.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Galatians 6:7-8.

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

PRAYER:

Help me to get rid of any bitterness in my life. When I feel bitter, help me to realize that bitterness serves as a divide between You and me. Help me and my family be an example to others, never showing bitterness but always showing the love of God through our words and deeds.

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Success: January 17, 2017

TODAY’S WORD FOR TUESDAY JANUARY 17, 2017.

SUCCESS

DEFINITION:

A person or thing that prospers; the favorable accomplishment of what was attempted to achieve a favorable outcome.

SCRIPTURE:

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night so that you may observe everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Our memory goes back 59 years ago today. We were in Korea having just established 143 orphanages and hired and trained about 100 translators that could speak and write both English and Korean for the organization World Vision.

Ken’s father was one of the founders of World Vision and we were thrilled with the opportunity given us to go to Korea, seven months prior, actually on our honeymoon to establish these orphanages for children living on the streets because of the just completed Korean war.

To make a long story short, we received a phone call that Ken’s father had died of a heart attack at age 46. Quickly the satisfaction that comes from the successful accomplishment of a goal was relegated to the past. God had other plans for us. We came back home the next day and after the funeral began a new life according to what God had for us in His plans.

In the verse above God has given us the key as to how we as believers can have success in our lives. First, it refers to the Book of the Law. This is God’s Word and we must read it and study it daily so that we may know it. But it is not enough just to know His Word. We must observe it and apply it to our life so that what we say and what we do is based on the words and lessons we have learned from God’s Word. We need to notice that Joshua writes that we need to meditate on God’s Word day and night. God’s Word should always be on our mind.

The end result of following God’s instruction is that “then you will have good success.” You will not have just “success” but “good success.” It is only through our obedience to God’s Word that we will have success as God defines success for our lives. We both learned this from our parents and now we were watching God open and close doors for us. We knew God wanted us in a ministry but where did he want us.

Several thoughts come to our mind that have helped us as we made transitions in our lives. As we look back on these 59 years these principles have been very relevant for us. These are key guidelines for believers to achieving success in life as God wants us to have. We might call this TEN WAYS TO HAVE GOOD SUCCESS!

First, we must always take responsibility for our actions.

Second, we must be willing to work for what we want in life. It will not just come to us on a golden platter. God expects us to make good use of our time on earth.

Three, do not waste your time fighting for something you cannot change.

Four, admit it when you are wrong and pay the consequences. A successful person will always admit wrong when they are wrong and God always honors that decision.

Five, do not nurse a grudge and refuse to accept forgiveness or to ask for forgiveness. Holding grudges with people will always hinder you in being successful.

Six, always be generous to those in need. So many people today show no generosity but only think of themselves. God will honor those with success that are generous to those in need.

Seven, let your mouth always be used to give a word of kindness. Always being kind to others always is honored by God and appreciated so much by the one you showed kindness to.

Eight, refuse to wallow in self pity. When you are wronged or something does not go your way look at the bright side and move on with a positive attitude.

Nine, always be willing to listen. You need to put aside your own agenda when you are talking to people and really listen to what they are saying. God will honor you with success when you listen to others and show concern for their need and seek to help them, even if it is only a word of encouragement.

Finally, learn to be a peacemaker. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” God keeps His promises and He will bless you beyond anything you could ever imagine.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Galatians 6:7-8.

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

PRAYER:

Help me to desire only to be successful from Your perspective and not from mine. Instruct me from Your Word, as I study it, so that I may be a successful disciple for You ready and willing to accomplish what You call me to do. Enable me to exemplify You in all that I do.

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Conscience: January 16, 2017

TODAY’S WORD FOR MONDAY JANUARY 16, 2017.

CONSCIENCE

DEFINITION:

The inner sense of right and wrong impelling one toward the right action; the complex of ethical and moral principles that controls or inhibits the actions or thoughts of an individual.

SCRIPTURE:

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse your conscience from acts that lead to death that we may serve the living God? Hebrews 9:14.

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that is in you. But do this with gentleness, respect, meekness and fear; keeping a clear conscience so those who speak against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. I Peter 3:15-16.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Have you ever been concerned if you can trust your conscience? When one faces decisions in life, many times decisions will be made based on whether one feels that it is right or wrong. Our conscience does give us a sense of right or wrong and it is good to listen to our conscience.

Conscience comes from training whereby we learn what is right and what is wrong. When we know the difference between right and wrong then our conscience is able to convict us to do what is right and avoid what is wrong. In order to have a conscience that can be trusted to be a reliable guide it must be continually sharpened and molded through the study of God’s Word. It is God’s standard of right and wrong that matters and not the world’s.

We urge you to consider asking God every morning to cleanse your mind and to guide you in your words and deeds for the day. If you will do this we believe God, through His Holy Spirit, will clearly help you know the difference between right and wrong throughout the day and convict you to do right.

Peter reminds us, in the verse above, that when we speak to others to defend and testify of our faith we must be sure that we can speak with a clear conscience. Non-believers look for every opportunity to point out misconduct in the life of a believer so they can criticize the believer’s faith. That is why every believer must be sure that they are living according to God’s ways and not the sinful ways of the world. Our words will carry no weight with others if the way we live contradicts what we say we believe.

Dr Charles Stanley recently preached a sermon on the role of our conscience and he called it, “You can trust your conscience if.”

We would like to share several of his remarks with you because they are scriptural and excellent for one to follow if one is concerned about knowing they have the Lord’s leading in their life.

The first and foremost requirement that one must meet in order to trust your conscience is that you believe in Jesus and you call Him your Lord and Savior.

Secondly, the Word of God must be the basis of all of your conduct in life. This can only be a reality if you spend time daily not only reading the Bible but applying it to your life.

You can trust your conscience when you daily have made it your strong desire and priority to obey God. As you read God’s Word you will hear God talking to you and He will use your conscience to guide you in obeying God and will warn you when you are not. You need to prayerfully consider all of the decisions you make. Before you act or respond to difficult situations you need to pray.

When your conscience sounds an alarm you need to react immediately. It should not be ignored. You must listen to and react to what you know is right or wrong. When you feel guilty about a decision it is important to reverse your direction fast and get back on track. Your conscience is a warning system and you know it has reacted if you feel guilty.

The final point that Dr. Stanley made is that God uses your conscience to compel you to repent for your disobedience. It is the work of your conscience that leads you to repent. It is up to you to do what is right in the first place. If you do wrong it is up to you to repent.

Study these thoughts and make them part of your life and you will be able to trust your conscience. When you put your faith and trust in the Lord and communicate daily with him, you will be able to walk with the confidence that He will use through your conscience to keep you on the path of righteousness.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Galatians 6:7-8.

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

PRAYER:

Through studying Your Word teach me today how to distinguish between right and wrong in my daily life. Help me to be faithful to communicate with You so that You can speak to me through my conscience so I will know Your will in every decision I make.

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