The Pilgrims Of Hope & Thanksgiving

Our nation has a rich and costly heritage. From the first foreign footsteps made on the coastal beaches of the Atlantic, to the far-reaching shores of the Pacific, battles have been fought, lives have been lost and freedoms gained. 

Yet, in all of her discord, American continues to struggle with the same issues and balance among her national laws, local community practices, and individual freedom of beliefs as her original founding forefathers. 

I recently visited one of our nation’s oldest settlements in Williamsburg, VA. In doing some reading and researching I found some stark similarities between the colonist of the 1600’s to the current citizens of today’s Americans. For instances, although most colonists considered themselves Christians, it did not mean that they lived in a culture of religious unity. Instead, differing Christian groups often believed that their own practices and faiths provided unique values that needed protection against those who disagreed, driving a need for rules and regulation, so they sought to fight for their religious observances thereby making laws that mandated how they would govern their new colonies. 

Much of the order of things was brought on through much discord and disagreement. Yet even in the midst of such a great diversity, liberty prevailed giving birth to a new nation and America was destined for greatness because of it. Today, thousands upon thousands try both legally and illegally to enter her borders for much of the same reasons that the first pilgrims and Puritans did, long ago. For most of us, we have an enduring hope that while we may differ with each other on many levels, we share in the same hope that we may be able to live amongst each other in peace as we practice our own beliefs, be them political or religious ones. 

While there may be a dark horse that always appears in the horizon wherever freedom dwells, if we ban together, we can defeat it and continue to enjoy the fruit of our father’s labor. By autumn of 1621, the Pilgrims had much for which they were thankful for and found reason to celebrate in spite of their own hardships, differences and struggles. 

The Plymouth Pilgrims were simply celebrating their survival and the hopes they had of good fortune in the years that lay ahead of them. They did not base their hopes and dreams in their past circumstances, but in the future of what they believed they could accomplish together as they shared a common goal of freedom and liberty for all. 

We can expend so much of our energy complaining, blessing no one, left only with the bitter taste of regret and sorrow. Or, like our forefathers, we can continue to work hard and make a difference in our homes, families and the world in which we live. 

The apostle Paul encourages us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, to, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus”. Yes, even in hardships, disagreements and the dark horses that threaten our peace and way of life. It was hope and thanksgiving that kept the Pilgrims determined to persevere and that same hope remains the determining factor and drive for us today. Never give up! Never give up!

Hold Fast,

Bren

I'M TOO YOUNG TO BE THIS OLD

 

I am in my mid-fifties and I am already tired of this aging thing. The older I get, the more I relate to what George Burns once said, “At my age, flowers scare me”. A friend urged me the other day to invest in a stock that would triple its value every year. I told her at my age, I don’t even buy green bananas! My memory is not as sharp as it used to be. Also, my memory’s not as sharp as it used to be! Don’t laugh, I bet you repeat yourself too, if, you are in the process of aging as well! I feel like life is passing me by and my check engine light stays on all the time now. They say that there are two signs of aging. The first is, you forget things…and I can’t remember the second! However, I don’t need anyone to remind me of my age these days because, I have a bladder that does that! I’m just too young to be this old and my body and society is making me feel even worst about it. We live in a world that places a premium on being and staying young. We will have tummy tucks, face lifts until our ears meet each other, fitness trainers and fad diets to prove it. We spare no expenses in our desperation to preserve our youth and avoid aging. Yet in spite of all the effort we make to keep our vigor, the reality is that eventually we all slow down. The older I get the more I believe that we would all do better to feed ourselves on a steady diet of the words and promises of God. For they can do in us what no face lift or fad diet could ever do to enable us not only to survive, but even thrive in spite of the aging of our bodies. Even the Apostle Paul, for example, had lost some of the spring in his step, yet the hope he had in Christ still allowed him to write: "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day" 2 Corinthians 4:16. When our steps get harder to take, we are encouraged not to grow weary or faint in our efforts and give up. Keep on keeping on. "Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will run and not be faint" Isaiah 40:30,31. The aging of our bodies accompanied by the slowing down of our strength and vigor have been a fact of life ever since Adam and Eve brought sin into the world by their rebellion against God. Because of their sin, Adam and Eve's bodies became mortal and the consequence of their sin was passed to every generation after them. Because we are mortal, we are subject to deterioration, disease, and finally death and decay. Since the cause of aging is ultimately found in sin, it is foolish to think that some kind of scientific wonder or medical miracle is going to unlock a secret to perpetual youth for us. There is only one remedy for aging, only one way to overcome the destructive effects of sin and that is through, Jesus Christ. Most often it is only during the dismal days of illness that we look back and realize how we had taken for granted the good health that we once had. And yet for some people sickness never subsides. It is always with them. Persistent illness can wear down even the strongest of people. While much of our health is determined and affected by a wide range of contributory factors from our environment, life situations, heredity and how we manage our personal lifestyle, we are still fighting a losing battle as we age. At best, we can enjoy a longer life if we take care of ourselves and the contributing factors are on our side. The worst thing that we can do is begin to compare ourselves to others and struggle with the age old question, “Why me God?”. The Gospel message is a message of hope not only in the hour of death but, it is far more than that. Jesus died in order that we may have life now, more abundantly. In Philippians 3:10 Paul says this, "... that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;" Paul knew about aging and suffering, yet in spite of it all he found comfort in the gentle anticipation of his eternal life, in his own words he said, “My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better," Philippians 1:23

I googled aging with dignity the other day and 50,000 topics pulled up, I thought wow, looks like a lot of other folks are interested in this topic as well. Then I noticed something that they all had in common. They all ended with, “What are your last five wishes”?  I shut my computer down and said, I’m not ready to name them, yet! While I still think of myself as 18, my body, mind and patience have outgrown my way of thinking. Age is a funny thing. It’s funny how much attention you can draw to yourself no matter what your age. Last week our children and grandchildren ate dinner at a local restaurant and we learned real quick that the age of your children is a key factor in how quickly you get served. Our waiter came by our table and said, “Could I get you your check?”, we responded by saying, “How about getting a menu first?”.  Everyone ages over time, and eventually, everyone dies, it is the cycle of life. Benjamin Franklin said there were only two things certain in life, “death and taxes”. Jesus had answers to them both. In one of many attempts to plot against Jesus to discredit Him, the Pharisees sent some of their own disciples along with the Herodian’s to confront Jesus in a crowd of people in an effort to try and provoke an uproar over what Jesus would say concerning the taxes that the people were forced to pay to Caesar. Jesus rebuked them for their malice and responded with the most simple and profound answer to them by saying, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Jesus answered the concern over death when He told May and Martha upon the death of Lazarus, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" in John 11. And Martha, unable to rise to the full revelation that he was revealing, said, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world," That was as far as her faith could go, at that moment. But the moment that Lazarus appeared at the entrance of the tomb, everything changed. She would no longer simply believe that Jesus had come from God, but she would know that Jesus was God, that he had the power to overcome even death. It took the death of her precious brother to increase her reliance on Jesus. Sometimes, we ask God for healing when we may be needing something deeper that what we ask for. If you recall the story in Matthew 9 concerning the paralyzed man that was lowered down  through a thatched roof by his friends in order to get him to Jesus for healing. Once there, Jesus said to him, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven" Matthew 9:2. How disappointed the paralyzed man may have felt at that moment! He did not come asking forgiveness, but healing. The man knew what he wanted, but he didn't know what he needed. Jesus knew both his needs and his wants. And by granting forgiveness of sins first, Jesus showed the greater need for spiritual health. To prove his ability to meet all of his unseen spiritual needs, Jesus proceeded to then heal his body before all the people that were there. Even as God brought the greatest blessing of forgiveness for us all through the crucifixion of Christ, we can trust him to bring blessings for us from the least likely of places. Even sickness must serve God's purposes. He may use it to strengthen our reliance on him, sharpen our focus on heaven, or produce patience and perseverance in us. When the apostle Paul groaned repeatedly over his "thorn in the flesh," the Lord reassured him, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" 2 Corinthians 12:9. Paul learned to rely more and more on the Lord's strength rather than his own, especially when he was at his weakest point. You, too can be confident that the Lord loves you consistently in your sickness and health. When Jesus doesn't grant us our immediate requests, we must humbly trust that he has even better things in mind for us. Isaiah 55:9 tells us, "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts,’ declares the Lord”. I am learning that eventually, he will answer my prayers by personally wiping every tear from my eyes and making everything new Revelation 21:4-5. No longer will I suffer with my old tiring body any longer,   For even my body will finally be made whole without the effects of sickness or sin. Like the song says, “That day is coming, when wrong will be made right   Meanwhile trust His promise that, "I know the plans I have for you... plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" Jeremiah 29:11. May His will be done in your life and mine and may we stay as young as we can no matter how old we become.

Hold Fast,

Bren

 

When Desperation Calls

 

 Often times you will find that it is through mere drive and determination, not talent or pedigree that you have been able to find success and answers in your life. I heard a quote once that I will never forget, "Success is not measured by what a man accomplishes, but by the opposition he encountered and the courage he maintained in his struggle against it". Sometimes it seem like everything, is working against, our trying to find success and the help that we need in things. But not even a hint of failure can overtake us if our being determined to succeed, is strong enough and is found to be in the will of God. That reminds me of a woman in the Bible, whose faith was rewarded by her determination to have what she longed for, her health! In Mark chapter 5 her thoughts are revealed, "If I could just touch His clothes, I would be healed", that is what she told herself, this nameless bleeding woman who had traveled many miles, fueled by nothing but her faith. She had a bold plan. According to the Mosaic Law, a woman who was ceremonially unclean wasn't allowed to touch anyone, let alone the Son of God, yet desperation calls for desperate things. For 12 long years she had had this problem with loosing blood and it was causing her to be physically sick and even socially unacceptable. The Bibles says that the physicians of her time were unable to relieve her suffering. She spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she only grew worse. It was a daring plan but never the less, she was determined to make her way to the One that she believed could do for her what no other could. Her faith was born out of her desperation. Instead of making a show, our bleeding sister quietly "came up behind Him in the crowd and touched His cloak" Mark 5:27. By law, her touch would have made Him unclean. By grace, just the opposite happened. "Immediately her bleeding stopped" Mark 5:29 says. Without a word, a look, or a touch from Jesus, she was made whole simply by believing He could heal her...and daring to act on that belief. As her faith was rewarded her, she wasn't the only one who noticed. Jesus turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?" Mark 5:30. At that point she and Jesus both knew that it had happened, her faith had healed her. Wow, how that scripture illustrates how sensitive Jesus is to our needs, that just a touch in faith to His garment will get His attention for us! How her heart must have pounded as she heard Him say, "Who touched me?". When the disciples pointed out to Jesus that there were many in the crowded street and everyone was touching and grabbing Him, Jesus kept looking around to see who it was that had touched Him with that kind of faith! He wasn't looking to accuse but to affirm. The same faith that empowered her to stretch out her hand now, gave her the strength to step forward. She "fell at his feet and trembling with fear, told him the whole truth" Mark 5:33. She risked everything, public humiliation, and maybe even possible punishment for her actions to explain her confession of faith to Jesus. The true miracle in this story is about the faith she had, not what she did. Her determination was fueled by her faith. Her willingness to believe she could be well again, despite all evidence to the contrary, and do whatever it would take to get it. When she heard about the man Jesus, who'd healed many who had various diseases in Mark 1:34, she made a beeline for Capernaum to see Him. What is it, that you want from Jesus today? When was the last time that you longed to touch the hem of His garment because you knew that only He has what you must have to be better, to be whole, to be free ....whether it be physically, or spiritually? He will not disappoint you dear friend, but your faith will determine your answer. If you struggle with your faith; simply ask Him to help your weak faith and show you where your answer lies. And do everything in your power to trust Him!

Hold Fast,

Bren

 

 

TRYING TO BE LIKE SOMEONE ELSE

 

In my early years of being a Christian, I struggled with my finding approval from God. I had not yet understood that God approved of me because of Christ alone, who now resided inside of me. Nothing that I could do would make me more saved, loved, appreciated or accepted by God more than my simple confession of sins and turning away from my past, accepting the work of what Jesus did for me on the cross, committing my life and future to Him. As I did that, Christ came into my heart and life and made me all that I needed to be in order to be accepted by God the Father. Early on, I found myself looking around at other women whom I had much respect for (spiritually speaking) and trying to duplicate in myself what I saw in them. But what I soon found out in doing that was this: I was trying to duplicate someone else’ ideals and worship of God to define myself and quickly found out that it was just not working. I did not know at first that a personal relationship with God and my worship of and to Him was unique to my personality and where I was in my walk with the Him and His working in me.

I had to learn the importance of listening to what God was telling me to do and not try to duplicate in my life, what I saw in others. And by doing this, my worship became genuine and my duty and inspiration from God was to and from Him alone. I learned early on that I had best abandon anything that even had the faintest hint of a man-made expectation of who I should be in Christ. Philippians 2:13 tells me that it is God, who wills and works in me for His good purpose. I am not left to myself, but I have inside me the Holy Spirt of the Living God that aids me in everything, I now need. God is now working in me and because of that, I have an efficacious working power source, that I can now call on to help, when I am in need.  This is no hopeless task to which He has called me, no more night cries because I feel so hopeless in trying to change myself. No fruitless beatings of the air, nor idle effort in trying to change my ugly spots so to speak of the leopard, or the Ethiopian, to change the color of his skin as in Jeremiah 13:23. The Lord is working in me now, and He is mighty to save and change me. Whatever impulses I may feel, whatever goodwill in my efforts to serving Him. I now look upon it as a token of His presence and His readiness to help me in them. That is God working in me to will it and to do it, for He has no feeling but one  towards me, and that is of goodwill. Oh how that verse assures me that there is nothing lacking in me when I became God’s child and that I can be assured that He will change me through His power as I submit my will to Him and that good purpose.

Hold Fast,

Bren

A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

Sometimes God may seem to be so far off and unconcerned that it is hard to think of Him on a personal level. But He is not! God is pursuing you today sweet friend. Though you may not realize it nor feel it, nor even believe it, He is surely pursuing you. He longs for you to know and love Him, as He already knows and loves you. You see God always takes the first step in seeking a relationship with you. He has always taken the initiative to meet us in His perfect timing as he strives to draw us to Himself. Even the scriptures teach that no one comes to the Father unless He draws them according to John 6:44-45 and verse 65. The entire Bible is a witness of this great truth. He came to Adam and Eve in the garden when they were at their worst. He came to Noah, Abraham, Moses, the prophets, the disciples and He is still actively pursuing people today.

There comes a time in every life that the heart seeks after God, but only because God stirs that heart and begins to draw it to Him. That hole in every heart that nothing else can fill, but God, serves only as a means to seek Him. A person may seek Him in the wrong places because of the condition and will of their own hearts, but never the less, they will at some point seek Him. Because sin has effected man so deeply, we cannot seek God on our own initiative. So God comes to us, even when we are His enemy (because of our sin and the hardness of our hearts) just as He did Adam and Eve. He came to Saul in Acts 9 while Saul was actually opposing and working against God’s will. Through God’s pursuing Saul and causing Him to be blind, Saul was able to see the truth. He accepted what God was doing in his life as God revealing to him that in fact, Jesus truly was the Son of God and the act of the cross had paid the penalty for Saul’s sin. At one point in Jesus’ ministry, He ask His disciples, who did the people say that He was. Then He ask them, who they believed He was. You see it does not matter what the world is saying about the Son of God, what matters is what are you saying about Him and better yet, what are you doing about it. Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”. Romans 10:9-10 tells us this, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved”. “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation”. Simply having an intellectual or head knowledge about Christ is not enough. satan himself believes in the Son of God, yet he will spend eternity in hell. We don’t have to have all the answers in life to know God, but we do have to believe the things that He makes us aware of about Himself. For those are the things that He will hold us accountable for, as to what we did with the truth that was revealed to us.

When God calls us to salvation, He begins to open our understanding about Himself and His Son as He did with Simon in Matthew 16:17. We are moved under His conviction over our personal sin and have a deep compulsion to be forgiven. The result of our choices to resist or ignore God, results in spiritual death  and eternal separation from God. Jesus Christ came to do what we could not do for ourselves. He came into the world to bring us to His Father. “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’ ” John 14:6. He died in our place to pay the penalty for our sin. “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit.” 1 Peter 3:18. He rose from the dead to show that his claims were true. “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-6.

Our own efforts to earn God’s acceptance are inadequate according to Titus 3:5. We must realize and admit our need for forgiveness according to Romans 3:23 and receive Christ and His offer and gift of salvation to become His children, not by our own merit but because of the grace of God through personal faith Eph 2:8-9. Romans 10:9-10 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation”. God’s commitment to you is that He assures you that if you have trusted Jesus as your Savior, He has given you eternal life. “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.” 1 John 5:13. God promises to never leave you. ” I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5. God has forgiven all of your sins, past, present, and future. “And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” Colossians 2:13-14.

When someone is born again as Jesus told Nicodemus he must be in John 3, God places His Spirit in them in Ephesians 1:13 that enables them to live in a way that pleases Him. “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25. By placing His Holy Spirit in them, He seals them as His own, and the sealing of the Holy Spirit allows that person to experience a more personal relationship with Him that they could not otherwise experience. Without the assurance and comfort of the Holy Spirit, we would not be able to truly embrace a personal relationship with God. It was and always has been in His plan to restore man’s relationship back to the way it was before Adam and Eve sinned and broke fellowship with God. Through His Son, He accomplished that and invites you to participate, by coming to Him on His terms and only then can you enjoy that deep and personal relationship with Him.  
May I tell you that I would not trade my worst day as a Christian for my best day without Christ! When He calls you out, do not hesitate, run to Him! There is only one way to God and that is through His Son. "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6

Loving on you today!
Bren

KNOWING THE WILL OF GOD

 

In the beginning God created a perfect world in every way. Once sin entered the human world through Adam and Eve’s first sin, everything changed, from the original state that God had intended it to be. It has never been the will of God for mankind to suffer. God had given Adam and Eve clear direction and warning. But because of the inclinations of their own personal free will, Eve was beguiled by satan and Adam followed his human instinct for his wife which led them both to fall into the trap that was laid out for them by the evil serpent. Since then, mankind has been in war with sin, tragedy and horrors.

 

Today, tragedy still befalls us and leaves us confused. The plans that we had made, did not turn out the way that we had dreamed. The conditions in the world, brings us unspeakable horrors. When the most unimaginable things happen to innocent people, we are left with one question, “Why?”. Even Job pondered this dilemma as He asked God concerning his own tragedies.  If you’ve never asked why this world is infected with pain and suffering, you will when they strike you with full force or they come to a loved one that is so dear to you. Jesus Himself said they were coming in John 16:33. It can seem to us at times, that God is malicious rather than merciful, inconstant rather than constant. Because sin’s evil nature itself always places blame on God. Yet, He is not! Nothing that man thinks about God changes Him, in any way. He is the one thing in all existence, that is constant and true. While human folly and man’s sin can delay or prevent God’s intentional will often times, they never catch Him of guard.

 

We so often will misuse the term, “the will of God” and speak of it so loosely because we in most part, do not understand it, or understand how God rules in our lives, and the world in which we live. Sometimes there are circumstances created by evil or simple neglect on our parts that creates an environment of having a will within the will of God. That means that God will make provisions for us to help us overcome our current circumstances by bringing good even out of our bad. Sometimes, like Jesus in Mark 14, we may ask something of God out of our fleshly nature, but in our hearts, we know that regardless to the consequences we know that God’s will is the best road to travel. The things that cause us to question God and often times cause us to feel, “let down”, by Him during those stormy conditions, is because of our lack of wisdom about Him in those situations. I myself have learned too well, that by the time the storm is raging it can be too late to drop the anchor; when it should have been put down before the storm came. I am saying that it is so important to us in life, that we think clearly and be prepared for any disasters that will come our way through doubt and suffering before they hit us. If we do this, then in spite of our grief and confusion we have a clearer understanding that helps to steady us, as an anchor steadies a ship.

 

I love the song that says, “I know Whom I have believed in and am persuaded that He is able, to keep that which I’ve committed to Him against that day…. meaning I don’t think; I know who He is personally, and that is why I can trust Him in all things. We cannot stand in the shoes of God and provide simple answers to the questions that are often asked concerning Him or His will. 1Cor. 13:12 tells us that, “Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity.” But we can understand better the overall reason that evil is taking place around us. For a time, we may not understand, but like a parent that tells their small child, “One day, you will understand” and then you will have the answers that you were looking for.

 

Our thinking is always wrong about God when we allow our thoughts and questions to clamor within our hearts, doubting Him in any way, at all. You see, until we understand that God’s will is related to His character and both involved His intentions for us, we will never understand why things happen the way that they do. We may not be able to see His wisdom in things, but we can trust His will as Jesus did in Mark 14. Your life is never about, “knowing about God”, but it is all about “knowing God”. Knowing Him in a personal way, just like you would a family member or a close friend.

Often times you can predict the outcome of someone that you are close to by the character that you know they possess, the person you know them to be, thereby discerning their intent, because you know them so well. To understand and know God is to know and understand His character and intent. As we know more about His character and His will, we then, can better assess and accept His intentions and what His desires are for us and the way that He is at work in our lives and in the world that He created.  God’s word clearly tells us that we cannot discern His will by the world's standards, but rather we are to transform our way of thinking into His way of thinking and then, we may know and understand with clarity, in truth, His will concerning matters. Romans 12:2, says this, “And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. This verse has taught me more about knowing and understanding the will of God than any other verse in scripture and has radically set me free to understand with a clearer and better understanding as to why things happen the way they do. You and I will have to make the effort to transform our minds, by being faithful to renew them, by allowing God’s word to regenerate our very life. Then the cloudy confusion of the world’s thinking, changes to the clear reality of God’s truth.

Every moment of every day you and I have the freedom to think about whatever we want. Our minds may fill with worries, hopes, disappointments, hobbies, anything. Those thoughts may cultivate anger, lust, compulsive working, people-pleasing, or depression. Or, we can be transformed by the renewing of our minds like Romans 12:2 tells us by letting the very Word of God diagnose us as it states in Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” The thoughts that you choose to dwell on will be the most important factor in how you feel and what you say and do throughout your life. Ultimately, you’re thinking determines the kind of person that you become. Proverbs 23:7 reminds us of this very truth, “that as a man thinks in his heart, so is he…”.

Some people are reluctant to trust God completely with their lives, fearing that He may want to make a change in their plans. Yes, He will change our plans. But His plans are infinitely better than the very best we could ever conceive. satan is the enemy of our soul. His mission is to keep us from receiving Christ by repenting and turning from our sin and being effective and fruitful for the kingdom of God. You want to know what God’s will is for you. Surrender your life to Him, make Him Lord and keep Him as your first love.

Loving on you today,
Bren

DEPRESSION

Statics tell us that there were over 33,000 suicides in the United States in the year 2013. This is so very tragic and such a challenging feat to God’s people in trying to reach those that have lost their hope, with the hope that those who have found it possess. Pharmaceuticals often times only mask the real problems of depression, because the issues that causes the depression remain un-dealt with and will only surface again once the medication stops working. If anti-depressants worked as great as they would have us believe…we would all be on them. But because many of those that have tried different types of medications to help their depression learn quickly over time that they are not the answers that they are seeking. I am not recommending that you get off of any medications that you may be currently taking. If your medication is helping that is great, and I am not against medical professionals. They are doing all they can and we are all in this fight together. What I am saying, is that earthly things can go only so deep. Most of our issues run much deeper. While pills bring a temporary relief because they only mask the problem. God’s involvement goes to the heart of the issue. Only the power of God can change us on the outside and deep down on the inside. God does not want you to just manage your depression, He wants to free you of it. Depression is the feeling of “hopelessness”, and the simple cure for hopelessness is “hope”.

The majority of people who suffer with bouts of depression never go to a doctor. They have learned that their depression will pass and because of that fact, they simply deal with it until it does. For someone that has continuous depression, they may need to visit a therapist to help them walk thru those bouts, as they talk their way through them. But every person that ever experiences depression must learn to make the effort and it will take work, determination and honesty! In my own battle with depression, God himself supervised the repairs in my life and restored all the misguided intentions to their proper ends. I had learned that through those dark days, God surely was working for me and on my behalf. Finally I learned that it was abandonment that I needed. Abandonment not to the way I was feeling, but to the God who had my best interest in mind. What I want you to know sweet friend, is that what God did for me, He wants and will do for you! I have experienced depression 3 times in my life….and all were resolved when I accepted the fact that I serve a God who forgives and restores and understand that He has the answers even when I do not. Now, I know better not to give in to those emotions that depression wants me to surrender to. When you acknowledge God’s authority over your situation, you are on the road to victory. Those dark times are the exact times to use your faith. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for" Hebrews 11:1-2. "We live by faith, not by sight" 2 Corinthians 5:7.

 The most significant feature of depression, is the absence of positive emotion. Just a feeling of nothing, of emptiness. I learned in my own battle with depression that people who help others, stop focusing on their own pains, problems and worries and will begin to feel good about themselves once again. Depression is like a live virus that once it takes root inside your body and is not medicated with God’s Truth and or depending upon the severity and type of depression with medications can take over a human life and destroy it, yes even kill it. Depression can come into our lives in many shapes, sizes and conditions. Sometimes it can come in a lighter form of just feeling BLUE. Many times our sadness, downswings in our moods, and even being bored can appear to be depression to us, but is actually, normal reactions to life’s daily struggles, setbacks, and disappointments and not real depression.

 But when emptiness and despair have taken hold of a life and won’t go away, they are left with feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness…and those feelings become more intensified and unrelenting ….and un-normal sadness engulfs their day-to-day life, interfering with their ability to work, study, eat, sleep, and have normal happiness interacting with people and life in general. At that point it has become full blown depression… and will begin a downward spiral to rob them of any joy and hope. It will cause a person to want to stay away from people who at one time were fun to be with. It will take away your ability to reason properly and your mind will even begin to believe lies. I reached a point in my own worst case of depression that I could not even think a thought, because I had allowed the darkness in so deep and that I could not even reason or have a complete thought. Now if you never experienced this, then you may think it to be a little weird that a child of God could be in such a state. I know I did and that intensified my depression because I bared the guilt of “I should know better”. Depression can bring on bouts of unrelenting doubt over someone’s life and even their salvation.

 Can God’s people experience Depression? YES, a resounding YES…Christians can battle Depression! You better believe it! Abraham did in Gen 15, Jonah did in Jonah 4, Job did in his book, Moses and Elijah both did and even wanted to die, Saul did, Jeremiah did, David suffered brutal bouts of depression…David felt the pangs of the deepest darkest of depression… David like the Apostle Paul learned thru their situations that When you acknowledge God and His authority over your situation you are on the road to victory. You must acknowledge the fact that while you cannot get yourself out of the state that you are in….God can... His authority becomes your authority. Again, those dark times are the exact times that your faith will need to be applied… use your faith to get out of your depression, it’s your vehicle, get in it and drive away. The scripture says that, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients of old were commended for " Hebrews 11:1-2…… "We live by faith, not by sight" according to 2 Cor. 5:7. When the Israelites were depressed, God called them to put their faith into action. It is a proven fact that practicing random acts of kindness to others, helps by aiding a healthy disposition in our own life and has scientifically proven therapeutic value in treating mood disorders like depression. In my own encounter with depression, I learned that by taking my eyes off the depressed feelings that I was experiencing and investing in others, my depression diminished and God’s power overcame the deep dark depression that I was in, from my past guilt and wrong choices, and restored in me the joy of my salvation. He wants to do that for you as well my friend! Don’t give up hope find someone who has battled depression and let them help you walk through yours! "A friend owes kindness to one in despair ..." Job:6:14

 Loving on you today!

 Bren