Purity 318: Encouragement for the Path of Christian Discipleship

 Purity 318 01/19/2021 

Good morning!

Today’s photo was taken by yours truly yesterday down by The River. If you have spoken to me about my new home for more than a few minutes, it is very likely that you would hear me say that “God has brought me here.”  When I arrive home from work to scenes like this, as if the sun is shining directly upon me as His beloved child, I am reminded and further convinced that what I say is merely the truth.

My house had remained in the same family since 1948 but when the time came and the Lord had need of it, in the midst of the pandemic, He made a way for me to find it and purchase it.

Today I continue to share Dr. Neil Anderson’s “Twenty “Cans” of Success”, to encourage my friends that are fasting as well as those who aren’t.  

15. Why should I be unhappy when I, like Paul, can learn to be content whatever the circumstances (Phil. 4:11)? 

 Our success is built on the ability to be content whatever the circumstances.    

Discontentment can steal our joy as one or two (okay, or many) aspects of our lives that cause us grief take center stage in our attention drowning out the fact that there are many blessings in our lives that we have taken for granted.  

Contentment comes from enjoying the blessings in our lives and even viewing the challenges as an opportunity to grow.   

 However, we are not necessarily just to sit idly by suffering and convince ourselves that we have to be content with it.  Discontentment could be an indication that a change or many changes need to be made in our lives. Dysfunctional relationships, negative work environments, or unsatisfactory living conditions can either be worked on to improve the situations or we can choose to end those situations by moving on and getting out.  

God gave us minds to make plans and to change our lives and the environments around us. It requires discernment, tact, and wisdom.  

However, the best way to improve our situations and to receive wisdom is by getting right with God first.  When we make peace with God by putting our faith in Christ and dedicating ourselves to do things His way, we receive peace, wisdom, strength, and guidance to face the unsatisfactory situations in our lives and we discover that the way to approach them comes clear: God’s way.  

Some of our situations may not be able to be easily changed but with God we will not be alone in our struggles and He provides the perspective and power to be content regardless of circumstances.  

One last thing, if you are one of those people who just like to complain to complain, I ask you:  How’s that working for you?   How’s that working for those around you? I doubt there is neither peace nor contentment in how you have decided to view the world.  I get it. I used to see the world as a cold lonely place and how people and circumstances continually disappoint. I encourage you to stop looking at the things that are disappointing you and instead look to God for He has made a way to rise above it all.  

This morning’s meditation verses were:

Psalm 119:105-106 (NKJV)
¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
¹⁰⁶ I have sworn and confirmed That I will keep Your righteous judgments.

Today is a two for one special on Bible verses as I had these two on one index card. When I consider the verses I know why. 

I have often heard verse 105 quoted by Christians ad nauseam.  As a skeptical new believer, I have to admit that it was somewhat annoying, and I wondered if it was just a Christian slogan that got thrown out there whenever the Bible was mentioned. I even wondered if there was a prize to the first Christian who threw out verse 105 first.    It seemed to be a syrupy sweet sentiment rather than a conviction of discipleship. 

That is undoubtedly why when I committed this verse to an index card that I included verse 106 that affirms that the word of God really is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path because “I have sworn and confirmed that I will keep Your righteous judgements.” 

It's one thing to acknowledge that the Bible is a Holy book. It is another thing to say that the Bible is the inerrant word of God and is the source for ultimate truth. But it is quite something else to say that I will swear myself to obey it and will confirm my oath with actions.     

This is one example of the wisdom in not “cherry picking” verses out of the Bible without considering the context.  For every bumper sticker Bible verse out there, there is usually a condition to sanctify oneself in the surrounding context or, even worse, the surrounding context indicates that verse is being misapplied.   

So know the word so you can discern how to use it properly and follow the conditions of our gospel which come from accepting God’s mercy and grace.  We’ve been forgiven but now we are to conform ourselves to the image of Christ and to live for Him.  Use the word of God as a light to your path and you won’t go wrong. 

Today we continue chapter 10 of Anderson & Baumchen’s Finding Hope Again.

As always, I share this information for educational purposes and encourage all to purchase Anderson’s books for your own private study and to support his work:

Commit Your Body to God

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship (Romans 12:1, NIV).

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body (1 Cor. 6:19, 20, NIV).

Depression is a multifaceted problem that affects the body, soul and spirit. Consequently, a comprehensive cure for depression will require a whole answer. There are many forms of biological depression, and most can be detected by a comprehensive medical exam. However, a 10-minute checkup at an HMO will not be sufficient, nor will seeing a psychiatrist who only reads the symptoms to prescribe antidepressant medication. There is no precise way to measure brain chemistry.

If your depression is truly endogenous (originating within your body), you would want some collaborating evidence to validate any medical treatment. If finances or insurance will allow, find a medical doctor or psychiatrist who can administer the appropriate tests, and who understands the value of good nutrition. This is also the appropriate time to discuss antidepressant medication.

Many forms of biological depression can be diagnosed and easily treated. A disorder of the endocrine system can produce depressive symptoms. The endocrine system includes the thyroid, parathyroid, thymus, pancreas and adrenal glands. These glands produce hormones that are released directly into the blood system.

The thyroid gland controls metabolism. An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) will cause changes in mood, including depression. The treatment is to prescribe a thyroid hormone, not antidepressants.

The metabolism of sugar is especially important for maintaining physical and emotional stability. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is known to produce emotional instability.

The pituitary gland in the brain produces a hormone known as ACTH, which stimulates the adrenal glands. The malfunctioning of either gland will produce lethargic behavior and depression. We discussed in chapter 2 the problem of adrenal exhaustion due to prolonged stress. The answer for that kind of depression is to get sufficient rest and supplement your diet with B-complex vitamins. For some people, vitamin B12 injections may be necessary. B12 deficiency can have several causes, but the most common cause is aging. As we advance in years, our stomachs produce less of the acid that is necessary to extract B12 from our food.

The fact that women suffer from depression more than men may be due to their biological makeup. Dr. Archibald Hart writes:

The reproductive organs of the female are extremely prone to creating mood swings. The depression at the onset of menstruation, the premenstrual syndrome (PMS), the use of contraceptive pills, pregnancy, postpartum reactions, and menopause all revolve around the female's reproductive system. And as we currently understand it, the system is fraught with depression pitfalls.

Medical tests for most of these conditions are fairly routine, and can be detected with a good medical examination. In addition, each of us should assume personal responsibility for finding the proper balance of rest, exercise and diet. To live a healthy life, we must be health oriented, not illness oriented.

We see the same dynamic in winning the battle for the mind. The answer is not to renounce all the lies. The answer is to choose the truth. But if you aren't aware that there are lies, and if you ignore what your body is telling you, then you will likely fall victim to the disease and the father of lies. If you start to sense that you are physically and mentally slipping back into a depression, don't just succumb to it; take charge of your life by praying as follows:

Dear heavenly Father, I submit myself to You as Your child, and I declare myself to be totally dependent upon You. I yield my body to You as a living sacrifice, and I ask You to fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I renounce the lies of the evil one and I choose to believe the truth as You have revealed it to us in Your holy Word. Give me the grace and the wisdom to resist the devil so that he will flee from me. I now commit myself to You, including my body as an instrument of righteousness. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.

Finding Hope Again: Overcoming Depression.

 

------------------------------more tomorrow--------------------------

 

God bless you all!