Purity 320: Encouragement for the Path of Christian Discipleship

 Purity 320 01/21/2021 

Good morning!

Today’s photo of the Atlantic Ocean comes from a friend who is vacationing at Myrtle Beach SC. They captured the ocean, one of Myrtle Beach’s piers, and the blazing sunshine that may have us singing “In my mind I’ve gone to Carolina”. 

I vacationed in Myrtle Beach as a child and made a brief trip there after my Father-in-Law’s funeral in 2011, actually celebrating New Year’s Day of 2012 there. It was an impromptu trip that I planned to help our family with the losses of 2011, as my ex-wife lost her mother in July, and her father on Christmas Eve.  It was a short trip, but I know that it was great relief to all of us and a good way to leave 2011 behind. 

Anyway, I love Myrtle Beach and as my friend was sharing photos this week, I was mentally begging them to “give me something I could use”.  This might not be the greatest photo, but it has stirred some fond memories and I wouldn’t be surprised if I visit those sandy beaches again.  

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.  

17. Why should I feel helpless in the presence of others when I know that if God is for me, who can be against me (Romans 8:31)?

 Our success comes from knowing that God is for us.    

 In life we will face of opposition from others. Even in seemingly civil environments, people can treat one another with subtle rudeness and choose to treat others differently based on clique membership, their own personal ambitions, or as a consequence of displacement as they take negative emotions from their personal lives and unload them on others at work.  The bullying and social cliques from school days seem to follow us through life only to evolve to a more subtle form in the workplace. 

 No matter if you have been the victim of opposition or somehow have avoided it, we can all bear witness to the reality of it.   The chaos of dealing with other people causes many to withdraw because of how it affects their personal peace and their self-esteem.  One of my favorite quotes regarding the difficulties of group dynamics was from Jean Paul Sartre’s play, No Exit, where Garcin sees that he and his companions are trapped in a room with no escape concludes: “Hell is – other people!”

 However, there is an escape. There is a way that leads to peace everlasting: faith in Jesus Christ. 

 When we put our faith in Christ and base our self-worth on being God’s child, the opinions of men and their attempts to oppose us are put in their proper perspective.  Instead of being deeply hurt by their insults, slights, and petty behaviors, we see the truth of their situation as one who is only trying to make their way through life without God.  We know from our experiences before coming to Christ, what a lonely, bitter, desperate and shallow existence that is.  They are not to be hated but are to be pitied as we know that if there is no change in their course of life they will be lost forever and every injurious thing they have done will be repaid.   We are to take no satisfaction in this fact but instead should pray for them to see the light.  

 We are to pray for our enemies and love our neighbors as ourselves. As bearers of the truth of Jesus Christ, we are to demonstrate the fruit of the spirit of kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, love, joy, peace, patience, and self-control.   We are also called to forgive.  

 So if we run into opposition in life, forgive your transgressor, pray for them, and try to show them the love that they have never experienced, the love that is only known from a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. 

 And as for the trials, God’s word says that our faith would be tested, we could expect persecution, and trials help us develop patience. 

 So know who you are in Christ and live it, knowing that if God is for you, who can be against you.

This morning’s meditation verse is:

Psalm 118:1 (NLT2)
¹ Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.

 This command to give thanks to the Lord should be obeyed every day of our walk.  He has given us everything that we have. He made us. He has shown us the truth and saved us!

 It is my prayer that anyone reading this has developed the daily practice of giving thanks to the Lord at least once a day. 

 I give thanks to the Lord as soon as I wake up each morning and no matter what I encounter throughout the day I will give thanks to the Lord for overcoming obstacles or for the blessing He provides.   This is a fundamental practice of how we can “pray without ceasing”. We keep our conversation with the Lord going through out the day, drawing His presence to us (or reminding ourselves that He is always there),  

 So give thanks to the Lord, for His love does endure forever and the closer we draw towards Him the more we will live in its reality. 

 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 Yourself to Good Behavior

The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you (Phil. 4:9).

You cannot be instantly delivered from lifestyle depression; you have to grow out of it. It takes time to renew the mind, but it doesn't take time to change our behavior—which actually facilitates the process of renewing our minds, as well as positively affecting how we feel.

When Cain and Abel brought their offerings, the Lord was not pleased with Cain's.

So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. Then the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it" (Genesis 4:5-7).

In other words, you don't feel your way into good behavior, you behave your way into a good feeling. If you wait until you feel like doing what is right, you will likely never do it. Jesus said, "If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them" (John 13:17, emphasis added).

That is why much of the initial intervention for severe depression focuses on behavior. Schedule appointments and activities that pull you out of your negative mood. Force yourself to work, even though you may not feel like getting out of bed. Plan an activity and stick to it. Commit yourself to getting more exercise, and follow through. Start with a low-impact aerobic program, or take walks with friends and family members. Continue routine duties even though you feel as if you don't have the energy.

These behavioral interventions or activities are only a start in developing a lifestyle that is healthy. If these are too difficult or physically impossible, then seek the kind of medical help that will get you back on your feet.

Watch for certain negative behaviors that will only contribute to depression. Drowning out your sorrows with drugs and alcohol is at the top of this destructive list. Although using alcohol or drugs to cope with the difficulties of life or to medicate pain may bring temporary relief, it will only contribute to the depression.

To understand how living in an oppressive situation can result in depression and alcoholism see Neil's book Freedom from Addiction, which he coauthored with Mike and Julia Quarles. Mike struggled with his identity, poor sense of worth and feelings of inadequacy. When he turned to alcohol to numb the pain, he became addicted. This behavior placed a great deal of stress on his relationship with his wife, Julia. They both struggled with defeat and depression until they found their freedom in Christ.

Finding Hope Again: Overcoming Depression.

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

 

God bless you all!