Purity 430: Encouragement for the Path of Christian Discipleship

Purity 430 05/28/2021 Purity 430 Podcast

Good morning.

Today’s photo of sunset on the shores of Lake Ontario in Oswego NY comes to us from Celestial Blue Photography.  I love the way this photo displays the contrasts of the elements of creation as it transitions from the “rock hard” reality of earth, to the glass like water casting the reflected light, to the wispy ethereal clouds, and to the blazing but fading sun.   While water didn’t make the band, maybe it should have because it goes along with earth, wind, and fire quite nicely.  

It’s Friday and as we transition through the last of the rock-hard reality of the work week, I hope this photo encourages you to look forward to the long memorial weekend with an eye on the sky as we are called to not only rest and relax this weekend but also to remember the one’s who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.   For the love of freedom, men and women served our country with their dying breaths. Their sacrifice was made to maintain our freedom here in the United States.  

Their sacrifice echo’s that of Christ who died not only to give us freedom in Him here on earth, but also for all eternity.  Christ suffered and died for us to the show God’s great love for us.  As Jesus said in:

John 15:12-13 (NKJV)
¹² This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
¹³ Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.

Jesus laid His life down for us so that we could be reconciled to God and have the joy of the assurance of our salvation so we could live the rest of our lives here on earth with an abiding peace and then be with Him forever in His kingdom.  

So rejoice that we have made it through another week and celebrate the freedom we have knowing that the highest authority above and beyond all existence made a sacrifice of love to make us His own beloved children.  

And remember, God is omnipresent. That means that He is ever present, and we can enjoy our relationship with Him now.  So keep walking and talking with God because He gave us the ultimate freedom from sin and death, and He did it so we could enjoy His company now and forever.  

 

This morning’s meditation verse is:

Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV)
¹² For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Today’s randomly drawn verse shows us that things aren’t always so random as yesterday’s verse highlighted the word of God and so does todays!

This verse is a favorite of mine because it reveals the mysterious nature of the word of God and how it is used by God to interact with us.  

As John 1:1 showed us that Jesus Christ was called the Word, this verse also shows us that the concept of the word of God is not merely printed text on a page.   God has poured out His Spirit and Truth in the word of God and it carries spiritual properties and power that make it unique.  

It is living and powerful.  It’s not just a good book. It holds the power to save and empower us in our Christian walk. 

It pierces even to the division of the soul and spirit, meaning that it penetrates to the core of our being and allows us to discern between God’s true spiritual wisdom and our worldly “soulish” ways. It can convict us to see the way we are living is not the way God intended and can lead us to repentance.   

It also is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  That means that while you are reading the word of God, the word of God is reading you! The insights we can draw from the word of God vary. We can read the words and text and have an intellectual understanding of what the words say and even repeat them to show that we “understand” it.   But we can also “know” the word in a spiritual and experiential way as the meaning of the words and the implications it holds for us and the way we understand the world can cause a paradigm shift that cause us the “see” the unseen truths of God’s kingdom.  

The Lord can use the word to give you a deeper understanding of what the words say  and how they affect you personally.

So when we come to the word of God we should pray for revelation because the Holy Spirit in us can show us more about God than we presently understand.  

I have been using the article “it” regarding the word of God, but I perhaps would better serve the Lord by using “He” because the word of God and its, or His, living, powerful, and discerning aspects show us that God and His word are indivisible. Just as God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are different persons of the Godhead.  God and His word are intimately tied together as it is God breathed and it is utilized by God to do a work in those who seek its wisdom.   

I have often said that the Holy Spirit will lead us with words of knowledge in our walk.  The language that He speaks is the word of God and He displays His presence in our lives by recalling meaningful scripture into our minds to guide and encourage us moment to moment.  

So pick up the word of God today and have some reverence for it because it is living, it is powerful, and it knows your heart.  

I invite all to mt4christ.org where I always share insights from prominent Christian counselors to assist my brothers and sisters in Christ with their walk. 

 

 

Today, in continuing recognition of mental health awareness month, we continue to share from Dr. June Hunt’s “Suicide Prevention: Hope When Life Seems Hopeless “.

As always, I share this information for educational purposes and encourage all to purchase Dr. Hunt’s books for your own private study and to support her work. If you need this title you can find it online at several sites for less than $5.00:

I. How to Present “The Contract”

The most essential lifeline you can provide to a suicidal struggler is HOPE. Even if you feel inadequate to become involved with someone who is suicidal, God may draw you into that person’s life to be a reflection of His love. Consider such a divine encounter to be a candle of hope to someone living in darkness. Jesus said ...

“Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Where There’s Life, There’s Hope!

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” (Hebrews 6:19)

H—Honestly Confront

• Take all talk of death and suicide seriously. Repeat back what was said: “I’m hearing you say life’s not worth living. Is that right?”
• Identify with their pain and express your concern.
  “That must feel painfully empty. I want you to know I care about your pain!”
• Ask these direct questions: “Are you thinking about harming yourself? How...? Do you have a plan?”
• Seek to find out what problem is causing the pain.
  Ask, “What has been so painful that you don’t want to live?”

The Bible explains this compassionate approach. ...

“The purposes of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.” (Proverbs 20:5)

O—Offer Options

• Acknowledge the fact that life is hard.
• Point out that choices in life often consist of unpleasant possibilities.
• List possible options on a sheet of paper.
• Rank the options in order of preference.
• Communicate God’s purposes for suffering. One purpose, for example, is to develop compassion: “Many people are hurting just like you are. They feel desperately alone, assuming that no one understands their pain. You know what it is like to hurt. Your personal pain enables you to have a ministry of compassion. You are being prepared right now to be a lifeline of hope for someone else who feels hopeless.” When you speak with kindness and compassion, you reflect the wisdom of God’s Word. ...

“As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12)

P—Present a Contract

• Build a relationship by showing your care and willingness to help.
• Ask if the person would be willing to make a contract with you.
  “Will you promise that if you are considering harming yourself, you will call me before doing anything?”
• Be sure to obtain a signature.
• Make a commitment to stay in contact.

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

E—Enlist Help

• Encourage the person to have a physical checkup.
• Seek a trained counselor or therapist.
• Call a minister.
• Contact the Suicide Crisis Center.
• Help make arrangements for hospitalization.

“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” (Proverbs 15:22)

My Contract of Hope

The following is a solemn binding contract. This contract cannot be declared null and void without the written agreement of both parties.

I promise that if I should consider harming myself, I will talk with you before I do anything destructive.

I sign my name as a pledge of my integrity.

Signature           

Date           

Signature           

Date           

“Anyone who is among the living has hope.” (Ecclesiastes 9:4)

Sworn to Secrecy

Question: “I promised I would keep my friend’s secret about suicide. If I tell, am I breaking the right to privacy?”

Answer: Never keep any possibility of suicide a secret. Take your friend’s suicidal words seriously. You are not betraying your friend. In fact, you may be the only one in a position to help save the life of your friend.

• Say, “I didn’t realize that what I was promising could actually hurt you. I care about you too much to keep that promise.”
• Encourage your friend to tell a responsible adult and seek professional help.
• Talk to an adult whom you trust IMMEDIATELY if you feel the risk is imminent!

Realize, saving a life is always more important than keeping a secret. You may risk losing your friendship by breaking your promise, but keeping your promise and then losing your friend would be a far greater tragedy.

The Bible says ...

“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.” (Romans 15:1)

Biblical Counseling Keys - Biblical Counseling Keys – Biblical Counseling Keys: Suicide Prevention: Hope When Life Seems Hopeless.

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

God bless you all!

Join our “Victory over the Darkness” or “The Bondage Breaker” series of Discipleship Classes via the mt4christ247 podcast!

at https://mt4christ247.podbean.com, You can also find it on Apple podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mt4christ247s-podcast/id1551615154) and Google podcasts (https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL210NGNocmlzdDI0Ny9mZWVkLnhtbA%3D%3D

Email me at mt4christ247@gmail.com to receive the class materials, share your progress, and to be encouraged.

 

Encouragement for the Path of Christian Discipleship

 

Purity 429: Encouragement for the Path of Christian Discipleship

Purity 429 05/27/2021 Purity 429 Podcast

Good morning.

Today’s photo of a St. Michael’s Nature Trail in St. Michael’s Maryland comes to us from a friend who took the whole family out for a short hike in the May sunshine.   I love the way that the trees in this photo form a natural canopy from this perspective that give us a “light at the end of the tunnel” feeling.   

It’s Thursday and as is my habit I usually share photo’s that show a pathway to encourage people to attend my discipleship class tonight as I seek to instruct other’s in how to apply their Christian faith to their lives in hopes that they will experience their Freedom in Christ and overcome whatever circumstances they are facing to experience a life filled with the fruit of the Spirit.   

I, myself was stuck in a dark forest for most of my life and I consider it my purpose in life to encourage others to discover the power of their Christian faith by developing their relationship with God. 

While I have experienced great victories in my Christian walk, I didn’t do it by myself. God, of course, was with me every step of the way but through the years there have been several brothers and sisters in Christ that have encouraged and inspired me along the path.  

While we are all on our own walk of faith, we were never intended to walk out the Christian life alone.   The weekly worship service is the most obvious place to gather together, but I believe that small groups where Christians can learn about the application of our faith and openly discuss their lives with one another is another way that the Lord intended for us to grow, as the example of the Apostles and the early church shows us how Christians did life together.  

While I am not suggesting we pool our resources and live in a commune, I am suggesting that Christians can meet periodically to encourage and support one another in ways that are more personal that the weekly worship service.   

One criticism of the church that is made from time to time is that church isn’t “real”, that everyone is putting on a show.  Well, if you want to get real, I invite you to step on the path of Christian discipleship tonight.  You can join me at Rock Solid Church in person at 6:30 pm or you can follow the class remotely by contacting me at mt4christ247@gmail.com.  

Tonight we start our “Bondage Breaker” study, based on Dr. Neil Anderson’s The Bondage Breaker where we will be teaching on the reality of spiritual warfare.  But I must give a word of warning: the enemy doesn’t want you to take this class.  He will do everything to fill your mind with excuses for not checking it out. Some of the enemy’s lies will appear as first-person thoughts like: “I don’t need this.”

Before you determine that our class isn’t for you, I would ask you to examine your experience by asking these questions:

Do I have a constant negative outlook on life?

Do I lack peace in my life?

Do I have periodic or constant anxiety?

Do I have low self-esteem?

Am I angry?

Am I depressed?  

Is my relationship with God less than it should be?

Do I struggle to concentrate when I try to pray or read the Bible?  

Do I have trouble sleeping or have nightmares?

Do voices or thoughts influence me to not go to church or pursue my faith?    

If you answered “Yes” to any one of these questions, I would say that indicates that you could benefit from the material that we teach and that you could benefit from the community of support and encouragement that our class provides.  

However, just like Jesus asked the man at the pool of Bethesda, I have one more question for you to answer:   Do you want to be healed? (John 5:6)

If the answer to that question is “Yes”, I would offer you Jesus’ invitation to “Come and see” (John 1:39) what the Lord can do in your life when you decide to “be real” and walk with Him.

But whether you take our invitation to our class or not, I would encourage you to keep walking and talking with God because even if you are in the thick of it, where you can’t see the forest for the trees, if you listen to His voice and follow where He leads, He will take you to the light at the end of the tunnel.  

This morning’s meditation verse is:

2 Timothy 3:16 (NKJV)
¹⁶ All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

 2 Timothy 3:16 is for the Bible what John 3:16 is for salvation! 

Today’s verse speaks the truth that the Bible is God breathed.  The word of God is unlike any other book. It is the all-time best seller by leaps and bounds and has been translated in over 2,500 languages. Its accuracy has been proved by archaeology and through it fulfilled prophecies. The mathematical odds of one person fulfilling all the prophesies that Jesus did are astronomical.   The word of God is true and the one narrative of the Bible is that God’s redemptive plan worked throughout history and culminated in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It also tells us of the future and how Christ will return to fulfill God’s plans for the universe.   

So it is totally rational and reasonable for us to believe that the Bible really is God’s message to the people He created.   In fact, I plan on teaching an entire lesson on this theme this fall in our ministry’s upcoming “Freedom in Christ” course.   

Not only does this verse assure us of that the scriptures are divinely inspired it also tells us why we should read and study it.  

The Bible “is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,” The Bible teaches us the right way to live our lives and will convict us to changes the things in our lives that don’t align with its wisdom.  

I can attest that studying and following the word of God is profitable because it has transformed my life.  God loves us and the Bible is His love letter to us that invites us to follow Him into all He has made us to be.   

I invite all to mt4christ.org where I always share insights from prominent Christian counselors to assist my brothers and sisters in Christ with their walk. 

 

Today, in continuing recognition of mental health awareness month, we continue to share from Dr. June Hunt’s “Suicide Prevention: Hope When Life Seems Hopeless “.

As always, I share this information for educational purposes and encourage all to purchase Dr. Hunt’s books for your own private study and to support her work. If you need this title you can find it online at several sites for less than $5.00:

H. How to Hold On to the Lifeline of Hope

God’s Word emphasizes the importance of belonging to and attending a supportive church and encouraging church. That means gathering regularly with a group of people who can love you and encourage you. There’s a community of people near you who need you as much as you need them. The Bible gives this message of encouragement ... “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another” (Hebrews 10:25).

Then, if you begin to feel like you’re drowning in waves of despair, when you’re at your darkest moment of desperation, you’ll have people you can contact, people who will connect with you, who truly care when you’re in crisis. You are not alone. Let God love you ... through His people. ...

“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else.” (1 Thessalonians 3:12)

Crisis Card

How can you be rescued in an ocean of despair? You need to be prepared before you are overwhelmed by wave upon wave of hopelessness. With or without the help of others, you can equip yourself ahead of time by making a Lifeline Crisis Card.

From the following suggestions, choose what is appropriate for you, then outline the steps you will take when you find yourself in an emotional crisis. Give a copy of your plan to trusted family members or friends, and keep a copy with you at all times—in your wallet, car, desk, medicine cabinet, and kitchen cupboard. When you first begin to feel your heart sinking: Reach out for your lifeline! ...

“Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.” (Psalm 25:20)

• When in crisis, I will focus on God ...

— I will pray:

“In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me” (Psalm 31:1–3; pray verses 1–9, 14–24).

— I will recite Scriptures aloud:

“Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed” (Psalm 57:1; also read Psalms 27 and 28).

— I will claim God’s promises:

“My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life” (Psalm 119:50).

— I will consider how special it is to be a child of God:

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1).

• When in crisis, I will listen to Christian praise music and Scripture songs:

“Sing to the Lord, you saints of his; praise his holy name. ... Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:4–5).

— I won’t listen to heavy metal or acid rock.

— I won’t listen to rap or hip hop.

— I won’t listen to sad, country-western music.

• When in crisis, I will question myself:

—“Why do I feel the need to hurt myself?”

— “What do I think I will accomplish through this?”

— “According to God, is what I am telling myself the truth or a lie?”

— “Are my actions and desires reflecting my true identity in Christ, or are they coming out of my past experiences?”

— “What effect would harming myself have on those who care about me?”

“Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place” (Psalm 51:6).

• When in crisis, I will make positive affirmations:

— “My life is worth living because His Word assures me that I am a child of God.”

— “God loves me and has a purpose for my life.”

— “Because God has a plan for me, I will treat the body He gave me with respect.”

— “Even though I can’t see the future, I will walk by faith, not by sight.”

“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).

• When in crisis, I will review encouraging words:

— Read aloud positive letters and notes from friends and family.

— Review positive thoughts of why it’s worth it to heal.

— Recall those who believe in me and in my growth.

— Remember what others have said about why there is hope for me.

— Rehearse God’s promise. ...

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8).

• When in crisis, I will not:

— Act on impulse

— Do any harmful act or anything even potentially harmful to myself, to others, or to property

— Drive my automobile if there is a possibility of my driving recklessly

— Act rashly

“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV).

• When in doubt as to whether an action is harmful, I will ask myself:

— “Would God approve of this?”

— “Would the people I love approve of this?”

— “Would the people who care about me approve of this?”
If the answer is NO! then I must not do it! If I would hurt innocent people whom I care about, then I must not do it! No rationalizations, no excuses, just Do Not Do It!

“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised” (Hebrews 10:36).

• When in crisis, I will:

— Make a list of names and phone numbers of people I can call for help.

— Make copies of my list and put them in strategic places (bedside table, medicine cabinet, file cabinet, desk drawer, car).

— Give my list to several caring people.

— After going through the previous steps—if I am still in a crisis—I will reach out and call others who will be helpful and truthful. (They can help me regain perspective.) I will continue to go down my call list until I have reached someone.

— State directly, “I am calling because I am in an emotional crisis.” I will honestly discuss the feelings and events that led to the crisis and will explore possible solutions.

— Continue to make phone calls, including repetitions, until the crisis is resolved, no matter what time of day or night.

Friend:           

Relative:           

Friend:           

Relative:           

Friend:           

Therapist:           

Doctor:           

Church:           

Pastor:           

Crisis Hot Line:          

Suicide Prevention: 1-800-Suicide (784-2433)

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10)

• If still in crisis after completing these steps:

— I will ensure my physical and emotional safety by going to a safe environment where I am not alone.

— I will make arrangements to be with a friend or supportive person.

— I will go to a public place where harming myself is difficult.

— If all else fails, I will go to a hospital emergency room and tell them, “I am at risk of harming myself.” I will make it clear, “I do not want to check in—I simply want to sit in the waiting room for a little while so that I won’t act on my impulses.”

— If I have diligently and honestly worked through these steps and I’m still in trouble, then I’m truly in a crisis situation that may require hospitalization for my protection.

“Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.” (Proverbs 19:20)

Say to yourself, “I can make it safely through a crisis. In God’s eyes I am valuable, and my life and safety are important!”

No matter your painful ordeal, no matter the hurt that you feel, God knows. ... God hears. ... God cares. ...

“You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry .... He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea.” (Psalm 10:17; 102:17)

Biblical Counseling Keys - Biblical Counseling Keys – Biblical Counseling Keys: Suicide Prevention: Hope When Life Seems Hopeless.

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

 

God bless you all!

 

Join our Victory over the Darkness Discipleship Class via the mt4christ247 podcast!

at https://mt4christ247.podbean.com, You can also find it on Apple podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mt4christ247s-podcast/id1551615154) and Google podcasts (https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL210NGNocmlzdDI0Ny9mZWVkLnhtbA%3D%3D

Email me at mt4christ247@gmail.com to receive the class materials, share your progress, and to be encouraged.

 

Encouragement for the Path of Christian Discipleship

Purity 428: Encouragement for the Path of Christian Discipleship

Purity 428 05/26/2021 Purity 428 Podcast

Good morning.

Today’s photo of a blazing sun over, and reflected in, the waters of Queechy Lake in Canaan NY was captured by a friend on a paddling excursion last week.   I share it for its blazing beauty and because it was taken on a Wednesday and the sun seems to be right in the middle of this photo just like we are right in the middle of the week.

Unlike the regularity of the work week, when we are transitioning in life from one season to the next we are not always sure whether we are at the beginning, the middle, or the end.   When we are going through seasons of loss or change, some of us want to push to the ending, some want to go back to where they were, and others don’t want to go any further and would choose to not experience anymore changes and just stay where they are.   

We all have different situations in life and what might be good advice for one person isn’t necessarily going to be good advice for another.  I am a “push to the ending” or “go to the next thing’ type of person.  Perhaps because I grew up in a home where alcohol was abused, I tend to look beyond the trauma of what has happened and seek to clean up the mess and move on.  “Yeah stupid stuff happens, and things get broken around here… let’s just pick it up and make it nice again.” 

The problem with that response is that we have done nothing to change the “stuff that happens” or to prevent things from breaking in the future.  The person who made the mess is not held accountable and is not suffering the consequences for their actions.  

I used to clean up my own messes for most of my life and thought I was the only one to suffer from the consequences but that wasn’t true.  We don’t live in a vacuum. When we do stupid things or break stuff it impacts the other people in our lives.   My ex-wife and children had to live with the unpredictability of an alcoholic in their lives while I just thought “that’s they way we do things around here.”

Fortunately, the Lord called me out of the darkness of who I was and lead me to repentance and sobriety.  I am happy to say that my children report that they don’t think of me the way I used to be, and, unlike me, they have decided to not have drugs and alcohol in their lives.

Unfortunately, the transition to Christianity and sobriety proved to be too much of a change in me to allow my marriage to survive. While I was willing to “clean up the mess and make things nice”, the other party decided that they didn’t want to play nice anymore and as much as I tried to save it, I realized that the pain that my family was feeling would only be healed by letting go.   

As much as I wanted to make things nice, I realized I had to get out for peace to come. I faced a difficult road to a new home, one on which I didn’t know if I was at the beginning or the middle, but I sure knew I wasn’t at the end.  I didn’t know if there would be an end.  

But God…

God was with me every day as I sought His presence, wisdom, and strength in prayer and continually seeking Him.  Through His guidance, what seemed impossible was accomplished. My children and I live in a safe place where we know peace again.  

So I don’t know if you are at the beginning, in the middle, or near the end of this transitional season of your life and I don’t know if you need to stay or if you need to go.  Sometimes we can’t clean up the mess. Sometimes we can. 

I know one thing from most of my life watching things get swept under the rug and doing a fair amount of that myself.  It’s better to stop the person making messes rather than continually cleaning them up.  If they won’t work to change and save what they’ve broken, it tells you something about them and your relationship.

The mess maker needs to be held accountable for what they have done.  They need to realize the damage they have done.   When God showed me the extent of my depravity and the abundance of His love and grace, I followed where He led me. And while it has never been easy, I knew it was the right way to go.  

So keep walking and talking with God because He knows the right way for you to go.  No two people are the same so your path will be uniquely yours to follow but there will be few regrets if you listen to God and lean on Him.    

 

This morning’s meditation verse is:

Colossians 3:17 (NKJV)
¹⁷ 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.

Today’s verse is the most basic instruction for those who are called to walk the Christian disciple’s path.  

I had originally written for those who “want” to walk the Christian disciple’s path, but I realized that in and of ourselves there is nothing that would want to choose a lifestyle where you are guaranteed persecution.   Before the Lord revealed the Truth to us, our desires were consumed by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. 

No, we must be called.  The question is: how will you answer it?

While we believe in Jesus Christ and His redemptive plan for those who put their faith in Him, God didn’t just want “believers”. Jesus called people to follow Him and those who did He called His disciples.      

Being a disciple of Christ was demonstrated by learning from Him and living with Him.  Being a disciple is the same today.

I think the biggest distinctions in the disciple’s walk that differs from “believers” are compartmentalization and context.

We all compartmentalize our lives. We behave one way at home, and we behave another way at work.  Although many of the ways we behave at home and at work are consistent with who we consider ourselves to be, certain protocols at work demand we behave differently.  The way we act, the things we say, the clothes we wear are just different from one sphere to the next.  When quitting time comes on Friday afternoon, we can feel the weight of our work-selves being lifted as we are “free to be me”.   We have shifted gears from business to pleasure, or from professional to personal.     

Unfortunately, this compartmentalization of the way we live also happens in our spiritual lives as we act one way “in the building” than we do outside of God’s house.   Just like work, we may agree and behave according to the protocols of church while we are there but lose that demeanor the moment we are back in the world.  Have you seen yourself or others put on their Sunday best in terms of a righteous demeanor at church to watch it all but vanish when they passed through the threshold of the church’s exit?   

As this verse in Colossians indicates, the word of God directs us that in whatever we do we do it in the name of the Lord Jesus, that we live according to His way.     

As we walk the disciple’s path, we begin the process of tearing down the walls of compartmentalization, the divisions of the secular and the spiritual, and we start living in the context of God.

By abiding in the Lord’s presence and by reminding ourselves that we are Christians, we begin to see that there is no separation from the spiritual realities of life.  God is omnipresent. If we feel God is distant, we are the ones who have turned a blind eye to Him.   

The disciple’s path isn’t just living by a code of ethics or following rules, the disciple’s path is abiding in God’s presence and responding to life in the context of the truth of who we are in Christ and according to God’s wisdom.  

When we start walking with the Lord, we take our faith with us wherever we go. Our faith survives leaving the church building, goes home with us, and amazingly it goes with us to work on Monday morning too.  Our interactions with others become a part of an overall spiritual practice as we are grounded in God’s love and will seek to share it through acts of service and kindness.

When we realize our faith is in a God who never leaves us, we will naturally express His love to others and give thanks to God for all that He is and for all that He provides. 

The disciple’s walk does not need to be a stiff march our authoritarian obedience but is better understood as one that utilizes God’s wisdom and love to be a compassionate response to the world around us.  It is a walk that strengthens us as we make our way through the world and it empowers us to respond in a loving way that will show others that God is with us and that we are increasingly representing the Lord Jesus Christ in all that we do.     

I invite all to mt4christ.org where I always share insights from prominent Christian counselors to assist my brothers and sisters in Christ with their walk. 

  

 

Today, in continuing recognition of mental health awareness month, we continue to share from Dr. June Hunt’s “Suicide Prevention: Hope When Life Seems Hopeless “.

As always, I share this information for educational purposes and encourage all to purchase Dr. Hunt’s books for your own private study and to support her work. If you need this title you can find it online at several sites for less than $5.00:

G. How to Turn from Feeling to Healing

When you’re in the darkest depths of despair, when you feel emotionally trapped with no way out, remember ... you’re not alone. Countless thousands all around the world are experiencing the same feelings of hopelessness.

Besides pursuing activities that will help dissuade suicidal thoughts, reach out to others who are hurting just as you are. Find comfort and solace in sharing feelings and encouraging one another. There’s no better way to bring hope and healing to yourself than by bringing hope and healing to someone else. Your own spirit will inevitably be lifted. ...

“Our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.” (2 Corinthians 1:7)

If you focus on feelings of despair, then hopelessness will inevitably lead to depression and possibly to suicidal thoughts. Replace those negative, self-defeating thoughts with constructive thoughts. ... Occupy your mind with uplifting activities. Above all, if you are thinking about suicide, call your pastor, a suicide prevention center, a counselor, or a trusted friend. They want to help you.

Activities to Alleviate Suicidal Obsession

• Walk, jog, bike, or swim ... for physical release

• Lie down or take a nap ... for physical renewal

• Take a long hot shower or bubble bath ... for physical soothing

• Curl up with a heating pad ... for emotional warmth

• Play with a pet or cuddle a stuffed animal ... for emotional comfort

• Journal or draw your feelings ... for emotional release

• Watch an inspiring movie ... for emotional enjoyment

• Play Christian praise music ... for spiritual inspiration

• Read a Christian book or biography ... for spiritual pleasure

• Memorize a verse of Scripture ... for spiritual focus

• Work a jigsaw or crossword puzzle ... for mental stimulation

• Do indoor or outdoor chores ... to remove clutter

• Clean a refrigerator, cabinet, closet, or a drawer ... to feel productive

• Prepare a grocery list, selecting healthy foods ... to meet physical needs

• Organize coupons and go shopping ... to meet practical needs

• Take prescription medicine as needed ... to meet medical needs

• Go to the park and watch the people ... to enjoy others

• Sort through clothes to give to the needy ... to benefit others

• Volunteer at a ministry, church, or charity ... to serve others

• Call a friend and offer help ... to reach out to others

“There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” (Proverbs 23:18)

Biblical Counseling Keys - Biblical Counseling Keys – Biblical Counseling Keys: Suicide Prevention: Hope When Life Seems Hopeless.

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

 

God bless you all!

 

Join our Victory over the Darkness Discipleship Class via the mt4christ247 podcast!

at https://mt4christ247.podbean.com, You can also find it on Apple podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mt4christ247s-podcast/id1551615154) and Google podcasts (https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL210NGNocmlzdDI0Ny9mZWVkLnhtbA%3D%3D

Email me at mt4christ247@gmail.com to receive the class materials, share your progress, and to be encouraged.

 

Encouragement for the Path of Christian Discipleship