Here's Hope!

8 Questions that Reveal your IQ (Irritability Quotient)

2014-09-25T05:12:00.000-07:00

A wonderful word from Jon Bloom over at Desiring God on irritability:

"We get irritated or easily provoked, not when God’s righteousness or justice is scorned, but when something we want is being denied, delayed, or disrupted. It works like this:
When I’m weary I want rest, but if it’s denied/delayed/disrupted I get irritated.
When I’m sick or in pain I want relief, but if it’s denied/delayed/disrupted I get irritated.
When I’m preoccupied I want uninterrupted focus, but if it’s denied/delayed/disrupted I get irritated.
When I’m running late I want to avoid appearing negligent, but if it’s denied/delayed/disrupted I get irritated.
When I’m disappointed I want my desire fulfilled, but if it’s denied/delayed/disrupted I get irritated.
When I’m fearful I want escape from a threat, but if it’s denied/delayed/disrupted I get irritated.
When I’m uncertain I want certainty, preferably reassuring, but if it’s denied/delayed/disrupted I get irritated.
When I’m enjoying something I want to continue until I wish to be done, but if it’s denied/delayed/disrupted I get irritated.
The reason irritability is unloving, unrighteous anger is that it is a selfish response to an obstacle to our desire". HT Jon Bloom, Desiring God

Does that sound like you? I know that this behavior has been mine to be sure. It is all about selfishness. I have been there, and I could justify my response by saying that I am under stress, there is too much going on, or even saying the priority that is being delayed is something that God wants done. Oh, the blasphemy and idolatry of that last statement.

In biblical sound relationships, LOVE is the key. This means laying aside your wants and desires (even if they are good ones) for the benefit of the one who is loved. That is not to be a doormat, however, it is to take yourself out of first position in terms of you relationship with your spouse, your kids, your brothers and sisters in Christ, and, primarily, with God.

Irritability has its roots in idolatry- and the worst form of idolatry is self. Kill that idol, and you are guaranteed to experience peace in your relationships with God and man.

How do you lay aside the sin of irritability? Bloom has some further advice here. What it comes down to is recognizing it as sin and repenting, then slowly but surely changing your habits and ways of thinking.

What has helped you? Feel free to comment below.

Your Ever-Present Help

2014-09-18T06:22:00.003-07:00

As Born- Again Christians, we do not need Psychology in any form- 'christian' or secular. Why? We have a Helper, the Holy Spirit.

To understand the crucial role the Holy Spirit plays in meeting people’s inner needs, we must go back to what Jesus taught His disciples when He first promised them He would send the Holy Spirit. It happened on the night Jesus was betrayed. His crucifixion was drawing near, and the disciples were fearful and confused. When Jesus spoke to them about going away, their hearts were troubled (John 14:1). In that hour of turmoil, they feared being left alone. But Jesus assured them that they would not be left to fend for themselves. He comforted them with this wonderful promise:

I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. (John 14:16–17)

“Helper” in verse 16 is the Greek word paraklētos, meaning someone called to another’s aid. First John 2:1applies the same term to Jesus Himself: “If anyone sins, we have an Advocate [paraklētos] with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” The word is sometimes transliterated into English as “paraclete.”

It describes a spiritual attendant whose role is to offer assistance, succor, support, relief, advocacy, and guidance—a divine Counselor whose ministry to believers is to offer the very things that so many people vainly seek in therapy!- HT Grace to You

In fact, the Holy Spirit and His work in sanctification is all-sufficient to help believers.

There may come a time where we need direction and guidance, and this is where the one-another relationship comes in. Brothers and sisters in Christ can lend a listening ear and point to the scripture to help aid one who stumbles. It is still the Holy Spirit doing the work of healing and help, accomplishing His work through those whom He indwells.

If you are feeling depressed, stressed, or if you are caught in sin, repent- turn from the answers the world gives, or those that seem to be logical, to the indwelling Helper (The Holy Spirit).

I encourage you to read more here.

The God of Hope

2014-09-11T04:34:00.000-07:00

13Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

True hope is found only in knowing God. Knowing God means to believe in the One He has sent for our salvation- The only Savior, Jesus Christ, God in the flesh.

When we have the hope (the sure hope- the living hope) Jesus Christ- as Peter says in 1 Peter 1:3

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

We can have joy and peace, because as Peter continues:

4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which [e]is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Has the God of hope filled you with this joy and peace in believing? Have you experienced this abounding hope, even in the midst of various trials?

We have this hope because we have believed on Jesus Christ. We have peace because we have been justified by faith (Romans 5:1) We are able to walk in this world of trouble filled with hope because of the indwelling and powerful Holy Spirit.

And Jesus promised that we would have troubles in this world but He has overcome the world (John 16:33)He has promised us in the midst of troubles that we could ask for anything in His name and He would grant it, and our joy would be complete (John 16:24)

Jesus is our hope, our Peace, and our Joy. Because He is the same (Hebrews 13:8) yesterday, today, and tomorrow, we can experience this all in believing on Him.

Have you experienced the Hope, Peace, and Joy found only in Christ?

Put on the Breatplate of Righteousness!

2014-09-09T06:38:00.001-07:00

From Kyle Winkler Ministries:

What is the "breastplate of righteousness"?

“...and put on the breastplate of righteousness” (Eph 6:14, NRSV).

This week, I continue to reveal historical and spiritual insights about each piece of the full armor of God, taken from my new book, Silence Satan.

The Roman soldier’s breastplate provides a covering over each shoulder and the sides of the chest. It’s possibly the most beautiful part of the armor because its bronze or iron scales reflect the sun as the soldier moves about. It’s heavy, though, possibly forty pounds or more. But the protection it provides over the heart and vital organs is worth its weight.

Paul instructs that the righteousness we have in Christ is like this soldier’s breastplate, which covers and protects the most vital parts of who we are.

Throughout Scripture the word heart rarely refers to the blood-pumping organ that we know it as today. Instead, it’s most often used to describe the core being of the person—thoughts, emotions, and any “inner function” of an individual. In other words, the heart is the essence of who we are.

Satan seeks to assault us at our core. His whispers and accusations are aimed to corrupt the parts of your inner self to steal your identity and replace it with his defeated one. But when you put on Jesus Christ, you put on this breastplate of righteousness, which covers you in His identity.

See yourself adorned in the beauty and glamor of Christ’s breastplate. Feel the weight of its protection and declare this now: “I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus” (2 Cor. 5:21).

These attacks from Satan are no match for the Christian, because we are covered by the breastplate of righteousness. It is only when we 'take off' this breastplate that we are suceptible to the Satan's attacks- and it is then that we feel depressed and defeated.

Remember, in Christ you are a new creature. This new nature gives you the identity as a child of God, empowered and filled with the Holy Spirit, giving you the ability to be obedient and responsive to God's Word. You are righteous, because of His righteousness, and now you can do righteous works.

As a result, you can have His joy and His peace- which passes all understanding. Put on the breastplate of righteousness. The first step: Repent, turn to Christ alone for salvation. He is our righteousness.

Fullness of Joy

2014-09-06T06:41:00.003-07:00

11You make known to me the path of life;in your presence there is fullness of joy;at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11

What is your source of joy? Is that source based on fleeting, temporary things - money, children, relationships, actions of others?

The Psalmist knew the path to fullness of Joy, because he knew the Author of joy. True joy comes in knowing the God the Savior-Jesus Christ- and following the Path of Life.

Jesus said "I AM the door of the sheep" (John 10:7) and He is the narrow Gate (Matthew 7:13) that leads to life. In order to experience true, abundant joy, you must be walking on the path of life, which can only be entered through repentance and faith in Christ alone. It is there we can experience His presence. It is there where we can be at His right hand.

Joy comes from knowing the Savior. Knowing the Savior, Jesus Christ, means following Him. Do you know Him? Does He know you? Examine yourself- look at the path you are walking today. Are you experiencing joy? If you are not, it is likely that you are not being obedient to His will or His Word. Repent, change direction, and get back on that path of life. This is where you will know the path of life, be in His presence, and experience the pleasures of Life abundant.

Please share this with someone who needs the joy of the Lord today!

I Will Give You Rest

2014-09-04T07:11:00.000-07:00

Rest

My favorite part of the day - especially when I have been working hard or have been under stress. I love coming home to my wife and just sitting with her and resting.

I can rest next to my wife because I trust her. I know she loves me. She knows I love her. We feel safe next to each other.

She does not interview me before I come home from the day and see if I deserve rest. She just sees that I need it and she offers it to me. When I take her up on the offer, she does not shove it in my face or condemn me- she welcomes me in.

The same offer comes from Jesus, God in the Flesh. He is speaking to those who are His children. In context, the Jewish religion had become like any other religion- a bunch of rules - things to do and things you should not do - so that you could please God, and so He could be pleased with you. What they missed was that He was not pleased with them because of who they were and what they did, He was pleased with them because He chose them to be His children. When they saw that, and they responded in faith and trust in Him, God would give them rest from their religious labors. Like Abraham, and those who were true Israel, God declares us righteous not because of what we do, but because of faith- in what God has promised, in His way of salvation.

The same is true today. Jesus is calling to all you who laboring under the false idea that you can do anything in your flesh to please Him. Jesus is calling to all the religious folk who think that they need to do five pillars or seven sacraments or twenty four hour prayer vigils to please God. The call is to repent- this means to turn from your self made god that requires you to be as righteous as you can be. This means to turn from your own good works that you do to look good for God. This means turning from sin- which self righteousness as well as bad works is in God's eyes, and COME UNTO ME (Jesus). This is the repentance unto life- turning from self righteousness and sin, and then turning to (come unto Me) Jesus in faith.

It is resting in His finished work. It is placing faith in God's gift of salvation rather than your own filthy 'good' works (Isaiah 64:6)

Rest is a gift that is given by God. When you have been converted through repentance and faith in Christ alone, Christ makes you a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17) gives you good works to do (Ephesians 2:10) and doing those works and following His commands is not burdensome (1 John 5:3) but joyful, bringing us rest.

When we are converted, we live by faith in Christ's finished work. We rest in that. Jesus is our Sabbath rest- we can now rest from religious labors, rest in Him, and be at peace with God.

Are you resting or stuck in a cycle of religious works? Tell us about it in the comments below. If you have found rest, share this with someone who needs rest.

Cease Striving

2014-09-03T09:22:00.003-07:00

Be still....

Cease striving....

Be at peace....

These phrases all mean the same thing, but have different applications, at different points in our lives. The beauty of THE God-inspired document (the Bible) does that. It is living and active.

For me today, it means that God is in control, that He is sovereign, and that He will ultimately get the glory that is due His name - regardless of what I do, and regardless of what I do not do - He is God and He is in control.

I do not know about you, but it is not easy for me to rest. My mind and my body like always to be moving. There is nothing wrong with that, but it can cause me to fall into a ditch thinking that I have to somehow be or do or perform for God to get the glory He deserves.

Sometimes in doing this I forget about grace. I forget that it is not my job to get God glory, He is going to get glory. It is my job to know Him, to obey His word, to do the good works He has prepared for me to do in cooperation with Him. The results are in His hands. The glory goes to Him.

If I do what I can, and I move ahead, or around, or through His plan- I sin- but He still gets glory. If I refuse to cease striving (working out of my own abilities) His will is still accomplished. If I refuse to rest in the peace of God, I get all the stress-if I am always moving, never still, never resting in His finished work. I just don't get that joy and the peace that passes all understanding- but He still gets exalted to the ends of the earth.

I think I prefer the peace that comes with responding to His plan and His ability to accomplish it in me. If I am only willing to allow Him to work in me, I can cease striving, I can be at peace, I can finally be still. This all starts on the day of my redemption, the day I repent and lay down all that I am and have and allow Him to begin that good work in me. He continues that work through sanctification, daily crafting me into His image until there is none of me left, only the reflection of Jesus in me (Romans 8:29). It is finished when I am glorified; free from the very presence of sin.

That is when peace will be perfect, striving will cease, and we will truly know and experience God in all of His glory and fullness.

How do you best experience stillness and peace? Please share your comments with us!

How to experience JOY

2014-08-28T06:12:00.002-07:00

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
(Philippians 4:4-9 ESV)

So what is the application of Philippians 4:4-9 to your life? How is it that you can experience joy? It is really quite simple.

1. You must be born again (John 3:3, 16-20) The verses above have some very evident truths, but we must be careful to see the 'hidden' words as well. "Rejoice in the Lord", "Finally brothers" "in Christ Jesus". These are all terms indicating a indwelling and present relationship with Christ. This does not mean being religious, 'believing' in Jesus, going to church, being baptized. It is a total change, wrought by God in you. If you have any questions, check here.

2. Have communion with God: "In everything by prayer and supplication...with thanksgiving" Indicates a continuous and faith- filled communication with God. Faith-filled means we can bring our requests and thank Him before the answer even comes because we know the answer will be according to His will and for our best (Romans 8:29). Christians can tell Him everything, like he is our Father- because we have been adopted (Ephesians 1:5) as sons.

3. Imitate Paul (as he imitates Christ) (1 Corinthians 11:1) Paul was putting all of the above into practice-in prison. We should imitate these actions as we go about our daily lives whatever the situation we currently find ourselves in.

How do you put joy into practice? Comment below!

Think on these Things!

2014-08-26T05:15:00.001-07:00

"whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things" Philippians 4:8

The last thing that people think about - especially when in the midst of depression, stress, and anxiety - is the good things that are listed here.

Paul was in prison when he wrote these words. It was not the type of prison we are used to seeing with three meals a day, television, and time to rehabilitate. Paul was alone, in a dark, dank cell that had no running water and no toilet. The only food and clothes he had were provided for him when his friends remembered him, and that the guards did not confiscate for themselves.

When we are in the dark throws of depression,stress, and anxiety, it can feel like a prison. It can feel like no one cares. It is not people and situations that bring us to that place, it is our response to them. When we get there, we drink the poison of unforgiveness and bitterness that brought us to this place, and we sink deeper down. We grow more and more out of control, and as we try and grab control for ourselves, we slip further down yet. Note, when the focus is on ourselves and on our situation that we are in, we slip further and further down.

Paul understood because He understood the Word of God and He had a relationship through Jesus with God. If you are a Christian, you have that same relationship. The secret Paul discovered: Take your mind off of yourself and your situation, and turn it to the One who deserves worship and praise. Think of all the things that are good, and the God that provides all these good things. The promise is that the God of peace will be with you.

This type of worship only comes from a heart that has faith. Faith can see through the dark clouds and know that the sun is still shining. Faith knows that we serve a good God that will never leave us or forsake us.

Joy is not happiness. Joy can be had in the midst of sorrow and pain. Joy comes with peace- a lack of conflict. When you have peace with God (Romans 5:1) you can experience the peace of God- and the joy that comes with it- in any situation.

Let it Go!

2014-08-25T04:28:00.000-07:00

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6

What? don't be anxious?

What it comes to fear, doubt, stress, and depression- isn't that our go- to? God did create us with a place of protection that raises our awareness of our surroundings and protects us from harm. More often than not, however, we misuse that protective piece and decide to reside in that place. We enjoy that place, we like being there for extended periods of time, because we like control. We like to hold on to things even though in the long run, it can cause harm to our bodies, minds, and spirits.

God says let it go.

Let it go by bringing it to God in prayer. Give up that control to God, put Him back in the right place of authority. Resist the temptation to take it all on yourself.

Let it go, and let the results be in God's hands. Guess what - IF you are His child, he is creating you in the image of His son Jesus. Things that come into your life good and bad are there to accomplish this task. So give it to Him.

Let it go, and do it with thanksgiving to God. Thanksgiving when we pray means that we trust God for the answer before we know it - even when it may not be the answer we want. Thanksgiving means we trust God to do what is best.

Are you ready to let it go today?

If this post has been a help to you, please share it with another friend that can use it!

Again I will say: REJOICE

2014-08-24T15:05:00.001-07:00

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.(Philippians 4:4-9 ESV)

This passage is pure gold when it comes to the cure for depression, anxiety, and worry. We will break it into chunks over the next several days to help you, dear reader, to digest and grab hold of it.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

The last thing you probably feel like doing when you are in the depths of depression of the fear of anxiety is to rejoice. I get it. I have been there.

Paul was there to. Right when he wrote this. He was in a prison- a dark prison. I have heard both anxiety and depression described in those terms- but this was a real prison where Paul was all alone. He relied on his friends for food, clothing, and medical needs. He was daily beaten by Roman guards who really had nothing better to do than to harass Paul. If anyone had an excuse for feeling depressed, anxious, and sad - it was Paul.

But Paul had a grasp of Old Testament Scripture, and a relationship with the God who inspired all scripture (2 Tim 3:16). I wonder, was he thinking of Psalm 27?

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold^[a] of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?

6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me,and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;

I will sing and make melody to the Lord.

He had a choice. He could be bitter, sad, afraid- but Paul chose to rejoice. He knew God as His light and salvation, His stronghold. He knew that God would be the victor in all these things that he was facing. He chose to trust God and chose to be joyful in the midst of loneliness and pain.

As a believer in Christ, you have that same choice. You can choose to sink into despair when things all around you are not going right. You can choose to hide from people and from situations that seem not to go your way. or you can know the God of your salvation, Jesus Christ, is your ever present strong tower, and you can choose to rejoice. The source of joy is Christ, the way to access that joy is trusting Him enough to rejoice in all situations.

If this piece has helped you, please share it. Have you learned to rejoice in the midst of struggles? Share your story in comments below.

The secret of Joy

2014-08-23T05:49:00.000-07:00

Have you ever seen an athlete place Philippians 4:13 on their t-shirts or eye blacks to indicate that through Christ they can throw a football further, a baseball harder or jump higher? Did you ever wonder if that was the purpose or the context of the verse? Have you ever thought about the all things for which Christ can give us strength?

11Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13

When you put it into context, this is a much more powerful verse. Paul was writing Philippians when he was in chains. He was in prison- not the kind with cable TV and three squares a day- the kind where if people did not bring you food you starved. Paul had learned the secret of true joy- his relationship with Jesus Christ.

Because of this relationship, this joy, he could be content in any circumstance:

being brought low (depression, being in physical want)
abounding (having wealth, being happy, no physical lack)
facing plenty (having more than enough)
hunger (wanting for food, relationship)
abundance (having more than you need)
need (not having enough- physical, spiritual, emotionally)

Because of this relationship, this contentment- this joy, he could do all things not in His own strength, but through HIM (Jesus) who strengthened him.

When you have Jesus as your only hope, whatever it is that you are facing today, you can do it in His strength.

I read somewhere that responsibility means a response to HIS ability. Whatever you face in your work, your relationships, your circumstances today, why not respond to HIS ability to have joy (contentment) in the midst of them?

If this has been a help or encouragement to you today, please share it and leave a comment below.

Do you want hope for healing? Confess!

2014-08-22T06:07:00.000-07:00

Do you want hope for healing? Confess!

Confession means agreement. You are agreeing with the other party that they are right or you are wrong. True confession does not come about because you have been caught doing something wrong, it is a genuine sorrow for offending the other party.

In being justified in salvation, confession is an integral part (Romans 10:9-10, 1 John 1:7-9). In this we agree with God that Jesus Christ is Lord, and in turn we also proclaim it to other people, even if it means our life.

In the content of James 5:16: There is an ongoing struggle in our lives called sin. In all of our interpersonal relationships, sin can creep in and it has a way of destroying the best relationships. When you have wronged somebody, specifically a close friend or a spouse, it is very important to confess your wrongdoing. They key is to have transparency in relationships; the ability to tell the truth to another person and to admit when you are wrong.

The root cause of depression and anxiety - and even some other physical maladies- is unconfessed sin. Use the mirror of God's word and see if you have sinned in your relationship with God and others and take the time to confess. And here is real power to be healed: Don't just confess to God, or to the one wronged. Be transparent about your failings with other believers. This in turn will bring the sin to the light and be both a warning and an encouragement to others. It promotes healing to yourself and the larger body of believers.

Take the time to confess today. See what it does for your mental and spiritual health!

I have overcome the world

2014-08-21T04:38:00.001-07:00

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

For those dealing with depression, anxiety, or stress these simple and comforting words of Jesus can help. For Christians (those who are in Christ) no matter what the situation or circumstance, we can have peace because Jesus has overcome the world.

Today, when you are struggling with depression, fear, worry, or anxiety, breathe out this simple prayer:

Click Here!

Thank you Jesus- I know I will have tribulations, but in you I have peace. I know the end of the story. You have overcome death and sin. Thank you. Amen.