MasterTruth

Give God Credit

I think I know what spiritual success looks like. It is knowing what God says and doing it. It’s not making stupid decisions completely contrary to sound reason. It’s not letting anything get a hold on my judgment, whether that be habits, desires or choices.

That sounds pretty clear, doesn’t it? So, since I think I know all that, I have to confess that when I see a believer live contrary to all that, I struggle with my thoughts towards him/her. I don’t keep my verse for the year, which is Phil 4:8 to think on whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy. OK, I confess. I judge them. And after that, I ignore them.

Are you like me? Are there some brothers or sisters in Christ you’ve written off as hopeless after watching their bad choices, decisions and actions?

Wow. Not for the believer I’m judging, but for me and whoever relates to me. If we want to be a spiritual success, there are two perspectives we need to grasp:

First, Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. (Rom. 14:4) Give God credit. He can and will do anything for His children. One of His names is the Good Shepherd who leads His sheep. And He’s good at it. God can do anything. He can and will move heaven and earth to hold up His children. He’s done it for me. There was a time when I was one of those people I judge. I have a testimony that God held me up. He delivered me. He will do it for the believer I’m writing off.

Second, rather than judge this oblivious, weak and falling brother or sister, God tells me to warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. (1 Thes. 5:14) That is love, and that is God’s supreme command. Love Him and love others—not in thought, but in deed and in truth. Love in action.

I have to ask who the real loser is. My unloving attitude towards those I have my eagle eye on shows that now I am the one who needs a rescue from God.

Here’s a benediction for us all, the “judgees” and the judgers (who recognize the error of their way). Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. (Jude 1:24)

Jody

Mental Health Issues

What is mental illness? I checked with Mayo Clinic… “Mental illness refers to a wide range of mental health conditions — disorders that affect your mood, thinking and behavior. Examples of mental illness include depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders and addictive behaviors.”

Is it something we self-diagnose, or does it require a doctor to make the pronouncement?  

I can save everyone some money and just state it. According to that definition, we are all mentally ill at least some of the time. Join the crowd. Don’t add to it by getting a decree from a doctor, which leaves you feeling damaged and doomed to live out the rest of your life with this ball and chain around your brain.

There’s so much to say about this, I hardly know where to start. But I have written a book about it. Off to the right you’ll find this link: “Book: Ditch Depression Devotional….” Click on that and it will lead you to the first chapters of the book, and it will begin you on a path of hope and overcoming.

But for here, I suggest mind/mental transformation through renewal. You need a complete renovation of your mind. This won’t come from a pill, but from an exercise of the will. Do not consult women’s magazine articles, Dr. Phil or your next door neighbor.

Let’s exercise our faith muscles, starting with this: According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: (2 Pet. 1:3)

Do you believe that? He is the complete mental health hospital, with the prescriptions in His word, the Bible. And for the first renewal prescription, get a dose of this:

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Rom. 12:2a)

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” (Eph. 4:22-24)

If you will just take a few minutes to read those verses again and think about them, you’ll start to be enlightened. Ask God to show you what it means to renew your mind. Ask Him to show you other verses you can hang on to and put your hope in.

Pray this prayer, first spoken by David. “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (Psa. 51:10a)

Ask God to make His promises true for you. Like this one… But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isa. 40:30-31)

Don’t you feel better already? Just know that God knows you are weak and that you need His strength. He is waiting for you to come to the end of your abilities so you will come to your senses and start tapping into His abilities. If you have mental health issues right now, it might be to get you to this point.

Jody