Tag Archives: Mental Health

Your Sunday Bread, Addressing the Pulpit

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Addressing members of the clergy’s behavior is a difficult situation. No one wants to see their pastor, the leader of their church caught in scandal, because not only does it bring the church a bad name, its members are looked upon harshly, and worst of all the word of God.

In all of this one might wonder what has become of this thing; or amazed at how this all came about.  Our church was popular someone might think, but within these perils of thought one must also consider whether their church has become popular for the wrong reasons.

Before we go on with this subject, we must note that people are quite hush hush about what goes on with the men of God; those who lead the flocks, and when the preacher is seen doing things contrary to the word of God, where sin is present no one wants to be the one to confront it. Most people are fearful of the man of God and most will use the word to excuse their inability to speak out. Actually, it is cowardice in its greatest display.

The scripture taken from Psalms 105:15 Saying, “Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm”, and the same in 2 Chronicles 16:22.

Although we shouldn’t touch those anointed many people  are portrayed doing that in the bible and more so in deed than words. Here we note that the prophets were being killed because of speaking God’s word to those who were idol worshippers and other sins.

The Prophet Elijah was chased out of town by a death threat from Jezebel in 1 Kings 19:2-3,

“Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.  And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.”

Prophets were killed for spreading the word of truth in those days.

Today, however, the men of God are seen having affairs, molesting students under their care and counsel, raping; and even participating in homosexual acts against its members which are most certainly acts against the word of God.

Sin is running rampart in the pulpits, our leaders falling under the lies of Satan and no one is saying anything.

No one wants to talk about it; that is, to straighten the man out!  Sadder still is prayer being manifested as a last resort when those act already known by some in the church are made public. Hence, we see our preachers being drug off to jail, sent to prison and one notable example  is of a Pastor and Funeral Director who was murdered, hog tied and gagged; not for spreading the good news of Christ our Savior, but for deeds done against our Holy God and his church.

God says this:

 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith.

 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth(Suppress it) in unrighteousness;

 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

 And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed beasts, and creeping things.

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves:

 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

(Romans 1:16-18, 22-25) (Emphasis mine)

Pastor John Piper explained homosexuality as “worship of self” as a form of idolatry which in turn leads to men and women’s lust of same sex which is idolatry.

God gives explicit word for people who accept this in church and out as well. He says about the homosexual that he gave them up to this life style to do what they will, which in turn leads to more sin.

The observation here is that these things are occurring in the Roman Church who the author speaks to. Notably, people might believe that he is speaking to someone outside; this is what one would expect, but sadly we cannot tell the world from the church.

God says, “
“ And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.

 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, (Romans 1:27-30)

And covenant breakers; the church:   

 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. (Romans 1:31-32).

The main concern is to judge what is right and stop turning a blind eye to sin. There is something wrong when people called by the name of God cannot open their mouths and speak truth no matter who it is.

Probably the most heinous crimes are not done by people unsaved, but by people who call themselves saved. Now everybody is shocked and taken aback because someone they idolized and worshipped instead of God has left them disappointed and dumbfounded. Why are we shocked when we don’t pray, when we don’t speak truth even to the ones who teach us.

We have to take the church back it has become a breeding ground of sin. God is not pleased and is bringing his wrath in judgment.

above all things pray without ceasing

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The Cast Down Spirit

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“She girds herself  [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong and firm.”

(Proverbs 31:17)

Depression can cause spiritual, mental and physical exhaustion. I saw a television advertisement that said, “Depression hurts.” Yes, it does because we can become paralyzed literally in our thinking, becoming so low that some have attempted to take their lives because of it.

Depression is a tool that the enemy uses to stop progress in our thoughts. Thoughts of past hurts, of family woes, financial concerns, and abusive relationships can all take their toll on an already weak mind. When I say weak it is because depression seems to hit hardest when we’re feeling down about ourselves already, low self-esteem and self-hatred dealt cold hands. Sometimes it can go unnoticed, and it might have succeeded if had not been for the ultimate battle that came to claim its victim.

Today I want to talk about THE CAST DOWN SPIRIT, because it is the in-between area that blends in with the happiest of times and the worst of times. However, it is the most hurtful because it is here that this silent enemy almost always wins unless we find strength to fight it. Depression is the number one cause of disability in women, but it affects men as well. We need to talk about it because there are some who even in this day and age with all the medical treatments and therapies available still find it hard to speak out that there is something wrong. This to me is the greatest tool that Satan uses against women and if you were brought up in an environment where secrets were kept makes it even harder to speak out. I want to go in-depth about this silent killer of good thoughts and see what the word is saying to us about gaining strength, but first let’s look at what thing really is doing to our minds.

Take a look:

What is Depression?

Minor depression is characterized by having symptoms for 2 weeks or longer that do not meet full criteria for major depression. Without treatment, people with minor depression are at high risk for developing major depressive disorders.

Some forms of depression are slightly different, or they may develop under unique circumstances. However, not everyone agrees on how to characterize and define these forms of depression. They include:

  • Psychotic depression, which occurs when a person has severe depression plus some form of psychosis, such as having disturbing false beliefs or a break with reality (delusions), or hearing or seeing upsetting things that others cannot hear or see (hallucinations).
  • Postpartum depression, which is much more serious than the “baby blues” that many women experience after giving birth, when hormonal and physical changes and the new responsibility of caring for a newborn can be overwhelming. It is estimated that 10 to 15 percent of women experience postpartum depression after giving birth.1
  • Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is characterized by the onset of depression during the winter months, when there is less natural sunlight. The depression generally lifts during spring and summer.
  • Bipolar disorder, also called manic-depressive illness, is not as common as major depression or dysthymia. Bipolar disorder is characterized by cycling mood changes—from extreme highs (e.g., mania) to extreme lows (e.g., depression).

Symptoms of depression include:

• Little interest or pleasure in doing things

• Feeling down, depressed or hopeless

• Trouble falling or staying asleep or sleeping too much

• Feeling tired or having little energy

• Poor appetite or overeating

• Feeling bad about yourself, that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down

• Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television

• Moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed or the opposite in that you are so fidgety or restless that you

Have been moving around a lot more than usual

• Thoughts that you would be better off dead or of hurting yourself in some way

Women may be more likely to report certain symptoms, such as:

• Anxiety

• Somatization (the physical expression of mental distress)

• Increases in weight and appetite

• oversleeping

• Outwardly expressed anger and hostility

Sometimes these feelings may seem normal, especially when we don’t know anything of a calm environment or may have had them early on. They were noticed then at their first onset, but were unrecognized or ignored. I was 20 years old when I first experienced this sad feeling. As I look back on it now it came in with the thought, “I should be married now.” Wow, what a difference time has made and what a blessing when wisdom comes…Thank you God, Amen. More lessons, yet more wisdom to go.

“Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the help of my [sad] countenance, and my God.”

 (Psalm 43:5)

 Even David was faced with depression because he asks himself, “Why are you cast down, O my inner self?”

 Cast down means to be depress or as/like sinking and this verse gives us where this is taking place in our spirit (KJV says soul). It’s a very hurt feeling that comes along with thoughts but when first experienced it comes on so suddenly that one has to question why? Sometimes there doesn’t have to be anything going on and there it is. It’s reminds me of someone who is baffled about something and cocks their head to one side because they’re trying to figure it out but can’t quite pinpoint it, that’s the response to it; bewilderment.

“And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me?”

I want to point out here two other words that can help us to relate to this condition because sometimes we become sorrowful in our spirit and can’t explain it. We are blessed that God has given us the wisdom to seek after the Him…we should want to know more, because He is showing up the enemy tactics. David use some solemn words to describe what  he is feeling.

Moan: the Strong’s dictionary describes it this way, it’s clamorous, to make a loud sound, rage, tumultuous. There’s this episode of “I love Lucy” where Lucy, Ricky, Fred, and Ethel are traveling to California and they have car trouble to stop over at this little rinky dink gas/motel/diner. It’s the middle of the night and their starved and have no other choice but to stay over in this run down roach motel. They pay for sandwiches and the only room available so that the 4 have to share it. While the owner is outside trying to fix their car, they then find out that the cheese on the sandwiches is like rubber so they have to go hungry. So they go to their room and try to get some sleep, but the beds are a mess and uncomfortable, and then when they finally do manage to calm themselves enough to rest a loud train comes through which causes the beds to vibrate and move to the center of the room. Then they try to leave the place and find that their steering wheel has been stolen, and the owner just happens to have one just like theirs for sale; that’s a bad day. Similarly, that scene you’ve just witnessed is what it’s like when we can’t control our thoughts and emotions…seems that everything around us spiraling out of control.

David questions his downcast spirit and then he tells it the solution and what he will do, he says, “Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the help of my [sad] countenance, and my God.”

(Psalm 43:5) 

This is important because this moment of questioning and decision is where Satan uses our sin against us…this is where some will run back to the sin that so easily besets…alcohol and other substance, adultery, promiscuity. Remember that the purpose of the downcast spirit is to tie you up and force you back into to bondage; or keep you there if you aren’t delivered but have walking that way.

Where are we headed? 

 It’s either sink or swim, because we can choose to give in to this trick of the enemy or seek God in the middle of the sinking sand. We can either lay on the couch of the enemy or seek God through this sea of sadness so He can bring us to a place of wealth in our minds. Yes, I say wealth because if we are depressed then something has been severed from the promise of God. So it is the thought of where we are headed that seems most important at this point, so let’s look at the word of God:

“She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong and firm.”

(Proverbs 31:17)

 I have to tell you that when I look at the Proverbs 31 woman the way for the woman of God seems auspicious or favorable because God has given us a clear picture of what we will be like as we follow Him to wholeness. But this picture to me or could seem to others who haven’t attained this promise yet…a far reach. I believe that with all else we have to conquer being wives, mothers, students, etc., that we have to be whole in our minds to be anywhere near this woman portrayed here, this is impossible when we are weak in our minds; and most certainly cast down in our spirit. Where are we headed?

To “Gird, “means to put on something, look at this:

Proverbs 31:17, says, “she girds herself with strength in all areas of need.” the result is that she then becomes fit for her God given task. So that we see it as impossible to gain the type of strength needed for anything unless it is God given.

 In all areas of need that are spiritual, mental, and physical. It’s not easy to take time to rest and do all that is expected of us as wives mothers, and employee not to mention if we’ve embarked upon other ventures of independence…”you’ve come along way baby” then has improved avenues of wealth not only has also added to diverse thinking but has brought about stress where there was none before. So if we haven’t gotten ahead or bettered ourselves in terms of that career profession or education then chances is that this too has become more of a hindrance than a help…has this become a cause of dissension in our mind?

 Get help for your mind. Putting on strength means that we seek out those things to help us in our daily life. Some think that more money will solve the problem, and that may be so but if we are weak  in any one of the three areas, I need to mention money will not help. Our source of strength has to be more powerful than we are. Seek God for your spiritual needs.

Here’s some other help:

1. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – With Help Comes Hope

2. Depression Center: Symptoms, Causes, Medications, and Therapies

3. 1on1health.com: Depression

Praying for sound mind and good thinking….be in peace.

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