Don't stay sad, when you can be glad!

Did you know that the USA and France are the saddest nations on Earth? The World Health Organization says that about 121 million people worldwide have some form of depression, but the USA and France are leading in this. One in ten people in America where I live are really affected by it, and 20% are recieving some form of treatment for this. 

Can true repentance, the free forgiveness from God, obedience to His Word, praise, sinere thanksgiving, His inner peace from starting and maintaining a right vertical relationship with Him, and Christ's strong joy help the world's depressed people? Indeed. Sure! Should depressed people seek out adaquate professional help as well? Sure, they should. 

Just been thinking lately about how depression would never have been here on Earth if man had never sinned and how God is often the last Person depressed people run to when afflicted by this. 

I wonder how many real Christians greave the Holy Spirit of God living inside of them through disobedience and then think this all is merely depression that needs to be addressed by drugs...and how many actually need medical treatment. I won't play doctor here, but the Bible has a lot to say on this subject and I respectfully challenge you to do a thoroough study on it.    

"Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus." ~ Paul, 2 Corinthians 7:6

"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

There have been times when I was feelin' very down...like on the floor kinda down (not sure if I was clinically depressed or not), but people need hope and purpose and prayerful meditation upon certain passages of Scripture have so uplifted me through the years. In the Bible, Moses, Elijah, David, Job and others had to confront depression. Do a study on this. These feelings can come after a great victory so don't let your guard down. From history we can see that Sir Winston Churchill called depression his 'black dog', that Ernest Hemingway referred to it as 'the artist's reward'. And did you know that President Abraham Lincoln also battled with depression for his whole adult life. He battled suicide as well. If that's how it is with you as well, never do that, never ever! There is help. Did you know that this great American hero, at times for his own safety, would not even allow himself carry a knife. It's true. If you can relate, then don't be your own doctor. Run to Jesus first and then to some Bible based, balanced godly counsel, and then to the doctor that the Lord guides you to.  

Seeking out fellowship with red hot spiritual Christians who like to grow and share the Word with people and even pertinent parts of their own story (of victory, how they actually overcame through Christ)... and I don't mean hearing from those who are lukewarm, worldly, carnal, or half-committed believers... but hearing from strong believers ..that's what is good. Yes, this can really help. God tells us to go do this and not to forsake such fellowship. Hey, we all need to put our hope somewhere right so we want to be around those who point to Jesus Christ the Hope of the whole world. 

What verses would I personally go visit to address this? I would purhaps start by gong to Psalm 43, 42:5, 42:11 etc. 

Deuteronomy 33:27 – The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.
2 Samuel 22:17-22 – He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters; He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me. They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the Lord was my stay. He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me. The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
2 Samuel 22:29 – You are my lamp O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light.
Ecclesiastes 9:4 – Anyone who is among the living has hope.
Psalms 9:9 – The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
Psalm 27:14 – Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
Psalm 31:22,24 – You heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help… Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.
Psalm 34:18, 19 – The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.
Psalm 37:23-24 – If the Lord delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumbles, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
Psalm 43:5 – Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God.
Psalm 55:22 – Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
Psalm 62:5 – Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.
Psalm 126:5 – Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.
Psalm 143:7-8 – Answer me quickly, O Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I'll lift up my soul.
Psalm 147:3 – He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 145:14 – The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.
Proverbs 12:25 – Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up.
Isaiah 26:3-4 – Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusts in Thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength. (See also Philippians 4:6-7 below)
Isaiah 35:10 – And the ransomed of the Lord will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away
Isaiah 40:31, 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.
Isaiah 53:4 – Surely he took up our sicknesses and carried our sorrows.
Mark 9:23 – Everything is possible for him who believes.
Romans 4:18-22  – Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, so shall they seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God. And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
Romans 15:13 – May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
II Corinthians 7:6-7  – Nevertheless God, that comforts, those that are depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus; (7) And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.
Philippians 4:6-7 – Be anxious for nothing, 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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
James 4:8 – Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
James 4:10 – Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
2 Peter 2:9 – The Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials.
1 Peter 4:12 – Dear Friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.
1 Peter 4:13 – But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed
1 Peter 5:7 – Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Now if you are on medications, listen, I won't ever tell you to go get off of em. All those on the right meds really need to stay on their meds until their docs says to stop. Yes, that would not be my place to advise in this area, but please know that it's hard to be and give a good witness for Jesus to lost people if your eyes stay inverted on self, if you are on the wrong meds and your heart stays way down in the dumps. Please know that seeing the right doctor is good and then helpping others who are in need can also help you. Sure, this can aid those who are feeling down and depressed. 

Choosing the Bible Christ and biblical beliefs ..and then choosing to help others in need, as unto the Lord..this can actually help the helper. Yes, To start it'll do the following:

• It will help you to get your attention off of you and your own problems. You yourself indeed don't need to be neglected, but sometimes we get in such a hole that we can't see anything else, or find the way out. Prayerfully helping others can work to break this downward cycle, and open our vision up to God's ministry vision for us. It gives proper perspective and shows us that your problems are not insurmountable.
• In helping other's find healing and ministry in Jesus Christ, you can heal much quicker. The love and compassion you show to others in your great time of need, pain  and suffering could come back to you as a blessing of healing and joy.
• Helping others will once again reveal your true worth to God - He died for you. It will show you that you do have great value and that you living in fellowship with Christ can make a real difference for eternity. Christians seek this; such purpose  was planted in our hearts by God. Some of these ideas here did not originate with me, but are by my friends and by Anon.
• The appreciation, you will feel from those you help ...will be such a joy. Their gratitude, peace, and fulfillment will make your heart leap. Yes, it will really bless you to see them getting blessed. Our hearts long for this fulfillment and it only comes by serving the Lord first. See Matthew 6:33.
• You will find that you aren't the only one with problems. We know this intellectually, but seeing it first hand is good too. Sometimes we feel like we have been singled out for pain from a mean God, but He is good and not mean. Please know that suffering comes to all, even to weak and to strong believers. Receive healing as God uses you to perhaps heal others. Don't be passive; get out and go with the Gospel.
• The 'feeling' you get from easing someone else's pain and stress, sometimes called "helper's high", can give you a mood boost. 
• You will recieve so much more as you continue to apply God's Word - He has a huge missionary heart. Follow/Like at  facebook.com/shareJesus or at G+

Sometimes pretty words ain't always so true, and true words ain't always so pretty.

The Bible says, "But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ--from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." Eph 4:15-16

i.e., Moral people per se don't get into heaven, nor do religious people ..if that's all they've got. Falls far short. It's not religion + Christ that = entrance. Christ is all ya need - it's only forgiven people that get welcomed in. 

What does God say about all that? 

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Tts. 3:5-7 nkjv

Done!.. by Jesus on the cross. Remember when Jesus said.. It is finished. Was not done.. by what we have earned but we still must make a choice to let Jesus in, and forgive, and save us. We can't save ourselves. Have you recieved His free gift? He doesn't offer it to any of us for all the points that we've tried to gain by punching the time clock at church etc. #AskInFaith 

But check it out.. after you have recieved free God's Gift by faith, that this the time to choose to be a witness for Christ. This is on His heart, so He will indeed help you. He can help you share your story so that others can have saving faith as well. Do ya have light from God inside of you yet? Hey, as opposed to merely stashin' it under a basket where no one can even profit from it.. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."  Matthew 5:16

"Fellows, have you caught any fish?” Have you been directed? We have a responsiblity regarding fishing, but the Ultimate fisher guides and adds into a fisher's net.

We fishers don't make the situation within hooked or dead fish positively different to awaken em ..I mean where the dead fish we encounter now live. We don't convict them, or add illumination to them, or save them. We can't quicken or change any of them and yet we are called to faithfully go fishing with the Ultimate Fisher - Jesus Christ. We are to cooperate with Him and leave the results up to Him.  

Wherever the Spirit will lead us in this world, we as believers are simply called to cast the nets where we are directed to do that, but it is God who fills our nets with all that comes into the nets. The catch and the praise and the credit and the glory are all His.  

"And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." 

In a court the duty of a witness is to clearly witness of what they know for sure, of what they have experienced, of what they have been told and clearly heard, but not to be paid off by anyone before-hand just to explain something in a certain false way, or to change those people who hear him or her. 

Please don't be willful even if others around you are, or be uber-independent doin' it your way, or even discouraged if sometimes you haven't caught any. Don't give up on God and don't give up on what He has called you to do. Jesus said to some fishermen, "'Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you'll get some!' So they did, and they couldn't haul in the net because there were so many fish in it."  facebook.com/shareJesus

Do you ever feel like God bailed from work early, isn't to be found, and doesn't give a flip anymore?

What i-s like u-p w-i-t-h t-h-a-t? Does God still love me ....does He love anyone any more?  He doesn't follow my directions...when He could so easily. Tryin' to grasp n even think about the last time He did. I have had a good plan all along and have tried to gently lead Him in it, but..is He MIA? He ain't usually following my commands now. Head-scratch. It'd actually be so simple for Him to, but He doesn't even seem to be into doin' the things that I have directed and ordered Him to do. Is He not into answering prayer any more?  @kurtwvs : ) Luke 6|46

(Said that this morning to be funny and make a point.. and kinda alarmed a friend. No worries, Jesus is still Lord [not me], He still loves us all, and He still wisely answers every prayer that His child will pray [with a Yes, No, or Wait]. That [above] was just a tongue-in-cheek rant of sorts to get your attention so you will keep praying. It was merely poking fun at how small I can sometimes be. God is still the C.E.D.M. [Chief Exec Decision Maker here] and He really cares - He never ever changes ..even when I do. Do you see my sly snicker-of-a-smile on the end of that rant?)

He ain't mad at ya. He both loves and likes you at the same time, even if He doesn't always like what we do. Yeah, my  Father is very fond of me and He is very fond of you! Let it keep sinkin' in. We should probably hear that ever single day multiple times. What does the Bible say? It clearly says... 

"God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." — Paul 5|8rom.

“We obey God's Law, not to be loved but because we are loved in Christ.” ― Jerry Bridges

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” ― John c4|13, 4

“It's not about finding ways to avoid God's judgment and feeling like a failure if you don't do everything perfectly. It's about fully experiencing God's love and letting it perfect you. It's not about being somebody you are not. It's about becoming who you really are.” ― Stormie Omartian

Sure, He really loves you and me this day.. in spite of our past, all of our foibles, our current imperfections, and He will in the future as well.

Agape love is like that. Go check it out in the Bible (zoom in on the red print).   

His love is far greater than all those here that love you most. Yup, out of love He wisely answers every prayer (with a "Yes," "No," or "Wait".. don't always feel good about the last two responses) and His love is so superior to the love of any other person. 

“Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He didn’t, and doesn’t, wait for us to get ready. He presented himself for this sacrificial death when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to get ourselves ready. And even if we hadn’t been so weak, we wouldn’t have known what to do anyway. We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice. But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him.” vv.6-8mess.

Legalism says God will love us if we change. The Gospel says God will save us and then change us because He loves us. We turn and trust Jesus. 

“When I lay these questions before God I get no answer. But a rather special sort of 'No answer.' It is not the locked door. It is more like a silent, certainly not uncompassionate, gaze. As though He shook His head not in refusal but waiving the question. Like, 'Peace, child; you don't understand.” ― C.S. Lewis

And because God loved us first as the great Initiator, we as the responders can now love each other with His love, and even show that love to those outside of His family. 

"Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity." ― Paul  1Tim4:12

Does this motivate you some? I hope so. His words of love edify, motivate and inspire me. 

Let us who are of the day walk in the light as He is in the light (be holy for He is). Let us be sober instead of all wasted. Let us be puttin' on the breastplate of faith and of real love everywhere we go (1Th.5|8). Let's continue to receive the love of the truth in Christ - He did and walked in the truth (1Th.2|10). And let's continue to esteem our sound church leaders very highly in love for their good work's sake. It ain't easy in our day being a leader in God's army of love (1Th.5|13). 

Yeah, I really want to try to challenge you here to literally stir up real love in the Spirit of selfless love (Heb.10|24), to be reverent, to be temperate, to be sound in faith, in love, and to live in patience waiting for Christ's appearing. I dare you to to all-out pursue righteousness, godliness, faith and God's kind of love (1Ti.6|11), to "hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love.." (2Ti.1|13). This is how God will make you into an effective representative for His Kingdom of love. Who is in?  facebook.com/shareJesus

No, you ain't alone, even during those times that are the worst, believer. He'll still hear ya. Yup, He promised He'd never leave you nor forsake you.

"Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me; buried, He carried my sins far away; rising, He justified freely forever; one day He's coming—O glorious day!" —Chapman

Who was with Him when Christ was led up that dark slope a top of Calvary's mountain? Who was there when they nailed Him on that lonely tree, and as He simply tried to breathe? Who was there when He was despised and struck and smitten of men.. as He suffered such anguish of soul n even physically? Who was there when He died so publically? The Father was there, and He'll be there for you as well. And the Father raised Him up out of that hole.. so we could be made whole. 

"He is not here; for He is risen." —Matthew 28:6

Do you feel forsaken? At a time when men had abandoned Christ and He felt totally cut off.. His vertical union held. Never broke. Feelin' so alone, He was not. "For He (the Father) has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; nor has He hidden His face from Him; but when He cried to Him, He heard." Ps. 22:24 #cContext  facebook.com/shareJesus

Chose to be a witness and then give a verbal witness.

Let my life be the proof; the proof of Your great love.  Let my love look like You, and what Your love would say..

of what it has selflessly paid, of what Your love would do and ..not do. Wanna be more like You, Jesus. 

"If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn't love others, I would only be a noisy gong (not merely sound like..) or a clanging cymbal."  1cor13:1nl.emph.mine  facebook.com/shareJesus

Thanks for sharpening me. So grateful!

Study to know what a much better future would actually look like and then.. "Every day do something that will inch you (and your friends) closer to a better tomorrow." ~ Doug Firebaugh 

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

Just want to say thank you friends! Let's continue to seek the Lord and bring people with us. I love all your responses and your Bible input in regards to daily evangelism and simply expressing the love of Christ. I like all the honesty and prayers for each other too. How cool is that stuff!

Lord, please do uplift our soul-winning friends here ..please do continue to answer prayers, and to edify, and to comfort, and provide, and guide, and strengthen, and minister to all our fisher-friends here. Please be pleased to use use today for your glory.. in Jesus Name. We each want to get closer and closer to you. Amen. 

Time visiting here has been a real blessing and challenging to me - it's been edifying and kind of suplimental it would seem. Thank you. Grateful for your siincere prayers and also feeling grateful for God tending to those prayers. In real fellowship people experience sympathy, empathy, understanding, sound Bible encouragement - nothing replaces this stuff. You know how it is ..sharing the pain, struggles, and challenges of others with heart-felt prayers to the Father through Jesus the Son. I sure ain't the effective witness for Jesus that I want to be yet, but I'm trusting God to change me to be more like Christ. Feeling grateful for the Body of Christ. 

"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17

Hope is hard sometimes when there's nothing to see.. like: Where's the harvest that we've been waiting for - the catch? Where's the change, the development, and the progress in me? Man, I do want all my relatives and friends to come into a relationship with Chirst soon, but I will continue to pray and trust the One who saved me when it took so long for me to board the clue bus.  

Be encouraged to share prayer requests and to continue praying for each other.

Hope is much easier when there's a connection to the God of all hope and there with His on-fire people of hope - the Church. Like at: facebook.com/shareJesus and Biblical Evangelism in G+

But What Is The Gospel?

It's the power of God to save anyone living on this planet. Here's the Gospel in a nutshell, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3:16-17

He didn't just sit there and merely wish you would eventually think about it and come with repentance and faith. He did something. He acted selflessly and generously, without any finger-pointing.

You know how His arms were lovingly opened wide for anyone who would come. Jesus died like that on a cross for you and me, one that He didn't even deserve.

God the Father gave His best, very very very best, His own sinless Son ..cuz He cared so much about you. He cared about how you'd think and live. He cared about where you'd end up for eternity. He wants you with Him safe forever. But He was and is thinkin' about your friends and family members as well.

"Never lose heart in the power of the Gospel. Do not believe that there exists any man, much less any race of men, for whom the gospel is not fitted." ~ C.H. Spurgeon

"Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you--unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.." ~ Paul, 1 Cor. 15:1-4 nkjv

"Avoid a sugared gospel as you would shun sugar of lead. Seek the gospel which rips up and tears and cuts and wounds and hacks and even kills, for that is the gospel that makes alive again. And when you have found it, give good heed to it. Let it enter into your inmost being. As the rain soaks into the ground, so pray the Lord to let his gospel soak into your soul." ~ C.H. Spurgeon

One of the greatest weaknesses of the church and of so-called ministers today is that so many of us don't really believe that God invests His power in the Gospel. So many choose another message to preach or teach and sadly have another Jesus to present. 

But God still does put His power in the simple Gospel and we need to trust what He has said and obey Him with it. Yup, He told us where the power is, but when was the last time you heard a straightforward Bible Message about the cross of Christ and His Gospel? 

It seems like everyone calling themselves a Christian these days is often out running around looking for "power" in a program, in a word-faith confession, in a special hanky that they paid for, in a person who is skilled to speak (Tja, a mere mortal), in a new methodology, in a trendy TV technique, back-breath or twitchy-jerk, or in churchy kinda buzz words, or in anything relic or religious lookin' that can attract people somehow, or in everything else that is from so called higher learning that's secular and appeals no matter what it is, except in that in which God says He has placed His power—His Gospel. Godlife.com/gospel

Let's face it, He alone has the authentic power to forgive, to restore, to heal inside or outside. And to change lives for all eternity - that power is focused on Jesus Christ in the Gospel as is clearly shown to us in the Bible.

Preach the Word boldly for decisions and then let God convict, save, and sanctify. The Apostle Paul said, "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." (Romans 1:16 kjv). 

What are the essentials of the gospel message?

What is a Gospel presentation?

What is the true gospel? You and I just need one gospel -- grab your Bible, Sport. Are you brokenhearted in this broken world. Any of us can get right (freely forgiven) with my Father God through His now resserected living Son, Jesus God the Son. He loves you and died on a cross to prove it. 

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Do I really need a 12 step program instead? Go with the 1 step program. Repent. 

So.. what actually is the gospel?

What is the gospel of Jesus Christ?

What is the gospel of Paul? 

What is the Gospel of Philip?

What is the Gospel of Thomas?

What is the Gospel of Peter?

What is the Gospel of Mary (Magdalene)?

What is the Gospel of Judas?

What about in the Rev -- what's the everlasting gospel in Revelation 14:6?

Is there really a so-called poverty gospel?

What is the gospel of inclusion?

Is there a Synoptic Problem?

What is the so called social gospel?

What is the Gospel of the Hebrews?

What is the Romans Road to salvation in sharing the Gospel message?

What is the mystery of God referred to in the Bible?

What is the gospel of Barnabas?

What is the Protoevangelium of James?

What is slant with a writer? Why did God give us four writers and four Gospels in the Bible?

What is the Gospel of Nicodemus.. what are the acts of Pilate?

What is the readiness of the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15?

Your truth, my truth.. WHAT? What is the Gospel of Truth?

Is there a harmony of the four Gospels in the Bible? -- yes.

Can I get a decent summary of the Gospel of John?

Yeah, I say it's time we seek again to really know the God of the Gospel, that we live the Gospel where we go or stay, and that we with gentleness and respect preach the Gospel in a non-preachy (non-pushy) sort of way.  facebook.com/shareJesus