Faith

Are You Self-righteous without even Realizing It?

It is easy to go along in life thinking that we’re okay. I know that there are times in my life when I deceive myself, thinking that I’m okay and following when the Lord when, if I were to be truly honest, I would know that isn’t true. But the deception is so comfortable. It’s much easier to convince myself that everything is okay between me and God then to come into His presence and ask His opinion.

Hebrews 4:12-13 NKJV

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Depression and No Self-worth

I’ve struggled and been in horrible, depressing bondage most of my life because I had no concept of self-worth and somehow that became tied to my appearance. I’ve struggled since a young teen with BDD, “body dysmorphic disorder”, a totally disabling disorder where the person sees themselves as so ugly and hideously deformed, they feel they have no right to even be alive and fear to be around others. I eventually turned to drink as my ‘coping mechanism” because that was the only way I could be around others and feel somewhat human. I’d been in and out of the hospital 7 times and had seen more Dr’s and taken more meds (often while still drinking) than I can remember. I even had shock therapy to try and overcome the overwhelming depression and hatred for myself.

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We Have a Father

As a boy of about 6 years old, I can remember attending a funeral of a family friend. The service was held in an old Gothic style mausoleum nestled somewhere in the City of Los Angeles. After the mass, the immediate family and a few close friends were ushered in an elevator along with the casket for entombment, I found comfort and security by clinging onto my dad’s leg as I stood there eye level with death. Recently I was faced with one of the greatest struggles of my life as I came to terms with the passing of my father. For some odd reason I never believed that he would one day succumb to the destiny that awaits all mortal beings. For as Holy Scripture reads “… inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes the judgment (Heb. 9:27). Yes, I was

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Past Events are in the Past

Past events are in the past.
What in tar-nation Can You do About Them??

Many of us tend to live in the past. Thinking about what caused their present condition, whatever that may be. These same people continually, and compulsively, trying to find the cause of something or why someone or some thing is interfering with their life.

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Distorted Images of God

Many people don’t even think of God. Many don’t know there IS a God. But what about you? If you are reading this then you obviously are aware there is a God. You are aware because you are reading this article. If you are just becoming aware, then this article will maybe help clear up some misconceptions people have about God.

I remember being a little girl and thinking that God was this big person, bigger than the mountains who would punish us if we did something wrong. I could imagine this country-sized hand coming down out of Heaven to hit me when I did something wrong. My image of God was distorted. Fortunately for me, God cleared up my misconceptions.

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Faith in Question

Establishing a Diagnosis

Many people will spend more time examining the vegetables in the supermarket than they will spend evaluating their faith.

Generally speaking, faith is relying on what God has done rather than on one’s own efforts.

In the Old Testament, faith is rarely mentioned. In its place the word “trust” is frequently used, and verbs like “believe” and “rely on” are used to express the right attitude one should display to God.

The classic example is Abraham, whose faith was reckoned as righteousness (Gen. 15:6), and at the heart of the Christian message is the story of the cross: Christ’s dying to bring salvation for all.

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When She Went to Bed (Too Busy for Jesus)

I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:8-9, 11 KJV

I talked to a friend of mine on the telephone last night and she told me that when she retired she took a trip to another country and was away from her husband for four months. I said, “You must have really missed him.” She replied “I was so busy and was so involved in doing things and going places that I didn’t have time to miss him until I went to bed.”

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Keep Things in Perspective

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Mark 8:36

There is nothing like a trip to a cemetery to put our temporal lives in perspective. We live in an “it’s all about me” world, and even as believers, it’s easier than not to get caught up in that faulty mindset and quickly become overwhelmed with the urgency to fulfill my wants, my needs, my feelings, my desires.

Materialism depends upon just such an urgency; advertising appeals to it. If we could just win the lottery, write that bestseller, buy that bigger house, that fancier car, those name-brand clothes, we’d be happier, more fulfilled, more satisfied. And, of course, we’d serve God more wholeheartedly!

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Are You Spreading Germs of Discouragement?

When we are sick and have germs we are very careful not to spread them to babies, yet we spread germs of discouragement to new Christians. We spread them by our holier than thou attitudes and we try to impress them with our knowledge of the Bible and our wisdom. How sad that is because instead of encouraging them by our patience, understanding and kindness, we discourage them with our impatience and criticism.

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