Category: christian counseling

What is the new normal for the Christian. (2)

Earlier, we stated that Holiness is the right use of truth and that God uses Truth in the right ways, so that it remains true.

However, satan distorts/perverts truth in order to mislead humans. (See Matthew 4:1-10)
How do you determine what is real Truth and what is perverted truth?

“You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (John 8:32 NASB1995)

We know that Truth is the Truth, when Truth is being used for the ultimate best or greatest good of all.

We know that Truth is personified as Jesus Christ who is the way, the Truth, and the life (John 14:6)

Christ Jesus the Truth, came and died for the ultimate good of Humanity.

However, be aware that satan the thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy Humanity- disguised as the new truth or new normal. (Read John 10:10)

When you know Jesus Christ as the TRUTH, you will be made free from the lies of the devil.

Additionally as Christians, we must Uphold the real Truth by doing and living what is in the best good of all- and that is by upholding the Truth of God’s Word.

Do not buy into the lie that God is love and tolerant of sexual perversions or other sinfulness.

Just so you know,
“[God does not overlook sin and] the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who in their wickedness suppress and stifle the truth,”(Romans 1:18)

No matter the human laws and decrees that approve of the ongoing sexual perversions,
the Word of God supersedes the word of the world.

It doesn’t matter what they are saying or who is saying it, your new normal as a Christian remains the Word of God.

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12,ESV)

The Bible is the Word of God in written form- it is God’s mind revealed to us (1 Corinthians 2:16)

The Bible is also the Manufacturer’s Manual for the Human Being- the Manufacturer is God Himself who created the Human Being.

Hold fast to the Truth of God’s Word. Read your Bible- it will be an anchor for your Soul.

Shalom from Hephzibah Christly TheSpiritualWarrior, June 25th, 2023.

What is the New Normal for the Christian?

” Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15, KJV)

Biblical beliefs/ doctrines determine the new normal for the Christian, and not cultural norms, societal acceptances, governmental decrees, etc.

You must know what you believe and in WHOM you have believed!

Stay true to the doctrines of the Bible

Holiness is the right use of truth-
God uses Truth in the right way so that it remains true.
But satan distorts/ perverts truth in order to mislead. (See Matthew 4:1-10)

Stay true to your beliefs- Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

Shalom from Hephzibah Christly TheSpiritualWarrior. June 25th, 2023.

Keep Hope Alive

Greetings dear people of God.  Be it known to you that Jesus Christ is the hope of the world.

Therefore, even though trusted friends or family disappoint you, never give up on your hope for life. 

  For if your hope is rooted and grounded in God’s  faithfulness  and trustworthiness, no root of bitterness will grow in you to cause you troubles. 

And the peace of God which reassures the heart, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds, in the matchless name of Jesus Christ. 

Shalom from Hephzibah Christly, TheSpiritualWarrior, June 23rd, 2023.

MAKING PEACE WITH MY PAST AND MY FUTURE

But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children.  Psalms 103:17

I’ve done it. Have you? I’ve not only attempted to live in the present, which is God’s will for me, but emotionally, I’ve lived in the past as well as the future. None of those options is good for me.

How can I know if I am living in the past? When I rehearse it and wish there had been a different outcome. I review what was done to me and fantasize what life could be like had I not been victimized. I also review my sins, even the unintentional mistakes I made from not knowing better, and ache to travel back to fix them. I live in the wonderland of wishful thinking and the grief of how it is.

How can I know if I am living in the future? When I borrow tomorrow’s trouble and decide that I can’t possibly handle what’s coming. I assess the way things are today, forecast the future, and cast it in stone. Believing that my prediction is accurate, I succumb to fear and unwarranted grief. How many times have I said ~ “I can’t handle tomorrow because . . .”

How can I have peace about the past? By believing that God is a redeemer of it. I can’t mess anything up so badly that He can’t bless me with abundant life. His mercies started afresh at 12:01 a.m. this morning so I put the past behind me and stand in the faith of His goodness.

How can I abandon a fear of the future? By trusting that He’s already there. Nothing I do is going to take Him by surprise. The scriptures about tomorrow are rock solid and will sustain the weight of my expectations, and my successes and failures.

The past and the future are out of bounds. I’m not supposed to play God. He is the only one who operates outside of time. He equipped me to live today on the wings of momentary grace.

For my yesterday’s, redeem. For today, sustain. For tomorrow, bolster my faith that You’ve got it covered. Amen
Daughters of Promise

OVERCOMING THE BATTLEFIELD OF THE MIND.

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:5

A large portion of overcoming the battlefield of the mind, is subduing certain thought patterns before they ever begin. By ejecting negative views before they are initiated. And given a second thought.

To take every thought captive is “to control, to conquer, to bring into submission.” We take captive, we make it submit. Every thought obedient to Christ. At the very first moment the thought comes to mind.

How are you doing today my brothers and sisters in Christ? The vicious, invisible, intense battle in your mind continually ebbing and flowing unrelenting, subdued by the word of God.

We are all feeling the pressure today. For those diligently seeking a personal relationship with Jesus, it is more intense than ever before in our life time. As the the body of Christ followers battle rages onward.

Personally my biggest battle is capturing every thought and following the appropriate actions as the thought comes to mind. Once I give any attention to a negative thought it takes time, and effort to get rid of the consequences of my sinful decision

2 Corinthians 10:3-4:

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

A stronghold is anything that takes your focus off of Jesus, and the examples he set forth in scripture. Rid it upon the first thought, before sin arises.

* Stress

* Anger

* Strife

* Envy

* Bitterness

* Jealousy

* lust

Any of these that you give a second thought to complying with will become a strong hold and probably already is. That is how and why Satan is using it against you. Most likely it has already been established.

Philippians 4:8

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.

Think about what you are thinking about. The first negative thought you have on a matter is not a sin. It’s what you do with that thought next.

Don’t let satan condemn you, and convince you in believing a temptation, or a intimate thought is a sin. It is what you do with the thought next, is what determines if it becomes a sin or not.

Matthew 4:4

But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

William Alteneder

WHAT IS DEPENDENT PRAYER?


Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62:8

How many people exist with whom you can speak freely – without a filter? With whom can you pour out your heart and know that divine wisdom is hearing it, filtering it, and responding to it? Precious few. To speak freely is a gift rarely experienced.

‘Pouring out’ in Hebrew means what it portrays. To empty oneself of something. I’ve been surprised by just how often this phrase is used in scripture. A dependent prayer is described as the ‘pouring out of one’s soul’. God also says that ‘He pours out His wrath’. That’s sobering. And how about this? God says that He will ‘pour out His Spirit on the house of David’ and they will finally be able to see ‘whom they have pierced and weep bitterly.’ Zechariah 12:10

There are times I pour out my heart to a few trusted friends. I must ask myself if I feel that freely with God. Do I feel I have to weigh my words with Him and phrase everything just right? Do I sit on my anger and try to pretend I don’t have any? Is prayer a time when I can truly empty the contents of my soul and know I have placed my heart in safe hands? God extends this kind of freedom to me, and I’m held safely in perfect Love.

I am riveted by the beauty of two things; 1.) Lifting my heart to God, tipping it, and pouring out the contents. 2) Envisioning the effects of Him pouring out His Spirit upon me.

Both are beautiful. While I would certainly feel better having poured out my soul, the benefits would be minuscule in comparison to what would happen if God poured out the power of His Spirit on me. Nothing in my world would stay the same.

With confidence and without restraint, I pour out my heart to You. Pour out Your Spirit upon me to raise me up to wholeness. Amen
Daughters of Promise

WHAT GOD POURS OUT

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! Psalm 4:1

When I’m in trouble and need someone to help me, I tend to remember the last time I was in distress and someone came to show me compassion and kindness. The memory of it makes my heart long for it to happen again. You’ve heard women say to one another, “When I’m sick, I just want my mother.” Whether our mother is still living or not, the desire for her to care for us like she once did is so real that it leaves us aching. No matter how old we are, we wish she would come.

This is what David is feeling in this prayer to God. He begs for God to answer him and come to him like He did the last time David was in distress. David is remembering the power of God’s arrival. While the memory is robust, it doesn’t eradicate the need for another miracle.

I can’t live on yesterday’s memories. While they may inspire me and build my faith, my need for God will accompany me until eternity. I will always need to be His child. I will always need a Father. I will always be small. I will always need reminders that He is bigger than my storms. I will always come to the end of myself. I will always need all that He is.

What keeps God coming time after time? His grace. His faithfulness. If He gets tired of hearing distress calls, I’ll be in trouble. But unlike human beings, he is anxious for me to need Him. The more I desire Him, the better he likes it. There’s no such thing as ‘too needy’ with God.

When any of us face an ongoing struggle, the kind that spans years, we have down days when God speaks into our discouragement and gives us the fuel to make it another 24 hours. The next day, however, brings new battles. Though I don’t plan to plummet into unbelief, if things look dire, I can echo David’s cry.

“Be gracious to me, Father, and answer me. Hear my prayer!”
Daughters of Promise

A REPEAT OF MERCY

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! Psalm 4:1

When I’m in trouble and need someone to help me, I tend to remember the last time I was in distress and someone came to show me compassion and kindness. The memory of it makes my heart long for it to happen again. You’ve heard women say to one another, “When I’m sick, I just want my mother.” Whether our mother is still living or not, the desire for her to care for us like she once did is so real that it leaves us aching. No matter how old we are, we wish she would come.

This is what David is feeling in this prayer to God. He begs for God to answer him and come to him like He did the last time David was in distress. David is remembering the power of God’s arrival. While the memory is robust, it doesn’t eradicate the need for another miracle.

I can’t live on yesterday’s memories. While they may inspire me and build my faith, my need for God will accompany me until eternity. I will always need to be His child. I will always need a Father. I will always be small. I will always need reminders that He is bigger than my storms. I will always come to the end of myself. I will always need all that He is.

What keeps God coming time after time? His grace. His faithfulness. If He gets tired of hearing distress calls, I’ll be in trouble. But unlike human beings, he is anxious for me to need Him. The more I desire Him, the better he likes it. There’s no such thing as ‘too needy’ with God.

When any of us face an ongoing struggle, the kind that spans years, we have down days when God speaks into our discouragement and gives us the fuel to make it another 24 hours. The next day, however, brings new battles. Though I don’t plan to plummet into unbelief, if things look dire, I can echo David’s cry.

“Be gracious to me, Father, and answer me. Hear my prayer!”
Courtesy of Daughters of Promise

THE LIFE SAVING WOUND OF MY PAST

See now that I, I am He, and there is no god besides Me; It is I who put to death and give life. I have wounded and it is I who heal, And there is no one who can deliver from My hand. Deuteronomy 32:39

What exactly is a life-saving wound?

It is a wound that comes with a loving purpose. A wound that is given by a friend – not an enemy. A wound inflicted that, when redeemed, will bring ten-fold joy in comparison to the agony once suffered.

The tragedy is that so few children of God recognize the wounds of their past as life-saving wounds. They define them as tragedies. Victim becomes a permanent label. Deprivation creates a defeated mindset. God, who was, and is, sovereign over their past, is viewed as an adversary rather than a friend. They reason that only an enemy would inflict a wound. Enemies relish the chance to inflict a wound, but they do it to kill or maim. God wounds to save and bless. Never do I suffer anything that is not an installment to something glorious.

If a child of God lacks a theology of suffering, they might never come out of the corner to believe Him for their redemption and restoration.

· A child who is never the object of someone’s affection grows up to bear the spirit of rejection. But the wound can be lifesaving when he discovers that God is a pursuer. He woos him to the cross to adopt him and bestow great favor upon him.

· A teenager who has been bullied because he is different grows up unsure of himself. He doesn’t realize that his uniqueness is really the mark of leadership. But the wound can be lifesaving when he discovers that God set him apart to think differently and to lead a cause for the kingdom.

· A woman who has, unexpectedly, been served divorce papers, feels torn apart on the inside. She does not feel she will ever recover from the betrayal. But the wound is lifesaving when, driven to God, she experiences Him as her Bridegroom. Daily, He loves, whispers comforts, and provides.

What is the nature of your unhealed wound? And what is the need that rages as a result? Are you willing to consider that the need you’ve just isolated is life-saving if it takes you into the arms of a sovereign God who waits eagerly to redeem what was stolen from you? Look up. Believe. Live in the promises.

When I don’t believe, it is Your Word and Your Spirit that revives me. Amen
Courtesy The Daughters of Promise

THE FRIGHTENING PART OF THE JOURNEY

Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.  Psalm 23:4

Historically, the ‘rod and the staff’ portion of Psalm 23 has been addressed apart from the rest of the verse it sits in.  While it is both instructive and comforting to know that Jesus rod/staff will guide me and protect throughout my life, how does that apply to the context of walking through the valley of the shadow of death? Here’s the whole context.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.  Psalm 23:4

In Israel there’s an ancient trail one must walk to travel up to Jerusalem.  It is steep and the traveler must climb way above the deep precipice the Jews call “The valley of the shadow of death.” It is believed that David imagined this journey while writing Psalm 23. When pilgrims walked this skinny dirt trail, it was easy to slip and fall over the side into the deep canyon. Added to this danger were the thieves who hid behind huge boulders on the mountainside. Attacks and the physical struggles that followed certainly resulted in someone’s death.

This stretch of their journey was the most dreaded as God’s people traveled to the Holy City. The Psalms of ascent reveal that, for strength and encouragement, they sang songs of Zion and recited God’s promises.  This helped them deal with the fear and uncertainty.  They lived for the joy that awaited them when they would enter Jerusalem. 

With that as the backdrop, I can know that on the most difficult part of my journey home to heaven, Jesus will shepherd me through this treacherous valley.  The wiles of the devil don’t diminish at the end of life.  Far from it.  Satan preys on fear.  He thrives on oppressing the weak.  Never will Jesus’ presence, and His rod and staff, be more needed.

He promises to guide and protect me, never leaving me for a moment.  He knows the way; His Father walked him through that valley after His own death. 

He will not let your foot slip; he who watches over you will not slumber.  Psalm 121:3

Shepherd in life, Shepherd in death.  My life is continually under your perfect care.  Amen
Courtesy of Daughters of Promise

Photo Credit: YouVersion