Tag: 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.

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

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

#37: Today’s Prayer: Heal me O God from Anxiety attacks (2)

Continuation:

Previously, we discussed that in confronting anxiety attacks,you should ventilate to God at the place of prayers:

2- Cast out the spirit influencing  anxiety and related evils to go at once to the feet of Jesus Christ. 

a- Affirm that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7) Therefore, the peace of God like a sentinel guards your mind.

3.- Speak to yourself as the Psalmist  did in Psalm 42:11 saying;

“Why am I discouraged? Why am I restless? I trust you, Lord! And I will praise you again because you help me, and you are my God.” (Psalms 42:11 CEV)

4. Stop worrying about Tomorrow (Matthew 6:34)

a.- UnLearn the bad habit of creating possible problems in your mind.

b. Confront issues daily as they arise and stop trying to solve future problems that might not arise.

5.- When fear of the future cloud your mind, remind yourself that God the Source of your protection, provision, and your ever Present helper-

a.- Boldly Declare:

“The LORD is my solid rock, my fortress, my rescuer. My God is my rock— I take refuge in him!— he’s my shield, my salvation’s strength, my place of safety. (Psalms 18:2 CEB)

6. When feelings of hopelessness try to overwhelm You, encourage yourself in the faithfulness of God.  

a.- Remind yourself of how God helped you in the past. 

b.- Just remember that God did not bring you this far to abandon you. He will perfect  all that concerns you.

As you meditate on God’s trustworthiness, your faith will be built up and hope will well up in you, and anxiety will be defeated. 

7. Pray in the spirit and pray positively with understanding as well. (Jude 21, Philippians 4:6-7

8. Be joyful in whatever situation you are in.

The Apostle Paul faced discouragement, imprisonment, desertion by friends, and even suffered physical trauma, and the prospect of execution. 

And yet against all these odds he was in an incredibly joyful mood when he wrote the epistles. 

Likewise, you can overcome anxiety when you have an attitude of gratitude. 

 Prayer:

I pray that you are strengthened in your inner man and that all the fears in your heart disappear. And faith will grow in you so that you will become full of joy in whatever circumstances you are facing, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 

Shalom from Hephzibah Christly, TheSpiritualWarrior. May 3rd 2023.

You have need of Patience (2)

Previously:

We concluded #1 by helping you to understand that the Divine ability to be patient is in You!

Therefore, you can convert pain to gain by the way you process problems.

Therefore, you need to-

“Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23)

Questions that will help you develop the patience in you:

a.- What is your pain threshold?

b.- How do you process loss of property or persons?

c.- How do you process damages- to personality, property, reputation, relationships, etc?

c.- Do you respond to challenges by anger, bitterness, faith, fear, fight or flight?

Your responses will depend on the principles you live by.

What is a principle?

Among the many definitions I found online, the one from Merriam-Webster somehow conveys my thought: it says that a principle is “a rule or code of conduct”.

Simply stated, A principle is a generally accepted truth, used as the basis for reason or action. 

Why Principles are important:

Just as there are spiritual and physical laws governing the world and nature, basic Biblical Principles, will help you govern your personal life and relationships. 

In order to be a Christian who provokes growth in others, you need to havebbasic principles for your life.

What to base your life principles:

It is sad to note that many Christians base the Principles of their life on :.

*- The traditions of the elders, 

*- governmental laws, 

*- social norms, 

*- new age philosophies and

 *- denominational dogmas etc.

Which explains to a great extent, the confusion, faithlessness, and lack of moral compass among some professing Christians. 

However, when you set Biblical Principles for your life, they will undergird your relationship with God and with others, and  also give consistency and cohesion to your activities.

EXPLANATION OF WORDS:

*- UNDERGIRD means to hold under. 

The Truth of God’s Word is a base or foundation that holds together and also liberates. (Read John 14:6, 8:32)

*.- CONSISTENCY refers to unchanging – not contradictory.  

1 Peter 1:25 says that the Word of God abides forever.

COHESION: involves sticking together 

As a Believer, you need to base your thinking and action on the unchanging and infallible Word of God that abides forever.

When you do, Fear, fight, flight, anger, bitterness, etc, will no longer control your responses.

 Instead, because you are principled, you will exercise self-control, and patiently process challenges!

Principles will help you to accomplish more and you will not be distracted from your goal. 

I hereby challenge you to do some constructive thinking that will recreate your personality and enable unprecedented progress in your life.

Next, we shall discuss some Biblical principles that I live by: and which has helped me,  and from which you can draw insight.

Prayer:

I pray that you are filled with the thirst and hunger for righteousness, and that your life will count for more, and you will be more productive  and be the light in your world, in the matchless name of Jesus Christ. 

Shalom from Hephzibah Christly TheSpiritualWarrior, May 2nd 2023.

Continuing 

You have need of Patience (1)

Beloved, we are at a phase where things are changing so fast, it’s a bit scary and confusing, because God seems to be so slow in comparison.

It takes like forever for healings, miracles, etc., to happen in this fast moving world

Technology is so advanced that patience seems to be the least virtue we should be discussing.

We just want a button to press that will cure all diseases, restore marriages, make that prodigal child return home, settle the credits,etc.

The list is unending of the things we wish technology can solve at the push of a button.

Despite the ongoing traffic on the fast lane of life, “we are to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises”. (See Hebrews 6:12)

So you See Beloved, despite technology advances, Patience is still trending among Christian circles, and also generally in the world.
What then is Patience?
Patience is forbearance under suffering, and endurance in the face of adversity.

In Hebrews 6:12 and James 5:10, the word translated patience is from the Greek makrothymia, which relates to long-suffering:

a.- “through faith and longsuffering we inherit the kingdom” (Hebrews 6:12, kJV)
b.- “…an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.” (James 5:10‭-‬11 KJV)

The patience of Job is legendary! Can I ever be that patient?

With just a few delays in getting results for my prayers 🙏🏽 , I am all over God in the throne room- banging, screaming, blasting in tongues, casting out non existent demons, calling out satan for interference.

But for the Patience of God….

Do you know that long-suffering (Gr. Makrothymia) is an aspect of God’s nature?

The Bible says:
“…the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering…
God leadeth thee to repentance…” (Romans 2:4 KJV)

Again in 2 Peter 3:9 it’s written that:
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9 KJV)

But for the Patience of God towards us, we would self-destruct by most of the scrapes we were involved in.

Look back into your life. Goodness! Some of us were horrible teenagers and youths!

If not that God is patient – longsuffering towards us, many of us would never have made adulthood, have kids, kept our jobs etc.

We would have died in our sins!

But God.

His patience deferred judgment, protected us and helped us take the right part in life.

Do you also know that the patience of God is also in the Born Again?

According to the Bible, we are “partakers of the Divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4)

The ability to suffer-long is already programmed into you by the Holy Spirit when you commit to Jesus Christ.

However, it is your responsibility to develop it. Patience is only developed through suffering.

Suffer- why ?

To suffer means to undergo pain, loss, damage, etc.

Have you experienced the pain of betrayal, the loss of a loved one, damage to your reputation or property etc.? You survived it. Right?

Although You were broken by what happened to you, you healed and learned some lessons you won’t forget in a hurry!

Through all those past painful experiences, your pain threshold increased.

You are born of God!
You are victorious.

Even through that suffering, you cried like a baby, but not any more!

You are now the coach for those traversing that road. You were there and know all the curves, bends and potholes.
Now, you can point the way out to others! You are now more of a blessing to others because of what you suffered!

Hallelujah!
The ability to convert pain to gain has been developed in you through what you suffered.

PrayerPoints4Today:

1.- Just spend some time to thank God for His patient endurance towards you.

2.- Thank God for those bitter experiences which you thought were the end of you, But which surprisingly, God has used as the push you need into enduring joy.

3.- Thank God for everyone who betrayed or cheated you, denied you your rights etc. They needed to leave for you to go forward. They are not part of your future.

4.- Speak into your life. Thank God for the grace to enjoy the manifesting promises.

To be continued
Shalom from Hephzibah Christly TheSpiritualWarrior , April 29th 2023.

#35: Today’s Prayer: Heal my Body Miraculously O God .

Bible Reading:

“Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, And he delivered them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, And brake their bands in sunder.” (Psalm 107:6‭, ‬14 KJV)

Introduction:

Throughout the ages, God always responded to the heart cries of His people.

In recent articles, We discussed issues relating  to sin, sicknesses, sufferings and satan.

We also discussed how God, who is so rich in mercy, intervened in world affairs to deliver Humanity from SIN and consequences.

Sin placed humans under satan’s jurisdiction,  and consequently sickness, sufferings, shame, death etc., became Humanity’s ordeal.

Only through a relationship with God through a daily faith-walk with Jesus Christ, who is “the Way, the Truth, and  the Life”, can Humans be saved from satan, sin, sickness, sufferings, and death. (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).

Whatever the issues at stake, I challenge you today, to call out to God for healings in your body and in your mind. 

#PrayerPoints4Today (10 mins)

1.-  Worship in Songs or pray in tongues until you experience a lifting in your spirit. 

2.- Present your peculiar health challenges to God without owning it

a.-  Affirm that God has heard your heart cries and His Word has gained ascendancy in your life and produced results of what it talks about.

b.- Declare that in accordance with tge Word if Gid, you have been brought out of darkness and the shadow of death and now walk the pathways of divine health and deathlessness.

3.- Present your strong biblical arguement about why the condition should no longer be upon you. ( reference the Finished Work of Christ on the Cross) 

4.- Call out your diagnoses, the symptoms and whatever else is affecting your lifestyle and relationships, and command all the evil spirits causing those things to leave your realm /world/ relationships etc, and to go at once with all their relatives, to the feet of Jesus Christ ♥️. 

5.- Affirm that Jesus Christ has manifested and has carried away your sicknesses and diseases and has equally destroyed all the works of the devil.

6. Declare that you are fearless, ageless, deathless, and your mind is healed and your Body is vitalized, uninfectable and you are completely healed.

7. Speak to the part of your body that you had issues with and tell it ” you are loosed from the infirmity etc.

8. Declare that you have received miraculous healings and the condition vanishes and cannot return , for you are sealed by the Holy Spirit.

9. Worship God in songs. Thank God that it is well with your spirit, Soul and Body. Pray in tongues if you are gifted. 

I stand in agreement with you and affirm that the power of God to heal is upon you and your healings are perfected in the matchless name of Jesus Christ. 

Shalom from Hephzibah Christly, TheSpiritualWarrior, April 28, 2023