It Not Easy

 
Hard, struggle and painful are adjectives used by some people who live with clinical depression and persistent negative thoughts to describe their life. If you have not walked in their shoes please don’t speak against their walk. Encourage, support, speak life, go the extra mile when they can’t, pray for them when they don’t have the strength and most of all love them and encourage them to get help as needed. People don’t kill themselves because they don’t trust God, don’t have anyone to talk to are sick, broke etc. Ultimately people kill themselves because at that moment the strength that they had been using to fight the persistent negative thoughts and to keep hope alive paled in comparison to the strength of the negative thoughts that they were currently facing. Thoughts, feelings, and behaviors go together. They were not weak or selfish, just at that moment overwhelmed. 2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Yes, we are encouraged to stand in the Lord and to cast down those thoughts that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God, however how we operationalize those mandates may look different depending on what we are facing and on how long we have been dealing with a specific persistent negative situation. For example, a long-term illness like clinical depression or one that requires ongoing tests and medical interventions can lead to up and down emotions such as fear and worry. One day you are full of faith and feeling good and the next day you are afraid and feel like giving up. Cycles that have us vacillating between a clean bill of health, treatment, remission, re-occurrence, treatment, remission etc. can wear us out. Sometimes we are going through so much (job problems, family issues etc) that we can feel as if we do not have the physical, mental or spiritual strength needed to deal with the same thing or another day. But guess what? The Lord is not disqualifying you because you feel like giving up. Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Before you knew anything about yourself there was a God who loved you. Even when you are without strength, positive attitude or hope He loves you. Sometimes we try to work and stay busy in hopes of putting a distance between us and our negative emotions but negative thoughts can be relentless.
When you have to confront the same negative thought, same health concern, the same fears over and over again you can become tired and weary. And even when things seem to be going well for the moment you can live in fear and with a sense of dread. 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because  your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Thoughts that lead to our destruction (spiritually or emotionally) are tools that the enemy uses to destroy us. And just like the enemy who goes to and fro seeking whom he may devour, negative thoughts never give up. Negative thoughts such as those that generate fear, sadness and or defeat can seem like a formidable adversary in our quest to remain sane, hopeful and upbeat. Even when we are smiling and feeling good, those persistent negative thoughts can creep in. And when we least expect it those thoughts can invade our feelings and remind us that we are not really happy. Sometimes you just don’t have the emotional, physical or spiritual strength to keep going, but He does. We can sometimes think that if we are not quoting scripture, praying or confessing that we are not in faith. But faith goes beyond quoting scriptures and a good confession (while these things are important). Romans 4:2-4 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. The Lord knows that sometimes you will be dealing with something in your life that you will not have the strength to face. So don’t beat yourself up if you feel as if you don’t have the testimony that you think you should have or are not speaking in faith in the way you think you should. Each time your spirit cries out and points in the direction of the Lord Jesus Christ that is a manifestation of your faith. This is the time in which all you need to do is to trust Jesus. Your faith is found in your trust and reliance on Him and He does not count or measure your faith in the same way that you do. Never discount the Love of God. Jesus Christ is not as hard to get along with as you think. He will meet you when you don’t have the strength to meet him. He will sustain you even when you don’t have the strength to pray, fast, go to church, read your bible, put a smile on your face, talk faith or think positive thoughts. He will meet you where you are even when you don’t feel Him. If you don’t have the strength that you feel you need He does, even in your silence, your fear, worry and tears He is there and His strength is sufficient. So stop with the self-condemnation and feelings of guilt.  You do not have to do anything extra in this season but just rest in Him.


Men Mental Health

Overall, women are about twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with a mental health issue. But that statistic tells only a small part of the story.
 
Log into http://www.menshealthresourcecenter.com/mental-health-well-being/


Nebachanezar

What Type of Man?
 
Nebuchadnezzar, the second king of Babylon of that name, is best known as the king who conquered Judah, destroyed Jerusalem, and carried the people of the Jews captive to Babylon. Per reports he was one of the greatest monarchs that Babylon or that part of the country had ever seen.

http://klangchurchofchrist.org/lessons-from-the-life-of-nebuchadnezzar#sthash.tnBFAl35.dpuf

Pharaoh of Moses

According to Smith Bible Names Dictionary the Pharaoh of the exodus was either Thothmes III., or Menephthah son of Rameses II., who with his army pursued the Israelites and were overwhelmed in the Red Sea. ttps://www.biblegateway.com/resources/smiths-bible-names-dictionary.

Both of these men, King Nebuchadnezzar and Pharaoh had a problem with pride. While one man, Nebuchadnezzar eventually humbled himself the other, Pharaoh, did not. Men when you refuse to humble yourself to the will and Word of God, your decision impacts everyone around you to include your children. How many men have made the decision to walk away from their family and in doing so have left their children emotionally damaged and open to feelings of rejection, poverty and pain. How many times has pride in the heart of a man caused him to lose a job or an opportunity because he would not yield? Feeling good about yourself and your accomplishments are not a bad thing but when those feelings cause you to exalt yourself above God then you are operating in pride.

Pride: Inordinate self-esteem; an unreasonable conceit of one’s own superiority in talents, beauty, wealth, accomplishments, rank or elevation in office, which manifests itself in lofty airs, distance, reserve, and often in contempt of others. (Webster http://www.kingjamesbibledictionary.com/Dictionary/pride)

Men don’t let your own thoughts or imaginations cause you to place too much confidence in your thoughts that are contrary to the will of God. The will of God which is found in the Word of God should be the final authority over your life. The principles found in the Word of God should not only lead and guide you in church but in every aspect of your life. So don’t let your pride get in the way of your relationship with Jesus Christ.

In looking at King Nebuchadnezzar and Pharaoh through the scriptures we see that both of these prideful men were given opportunities to humble their hearts before they were judged. We know from the scripture that Pharaoh hardened his hard on at least three occasions (Exodus 9:7, 8:32, 8:15) and as a result had to endure a series of unpleasant plagues before eventually having to yield to God anyway.

We also know that Nebuchadnezzar on at least three occasions came face to face with the power of God but his pride prevented him from recognizing that power as being relevant to him. But eventually after a seven-year test not only did he humble himself he recognized God as being the only God.

Remember after the three Hebrew boys were found to be unharmed after having been thrown into the fiery furnace in Daniel 3:28-29 the king

said Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. 29 Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.

And again in Daniel Chapter 2:47 which reads….King Nebeahdnezzar after having had a dream that only Daniel could interpret answered Daniel and said

Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.

Pay attention to the phrase “your god” in this verse. He just like many of you men was familiar with God. He had seen this God work and knew that he was powerful but he had not yet humbled himself to that power.

You are familiar with God because your wife talks about him or because you heard your mother pray to him. Yes, you praise that God because you can’t deny that a miracle has happened but you are not ready to humble yourself to the point that you acknowledge him as your God. In other words, it’s great that your wife is praying but that is her God not yours. It’s ok for your mother and grandmother to go to church because that’s what women do. But God will not give up on any man.

You see again in Daniel 4:27 the King after having had another troubling dream that only Daniel could interpret was told what was going to happen to him, why it was going to happen and was encouraged to change his ways as outlined in

Daniel 4:27 which reads Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquility.

But again pride kept him from humbling himself and a year later the very thing that Daniel predicted in Daniel 4 came to pass as we see in Daniel 4:30-37. The good news is that while he had to endure a period of chastisement he finally recognized God as his God and humbled himself as we read in Daniel 4:34-37 in which he says

:   And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: 35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? 36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. 37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

Sadly, the king had to lose his sense of self, his job and his thoughts before he got the hint. What do you have to lose before you humble yourself to God? Use Jesus Christ as your example and humble yourself to Jesus. Jesus Christ humbled himself to the will of the Father, he humbled himself so that Gods will could be done in him and the earth.

Philippians 2:5

5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is

Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

 God knew the king needed at least seven years to humble himself and pharaoh even after several plagues never would, which man are you?



Can You Be Trusted

 

Scripture:
Ruth 2:2. And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz. From the scriptures, we can also see that he is from Bethlehem

Ruth 4 12-22 And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the Lord shall give thee of this young woman. 13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bare a son. 14 And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. 15 And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him. 16 And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it. 17 And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David. 18 Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron, 19 And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab, 20 And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon, 21 And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed, 22 And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.

Boaz was an honest man, safe man, a man that a woman could be safe with and find rest, he was thoughtful and not given to being overcome with emotions, he evaluated events, checked things out and did things in order. God trusted him. Can god trust you? Can your family and friends trust you? If not stop and ask God to make you a man of God that can be trusted. Men, we need men like never before who can stand up and be counted, men who can stand up and cover their families in prayer and with the Word of God. The Lord and the World needs a man that can be trusted



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