Source: http://fresh-hope.com/thread/3686/barbaras-plan?page=6
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 06:31:15+00:00

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That's good, I'm glad you were able to get it.
Yes, it is fun. When I got mine, I also got one for Jenn since Bob and Elijah have asthma. We got them just before one of Elijah's birthday parties, and all the kids wanted to try it. So we let them have it and they all had a blast trying to find out just how high they could get their pulse rates up to LOL. They ran around in circles, jumped up and down and did everything they could think of to get their pulse rates up and had a blast doing it! They probably got more exercise that day then they ever did in PE at school LOL. That was years ago and they still like to play with it every once in awhile.
I try to always get the flu shot. Only missed it once - last year, as I kept forgetting. I know it's helped me any number of times.
You said about v.5 "I will reflect on the fact, that there is infinite love stored up for me in Heaven.", but that's not what that verse says. “the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel” (Colossians 1:5) We have faith in Jesus and we love Him because of the hope we have of seeing Him and being with Him in heaven for eternity. Because of that Hope, our faith (trust) in Him continues to grow as does our love for Him and for others, as we abide in Him, waiting for the day He comes to bring us all Home for we know we will then be changed to be completely like Him, with no more sin nature and an incorruptible body as well. Our inheritance in Heaven is what what is stored up for us, not our love, faith or hope. Our inheritance includes eternal life and companionship with God, no sin nature, a perfect incorruptible body like the one Jesus had when He was resurrected, rewards, ruling with Christ, and everything else God has planned for us. God tells us that it's so fantastic that we can't even begin to imagine it. Knowing what God has planned for us, causes us to abide in Christ instead of living like the world does. It causes us to rejoice even during trials because we know our future is secure and nothing can prevent us from having it. You already have God infinite love and nothing you do or don't do can ever change that.
Wow, you did really great! I loved reading it!
v.15 "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation".
When feeling down, I can look forward to seeing in Heaven Jesus...tho God the Father and the Spirit are invisible, Jesus is not....and I want to see Jesus, and will.....just one more great thing to look forward too....life is not ending, it's only beginning.
v. 17 "He is before all things, and in him all things hold together".
Scientists are absolutely befuddled at what is holding the universe together. Strangely this is a positive upbeat thing for me. I used to think scientists were the end all, but now they are totally stumped at what is holding the universe in place....but I know!! Jesus is! I believed that before they were perplexed and I still do, and that is a joyful thing to know.
v. 18 "And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy".
If I start feeling down, I can know that Jesus is the head and the beginning and the first born and supreme. Those who don't believe have settled for nothing, I have the best of the best, the alpha and omega the beginning and end, infinite and eternal.
Indeed I can reflect my Savior has it all, full and never ending love, joy, power etc.
v.20 "and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross".
Jesus has procured peace for me....not depression.
v. 21 "Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior".
but I am no longer God's enemy.
v.22 "But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— "
And here I go....depression accuses but God's word says I am holy, without blemish and free from accusation, by Jesus death. It always gives me pause to say I am holy because clearly I still sin.....but it is Jesus that the Father sees and thru Jesus death, my sins past, present and future are forgiven, erased and in that sense, I am holy. And of course, the Lord will complete what He has begun in me....tho I still sin, I hate it, and I do sin less, and will continue to sin less and less...until Heaven where I will in fact sin no more ( I can't wait).
v. 23 "if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant".
Depression is allowing faith and hope to slip and lies to win....so I will deny the lies and hang onto the truth firmly.
when I suffer depression, I know that because evil hated Jesus, it hates me too.....and again strangely that can be a positive thought, because, I belong to the Lord and I can rejoice in that for sure.
v.25 "I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— "
when depressed I can remember that I too am a servant of God with a commission He has for me....I am not useless ( prayers are a powerful force).
I had and have a lot of friends in science fields who imply I am naive or even ignorant but I now know, that sadly it is they that are without knowledge...true knowledge and there are many mysteries that are hidden to them, that have been disclosed to me, so I do not need to be depressed about not be 'smart' enough.
In fact, it is with glorious riches beyond compare...Christ in me, that the unbeliever's cannot fathom....the sadness is actually their's because the have no hope of glory.
v.28 "He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ".
v.29 "To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me."
And with the energy of Christ I can run with perseverance the race marked out for me because I can do all things thru Jesus who works powerfully in me.
You might be disappointed because smoking doesn't change the amount of oxygen in my blood at all. I've checked it numerous times and it's never changed before, during or after I've smoked. So it would be interesting if it does change for her. Mine was always 99, except the few times I've been sick with bronchitis or a cold of course.
Hope you got a good nights sleep!
Wow! That's fantastic! You've done so well. I never would have realized just how much there is in God's Word that can be used against the depression Satan likes to have us feel. This is so good, you could write a book about it!
Don't forget the homework I suggested for you for the weekend...reflecting on Psalm 103:5.
Speaking of old age, I have a scripture that you might want to reflect on and talk to the Lord about concerning something He says about it. It's speaking about God: “who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Psalm 103:5) In this I'm not looking for what commentaries say about it or anything like that. Instead, I'd like to hear what you get from it when you spend a lot of time thinking about it and talking to the Lord about it. Like over the weekend maybe - or even over the next couple of days.
Seeing what you got from the above scriptures, I'm really looking forward to what you get when you really spend time on just one verse! I'll share some of what the Lord gave me about it after you're done.
what I did not know is, she has Raynaud's like me.
but when it read 84 and I was really surprised!!!
She said, do you think it makes a difference if my hands are cold?
I mean I have a hard enough time remembering without all the rest HA!
So I am soooooo glad you reminded me....thank you so much. I was looking forward to it and it just flew right out with all this other drivel sigh!
But yeah...now I remember. Thank you so much for the good report.....I was a wee bit afraid, it was wrong or something.
So that was very uplifting.
there is a part of me that wants to look at a commentary....but I won't.
I know we have talked before about the idea if we had our youth to do over, we would make different choices, but I think I recall you pointing out to me that as a sinner, I might either commit the same sins again, or perhaps different ones, etc.
But what IF our youth could really be re-new-ed ( not just when we get our new bodies in heaven) but even now, but with God's satisfying my desires with 'good things?
I know, I would want the sins and evils that I committed in my youth gone, and the good I did not do, done.
To have the strength to do them ( to have a servant's heart of love), and the purity and love of God and others instead of selfishness and sin, would feel like flying.
Somewhere in scripture it talks about walking and not fainting and running and not be weary....and I think eagles are mentioned also.
I understand our (my) struggles, pain and weariness can be used of God, but this verse makes me wonder about what it might be like to be not only being grown spiritually strong, but what it might be like to be physically also.
the idea of youthful strength and unencumbered with the things that years of self centeredness, self pity, etc. have done that keep me grounded, instead of soaring like a beautiful strong eagle for the Lord.
we (I) can only truly 'fly' ( in all ways) with Him.
I will pray and think on this some more.
perspective would change from being on the ground as opposed to being high in the sky.
There might still be problems but they are very small when high in the air, and they are not really affecting the eagle anymore.
It occurred to me that when I am in God's word or praying, that is in a sense like the eagle flying, which to me is a joy.
It would seem to me to even be more like when was young and having a summer vacation. Many of the 'problems' that even a child might have while in school, bullies, homework etc. for many children, are gone during summer.
Summer in one's youth is like being filled with good things and a eagle's flight reminds me of that. I know, eagles are often hunting when flying, but I have seen both eagles and other birds, seemingly just having 'fun' on the air currents, carefree, free and joyful.
But then again, perhaps it is not just being physically able to do things like a youth but one's mindset. A child can be like a very old angry person, and a person of many years, can be joyful, fun, caring like a free child.
So there seems to me to be at least 3 ways to have youth renewed....when we die and go to Heaven, by a change in one's mind, and if we are raptured.
However, in one sense we are always 'youths' to God...we are His children, to someone who is eternal we shall always be young in several ways.
Some of us are cranky children but when we get a different perspective, we in that sense go back to our true self, which is forever young.
Envy can age a person but peace can give life ( like being renewed).
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day".
So although this body is growing older and wasting away, God is giving us (me) good things and that renews me as a youth, day by day.
There are many things that often do not depend on age for their goodness... God's Word the Bible, prayer, laughter, music, songs even dance to an extent ( one can dance in their chair LOL), art, books, animals, flowers, food, etc.
I think we all have felt often at times, like inside, we are still a youth, it is only the outside package that does not seem to go with the inner.
Yet, God has His reasons that it is so ( our sin nature has done most of the 'damage') but god also uses it to rid of us pride, or vanity, etc.
we (I) can have a 2nd childhood even in this life when we are free of the root of bitterness, envy, self-pity, etc.
Oh there will be times when pain etc may in fact get us down, but often, I put myself there unnecessarily, when I could be 'flying' like the eagle.
Oh! I forgot to tell you too, that you need to leave it on for a little while as the numbers will change, even if your hands aren't cold. So the first number you see, isn't necessarily the right one. If it is right, it'll continue to say that number a couple of minutes later as well. So if you get a weird number sometimes, don't worry, just leave it on and wait a minute or two. To check it, you can also of course put it on the other hand or a different finger or even on one of your toes.
It's funny how many people with RA also have Raynauds. (I have it too).
You're doing great, honestly! Couldn't do it better myself, that's for sure!
here's the scripture you were thinking of: “but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31) It's a favorite of mine ever since the Lord sent the Eagle to land on my car when I was praying about my upcoming surgery. I'm sure it was the Lord that made you think of this scripture because it does in fact go along with the one from Psalm 103 that you're reflecting on. So feel free to consider this one too.
Yes, Proverbs 14:30 and especially 2 Corinthians 4:16 also go along with Psalm 103:5 and don't forget Isaiah 40:31 too! You've done well as always!
You're so close to seeing what I did when you said: "I think we all have felt often at times, like inside, we are still a youth, it is only the outside package that does not seem to go with the inner." And: "And He does not intent for us to be trapped in our wasting bodies forever, and in fact, in our hearts and spirits we do not need to be trapped even now...."
“who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Psalm 103:5) First, God cannot lie, therefore if His Word says that He satisfies our desires with good things so that our youth is renewed like the eagles, He means that. He literally means that our youth is being renewed. (and yes, He does this as we know through His Word). Now, what is God's ultimate goal for us? To be made like Christ, right? So God satisfies us with "good things" things like Phil 4:8 names, which of course would include His Word, so that our youth is renewed. As you said, we are trapped in this body for now, but that won't be forever (thank God!) One day God will give us new bodies to match what we really are, and those bodies will also match the youth that that He has renewed in us. So the part of us that's real, the part of our self that makes us who we are, the part that thinks and feels, is not in this body. That part that's really "us" is separate from this body. If we cut off our arms and legs, we'll still be the same person, so our arms and legs aren't "us", and the same thing goes for every part of this body. This body is nothing more than clothing for us to wear while we're here, and since it's getting rather ragged, we can be very thankful that we don't have to wear these clothes forever! Instead we'll get new clothes that WILL last forever, and our new clothes, unlike these, will be a perfect representation of who we really are. It's that part of us, that wears this body like clothes, that the Lord is renewing. It's our true youth that's being renewed, not this set of clothing. These clothes are destined for the trash heap. None of us would want to keep them forever! We need to really realize that this body is not who we are, therefore who cares what happens to it. We don't grieve when we throw trash away, and shouldn't grieve when we throw away this body either. Why would we when we know for sure that we are receiving another one that's so much better??? God is renewing our youth, not our bodies youth! Paul used the words "inwardly" vs "outwardly" to express this. So as you reflect on the scriptures, remember that God is talking about renewing the real you, not the temporary body you happen to be wearing at the moment.
I forgot to tell you, please read Christian chat as I'm not sure how much I'll be able to be here this week, ok?
I did see where you are going to be mucho busy busy bee!!!!
Thank you so much for your words. I really liked what you posted on the verse.
and a couple more verses too, that may also relate.
Sounds good hon. And of course you can go back to Colossians whenever you want to. However you want to deal with it is fine with me. Thank you for your prayers too!
Colossians 3:13 "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you".
It reminded me I just finished listening to 8 sermons by John MacArthur on forgiveness.
Anyway, I think this is where we left off?
v.18 "Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord".
I think there have been times more in the past when depression came as a direct result of not being submissive but independent ...so I will check myself to see if perhaps that might be a contributing factor when depression hits.
v. 19 "Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them".
v. 20 "Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord".
This certainly was a big factor for depression when I was young. Even when I was 'obedient' I had a strong inner independant streak, that only grew worse. I excused myself so often with thinking because my adopted parents were the age of most other kids grandparents or even great grandparents, that was another reason for poor me, and a 'reason' I could be independant ...but it only added to deep depression that I could not figure out why.
v. 21 "Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged".
Even now, I need to watch out for this, for if my children are 'distant' or discouraged do to mom in my case, it has the effect of adding to my depression.
v. 22 "Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord."
I do remind myself about 1/2 the time to do everything with sincerity of heart because to do work with complaining and bitterness, only adds to a down feeling.
Instead, I will increase reminding myself to do it ( not for people) but as unto the Lord.
v.24 "since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving".
Even if people do not 'reward me' not even in thankfulness, I know Jesus, will reward me, if not in this life, in eternity, because it will be Jesus I am serving. It is easy to feel depressed relying on people to 'reward' me and they don't, but to simply bypass that, and trust in God, then depression, bitterness and hurt are stopped before they start.
v.25 "Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism".
And 'revenge' ( not necessarily in a major way) is also not a path to ever go down, vengeance is mine saith the Lord, God will deal with peoples sins and wrongs...no matter who it is....even me.
I will quickly hand it over to the Lord, and instead, forgive....because I have been forgiven soooooooooooooooooo much!!!!!!
Before doing Bible study I was thinking the other day about my always having wanted to be beautiful.
And first, I realized, that 99% of that was a selfish self-centered desire.
More than that, it would possibly have caused many men ( and maybe even some women, given today's world) to stumble into sin of lust.
But worse, it would be like satan. to wish to be beautiful, is really to wish to be 'worshipped' by others.
people like being around beauty of all kinds I reasoned.
they might fake interest just to hang around my outward appearance and have no true interest in who I really was, or believed, or what seeds I was trying to plant in their spirit.
4:1 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven".
I don't have any slaves or even workers in a business. However, I know when I am kind, compassionate, right and fair to clerks or cashiers in a store ( who for a short while are working for me)....and they are grateful I am not a complaining, angry etc customer, their momentary happiness, actually can lift me out of a gloomy state. So I will remind myself, that not only can I make someone's day by a smile or kind word, it even uplifts me, to make someone else a wee bit happier.
v.2 "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful".
This is a perfect verse for Thanks-Giving day!!! Of course, it is good for every day. one way to beat the depression war, is to devote myself to prayer. To talk with the God of Creation who loves me, and who is all powerful and all knowing, infinite and eternal, can't but help and sad self pity!
Also I will work more and more at counting my blessings, which are so many that it could keep me so busy I would not have room for sad, gloomy, worry, self pitying thoughts.
v. 3 "And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains".
I will also pray for others. but here is an even more specific prayer, that God may open not only for me, but for all my Christian brothers and sisters to have doors open so they may proclaim the mystery of Christ.
v.4 "Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.
And that they may be able to proclaim it clearly ( and me too of course) in an effective way, depending on who they ( or I) am talking to. Jesus knew how to speak in a way, so that if speaking to farmers and fishermen, they understood by the words that they could understand, but if speaking to very learned folks, he could speak to them in a different way, that could reach them and so on.
v.5 "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity".
I really need more help in this area. I continue to want to be a man pleaser waaaay too often. Oh I have grown some, and am a little more daring and bold, and convicted in wanting to please my Savior more.....but I still cringe at the thought of being told to keep my 'religion' to myself ( even if I am not pushing the gospel down anyone's throat....I may have only said, I will pray for you).
I will make an effort to think more on how Jesus suffered discrimination, persecution, humiliation, anger to the point of dying on the Cross for me, surely, I can bare a sneer or two, some ridicule, anger etc.
v.6 "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone".
I remember at some Bible study years and years ago, someone pointed out that salt was used in the past to preserve food from spoiling and rotting.
So I am thinking, God's principles in my talk, or praises, expressing gratefulness, etc. may not only uplift the person I am speaking with from the slime that is often talked about ( crude sexual jokes, the occult etc.) but it will also lift me.
which thanks to you, I have been able to do!!!
but say, I will go find out the answer and get back to the person.
v.7 "Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord".
I think I can just say how I will attempt to apply verses to my life, concerning depression and sad gloomy thoughts without writing: "what I will do when and if depression hits"...yes?
I will remember, I have a dear sister ( and many other dear brothers and sisters ) in the Lord...who pray for me, and minister to me.
v.8 "I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts". I will be grateful and joyful how they encourage me, instead of thinking about something I think I am lacking.
v.9 "He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here".
I will reflect on what is happening to my faithful and dear brothers and sisters. some of these things are repeats of what I have said before, but in fact, because I have had a life time well ingrained habit of depression, I need to say ( think and do) these things over and over...because this is a very deep habit that for most of my life consumed the majority of my life.
Seeing the word 'prisoner' reminds me that in essence, I have been a 'prisoner' as well but rather of depression.
as I was by a mental and emotional prison, I made myself, but my choosing to build one of sadness, self-pity, hopeless thoughts etc etc.
v.11 "Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews[c] among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me".
I too can think about and be grateful for my co-workers for the kingdom of God...instead of letting gloomy thoughts weaken me, making me of little use to God in that state.
v.12 "Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured".
v.13 "I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis".
I can remember people work very hard for me.
v.14 "Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings".
v. 15 "Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house".
v.16 "After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea".
I need to continue to be in the Word ( the Bible) daily.
v.17 "Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord".
I will remember that even I have a ministry in the Lord, and instead of wallowing in self-pity, I need to 'run the race' and complete what the Lord has set before me.
v. 18 "I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you".
Further I need to think of others, they have more severe trials, problems etc. many brothers and sisters in Christ and being persecuted, tortured and killed....I have not endured that....maybe the occasional sneer or name calling etc. but truly in reality, so far, that is 99 percent not the case.
So I need to be in prayer for those really suffering and stop whining.
True sometimes I am attacked by the enemy with depression, but I have tools to fight back, and I have God to fight for me.
Yesterday was my 2nd day of not studying the Bible.
he had to do a bunch of other necessary stuff.
We had already told him we would not do any more turnarounds!!!
Thus he came down on Thanks-Giving to clean.
brought us a stove ( cuz our stove had died).
we caved and said yes ( we caved because this time he had come on Thanks-Giving day when he did not HAVE to...... in order, to to give us a stove.
and I do not want to do that.
I am more apt to commit the sin of lying.... by omission.
tho I am really hurting from yesterday's marathon cleaning...the very reason we had said...NO MORE turnarounds!!!!!!!!!!!
but I am going to study in John 1 right now....so you will also know that!!!
I am going to try post the first 5 verse, at least before we lose power or whatever....if we don't lose electric and/or internet by the time I post the first 5 verses, I will continue and see if I can add more.
v.1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God".
This is one of my favorite verses. It is a verse to remember ( I have memorized it) when depression is trying to take over. It is so cool, it tells me Jesus IS the WORD of God and that JESUS IS God because the WORD IS God!!!
What a great way to get close to My Lord and Savior when depression hit.....just remember God's Word ( and pray....but even praying God's Word back to Him....speaking in His language ( His Word) to Him!!!
v.2 "He was with God in the beginning".
To be with God in the beginning is another proof that Jesus is God....just another thing to remind myself for an uplifting thought as a weapon against doubt or gloomy thoughts.
v.3 "Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made".
Again, I often remind myself when depressions tries to unstable me, that I am fearfully and wonderfully made ( so many irreducible complex aspects to my body) and Jesus is the God who made everything and without Him, nothing was made!!!
v.4 "In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind".
5 "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it".
Well depression is certainly darkness....and the only thing to overcome darkness is light!
And thankfully Jesus, being light, can and does shine in my darkness and the darkness, cannot win...praise God.
I am 72 and still here. Many times in my life darkness tried to win and claim me....from under age 5.....and it has not won!!!
v.6 'There was a man sent from God whose name was John'.
v.7 "He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe".
I can remind myself, that I DO believe in Jesus the Light and it (He...Jesus) can and will chase out my darkness of depression.
v.8 "He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light".
This reminds me, that I can find the truth when doubt tries to confusion me....I have God's Word ( Jesus) to tell me the truth.
v.9 "The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world".
This tells me there could be 'false' light.....satan can come as a light ( because he once was the most beautiful angel) but he is the exact opposite of Jesus The TRUE Light!
There are things in this world that seem 'beautiful ( on the outside) and for a time might even appear as light but brings sorrow, and depression because they are false.....I will remember this when down....it is false, not the true light.
v.10 "He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him".
So when things don't go 'my' way, I need to reflect on whether I am thinking the truth or not.
v.11 "He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him".
v.12 "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— "
I believe in his name and am His child....I will remember this.
v.13 "children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God".
But I can joyfully remember it was God who decided!
can only mean Jesus is God come down in the flesh.....something to remind myself, if doubt/depression ever tries to plague me.
v. 16 "Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given".
Only God can give 'grace' unmerited favor....I have unmerited favor from Jesus.
v.17 "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ".
All the law did was to prove how sinful we all are and how impossible it is to live it 100%. We ( I) needed the law to understand just how much a sinner I was and to some extent still am ( tho thru Jesus strength not nearly as much and lessening as I grow in Christ) because Jesus supplies me with unmerited favor and truth.
v.18 "No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known".
Again we ( I) can't see God the Father or God the Holy Spirit....but many saw God.....the Son...and thereby saw God and understood what He was like.
Another thing to reflect on when starting to feel down.
As far as your children being distant adding to your depression goes, I'm glad you recognize it as well as the other things you've mentioned. I want to share though that while it's "normal" due to our sin nature to react this way, it doesn't set a good example for our children. Instead it lets them know that they have power over us instead of the Lord. When we can retain our joy and contentment regardless of how others respond to us, it makes them wonder what in the world can keep us so stable and (in their eyes) happy. It makes them doubt their own depression or distance because they wonder what we know that they don't, and they think it must be pretty good or it wouldn't be able to sustain us. (which of course is true). So you may want to make a note of that to remind yourself the next time something like this comes up.
You're so right about it all. I recently wrote to someone about their sins (not mentioning them, just "in general".) and told them that there was only one way that we could avoid being paid back for every sin we've ever committed and only one way we could avoid having the rest of humanity know about our every sin, and that was of course, to be saved. For once we are saved, we will never have to go through the White Throne Judgement and therefore will never have our sins "dealt with" as they've all been forgiven and "forgotten" forever.
The last part of what you said is also true. People who are attracted to another because of their "beauty" are not interested in what's in that person's heart or mind. They're interested in their beauty. They either want to possess it (the beautiful person) for themselves so they can use it for their pleasure and have others look up to them and envy them because they have this person of beauty; or they want to find a way to use whatever that person does to become beautiful themselves. (it's generally the first one though). They may pretend interest in what the beautiful person says or does in order to keep them in their lives so they can continue to use them, but it's generally just pretense. Therefore nothing they say or do has any lasting benefit. Being truly beautiful in this life would be a curse and our Lord knows that. The few who are naturally truly beautiful on the outside and are born again and godly, generally do what they can to take away from their looks so that others aren't misled by them. The few others who are naturally beautiful on the outside and aren't born again, generally wind up being used and using others themselves and having a very lonely and miserable life.
Very Good! I hope you continue to reflect on this one!
Just remember that Jesus told us that we would be persecuted, not that we might be. They did it to Him and will do it to us. So when it happens, rejoice! That's one huge way to know that you are in fact saved and are doing God's Will!
Very good! Remember though, that while it's fine to answer honest questions of a person who is truly seeking God or seeking the Truth, we are not to answer questions of those who only want to argue or who aren't really interested in God or the Truth. In those cases we need to simply tell them that the Lord will show them the Truth or show them He's real, or whatever you're talking about and all they have to do is sincerely ask Him to show them and then open a bible and read it.
Amen! Very good! Yes, we are our own worst enemies and often put ourselves in prisons that are just as strong as real ones. Praise God that Jesus came to set the prisoners free!
Bless your heart! It looks like we both had to learn some hard lessons this week. I had borrowed my neighbors carpet cleaner to do our carpets and while using it broke it. Bruce was able to super glue the broken piece back on and it worked just fine. But I couldn't return it without telling her the truth. First I ordered the part I'd broken so that I could give her the new one as well. Then I had to call her and tell her what had happened. My flesh did all it could to convince me that it wasn't necessary, but I knew the Lord wants us to act in honorable ways and to do good and to tell the truth. So I called her and told her fully expecting her to be upset. But she wasn't! She kept saying I didn't have to do that etc. But I knew it was what the Lord wanted so I felt good about it. Plus it served as a great lesson for my grandkids as they were here when all this was happening. I talked to them about it and they were both able to give me examples of how they would do the same thing if something similar ever happened to them. I made sure to tell them though how very hard it was to make that phone call, and why. (even though she lives next door, I wasn't physically capable of walking over there at the time, so while I talked to her on the phone, Bruce took the cleaner back to her.) I didn't want them to think there was anything easy about it! Just as I know it wasn't easy for you to tell me this. The Lord knows your heart though dear, and He knows you'll get right back to your Bible! Bless you!
We are so very, very privileged! You're doing such a great job and I love reading it!
Do you remember if we've already done Philippians? I was thinking of doing that next, but at the moment can't remember for sure. Feel free to continue in John if you'd like to though!
I replied to you in Christian Chat but it looks like I missed you here today. I hope you're doing well and not having a hard time or not in a lot of pain or something.
No Here am I!! But yeah, I am usually here a wee bit earlier.
I did not get up until after 9 ( I am usually up an hour or two before 9).
I was soooo interested in what you said this doctor told you.
How strange, I have always wonder about that.
they utterly and 'unquestionable' ( it is scientifically a proven FACT)....that you are damaging your body more!!!
and you will hurt more and more as your muscles continue to weaken due to no exercise.
exercise in my way of thinking, can also cause damage.
You know I think of my adopted dad.
First off he was a contractor and builder ( that is a fairly 'physical...ie plenty of 'exercise' type of job....climbing, lifting, swinging a hammer etc etc.).
Not only that, people wrote about him in their books....he was a noted sportsman.
But here's the thing, he was a fit man...and yet....he died at age 73 of cancer. One would think, all his healthy exercise, and eating really 'good' food all his life ( there wasn't much 'junk food in 1895 when he was born) would have guaranteed, he would have lived to a ripe old age of a 100...but no.
I think the body also needs us to rest so it can concentrate on healing as much as it can and exercise means it has to devote some energy, that might go into healing, instead, has to be diverted to doing.
and have an occasional treat ( some food or something)....or pay a bill!!!
So, I too push sometimes when I am still convicted it might not be the best....but life has to be lived....and we are going to live as long as God chooses.
have not faithfully exercised every single day.
and I am one year away from living as long as he?
But I will finish John 1 anyway.
I started John because I thought we were done with Colossians?
v. 19 "Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was".
I could ask myself who am I when depressed....am I a child of the darkness ( and depression) or am I a child of God and of the light.
Like John I can confess....but I will confess, I belong to the Lord and not to darkness, dreariness and depression.
Like John, I can answer myself...No I am not a child of the enemy, of darkness, of depression.
What do I say about myself? I belong to Jesus, to the light, to His kingdom, I am free and not a slave of sadness and depression anymore.
Like John, I can be a voice proclaiming Jesus in the wilderness of this dark and steadily growing darkness of this world ( sometimes with words sometimes with my actions and loving spirit).
v. 24 "Now the Pharisees who had been sent"
I need not feel badly even John was not the Messiah or a prophet but he was loved by God, as I am.
v. 26 “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know".
As in John's day, many many people do not know Jesus.
That neither John nor I am 'worthy' to untie Jesus sandals, that is actually a joyful fact.....because Jesus IS worthy and He loves us...a fact to chase away the doldrums.
v. 28 "This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing".
It really depends too one what's wrong with you. Like with Rheumatoid disease, exercise makes it worse, but with osteoarthritis, exercise makes it better. However, all doctors know that pain is there to tell us that something is wrong and needs to be made right if possible. We ignore it to our peril. It's very different to have a healthy body and push through a little pain and tiredness caused by exercise, and to have a broken body and try to push through real pain caused by that brokenness. That was my mistake. I should have known better, but trusted what the doctors said without ever stopping to think about it.
I was really hoping you'd get the book about Rheumatoid Disease that I told everyone about when it was free, and again when it was 80% off. I have a feeling that you'd learn a lot about your own problems from that book. It's not easy to read as it's written for doctors, but even us patients can learn a lot from it. If you ever decide you want to read it, let me know and I'll loan it to you.
Very good! I want to mention one thing that you either misunderstood or miswrote about. “They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.”” (John 1:21) John was a prophet, but that's not what they asked him. They asked if he was "the prophet", meaning "the prophet like Moses who would be the Messiah", which is why John answered, "No". The Jew's of that time thought that only Elijah and the Messiah had the right to baptize in the way John was doing which is why they then asked him why he was baptizing people if he wasn't Elijah or the Messiah. The problem was that John wasn't literally Elijah, he was instead there in the "spirit and power of Elijah" Luke 1:17, which again is why he answered them that he wasn't Elijah. Verse 25, where they ask this, show how messed up their theology had gotten: “questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”” (John 1:25) This shows that they were expecting two Messiahs because they couldn't grasp that one person could both die and also be a conqueror. They didn't realize that Jesus had to die for their sins before He could bring in the Kingdom they so desired. That's why so many of them refused to accept Him as their Messiah. They wanted the conquering one, not the one that was to die for them. Besides that, they didn't want to admit that anyone needed to die for them. They thought they were just about perfect anyway.
But you're doing wonderfully well with how you're seeing what God has done for you to encourage you and give you Joy as your strength! I think you're going to be very, very strong in your faith and in your joy and therefore in God's strength!
Nor, did I get why he said no to Elijah....so thank you so much!
I did sort of know the Jews were expecting 2 Messiahs and wanted the 'conquering one, but I really like the way you said it so clearly!!!
v.29 "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world"!
This is something to remember when depressed about sins I still commit....Jesus has paid for them...He didn't have to....He choose to out of Divine love.
Only God can be born after a person and yet, be before the same person.
John says he did not know Jesus ( and nobody living today, know Jesus in the flesh), nevertheless, John had a purpose to reveal Jesus to Israel. I too have a purpose ( not to reveal Jesus to a whole country, but maybe to a few people in some way)....I can remind myself of that when I am feeling useless to God.
v.32 "Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him".
Further, I have the help of God the Holy Spirit.
v. 33 "And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit."
wild birds, don't make it a habit, to lit on a human...in fact, in 70 years I have never seen it happen once...clearly this is not the only proof of Jesus as God, but it is one to reflect on.
And John and the Holy Spirit testified Jesus was the Chosen One to save those humans the Father gave to the Son.....instead of sadness, I can have great joy that I am one of the Lord's.

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