"What to Do When You Feel Overwhelmed" - DAY #6: Firm Foundation October 21-Day Devotional


  What to Do When You Feel Overwhelmed 


The precursor to mental illness is mental and emotional distress. Some pressure and stress in life is normal. Abnormal pressure and stress is harmful. Sometimes, abnormal things come when we lose focus on our purpose.

In challenging times, you might identify with David’s words:

Psalms 142:3-4 “When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, Then You knew my path. In the way in which I walk...Look on my right hand and see, For there is no one who acknowledges me; Refuge has failed me; No one cares for my soul.”

At all times, life brings joys and challenges. David faced all manner of difficulties and pain, but he learned to stay close to the Lord, and he wrote Psalms (or songs) to help carry his heart to God. Those among us who are called to serve can easily become commodities, fixtures, and tools for others. 

There are times when it feels like, "no one cares for my soul." People often ask, or tell you, what you can do for them. Few ask, "How are you? How may I serve you?" This is, in part, the cost we must count to be a servant. This is why the Apostle Paul told Timothy, "Take heed to yourself..." (1 Timothy 4:16) You are always responsible for your own health and rest.

Our strength is found in the words and grace of our Savior, Jesus Christ!

John 10:9-10, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

The same principles that apply to "sheep" apply to leaders and servants. I listened to a teaching by Bishop T.D. Jakes who said, "The enemy is always trying to destroy what is within you" The point he made was this: While we focus on present circumstances, the "thief" (satan) is working to undermine your purpose, your future, and the things God intends to bring through your life for coming generations. Part of that comes from demands not related to your purpose.

Remember that only God through Christ has the grace and power to cause you to experience "life, and that more abundantly.”

Go that way.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What is the enemy trying to destroy within you? What things not related to your purpose do you need to let go? Has self-pity become an issue?

ACTION ITEMS BASED ON TODAY'S LESSON:

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PREVIOUS LESSONS:

"Who is Your Partner for Life?" - DAY #5: Firm Foundation October 21-Day Devotional


  Who is Your Partner For Life?


Matthew 11:28, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Prosperity of spirit, soul and body begins and ends with the One who makes all things possible! Jesus said, "Come to me...."

The yoke of Christ is an invitation to partner with Him. Yokes are used to link oxen together so that they, with less effort, can do the work of plowing fields.

When you take Jesus' yoke and begin the work of plowing your fields of life, you will notice that this yoke, unlike any other kind of yoke, is easy. You will also notice that this burden, unlike any other burden, is light. When you ask yourself, “Why is this yoke easy and this burden light?” Look over to your side, and you will see Jesus in the same yoke with you and bearing the same burden with you!

Only when yoked with Jesus will you find rest for your soul – for your mind, will and emotions. Nothing short of walking with Jesus, and learning of Him, will make an everlasting difference. You will be able to be at rest while you live and work.

What is REST?
R - Repentance from sin, labors and heavy burdens. “Change Your Mind”
E - Expectation of a new life through faith in God and the obedience to the Gospel
S - Salvation and living is by grace through faith and not of yourselves. Receive the gift of God.
T - Testify of the goodness of God. 


REFLECTION QUESTION: What difficult things or heavy burdens would become easy or light if you were yoked to Jesus while doing it?

ACTION ITEMS BASED ON TODAY'S LESSON:

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PREVIOUS LESSONS:

"Set Your Mind and Keep It Set" - DAY 4: Firm Foundation October 21-Day Devotional


  Set Your Mind and Keep It Set 


Romans 7:22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man ....25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

Ephesians 4:23, “Be renewed in the spirit of your mind...”

The excerpts of scripture shown above highlight the power of our thinking. While the new birth occurred in our hearts, renewal happens in our minds. The mind is often the battleground, the place where progress is either won or lost.

Below are some scriptures and suggested affirmations to help build your faith and develop/maintain a victorious mindset:

1. Mortify my mind: Romans 8:5-8,12-14
“Carnality does not control my lifestyle. My mind is the property of Jesus. Satan, keep your hands off! I am dead to sin and alive to God. I am dead to things carnal and alive to things spiritual. I am a debtor to the Holy Spirit who gave me life.

2. Clear my mind: 1 John 3:11-12
“I clear my mind of anger, envy and disappointment at others. I give place for the peace of God to flood my mind. Jesus, you are my peace. I dig up seeds of bitterness and cast them away. I have the mind of Christ.” (Hebrews 12:14-15; 1 Corinthians 2:16)

3. Renew my mind: Ephesians 4:23
“I have the power through my Lord Jesus Christ to replace wrong thought patterns with thoughts that please God. I can root out, pluck down, throw down and destroy anything in me that is not of God. I can build and plant anything that is of God.” (Jeremiah 1:10)

4. Set my mind: Colossians 3:1-4
“I am a decisive person by the grace of God. My mind taps into the riches of God’s wisdom, knowledge and understanding. My mind is innovative, creative and productive in every purpose of God. I am disciplined in my thought life and repel every fiery dart from Satan.”

5. Focus my mind: Romans 6:16-18
“I see clearly what I must do. There is no cloud of confusion in me. My mind will grasp everything I need to know. I cast down imaginations and opinions born of pride. My mind is the tool and servant of my Lord Jesus Christ!”

6. Guard my mind: Proverbs 4:10-26
“I guard my mind from the seeds of Satan. My mind is the gateway to my heart and I will protect the treasure of God’s Word in me. The cares of this world; the deceitfulness of riches; and the lusts of other things will not choke the Word in me. God’s healing power dominates my body and mind. The forces of the life of God flow out of me to bless others.” (Mark 4:19)

REFLECTION QUESTION: What are you determined to do today to shape and control your thinking? 

ACTION ITEMS BASED ON TODAY'S LESSON:

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PREVIOUS LESSONS:
DAY #1: What Is The Will of God?
DAY #3: "Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ"



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"Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ" - DAY #3: Firm Foundation October 21-Day Devotional


  Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ 


Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

There are two powerful forces at work in this world and in your life. The first force or "bad law" is what the Apostle Paul called the "law of sin and death."

Like gravity, the law of sin and death, introduced into the earth by Adam, affects everyone. This is a law, or principle, that no one can escape or overcome in one's own strength. Even "nice" people have sinned and experienced a spiritual death.

The second powerful force or "good law" at work in the earth is what the Apostle Paul called "the law of the Spirit of life in Christ." This force, power, or principle is something that God had to introduce into the earth through Jesus Christ to counteract the law of sin and death.

As the wording suggests, this law is all about life. It's all about Jesus Christ. It's all about freedom and health for your spirit, soul and body. This "Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" helps you overcome negative and harmful factors in life.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: How would you explain "law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" to another person? How does Jesus make this law or principle effective?

ACTION ITEMS BASED ON TODAY'S LESSON:

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PREVIOUS LESSONS:
DAY #1: What Is The Will of God?

"Is Scripture Alone Enough For Healing?" - DAY #2: Firm Foundation October 21-Day Devotional


  Is Scripture Alone Enough For Healing? 


Proverbs 4:20-22, My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body.

Proverbs 16:24, Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

There are many Scripture texts that reference healing, but are obviously not intended as medical statements. However, this does not mean that Scripture has no bearing on physical health.

We regard ourselves as God’s creation. We are a comprehensive, integrated person. We are spirit, soul, and body –– made in God’s image and likeness. While we relate to God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we also know there is never any separation of the Godhead. God is One.

Christ followers only get in trouble when we “spiritualize” things that are based in the natural world and science, which God created. For example, there is no praying over gravity to suspend it. There is no “believing by faith” that we won’t age. In similar manner, there are no words we can speak, apart from a miracle, that can heal a bone disease.

Many of us lived through the era of “name-it-claim-it,” in which people suffered greatly, and died. This occurred by failure to recognize that, “Faith, without works is dead, being alone.” (James 2:17) We need to stay grounded in Scripture, God’s wisdom, and best practices. 
The COVID pandemic also exposed poor practice as many attempted to discount science or substitute faith for wisdom. Poor choices cost many people their lives.

Speaking positively is a best practice, though "positive confession" alone is not enough. Saying foolish, empty, and vain things are not helpful and is a violation of the Word of God and teachings of Christ. Obedience is important, whether or not you understand the effects of it.

Proverbs 18:21, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Matthew 12:36, But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.

When it comes to healthy living in spirit, soul, and body, we are looking at doing all things well, all the time.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Why does only using Scripture for healing come short? What is the value of this text? “Having done everything, to stand. Stand firm then…” (Ephesians 6:13-14)

ACTION ITEMS BASED ON TODAY'S LESSON:

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PREVIOUS LESSONS:
DAY #1: What Is The Will of God?



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