Thursday, September 22, 2016

YOUR DAILY DOSES --- OOOOPEN WIDE!!!!

Church Bloopers One...



      1) Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles, and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
      2) The outreach committee has enlisted 25 visitors to make calls on people who are not afflicted with any church.
      4) Evening massage - 6 p.m.
      5) The Pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday morning.
      6) The audience is asked to remain seated until the end of the recession.
      7) Low Self-Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 to 8:30 p.m. Please use the back door.
      8) Ushers will eat latecomers.
      9) The third verse of Blessed Assurance will be sung without musical accomplishment.
      10) For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
      11) The Rev. Merriwether spoke briefly, much to the delight of the audience.
      12) The pastor will preach his farewell message, after which the choir will sing, "Break Forth Into Joy."
      13) During the absence of our pastor, we enjoyed the rare privilege of hearing a good sermon when J.F. Stubbs supplied our pulpit.
      14) Next Sunday Mrs. Vinson will be soloist for the morning service. The pastor will then speak on "It's a Terrible Experience."
      15) Due to the Rector's illness, Wednesday's healing services will be discontinued until further notice.


*********************

Church Bloopers Two....


      1) Stewardship Offertory: "Jesus Paid It All"
      2) The music for today's service was all composed by George Friedrich Handel in celebration of the 300th anniversary of his birth.
      3) Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community.
      4) The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the church basement on Friday at 7 p.m. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
      5) The concert held in Fellowship Hall was a great success. Special thanks are due to the minister's daughter, who labored the whole evening at the piano, which as usual fell upon her.
      6) 22 members were present at the church meeting held at the home of Mrs. Marsha Crutchfield last evening. Mrs. Crutchfield and Mrs. Rankin sang a duet, The Lord Knows Why.
      7) A song fest was hell at the Methodist church Wednesday.
      8) Today's Sermon: HOW MUCH CAN A MAN DRINK? with hymns from a full choir.
      9) On a church bulletin during the minister's illness: GOD IS GOOD Dr. Hargreaves is better.
      10) Potluck supper: prayer and medication to follow.
      11) Don't let worry kill you off - let the church help.
      12) The 1997 Spring Council Retreat will be hell May 10 and 11.
      13) Pastor is on vacation. Massages can be given to church secretary.


*********************

Church Bloopers Three...
      1) Our next song is "Angels We Have Heard Get High."
      2) Don't let worry kill you--let the church help.
      3) Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community.
      4) For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
      5) Weight Watchers will meet a 7 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.
      6) Jean will be leading a weight-management series Wednesday nights. She's use the program herself and has been growing like crazy!
      7) The rosebud on the altar this morning is to announce the birth of David Alan Belzer, the sin of Rev. and Mrs. Julius Belzer.
      8) This afternoon there will be a meeting in the South and North ends of the church. Children will be baptized at both ends.
      9) Tuesday at 4:00 P.M. there will be an ice cream social. All ladies giving milk will please come early.
      10) Wednesday the ladies liturgy will meet. Mrs. Johnson will sing "Put me in my little bed" accompanied by the pastor.
      11) Thursday at 5:00 PM there will be a meeting of the Little Mother's Club. All ladies wishing to become "Little Mothers" will meet with the Pastor in his study.
      12) This being Easter Sunday, we will ask Mrs. Lewis to come forward and lay an egg on the altar.
      13) The service will close with "Little Drops of Water." One of the ladies will start quietly and the rest of the congregation will join in.


*********************

Church Bloopers Four...



      1) Next Sunday a special collection will be taken to defray the cost of the new carpet. All those wishing to do something on the carpet will come forward and do so.
      2) The ladies of the church have cast off clothing of every kind. They can be seen in the church basement Saturday.
      3) Thursday night--Potluck supper. Prayer and medication to follow.
      4) The Lutheran men's group will meet at 6 p.m. Steak, mashed potatoes, green beans, bread and dessert will be served for a nominal feel.
      5) A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.
      6) 8 new choir robes are currently needed, due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
      7) The senior choir invites any member of the congregation who enjoys sinning to join the choir.
      8) At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What is Hell?" Come early and listen to our choir practice.
      9) The preacher will preach his farewell message, after which the choir will sing, "Break Forth With Joy."
      10) Today... Christian Youth Fellowship Sexuality Course, 8 p.m. Please park in the rear parking lot for this activity.
      11) During the absence of our pastor, we enjoyed the rare privilege of hearing a good sermon when A.B. Doe supplied our pulpit.
      12) The Rev. Adams spoke briefly, much to the delight of his audience.
      13) The church is glad to have with us today as our guest minister the Rev. Shirley Green who has Mrs. Green with him. After the service we request that all remain in the sanctuary for the Hanging of the Greens.


*********************

Church Bloopers Five...


      1) The eighth graders will be presenting Shakespeare's "Hamlet": in the church basement on Friday at 7 p.m. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
      2) The 1991 Spring Council Retreat will be hell May 10 and 11.
      3) Pastor is on vacation. Massages can be given to church secretary.
      4) Please join us as we show our support for Amy and Alan in preparing for the girth of their first child.
      5) Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
      6) The associate minister unveiled the church's new giving campaign slogan last Sunday: "I Upped My Pledge--Up Yours."
      7) The cost for attending the Prayer and Fasting conference includes meals.
      8) The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict.
      9) Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
      10) Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person(syou want remembered.
      11) Attend and you will hear an excellent speaker and heave a healthy lunch.
      12) Mrs. Johnson will be entering the hospital this week for testes.




LAUGHTER...

A GIFT OF GOD!
ALL GOD'S GIFTS ARE GOOD!
HE GAVE US HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON!

HE...

DIED FOR US
+
BURIED FOR US
+
ROSE AGAIN FOR US
=
SALVATION

- - - - - - - - - - - FIRST CORINTHIANS 15:1-4 - - - - - - - - - -


HIS WAYS ARE WITHIN OUR HEARS - By: I Am NOT Ashamed of Jesus Christ (Julie)

Our hearts are as our conscience which causes us to know if something does not seem right it allows us to step back and weigh if it be of God or not. In the book of Romans we learn how our heart’s show us if we are obeying the Lord from the heart so sin does not overpower us, because if we no longer serve sin then we press on and yield ourselves to righteousness (Romans 6:16-23).  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
God sees to it that His people who truly live for Him are gathered together which was at one time scattered from Him, and see they have a heart set only on serving Him!(Jeremiah 32:37-41).  Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely: And they shall be my people, and I will be their God: And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them: And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul.

- - - - - PLAN OF SALVATION - - - - -
First Corinthians 15:1-4
Ephesians 2:8-9
John 3:16

6 WARNING SIGNS OF SPIRITUAL DANGER - CHARISMA MAGAZINE




Don't ignore the warning signs. You may need to examine your ministry's priorities. (Lightstock )

A desperate friend recently contacted me because he was worried that his son might be under the influence of a Christian ministry with questionable doctrines. The leader of the ministry preaches that any church that doesn't experience regular healings isn't following the true Jesus—and he suggests that only his small congregation has an inside track with God. Thankfully, my friend's son discerned something was off track.
Satan loves to pull Christians into unhealthy extremes. And immature Christian leaders sometimes allow youthful pride, greed or insecurity to suck them into toxic spirituality. The result is always a trail of wounded people. In my years of ministry, I've learned there are several clear signs that a ministry has veered away from the truth and into deception. Here are the most obvious:
1. Lack of spiritual accountability. Healthy leaders know they need to surround themselves with mentors and advisers who can question them if they step out of line. Proverbs 11:14 says: "In the multitude of counselors there is safety." But if you are following a teacher, prophet or apostle who has not submitted himself to any form of accountability, you are asking for trouble. Never align yourself with a Lone Ranger, no matter how fiery his sermons are. He will likely lead you off a cliff.
2. Overemphasis on money. You'd think we would have learned this by now, after so many American charlatans have conned people out of their life savings to build their mansions. But the charismatic church today is still vulnerable to the extremes of financial shenanigans. Godly leaders always call people to fund the work of the church and gospel outreach; unhealthy leaders, on the contrary, manipulate people in order to line their own pockets. Don't be charmed when a preacher makes outlandish promises about what will happen if you give to him.
3. An elitist attitude. All believers in Jesus are part of the body of Christ. Yet Christians who experience certain gifts or manifestations of the Holy Spirit are sometimes tempted to think they are superior. If they aren't careful, this subtle spiritual pride can morph into a dangerous elitism. Suddenly they are God's favorites, with special access to revelation that no one else knows and authority that no one else has.
Some ministries today claim to have inside information about end-times prophecy and the return of Jesus. In some cases they convince people to store up food and even guns to prepare for Armageddon. Back in the 1980s, a preacher named Charles Meade convinced many people to follow him to Florida, where his church taught that only those who aligned themselves with Meade's group would survive the last days. Don't let anyone suck you into this kind of cultic mindset.
4. A spirit of control among followers. A mature leader knows the members of his church don't belong to him. But there are insecure and untrained pastors who use manipulation and threats to keep their members loyal. True pastors don't have to constantly teach on spiritual authority to win their support of their flocks; but a controlling leader constantly emphasizes that he is in charge, and he demands total submission. This mindset can lead to serious spiritual abuse.
5. Constant talk of miracles with no documentation. There is a great hunger today in the body of Christ for the miraculous—and faith is rising for healing, prophecy and the full manifestation of the Holy Spirit's power. But in the rush to see God's power displayed, some people fall into the trap of hyping, sensationalizing or even faking miracles to get attention. This never bears good fruit.
In 2008, thousands of people traveled to Lakeland, Florida, to witness a "revival" that was supposedly marked by nightly miracles. Yet many of the healings (and even resurrections) that were announced from the pulpit were never verified—and the whole thing abruptly ended when the evangelist leading those meetings admitted to adultery. I hope we learned our lesson from Lakeland. God help us from ever repeating that tragedy.
6. Strange revelations that lack biblical basis. The apostle Paul warned us long ago that waves of deception would affect the church. "For the time will come when people will no longer endure sound doctrine ... they will turn their ears away from the truth ... " (2 Tim. 4:3-4). Never follow a preacher who claims "inside information" from God that no one else knows. Don't be mesmerized by his teachings—even if he claims that an angel gave him this information, or that he received it in a supernatural vision.
The test of truth is not how spooky spiritual something sounds, but whether it is in line with God's Word. Many false prophets can say, "God showed me this," but they are lying if their message contradicts Scripture. If something sounds really off when you hear it, don't ignore your gut feelings.
Don't be deceived. If you are a follower of Christ, you have been equipped with an internal alarm system that will warn you about any unhealthy teaching or ministry. Listen to the Holy Spirit, who is called the Spirit of truth (John 16:13). He can give you the discernment to know the difference between truth and error.  
J. Lee Grady is the former editor of Charisma. You can follow him on Twitter at leegrady. He is the author of several books including 10 Lies the Church Tells Women, 10 Lies Men Believe, Fearless Daughters of the Bible and The Holy Spirit Is Not for Sale. You can learn more about his ministry, The Mordecai Project, atthemordecaiproject.org.

BIBLE VERSES DELETED FROM NIV

Just to let you know that some of these "new" Bibles may be in error and have a more world-view opinion of God.  GOD NEVER CHANGES!  Many leave out Acts 8:37 altogether.  They combine 36-39 and leave of "Jesus Christ is Lord," because some find that offensive and forcing them to say something they don't mean.  Goes to show how little they do know about what the Bible really says.  I have read the NEW KJV and personally, I find it helpful when I stumble upon a verse I can't understand but I use it as a reference Bible only.  I read it cover-to-cover and when I changed to the KJV (Authorized) only, I found it very easy to understand.  Test all things by His Word.  God bless!


NEW BIBLE TRIVIA QUESTION

I only had 3 people answer my Bible Trivia question last week.  It was which apostle wasn't martyred.  The answer is "John."  I'm hoping more will take the time to answer this week's question.  It can be found beneath the "Just As I Am" video and beneath the blue off/on switch for my music player...awesome songs on there, by the way.  Let me know if you need help finding it.  It'd mean a lot for you guys to play as I want to add a Bible Trivia page to my blog.  I want to see how many will play.  It will be time-consuming but so much fun to do.  PLEASE PARTICIPATE!  God bless you all!


SERMON OF THE DAY - J. VERNON McGEE

Sermon...Stepping Stones to Salvation...


GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

HE LOVES YOU
+
HE DIED FOR YOU
+
HE SAVES YOU

- - - - - FIRST CORINTHIANS 15:1-4 - - - - -


SERMON OF THE DAY - THE 18 TYPES OF ANTICHRIST IN THE BIBLE BY: ROBERT BREAKER @ CLOUD CHURCH

A good Bible-preaching pastor....


GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

- - - - - First Corinthians 15:1-4 - - - - -



HEBREW WORD OF THE DAY

Birthday....



GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

AMEN!

THE SCRIPTURES by: AbaloneKid on Google Plus


 
THE SCRIPTURES


We believe that "all scripture is given by inspiration of God," by which we understand the whole Bible is inspired in the sense that holy men of God "were moved by the Holy Spirit" to write the very words of Scripture.

We believe that this divine inspiration extends equally and fully to all parts of the writings–historical, poetical, doctrinal, and prophetical–as appeared in the original manuscripts.

We believe that the whole Bible in the originals is therefore without error.

We believe that all the Scriptures center about the Lord Jesus Christ in His person and work in His first and second coming, and hence that no portion, even of the Old Testament, is properly read or understood until it leads to Him.

2 Tim.3:
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.


We also believe that all the Scriptures were designed for our practical instruction. (Mark 12:26, 36; 13:11; Luke 24:27, 44; John 5:39; Acts 1:16; 17:2-3; 18:28; 26:22-23; 28:23; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 10:11; 2 Pet.1:21)

GOD IS THE GOD OF THE LIVING!


Mark 12:
26 And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? 27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.

Bodies are perishable but soul/spirit lives on. God is the God of the living soul. One day we will have a new and imperishable body like Jesus when He rose from the dead without propensity to sin. We will be perfected by Him at His call to come up.

Mark 12: (Jesus lives)
36 For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.

David witnessed to Messiah and God our Savior, Jesus Christ. He will return with His bride and defeat all enemies and reign on Earth from Jerusalem for 1000 years.He will raise all who died in Him during the Tribulation and all Old Testament saints (Jew starting with Abraham and Gentiles ie; Abel, Noah etc)

HE HAS SENT GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT AT PENTECOST (with many ministries)

Mark 13:
11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

SCRIPTURES ATTEST TO JESUS CHRIST


Jesus Reveals His Authority After Rising From The Dead (O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (1 Cor.15:55) THANK YOU, JESUS!!!) AND HIS AUTHORITY SPOKEN OF IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

Luke 24;
27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

John 5:
39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Acts 17:
2 and Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, 3 opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

Acts 18:
28 for he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

Acts 26:
22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: 23 that Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.


Acts 28:
23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.

Romans 15:
4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

1 Cor.2:
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

2 Pet. 1:
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

STUDY TO SHOW OURSELVES APPROVED

2 Tim 2:
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.


GOD LOVES YOU!

JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR YOU!

THE HOLY SPIRIT GUIDES YOU!

AMEN!



CAN A CHRISTIAN FALL FROM GRACE? WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

GRACE - CAN WE FALL?  

The Lion and the Lamb Ministries



AMEN!



THE LAMB AND THE LION MINISTRY - THE HOLY SPIRIT

All true Christians believe in three Persons in one God‑head: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Three in One and One in Three, and the One in the middle died for me. The LORD Jesus Christ said, “Baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” Matthew 28:19

To Finish the Article, Click Here


SHOULD WE BE "BAPTIZED" IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
OR IS IT A FREE GIFT?
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE HAVE TO SAY?

AMEN!


THE EYE OF A NEEDLE - By: SAMUEL HUBER ON GOOGLE PLUS

BY:  SAMUEL HUBER

Matthew 19:24



And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

This verse is also in Mark and Luke, but What does it mean?
I always used to wonder about this verse, aside from it's obvious general scriptural implication that is pretty straight forward right? But really? A camel through the eye of a needle? Sounds absolutely impossible does it not?
Would you believe me if I told you that it IS possible? Well it is, at least the way in which this reference was meant when it was written, and I find it to be quite an interesting reference too. So here it is;


Back when this was written, the cities had large walls around them with a gate or gates that would be open during the day, but at night these large gates would be closed at night. A little known fact today is that there was a much smaller gate off to the side of the main gate that could be opened by a guard during the night while the large gate was closed in order to allow individuals or small groups of people to go in or out as needed without having to open the large gate. This smaller gate was called a "needle gate". These needle gates wete just large enough that a camel could go through it on its knees AND with no load on it's back. So in order for the camel to go through the eye of the needle gate, anything that might be loaded on the camel would have to be unloaded and then the person would lead the camel through the gate on it's knees.
So you see, it IS possible for a camel to go through the eye of a needle gate. I hope you enjoy this bit of biblical trivia as much as I have since I found this information out.

May God bless & guide 

THE CONVERSION OF THE "KING OF COOL" - STEVE McQUEEN

Amazing story...AMAZING GRACE!


JOHN 3:16


No matter how cool, rich, famous or infamous you are,,,

WE ALL NEED SALVATION

- - - - - PLAN OF SALVATION - - - - -

First Corinthians 15:1-4


DAILY DISCIPLES - MARKETPLACE MEDITATIONS @ CHRISTIANITY.COM

September 22
Today’s Reading: Ecclesiastes 10:12Galatians 1
Today’s Thoughts: His Everlasting Love


The Lord appeared to him from afar, saying, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness.” - Jeremiah 31:3 
God is love. You cannot separate Him from love and He works in our lives because of His love. Many of us know that God is love, but how many of us live like we believe it? Fear, doubt, guilt and thoughts of self-condemnation are all factors that wage against the love of God. So each time that we worry, we are not resting in the love of God. Each time we feel fearful regarding our finances or health, we are not resting in the love of God. What does it take to accept that God loves us unconditionally so that we can rest in His love?
For me, I understood my need for a savior far greater than my need for love. I was raised in a church that reminded me of my unworthiness weekly. Jesus was identified dying on the cross because of my sins much more than He was identified with the hope of His resurrection. As a result, I expected God to be angry with me each time I opened theBible. Reading verses such as, “I have loved you with an everlasting love,” seemed foreign, as if God wrote them to the patriarchs and not to me.

However, as I continued reading the Bible, I realized that these “beloved” patriarchs were very much sinners also. They each had shortcomings and each made mistakes. Slowly, I began to realize that God knows and accepts my sinful ways better than I do. That’s why He made a way through Jesus to save me....because He loves me. The love came first!
God loves you so much that you cannot do anything to separate yourself from His love. He understands your struggles and limitations. But through it all, He wants you to find rest as you accept His love and love Him back. After all, 1 John 4:19 says, “We love, because He first loved us.”
Our mission is to evangelize the lost and awaken the saved to live empowered lives by the Work of God and His Holy Spirit. Daily Disciples Ministries makes a difference for the kingdom of God by teaching and training believers how to be in God's Word, how to pray and how to walk with Jesus every day, as His daily disciple.


- - - - - PLAN OF SALVATION - - - - -

First Corinthians 15:1-4
Ephesians 2:8-9

GRACE WON!

Amen!

THE SIGN OF BAAL PART ONE: JONATHAN CAHN AT THE UNVEILING

A very good Messianic Rabbi...enjoy!



GOD BLESS YOU ALL
AND
MUCH LOVE IN CHRIST JESUS!

- - - - - PLAN OF SALVATION - - - - -

First Corinthians 15:1-4



HONESTY IS HEALING - BY DR. DAVID JEREMIAH


CROSSWALK.COM

Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance. 
Psalm 42:5 


Recommended Reading
Matthew 26:36-38
Counselors tell us the first step in overcoming a problem is admitting the problem exists. That’s why introductions at many recovery group meetings begin with, “Hi, I’m (name) and I’m (name of the problem).” Such self-talk is hard, but in identifying the problem the next steps can move directly toward resolution.


Two of the wisest, godliest men in the Bible used self-talk and plain language when describing their despondency. David spoke to his own soul, asking, “Why are you cast down . . . and why are you disquieted?” And Jesus, on the night of His betrayal and arrest, readily admitted to His disciples that His “soul [was] exceedingly sorrowful, even to death” at the prospect of what lay ahead of Him (Matthew 26:38). Yet along with their honest confessions of pain they voiced their trust in God—David in the same breath as his confession and Jesus moments later when He put His faith in God’s will rather than His own (Luke 22:42).

Tell God, as David did, or tell God and your friends, as Jesus did, if you are hurting. But only tell friends who will strengthen your faith in God.


For the Christian, honesty is not the best policy, it is the only one. 

John Blanchard