BipolaR DisordeR!?

Wanting to Share the following article by Marja Bergen who suffers from Bipolar Disorder: Finding meaning in a life with bipolar disorder

By Marja Bergen Mental illness is not all bad. I have lived with bipolar disorder for over forty years and have found it has many benefits. I couldn't imagine living without it and am not at all unhappy with my life. In many ways, I value what this illness has made possible for me. With effective medication to keep symptoms under control, people with bipolar disorder can live a close-to-normal life. Yes, moods will fluctuate and cause occasional problems, and treatment will need adjustment. Suffering will always be part of my life. But I accept the way God, the Great Potter, made me. I am rich on many levels. Like many people with this disorder, I am very creative. I receive a lot of pleasure from photography and using my imagination. The deep emotions I experience, although painful, are a source of richness; I feel completely human. My frequent hard times have helped me appreciate the good times and I make the most of them. Spiritually, I'm stronger for having had to deal with great trials. The fires I've passed through have refined me. Most of all, I appreciate the compassion I am able to have for others who suffer from depression and other mental health issues. Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 1: 4 hold true for me. I praise God �who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received.� God has shown me his love, and I want to pass that love on to others. Over the past few years, I've been fortunate to be part of a church community that has supported me and helped me grow spiritually. With the Christ-like love they have shown me, I have come to understand how great God's love is. In turn, I now help others through a support group and one-on-one, in person and through my blog. I feel fulfilled. The language of suffering I've learned helps me connect with people in trouble. I am able to understand them in a way many others could not.

I feel a bit like Patch Adams in the Robyn Williams film. While Patch is a patient in a psychiatric hospital, he discovers his ability to connect with people. He learns to understand his severely disturbed roommate to see the person behind the illness and helps him through his problems. Not only does this delight Patch, it makes him a well man. Patch eagerly tells his doctor he is well and needs to leave the hospital. I connected to another human being, he said. I want to do more of that. I want to learn about people. I want to help them with their troubles. I want to really listen to people. Connecting with other people gave Patch joy. It gives me joy, too. When God places you in this role a role he made for you joy happens. Walking with people through some of their toughest times is rewarding and a privilege. Bipolar disorder will always be with me, and I suffer many high and low moods. But, I don't feel I'm a victim of the disease. God has helped me find a way to make my illness work for me instead of against me. 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' (Jeremiah 29:11) God has a plan for each of us. Though we might have a severe illness such as bipolar disorder, God has work for us to do. Eventually, we can use what God has given us even the bad and turn it into something good. Marja Bergen is the author of Riding the Roller Coaster: Living with Mood Disorders (Northstone, 1999) and a new book for Christians about living successfully with bipolar disorder (to appear). She is the founder of Living Room, a faith-based Mood Disorders Association of BC support group. Her blog, marjabergen.blogspot.com, deals with mental health and faith issues. She can be reached at info@candidsbymarja.com.

Suicide??

Question: "What is the Christian view of suicide? What does the Bible say about suicide?"
Answer: The Bible mentions six specific people who committed suicide: Abimelech (Judges 9:54), Saul (1 Samuel 31:4), Saul's armor-bearer (1 Samuel 31:4-6), Ahithophel (2 Samuel 17:23), Zimri (1 Kings 16:18), and Judas (Matthew 27:5). Five of them were wicked, sinful men (not enough is said regarding Saul's armor-bearer to make a judgment as to his character). Some consider Samson an instance of suicide (Judges 16:26-31), but Samson's goal was to kill the Philistines, not himself. The Bible views suicide as equal to murder, which is what it is—self-murder. God is the only one who is to decide when and how a person should die.

According to the Bible, suicide is not what determines whether a person gains entrance into heaven. If an unsaved person commits suicide, he has done nothing but “expedite” his journey to hell. However, that person who committed suicide will ultimately be in hell for rejecting salvation through Christ, not because he committed suicide. What does the Bible say about a Christian who commits suicide? The Bible teaches that from the moment we truly believe in Christ, we are guaranteed eternal life (John 3:16). According to the Bible, Christians can know beyond any doubt that they possess eternal life (1 John 5:13). Nothing can separate a Christian from God’s love (Romans 8:38-39). If no “created thing” can separate a Christian from God’s love, and even a Christian who commits suicide is a “created thing,” then not even suicide can separate a Christian from God’s love. Jesus died for all of our sins, and if a true Christian, in a time of spiritual attack and weakness, commits suicide, that would still be a sin covered by the blood of Christ.

Suicide is still a serious sin against God. According to the Bible, suicide is murder; it is always wrong. Serious doubts could be raised about the genuineness of faith of anyone who claimed to be a Christian yet committed suicide. There is no circumstance that can justify someone, especially a Christian, taking his/her own life. Christians are called to live their lives for God, and the decision on when to die is God’s and God’s alone. Although it is not describing suicide, 1 Corinthians 3:15 is probably a good description of what happens to a Christian who commits suicide: “He himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.”

I get asked this question quite often. This is not a question that is easy to answer without going deep into theology. The reason for that is simple. If the person who commits suicide does not know Jesus Christ as their Savior before they commit suicide, then they are lost. (Hebrews 9:27 NIV) Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment - There are no second chances. The state you are in when you die is the state you will remain in for eternity.

If the person who commits suicide has previously accepted Christ as their Savior then you come to a deep theological question. Can a person who is at one time saved ever come back under judgment?

Let me explain right up front that I don't believe a person can lose their salvation. In other words I don't believe anyone who has truly placed their faith in Jesus Christ will one day wake up and realize that they are no longer saved. That may sound like the standard Calvinistic belief but it is not. I am not saying that I don't believe a person who accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior cannot turn from life and again choose death, I am saying it won't happen and then be a surprise to the person.

People who believe that a person once saved cannot ever come back under judgment usually believe this because they say that when you are saved your sins are forgiven past, present and future. Okay, I might even be convinced of that, although I wonder what the purpose of 1 John 1:9 is? (1 John 1:9 NIV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. This passage was written to Christians.

My premise for believing that a person once saved can still fall into judgment at the hands of God, is that God gave us free will. I don't believe that God takes away our free will when we are saved. I believe we have to choose each and every day whom we will serve; ourselves or God.

Let's look at another passage: (John 10:27-30 NIV) My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. {28} I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. {29} My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all ; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. {30} I and the Father are one." Notice that Jesus says no one can snatch us from His hand. But is that the same as saying I will never let them go? I don't think so. I don't think Jesus is saying that we cannot choose to leave our position, I believe He is saying that Satan nor anyone else can cause you to lose your salvation. We are secure as long as we want to be secure.

I will get into more verses in a few moments, but I want to just look at this logically for a moment. If a person truly comes to faith in Jesus Christ and then finds that they don't want to continue to serve Him. They don't want what God has offered them any longer. Maybe they even come to a crisis in their life and decide that they don't believe anymore that there is a God. In essence they reject God one way or another. When they die, will God force them into heaven because they believed at one instant in time but not after that? I don't believe so. Why would God force anyone to live with Him for eternity if they have decided that they don't want to?

I am not a theologian, I am just a former street cop and that is how I view the scriptures. I have prayed for wisdom and discernment and asked God to open my eyes to what His word really says. I must admit He has helped me, and to my surprise what He has shown me is that His word says exactly what it means and means exactly what it says.

How were the Old Testament saints saved? By sacrifices? No by faith in God to provide a Redeemer to take away their sins. The sacrifices were just a visual manifestation of that faith. How are we saved today? By faith that God did send that Redeemer to take away our sins. His name is Jesus Christ. So you see we are saved exactly the same way the Old Testament believers were. Since we know that to be true and we know that God never changes: (Hebrews 13:8 NIV) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Then we should be able to see from both the Old Testament and the New Testament how God treats those who willfully turn from Him.

First let's look at the Old Testament. (Ezekiel 18:23-28 NIV) Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live? {24} "But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked man does, will he live? None of the righteous things he has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness he is guilty of and because of the sins he has committed, he will die. {25} "Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' Hear, O house of Israel: Is my way unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust? {26} If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin, he will die for it; because of the sin he has committed he will die. {27} But if a wicked man turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life. {28} Because he considers all the offenses he has committed and turns away from them, he will surely live; he will not die. God does not pull any punches at all, He clearly says here that if a righteous man turns away from Him, He will not remember the righteousness any longer. He also states that He does not take pleasure in death, but wants everyone to come to Him.

Many people try to claim that because the Old Testament was written under the old covenant and because we are under the new covenant you can't take passages like the one in Ezekiel and use them. However, it is very interesting to hold that up to the light of Scripture. I am sure most everyone has heard of the Bereans. Look closely at this passage about them: (Acts 17:11 NIV) Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Now my question is this; what Scriptures were they judging what Paul said by? It had to be the Old Testament, since the New Testament was not written yet. So for instance if Paul preached that once a person was saved they could never turn away and come back under judgment wouldn't the Bereans have read Ezekiel and denied what Paul said?

Now let's go to the New Testament and see if God has changed: (Hebrews 10:26-27 NIV) If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, {27} but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. If a person deliberately keeps on sinning, would it not stand to reason that they have made a choice to turn away from God? This is not the same thing as being caught up in a sin and stumbling, it is making a choice.

1 John 1:10 makes it clear that we all stumble and sin and that God is faithful to forgive us, but verse 9 clearly shows that we must confess those sins. If we choose to continue sinning, then we are not truly confessing our sins, which implies remorse and turning from those sins.

I don't believe that God has the book of life open on His lap at all times with a bottle of white out waiting for us to stumble. He knows our flesh is weak, yet He loves us. Remember He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. On the other hand I don't believe you can make a fool of God either. I don't believe you can accept Christ as your Savior and then go back to living like the world day in and day out, rejecting everything which is holy and pleasing to God and God has no choice but to allow you to enter heaven upon your death.

When a person contemplates suicide they are standing at a cross roads. Down one road is living on in the pain and depression they feel, but it also includes realizing that God is sovereign and our days are ordained by Him alone. It also leads to help through God's promises. He does not want us to be depressed and in pain, but He does want us to come to Him and ask for His help and then believe that He will help us. Down the other road is death on their timing not God's. It is saying that the person doesn't care what God wants, they want what they want, when they want it. It is also saying that they don't think God cares enough to help them through this time of hurt and pain, or maybe it is that they don't think God is powerful enough to save them.

The point is that the cross road is a choice that they have to make. Do they reject God and His plan for their life in favor of their own, or do they get on their knees and accept God's plan for them and His help which He has promised over and over again to give them?

Don't let Satan fool you into thinking that just because you have accepted Christ as your Savior you can take your own life and God will welcome you with open arms into His presence. If God chooses to do just that, then it is His decision and He is just, but would He be any less just to deny you entrance? I don't think so and that question alone should be enough to stop you cold. The other thing that should stop you cold is your love for Christ. If you truly have the relationship you think you have then you should be putting His feelings and His will above your own.

As I have been careful to say in this article I believe if you choose to reject God then He will allow you to do so. I have stated more then once it is a choice, so now let me address another issue. If a person is not able to make a choice then I don't believe any of this applies to them. What I am saying is that if a person is chemically imbalanced or mentally impaired in some way so that they can't make a legitimate choice, then I don't believe God would hold any actions they commit including suicide against them. But if you are here reading this trying to find a loop hole so that you can kill yourself and still be sure you will go to heaven, then you are showing the ability to make that choice and I believe God will hold you accountable accordingly.

If you are reading this and you don't have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, then none of this applies to you either. If you die whether by your own hand or by some other cause it does not matter, you will be lost for eternity. At judgment you will be judged first for not accepting the free gift of salvation that God offered you. Then you will be judged on what deeds you did while you were alive, good or bad, everything you have done will be exposed and you will be punished according to those actions. Nothing you have done will be good enough to get you into heaven. Only the saving blood of Jesus Christ can hide your sin so that you will be acceptable to God.



How To Help Someone Find God Without Them Rebelling

How To Help Someone Find God Without Them Rebelling

Many times it's easier to reach a total stranger for the Lord, leading them to salvation, than it is to reach one of our own family members. It's because the Holy Spirit has already been preparing them in their heart. When we work along side the Holy Spirit, planting seeds from God's Word into a person's heart, watering them and watching the Holy Spirit increase their faith, we see their periods of rebellion or lack of interest. Even though at times we become concerned we must speak words of truth as God sees the situation; holding onto our faith for their salvation. The process that the Holy Spirit takes to prepare a person for a secure, sound relationship with the Lord is based on each individual's background, personality, mental capacity etc. Therefore it's seems slow to us; much slower that our patience wants to allow. As long as that person will stay in your presence there is great hope. There have been cases when the person has left the relationship only to return as a new person. Never underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit in what He is able to do with the godly seeds that plant; because as the Lord told Jeremiah: I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled." Jeremiah 1:12 When you talk to someone about the Lord to lead them to salvation, speak only of the greatness of God, the good things He brings to human life and what He has personally for them; things like good health, financial prosperity, God's will for their future, etc. Speak with thanksgiving to God for what you have, even for the fact that God has brought this person into your life. Let them know how He has released you from Satan's captivity and he will release them also. Let them know that God has always had his eye on them and has made wonderful plans for their future. Jeremiah 29:11-14 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity. Speaking the positive things in the Bible gives a person hope. Never give a person the do's and don'ts that we all know the Bible is full of; it puts Christianity into what I call a "Keep the rules and God will love you" relationship with God. So many Christians promote this type of teaching instead of doing what they are supposed to do: preach the Gospel. Mark 16:15 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. As a person yields to the love of Jesus, they will grow into a place of righteousness by the power of the Holy Spirit. It's not something a sinner, or even a young Christian just starting out, should be burdened with. We're not to clean up our own sins before reaching out to be saved, and we surely will make many mistakes after salvation just because we're human and are easily influenced by the world. Isaiah 64:6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags. Learning to do the right thing is a process brought about by giving ourselves daily in devotion to the Lord along with the Holy Spirit's leadership to make us holy. He works with us instilling a desire to please God and to be obedient to His Word. When a Christian is having trouble with sin and temptation in their life they are simply not spending enough time with Jesus. People act like the person they spend time with. When trying to reach someone for the Lord, talk about God's love, how great the things were that Jesus did and how He helped people etc. Talk about heaven, its description starts at Revelations 21:1. Pull out some of the more interesting scriptures that could be entertaining to them and use them at fitting times. Even though it's not the Word you'd like them to receive, it gets them used to hearing scripture in a way that doesn't offend them. Proverbs has some that might fit a situation you are aware of. Proverbs 20:29 The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old. Proverbs 11:22 Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion. Proverbs 21:9 Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. Proverbs 26:11 As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. You can find many stories that are interesting that have nothing to do with their life such as: Tax Money in the Fishes Mouth - Matthew 17:24-27 The Lord Made the Shadow Go Back Down Ten Steps (2Kings 20:8-11) The Ax-head Fell Into the Water and Floated (2KI 6:3-7) Elijah Proved To the People the Lord Is God (1Kings18:20-39) The Ark of God Destroyed the Philistines God Dagon in His Own Temple (1Samuel 5:1-5) Jesus Feeds Over Five Thousand with Five Loaves and Two Fish (Matthew 14:15) Getting scripture into a person is the best way for them to receive faith, but if a person doesn't respond to talking about God then give them short lessons about "life according to the Bible" without mentioning God. Take stories from your daily life and apply some godly insight, talk about how that situation should have been handled. The Holy Spirit will draw them through the message of righteous living. Pray about what you should say to people. It's the best way because the Holy Spirit knows exactly what will mellow their heart. Continually let them know God loves them because that is the real story of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 12:30-32 Jesus said ...Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself. When we present the Gospel of Jesus correctly, who he was and what he did, and everything that God designed for building up our faith through his overcoming power; then we'll draw people into a loving relationship with our Lord. We should never make a person feel condemned. Talking about their sins is not our job. As we lift up Jesus, planting seeds of goodness and mercy into people's hearts, the Holy Spirit will reveal their sins to them and lead them into salvation. A sinner already feels condemnation we don't need to point out their sins. What they need is the love and compassion of Jesus; that's something they don't receive from other people. John 3:16-18 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. When We Act In Love It Draws People To The Lord We must act with the love of God when helping people enter and grow in His kingdom. We see the quickest results when we use patience, kindness, compassion and understanding; recognizing that their faults differ from ours and help them to overcome. Lifting them up and encouraging them to reach out for the things of God so the Holy Spirit can do His good works in their life. We are to use the Word of God to help others; building their faith just as we use it to build up our own faith. Romans 10:17.. .faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Faith is what pleases God and activates the movement of the Holy Spirit to make changes in a person's life. 2Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. As we learn God's ways we mature and get tough, desiring correction because we see the benefits it has brought to our lives. Many people, on the other hand, are tender and only feel hurt when they're corrected. We must be careful with them so they don't become discouraged. (Titus 2:1-8) 2Timothy 4:2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage-- with great patience and careful instruction. The Holy Spirit Works To Draw Us Into All The Goodness Of God People do not have, within their human ability, the strength to obey rules that make them righteous. They can learn right from wrong, and many people do their best to do what's right, but God's rules are spiritual. It takes revelation and insight, which is given to a person by the Holy Spirit, to maintain the righteousness of God in their lives. It's the drawing of the Holy Spirit that brings a person to salvation, which is found only in Jesus Christ. John 6:43-44...Jesus answered. "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Our next step in the process of salvation is water baptism. Jesus said water baptism fulfills all righteousness. Matthew 3:15 Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness. When Jesus was baptized it was His obedience to the desires of God that John was already producing by baptizing others; which was rooted way back when God saved Noah. It was the beginning of his ministry. From them on Jesus began to show us a better way to live, not under the Law but under grace. He showed us God's love and how to live in God's righteousness. He taught us what was available to us from the Father and how to receive it by faith and living holy. Our obedience to the act of water baptism is like us putting a seal on the salvation Jesus has just given us. It's our pledge to God as well as the world that we have renounced the old sinful life and are beginning a new life in Jesus Christ; which will become our ministry. 1 Peter 3:18-22 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand--with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. When we're baptized in water, we're announcing that we have a new life and our old sinful nature is dead. Our standards have changed and we will think, speak and act according to God's way of living. We commit to continue in the righteousness which our Lord has given us. Romans 6:4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Once we are established in our new life, we have a covenant relationship with God. As we study the Bible to find out what benefits belong to us the Holy Spirit gives us revelation, transforming our natural mind into a spiritual mind that thinks Gods way. Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. As we begin practicing obedience from what we've learned and confess what the Bible says we can have, God fulfills his part of the covenant and we receive physical as well as spiritual rewards from our Lord. Hebrews 11: 6...without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. It takes the Holy Spirit working with a person to change their heart into a heart that will accept the things of God. We are to be helpers of the Holy Spirit, planting seeds that He can produce growth in the heart of another human being. Leading a person into righteousness is not trying to get them to give up their sins to follow God's rules. Most people are comfortable in their sin, and they don't realize that there's a better way because they've never experienced it. As we show someone the goodness of God, the Holy Spirit will convict a person of their sins and eventually lead them into a place where they desire to change their life and receive salvation. It may seem like a slow process, but it works. If we are consistent in planting small seeds and we let the Holy Spirit do His work while we stand by giving people love and encouragement, that person is less likely to rebel. It gives them a solid foundation of love for their salvation from us and God and they are less likely to backslide. When we show them God's love, it won't be long till they respond; no one can resist an abundance of love and compassion.

Find God-Here's how!

Knowing God Personally

Find God - What does it take to know God? This will explain how you can personally begin a relationship with God, right now.

What does it take to begin a relationship with God? Wait for lightning to strike? Devote yourself to unselfish religious deeds? Become a better person so that God will accept you? NONE of these. God has made it very clear in the Bible how we can know Him. This will explain how you can personally begin a relationship with God, right now...

Principle One: God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life. God created you. Not only that, he loves you so much that he wants you to know him now and spend eternity with him. Jesus said, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."1 Jesus came so that each of us could know and understand God in a personal way. Jesus alone can bring meaning and purpose to life. What keeps us from knowing God? ...

Principle Two: All of us sin and our sin has separated us from God. We sense that separation, that distance from God because of our sin. The Bible tells us that "All of us like sheep have gone astray; each of us has turned to his own way."2 Deep down, our attitude may be one of active rebellion or passive indifference toward God and his ways, but it's all evidence of what the Bible calls sin. The result of sin in our lives is death -- spiritual separation from God.3 Although we may try to get close to God through our own effort, we inevitably fail. This diagram shows the great gap that exists between us and God. The arrows illustrate how we might try to reach God through our own efforts. We may try to do good things in life, or earn God's acceptance through a good life or a moral philosophy. But our good efforts are insufficient to cover up our sin. How can we bridge this gulf?...

Principle Three: Jesus Christ is God's only provision for our sin. Through him we can know and experience God's love and plan for our life. We deserve to pay for our own sin. The problem is, the payment is death. So that we would not have to die separated from God, out of his love for us, Jesus Christ died in our place. The Bible states that Jesus is "the image of the invisible God...by him all things were created...."4 Jesus was crucified for blasphemy -- for clearly identifying himself as equal to God -- which he was. On the cross, Jesus took all of our sin on himself and completely, fully paid for it. "For Christ also died for sins...the just for the unjust, so that he might bring us to God."5 "...he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy."6 Because of Jesus' death on the cross, our sin doesn't have to separate us from God any longer. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."7 Jesus not only died for our sin, he rose from the dead.8 When he did, he proved beyond doubt that he can rightfully promise eternal life -- that he is the Son of God and the only means by which we can know God. That is why Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life; no one can come to the Father except through me."9 Instead of trying harder to reach God, he tells us how we can begin a relationship with him right now. Jesus says, "Come to me." "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me... out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."10 It was Jesus' love for us that caused him to endure the cross. And he now invites us to come to him, that we might begin a personal relationship with God. Just knowing what Jesus has done for us and what he is offering us is not enough. To have a relationship with God, we need to welcome him into our life...

Principle Four: We must individually accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. The Bible says, "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."11 We accept Jesus by faith. The Bible says, "God saved you by his special favour when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it."12 Accepting Jesus means believing that Jesus is the Son of God, who he claimed to be, then inviting him to guide and direct our lives.13 Jesus said, "I came that you might have life, and have it more abundantly."14 And here is Jesus' invitation. He said, "I'm standing at the door and I'm knocking. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in."15 How will you respond to God's invitation? Consider these two circles: Self-Directed Life Self is on the throne Jesus is outside the life Decisions and actions are solely directed by self, often resulting in frustration Christ-Directed Life Jesus is in the life and on the throne Self is yielding to Jesus The person sees Jesus' influence and direction in their life Which circle best represents your life? Which circle would you like to have represent your life? Begin a relationship with Jesus...

You can receive Christ right now. Remember that Jesus says, "I'm standing at the door and I'm knocking. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in."¹⁶ Would you like to respond to his invitation? Here's how.
The precise words you use to commit yourself to God are not important. He knows the intentions of your heart. If you are unsure of what to pray, this might help you put it into words:

"Jesus, I want to know you. I want you to come into my life. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sin so that I could be fully accepted by you. Only you can give me the power to change and become the person you created me to be. Thank you for forgiving me and giving me eternal life with God. I give my life to you. Please do with it as you wish. Amen."

If you sincerely asked Jesus into your life just now, then he has come into your life as he promised. You have begun a personal relationship with God.
What follows is a lifelong journey of change and growth as you get to know God better through Bible reading, prayer and interaction with other Christians.

The Christian's Hate Life's

           The Christian's Hate Life's

by                                                Pastor Jack Hyles

---

       General Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, once said he feared the day when the Salvation Army would have a salvation without regeneration, faith without repentance, and Heaven without Hell.  He could have added "love without hate," for it is impossible to have true love without hate. One cannot love flowers without hating weeds. He cannot love health without hating disease. He cannot love God without hating Satan. He cannot love peace without hating war.
The truth is there is no quality without its opposite. There is no high without low, no hot without cold, no large without small, no tall without short, and no in without out. There is no merit in a plus without the potential of a minus. There is no true patience without the potential of impatience. There is no true good without the potential of bad. There is no courage without fear, no true gentleness without strength, no admirable kindness without the potential of temper, and certainly one cannot love if he does not hate its opposite and its enemy.
Patience without potential impatience is laziness. Courage without potential fear is recklessness. Gentleness without potential strength is pacifism. Kindness without potential temper is weakness.
A smile without a potential frown is unawareness. Love without hate is hypocrisy and is not love at all.
The truth is that one loves as much as he hates. The more a mother loves her child, the more she hates the cancer that would take that child's life. The more a gardener loves his flowers, the more he hates the weeds that surround them. The more a mechanic loves his cars the more he hates the rust that paralyzes them. The more a judge loves justice, the more he hates the crime. The more a doctor loves his patients, the more he hates the germs. The more a Christian loves God, the more he hates sin and the things that are anti-Christ.
Now what should the Christian hate? He should hate what God hates.
1. He should hate quitting. Psalm 101:3, "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me."
2. He should hate every false way. Psalm 119:104, "Through Thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way." When someone says a person can go to Heaven by good works, the Christian should hate it. Now he should not hate the person who says it but he should hate the false way. When someone says that one can go to Heaven by taking of the sacraments, joining the church, or getting baptized, the Christian should find hatred swelling in his heart for the false way. There is no way to love God's way to Heaven without hating Satan's false ways to Heaven.
When I was in college, there was a fellow student who was married and had six children. He had not been saved for long and had been saved from a life of extreme wickedness. His vocabulary had been something less than Christian in his past life. Soon after he came to college, a small country church called him to be its pastor. One Sunday morning he was preaching on Calvary. He was describing what they did to Jesus on the cross. He blamed this on the Devil. He got so mad at the Devil that he began cursing him with the most profane language that one can imagine. He cursed and cursed and cursed as the people sat stunned in disbelief.
Suddenly, he realized what he was doing. He closed his Bible and walked quietly to the door, got in his car, and drove off. For several minutes the congregation sat silently until the chairman of the board of deacons who was sitting on the front row rose to his feet. He looked at the people, cleared his throat, and said something like this: "Folks, I heard what you heard. I have never in my life heard such a display of profanity. However, I have been sitting here for several minutes thinking about what our pastor said. I have come to the conclusion that he expressed perfectly my opinion of the Devil. Now we all know our pastor lived a wicked life before he was saved, and though he used words he should not have used, at least we do have a pastor who hates the Devil. Why don't we vote to give him a raise in pay and keep him as our pastor!"
The congregation enthusiastically endorsed this action. (Now I would not suggest that pastors who read this attempt to secure a raise of pay in this manner.)
I myself do not think the pastor should have used these words, but I do have more respect for a preacher who will curse the Devil than I do for one who will ask him to lead in prayer on the platform.
3. He should hate empty ritual. Amos 5:21, "I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies."
4. He should hate an evil heart against his neighbors. Zechariah 8:17, "And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the Lord."
5. He should hate lying. Psalm 119:163, "I hate and abhor lying: but Thy law do I love."
6. He should hate idolatry. Jeremiah 44:4,5, "Howbeit I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, saying, Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate."
But they hearkened not, nor inclined their hearts to turn from their wickedness, to burn no incense to other gods.''
7. He should hate vain thoughts. Psalm 119:113, "I hate vain thoughts but thy law do I love."
8. He should hate a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood. Proverbs 6:16-19, "These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among the brethren."
One Sunday morning one of our fine ladies brought a visitor to the services. While I was preaching, the visitor looked over to the member and asked, "Who is he mad at?" Whereupon my member assured her that I was not mad; it just appeared that I was. After the service I heard about the conversation, and I announced that I was preaching the next Sunday on, "I Am Mad, Too." In the sermon I said that the Christian should hate. He should hate the narcotics which is ruining our young people. He should hate the liquor which destroys so many lives and homes.
He should hate communism which is dedicated to the destruction of our Christian society. He should hate the atheism and humanism that is pervading our college campuses. He should hate the nudity that is destroying our morals. He should hate the permissiveness which is ruining our youth. He should hate the adult bookstores, the sensitivity parlors, the dirty movie industry, and, for that matter, even the sin of his own life that causes him so much heartache.
Yes, the Christian does have a hate life. God does!

WateR BaptisM

I got Baptised on the 09th of September 2012, and thought i would do research and find an article to explain the Water Baptism in Full:

Water Baptism
By Andy Zoppelt

What it Means

"Primarily a frequentative form of bapto, 'to dip,' was used among the Greeks to signify the dyeing of a garment, or the drawing of water by dipping a vessel into another, etc. Plutarchus uses it of the drawing of wine by dipping the cup into the bowl." (Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words)

The Greek definition of Baptize, "Gk baptízein to immerse = bápt (ein) to bathe" (The Random House Webster's Dictionary)

The word baptize is actually a transliteration rather than a translation of the Greek word. So what you have is a word that has not been translated. The churches during time when many of our scriptures were being translated, were practicing the sprinkling of babies as the mode of baptism. Therefore the translators were prejudicially inclined to transliterate baptizo, hiding its real function and meaning. To translate baptizo into immersion would have been a direct challenge to the practice of sprinkling. The word given in the Greek dictionaries would be better translated immersion. In Luke 3:21, we read: "When all the people were being baptized…" In our scripture in Luke 3:21, it would have been better understood, if the word was translated rather than transliterated. Example: "the people were being immersed…" Translating would have ended the controversy as to mode.

Even today's modern translators continue with the transliteration of baptizo, probably for the same reasons they did in the past. Why do we therefore continue to transliterate baptizo? It must be that it would be offensive to the baby-sprinklers and therefore limiting the circulation.

Consider for a moment the great commission, as it is called, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, immersing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…." (Matt 28:19-20)

It would be the Great Offense to many churches that practice sprinkling, commanding them not only to "make disciples," but also to immerse repentant sinners.

Purpose Of Baptism  

Enough said about the mode of baptism, it is a point that I do not want to belabor. Let us now turn our attention to the "reason" for its practice, for this is at the very heart of the subject.

John the Baptist plainly stated the reason for his baptizing, "I baptize you with water for (Gr., eis, into or result of) repentance" (Mt 3:11).

This speaks of purpose, in other words, "I baptize you because or the result of repentance." Earlier in Matt 3:7,8, john was warning them "… to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance."

Baptism was more than a "symbol" of salvation, it was a stand, a commitment, a seal of their repentance to follow Christ and His teaching. Repentance implies a total "turn" from the world, friends and family if need be. "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters-yes, even his own life-he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26-27)

When the first Jewish converts repented and were baptized, they were perceived and marked as being separated and living apart from their previous Jewish roots. Where in reality, they were reestablishing their roots. Baptism to the pharisaical Jews, was not perceived as a simple symbol, it was understood as a change in life and position that threatened and condemned the pharisaical Jewish way of living.

Today's baptisms are rarely followed by a radical change in life and position, so no real threat is imposed. We maintain much the same life and often have the same "besetting sins." If fact, because we are baptized without attending fruit, we are justly criticized for being hypocrites by the world. Our foundation of repentance and baptism is greatly flawed.

Salvation today is based on the sinner as to whether or not they will accept Jesus Christ. One would think that Jesus was on trial. This flaw is later evidenced when Jesus does not follow up on their selfish, self-centered demands, they get angry and leave. They kind of dis-receive Jesus, if you will. This only points to the problem of sending the wrong message to the sinner at the beginning.

The word "saints," means the "consecrated" or separate ones. It is similar in meaning to the word church, where church means the "called out" ones. Therefore repentance coupled with baptism is a stand that one is dead, separated from the world and called out to be a functioning part of the many-membered body of Christ. They are dead to their old lives and the world and called to an unselfish, loving and holy walk with the Lord. True repentance will produce the fruit of the Spirit that will be productive to the building up of the living body of Christ. Baptism is meant to represent our public confession and stand that we have come out of one life and resurrected into another. When we are baptized, we are making a statement of change, change of authority, change of friends and family if necessary, a turning away from sin and a clinging to Christ and His word. It should be like a wedding vow, "For better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part." Baptism implies that you will no longer permit sin to have "dominion" over you. In Heb 12:4, it says, "In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood." In other words, we have not kept our commitment to fight against sin at all cost. our baptism was therefore meaningless and without a real foundation in repentance. When we made a decision in baptism, we made the decision to forsake our old life with its sins and to rise up in a new life of obedience and commitment to Christ life.

our walk is the evidence of our fruit and not our talk.

Incidentally, "repent" is from the Greek word metanoia, which means a change in mental attitudes and conduct. It is a 180-degree change. In Romans 12:2, it says, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed (metamorphoo, we get our word metamorphosis from that word, a change in form) by the renewing of your mind (nous)."

Conclusion

Putting it all together, in repentance we make a complete change in the "direction" of our attitude and behavior, we are therefore changed personally as our minds and thinking are constantly renewed in its commitment to be committed to giving ourselves over to Christ. Old things are passing away as a result and all things are becoming new. Christ is in us and we are living by His life (not Satan's, excusing our sin through grace!). I live to please Him and obey Him. I keep His commandments, love the saints with a sacrificial love and function within the community of saints.

About: The Organ Donor Foundation

THE ORGAN DONOR FOUNDATION

 
HISTORY

The Organ Donor Foundation was established in 1988 with the aim of addressing the critical shortage of organ and tissue donors in South Africa through awareness and education campaigns, thus increasing the number of transplants. 

 We also administer an Emergency Flight Plan, which pays for the transportation of vital organs from outlying areas to transplant hospitals. 

WHAT WE DO

• We administer a toll free line providing information to the public about organ donation
• We maintain an informative and easy to use website where people are able to register as organ donors on-line
• We distribute organ donor identification cards and information brochures to the public
• We run awareness and educational campaigns to educate the public and the medical fraternity about organ donation
• We finance emergency flights around South Africa to obtain organs

 STATISTICS

 
To highlight the urgent need for support, here are some frightening statistics: 

• There are approximately 1,400 South Africans, adults & children who are awaiting organ transplants.  These include:  Heart, lungs, kidney, pancreas and liver transplants   
• There are about 3,000 patients awaiting cornea transplants in South Africa
• Over 35,000 people require tissue & bone in the country
• At least 10 people a week suffering from end stage renal failure are sent home to die because of a shortage of space on dialysis machines
• During 2009, only 376 adults and children received a life-saving organ transplant
• 299 adults, 33 adolescents & 16 children had their sight restored through a cornea transplant in 2009
• One donor can dramatically improve the life of 15 patients
• In South Africa only 3 donors per million population is procured

 The above figures are conservative.  There are hundreds more who have no access to hospitals and doctors. 

 HOW TO BECOME AN ORGAN DONOR?

• Phone the Organ Donor Foundation’s toll free line (0800 22 66 11) for information
• They will send you an organ donor card to carry in your wallet and organ donor stickers for your ID book and driver’s licence
• Most important is to talk to your family.  Inform them of your wish to become an organ donor, as your organs cannot be procured for transplantation without consent from your next of kin.
• Or visit the Organ Donor Foundation’s website:  www.odf.org.za
• THERE ARE NO COSTS INVOLVED IN BECOMING AN ORGAN DONOR

 INTERESTING FACTS: 

• The following organs can be transplanted:  Hearts, lungs, kidneys, livers and pancreas
• The following tissue is also used: Corneas, heart valves, skin and bone
• People can agree to donate some organs and not others
• Anyone under the age of 70 who is in good health can be an organ donor
• You can change your mind about being an organ donor – simply tear up your organ donor card and inform your family that you no longer wish to be an organ donor

HOW WE ACHIEVE OUR OBJECTIVES

 We receive no funding from Government and rely entirely on funds donated by individuals and companies.  We also coordinate a number of fundraising projects and events to accrue further funding.

 If you would like to make a donation to the Organ Donor Foundation, you can make a direct deposit:         

ABSA Bank, Heerengracht

Acc. No: 01273580600

Branch code: 506009

Reference:  Your name and a contact number

The greatest gift someone can pass on is the gift of life.

---

Projects - The Organ Donor Foundation

Projects - The Organ Donor Foundation

FoR My DoGGiE

JUST MY DOG

He is my other eyes that can see above

the clouds; my other ears that hear above

the winds. He is the part of me that can

reach out into the sea.

He has told me a thousand times over that

I am his reason for being: by the way he

rests against my leg; by the way he thumps

his tail at my smallest smile; by the way he

shows his hurt when I leave without taking him.

(I think it makes him sick with worry when he

is not along to care for me.)

When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive.

When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile.

When I am happy, he is joy unbounded.

When I am a fool, he ignores it.

When I succeed, he brags.

Without him, I am only another man. With him,

I am all-powerful.

He is loyalty itself.

He has taught me the meaning of devotion.

With him, I know a secret comfort and a 

private peace. He has brought me understanding

where before I was ignorant.

His head on my knee can heal my human hurts.

His presence by my side is protection against

my fears of dark and unknown things.

He has promised to wait for me...

whenever...wherever--in case I need him. 

And I expect I will--as I always have.

He is just my dog

FoR YoU

ByE for NoW!!!

Hey Beautiful People!!

I just want to let you know that i will not be posting 

anything within the next week, i am going on an 

outreach to Mozambique until the 2nd of July.

Blog you all after that ;)

Lots and Lots of Jesus love: Jay * * *

Symbol Guide to understand a few posts

 = Ponder/Wrestle/Seek.

 = Don't let your brain get in the way.

 = See with your spiritual eyes.

 = Jesus' love, compassion.

 = Shocking! Did God/Jesus or the author really mean/say 

that?

 = Be of good cheer. It's okay.

Mission Possible

Mission Possible

We're in a battle brothers and sisters and we need to fight the good fight.

The battle is not for our salvation. If you have a personal relationship with Christ you've already been given salvation. And the battle isn't for the completed work of our sanctification. Jesus has promised to complete the work He began in us. We don't do it - we're branches and He is the vine. Apart from Jesus we can do nothing. 

So then, if Jesus does it all - saving us and sanctifying us - what is the battle about? What are we fighting for? 

The battle is letting Christ mature us (surrender) sooner rather than later, for the sake of the Kingdom. It's a spiritual battle to allow Christ to reign in us; to submit to who Christ is uniquely in each us for such a time as this. Jesus already won the War, but He desires to passionately love others through us now. His motivation and urgency is love.

The Mission

Soldiers in the middle of a high-intensity battle don't spend their time and energy focusing on themselves, for if they do, their mission is compromised and a fellow soldier may be wounded or killed. They are trained to focus on the mission. Satan's objective is to keep our hearts and eyes on ourselves and worldly desires to compromise The Mission. 

So, what is The Mission? The Mission is to love one another. We're called to love one another and those who don't know Jesus with Christ-like love (selfless, graceful, merciful, humble) and to spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Each of us in the body of Christ have been given gifts and talents and many of you are clear as well about an assignment God has given you - much like each soldier in the armed forces has a specific assignment. Our  Mission is to love God and love one another. Assignments are secondary. We can be frustrated and allow anxiety into our lives by focusing on assignments while not being clear and mature about The Mission. Keep your eyes and hearts on The Mission.

The Church isn't fighting well as a unit. We too often focus on our assignments at the expense of The Mission. We're not fighting for one another to the best of our ability. We often leave our wounded comrades behind while we take care of our assignments. Sometimes we don't even notice our hurting comrades, or we're afraid to enter in to their pain or messy circumstances. There are times we even rub our spiritual salt into their wounds. Often, we spend energy guarding our assignments so we can make sure we get our due credit. This is not the way to fight the good fight. If we're struggling to love our spiritual brothers and sisters in an attitude of humility and selflessness, then how do we love those outside the Faith? Our Mission is to love one another and those who don't know Jesus with passion, grace and mercy SO THAT the world can see and experience Christ-like love.

A bumper sticker says "Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven". True enough; but we could have much more impact for the Kingdom of God (The Mission) if, in humility, we demonstrated Jesus rather than parading our Christian slogans. They will know we are Christians by our love. God's power is made perfect (manifested) in our weakness. The more surrendered we are to each other and to God, the more The Mission is accomplished.

This doesn't work unless our desires and passions are for The Mission. If our energy, time, and resources are more focused on what we can get from one another (marriage, employment, Christian service, etc.), or from the world (cars, houses, blessings, etc.) we end up being distracted from The Mission and that is what satan is up to. Keeping our eyes on The Mission helps us love each other with encouragement in the midst of the battle. Sports teams that suffer from individualism implode on themselves and rarely reach the pinnacle of their sport, even with great talent. Many a team have reached the greatest heights with few superstars simply by deferring to one another and playing as a team. As we  honestly surrender our lives to Jesus our hearts are changed and our desires are changed toward love and the Kingdom and less about ourselves.

If you're not experiencing that deep and passionate desire for the Kingdom, and you want it, be honest about it with yourself and with God. Then, ask God to give you His desires. Be persistent. He wants to know that you really want Him and his desires. Wait and be ready to receive. You'll begin to experience the abundant life Jesus promised - a life filled with Him and loving in Him.