As Christians we aim to master the Art of Living, through study of the Bible and putting those principles into daily practice. In this space we allow The Holy Spirit to guide us in the knowledge and understanding of God's Word. We encourage one another to be true believers of the Word, and to have fellowship with God, Our Saviour Jesus Christ, The Holy Spirit and with one another.
*Boldly Basing Our Actions On The Word Of God Rather Than Man's*
One of the personal activities I have developed of recent, is to habitually ensure that the decisions and actions I take concerning my role in the Body of Christ, are always backed by the Bible, and based on the Word. This has proved to be an excellent practice, and I would highly recommend it to every Christian believer.
To give a recent example of this, when I first got the inspiration from above to create this website, I was initially concerned that people would misunderstand the motivation for this and misguidedly perceive this as a form of ego based self-glorification, or self-promotion. But the Holy Spirit led me to the following scriptures concerning the matter:-
Matthew 5:16
'In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
John 15:8
'By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.'
The Holy Spirit thus revealed to me that
creating a Church website is not self-glorification but GOD-glorification.
The Bible further says in
1 Corinthians 9:16
'For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting.
For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!'
We have a responsibility to spread the word of God to all the corners of the world, and to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to everyone. Today, we are presented with a wonderful opportunity to do that, via the internet. Clearly it serves neither God nor His Kingdom
to be 'hiding our light under a bush'.
Let us indeed be grateful to God, for the provision of modern technology and the internet,
in the furthering of His purposes on earth, and render on to Him all praise and glory.
Peace and Love
Rev.Bola
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Share with us what you think, how you feel, how you are doing, and how we can assist. We like to know how God has been touching your life. Just click on the COMMENTS Link, at the top right hand corner of the page
to read the various commentaries, and to post one of your own, and be part of our online Church community.
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*Scripture Aids For Overcoming Depression*
So What is Depression?
Depression has been described as, a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity. Sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy. A feeling of being weighed down heavily. Depression is a state of low mood that results in aversion to activity. Chronic depression is when the situation becomes continuous, and ongoing. Clearly this can be a very uncomfortable state of affairs for anyone suffering from this, but the good news is that it can be treated and depression can be overcome and completely healed. Fortunately the scriptures are able to provide us with some insight and wisdom to alleviate depression.
First of all it is important for the depressed person to know how much God loves them, and that God's intention is always for their highest good and greatest joy. This is not just an intellectual idea, but something that can be experienced throughout ones being, emotionally, mentally, physically and of course spiritually. knowing with certainty that God the creator of all things, loves you unconditionally does lift depression for many people. A good exercise to start with would be to remind oneself continually of the different ways in which God shows His love and care for you. in short make a list of all your blessings no matter how small. List everything in your life that has and is serving you and contributing towards your life and happiness right now. If you do this exercise properly, you will find plenty to feel grateful and happy about. Usually the depressed person is focusing on something negative, something they consider is lacking in themselves or in their life. By switching attention to listing the blessings they already have, and the various ways God's love for them can and does show up in their lives, their mood begins to lift.
The Bible says: In Romans 8:28- 36
''28. And we know that God causes everything to work together[a] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
29. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
30. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.
31. What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?
32. Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?
33. Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honour at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?
36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”[b])
37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.''
You see, usually the depressed person is aware at some level of an untruth.
Something they believed to be right, does not add up, and once the false belief or experience is identified,
the person lightens up, the mood lifts and the depression ceases. A sensible way to heal depression is to check for false assumptions, especially about one's self or other people. Very often the false assumptions are negative.
In Romans 8:36 - 39 the Bible further says:
''38. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.
Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[c] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow--
not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.
39. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.''
It is very important for any depressed person to understand these scriptures and allow them to really sink in to all levels of knowing. For when you really believe these Words of God to be the truth, and refuse to believe anything to the contrary, no matter how convincingly the lie is presented; then and only then will one become completely immune from depression. And how do you increase your belief? by doing the exercise already given, and continuously seeking out and noting evidence in one's own life of God's love, affirming, declaring and reminding one's self of them often.
Please go ahead and start now. First make a note of your mood right now. Then list at least 5 things present in your life, that are clearly a blessing from God, include all the ways in which these 5 things have benefited your life.
Notice your mood afterwards. Can you see the difference? Get into the habit, whenever you notice yourself getting depressed to do this exercise of deliberately affirming your blessings, and the depression will definitely clear up.
Here is a lovely poem to inspire:
"In moments of discouragement, defeat, or even despair, there are always certain things to cling to.
Little things usually: remembered laughter, the face of a sleeping child, a tree in the wind-in fact, any reminder of something deeply felt or dearly loved.
No man is so poor as not to have many of these small candles.
When they are lighted, darkness goes away-and a touch of wonder remains."
(Taken from-- "These Small Candles" ...tombstone inscription in Britain)
You can also say this Prayer for Overcoming depression with me now.
Dear God,
I walk in the valley of darkness for I suffer from depression. I feel unloved. rejected, useless to myself and useless to others. I feel lost in a world I no longer understand. At times, I want to sleep and never wake up again. Lord, I believe that Your love is a transforming love. Christ Jesus have mercy on me. Out of the depths, I cry to you.
Lord, even though I feel nothing, I still praise you for the wonder of my being. You have formed me in my mother's womb and watched over me to this moment. I am precious in Your eyes and You love me. On the Cross, you shed your blood for me. You have carved me in the palm of Your hand. For all this I give you thanks and praise.
May your Precious Light give new life to me and to all those who suffer as I do. Take each one of us and hug us to your sacred and loving heart. Through your glorious love may we be healed. AMEN!
Much Love and Peace
Pastor Bola
*Scripture Aids For Overcoming Depression*
So What is Depression?
Depression has been described as, a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity. Sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy. A feeling of being weighed down heavily. Depression is a state of low mood that results in aversion to activity. Chronic depression is when the situation becomes continuous, and ongoing. Clearly this can be a very uncomfortable state of affairs for anyone suffering from this, but the good news is that it can be treated and depression can be overcome and completely healed. Fortunately the scriptures are able to provide us with some insight and wisdom to alleviate depression.
First of all it is important for the depressed person to know how much God loves them, and that God's intention is always for their highest good and greatest joy. This is not just an intellectual idea, but something that can be experienced throughout ones being, emotionally, mentally, physically and of course spiritually. knowing with certainty that God the creator of all things, loves you unconditionally does lift depression for many people. A good exercise to start with would be to remind oneself continually of the different ways in which God shows His love and care for you. in short make a list of all your blessings no matter how small. List everything in your life that has and is serving you and contributing towards your life and happiness right now. If you do this exercise properly, you will find plenty to feel grateful and happy about. Usually the depressed person is focusing on something negative, something they consider is lacking in themselves or in their life. By switching attention to listing the blessings they already have, and the various ways God's love for them can and does show up in their lives, their mood begins to lift.
The Bible says: In Romans 8:28- 36
''28. And we know that God causes everything to work together[a] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
29. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
30. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.
31. What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?
32. Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?
33. Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honour at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?
36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”[b])
37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.''
You see, usually the depressed person is aware at some level of an untruth.
Something they believed to be right, does not add up, and once the false belief or experience is identified,
the person lightens up, the mood lifts and the depression ceases. A sensible way to heal depression is to check for false assumptions, especially about one's self or other people. Very often the false assumptions are negative.
In Romans 8:36 - 39 the Bible further says:
''38. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.
Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[c] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow--
not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.
39. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.''
It is very important for any depressed person to understand these scriptures and allow them to really sink in to all levels of knowing. For when you really believe these Words of God to be the truth, and refuse to believe anything to the contrary, no matter how convincingly the lie is presented; then and only then will one become completely immune from depression. And how do you increase your belief? by doing the exercise already given, and continuously seeking out and noting evidence in one's own life of God's love, affirming, declaring and reminding one's self of them often.
Please go ahead and start now. First make a note of your mood right now. Then list at least 5 things present in your life, that are clearly a blessing from God, include all the ways in which these 5 things have benefited your life.
Notice your mood afterwards. Can you see the difference? Get into the habit, whenever you notice yourself getting depressed to do this exercise of deliberately affirming your blessings, and the depression will definitely clear up.
Here is a lovely poem to inspire:
"In moments of discouragement, defeat, or even despair, there are always certain things to cling to.
Little things usually: remembered laughter, the face of a sleeping child, a tree in the wind-in fact, any reminder of something deeply felt or dearly loved.
No man is so poor as not to have many of these small candles.
When they are lighted, darkness goes away-and a touch of wonder remains."
(Taken from-- "These Small Candles" ...tombstone inscription in Britain)
You can also say this Prayer for Overcoming depression with me now.
Dear God,
I walk in the valley of darkness for I suffer from depression. I feel unloved. rejected, useless to myself and useless to others. I feel lost in a world I no longer understand. At times, I want to sleep and never wake up again. Lord, I believe that Your love is a transforming love. Christ Jesus have mercy on me. Out of the depths, I cry to you.
Lord, even though I feel nothing, I still praise you for the wonder of my being. You have formed me in my mother's womb and watched over me to this moment. I am precious in Your eyes and You love me. On the Cross, you shed your blood for me. You have carved me in the palm of Your hand. For all this I give you thanks and praise.
May your Precious Light give new life to me and to all those who suffer as I do. Take each one of us and hug us to your sacred and loving heart. Through your glorious love may we be healed. AMEN!
Much Love and Peace
Pastor Bola
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