Mentoring Matters

“The Spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity, but a wounded spirit who can bear?” Proverbs 18:4

 

Depression can show up in many different symptoms and it may be hard to discover the root problem. Depression can lead to physical problems as the Scripture says a broken spirit dries up the bones. A general description is - Depression is the consequence of wrong responses to life events that remain unresolved in a person’s life. Depression will impact your soul and your spirit. Depression can be a “normal” response when overwhelming circumstances pile up with no relief.  Depression can be diagnosed but the lasting solutions are found in the life-giving hope found in Jesus Christ. Listen for the answer.

“I in them, and you in Me; that they may be made perfect in one and that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them as You have loved Me." John 17:23

 

Friendships made real are cemented in love. The sharing, the desire to be together, the willingness to sacrifice for others, and the same objectives with the same goals are all afforded us when we respond to the drawing of the Father’s heart desiring friendship with each of us.

Knowing each other’s thinking, hopes, dreams, plans, wants, and needs are just a few qualities that develop in a lasting friendship.  TRUST comes after the knowing is mature. Intimacy is earned. Friendships should never be taken for granted, our relationships cannot be half-hearted or conditional, and friendships must be genuine – no cover-up. If those qualities appeal to you then invite The Lord Jesus Christ to be your friend by the tenderness of His Spirit.

“A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24

 

Being a true friend that stays by your side can require some character development in the relationship. Sometimes words of correction are needed to remove blind spots in thinking. Sometimes special support is needed when your friend has made some wrong choices and is struggling to overcome guilt. There are so many different ways to express the heart of a true friend that brings a closeness of comfort, confidence, and calmness. Let’s take a little time today to review the benefits of being a friend, especially to our greatest friend of all, The Lord Jesus.

“A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24

 

As we build relationships, even from early childhood, we find that issues that draw us together are not always because of personality appeal. For a Christian, the hand of God is placing one another into positions that will further His plan for each life and how that plan will bring glory to Him, not just someone we can enjoy because of comfort or convenience. We learn as time progresses that a true friend will always be loyal and will “SUPPORT YOUR STRENGTHS AND SHORE UP YOUR WEAKNESS.”

 A true friend will be willing to care with kindness, even in difficult places, without feeling burdened by unusual challenges. Sometimes friendships extend outside the “family” connection as brothers and sisters in Christ because one “outside the family circle” needs to be drawn and welcome into those everlasting ties.  Expand your meditation time with how you can add a friend to your family.

“Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30

 

When we choose to ignore the plain simple commands to obey, in love, what is taught in the Scriptures we grieve and can quench the Holy Spirit’s working in our lives. He will no longer support us in our poor choices but wants to restore us if we will REPENT and follow His leading. 

Confess in agreement that we are out of step with Him and REPENT, turn around, and change our direction in thinking and actions. Failing to respond to these matters leaves us in self-dependency traveling in a danger zone of doubt, denial, and disobedience. Come visit with us as we chat about the downfall of ignoring the Truth and Grieving the Spirit.

“The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, but who can bear a broken spirit?" Proverbs 18:4

 

We probably do not give much thought that our spirit can be a tool for fighting sickness in the soul and body – an actual healing tool for getting well. With that same thought we are told when our spirits are broken, and torn apart, focusing on the overwhelming circumstances and losses may contribute to the breaking down of our health and wellness.  What grace for our Designer and Creator to have built into our body systems strength to fight against what damages and destroys.

Today, let’s see and hear what makes and keeps a strong spirit. The Word of God reveals what may be hidden to many people searching for real solutions.

Then He said to them ALL, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” Luke 9:23

 

On the surface, these words are not the most soothing to hear in wanting to grow as a Christian. We think we have a good standard of what our lives should look like, but the Lord knows the depths of hidden threats that will rob us of the best. Thank goodness we do not have to lean on our own understanding.

 How does one die to self? Join us today, as we expose examples, explanations, and evidence of a life that “Dies Daily to self.”  When we appropriate the impossible made possible through the Lord Jesus and the power of His Spirit, the results are strength and joy unspeakable and full of glory for whatever comes.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5

 

In that one sentence, we have a mini-view of why we are here on earth at this appointed time and place. God told Jeremiah I am responsible for your very life for a special purpose, he was set apart. The path Jeremiah was to walk included times of trials and pressure. To prepare us for God’s BEST, He may place us on the Potter’s wheel as he sculpts and fashions us for why we were born and formed. Hard times are simply the pressures from the Potter’s hand in reshaping us as a lump of clay so that nothing can mar the vessel He is making. Today, if you are feeling pressed, be aware that good matters are at work in the vessel He is preparing. Today, make sure you are pliable in the Potter’s Hand.

“In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” I Thessalonians 5:18 

 

With the upside-down world, we are daily confronted giving thanks for our circumstances is posing more and more of a challenge with many new pressures. Romans 8:37-39 is TRUTH  His Word can be trusted. How do we choose to respond to difficulties in our thinking THAT CONTROL our attitudes? Let’s visit about VICTORY IN ATTITUDES.

“Count it all joy when you fall into various trials” James 1:2

 

 

Now, where is the logic and wisdom from rational thinking with this verse? Normally we avoid trials at all costs,s not with all joy. We look for the quickest escape route to return to “normal.” We fail to reflect on the wisdom of the Word that tells us many times that the JOY of the Lord is your strength, which is exactly what you need when in over your head with testing and temptations. Fear and anxiety take over our brainwaves as we look to our own abilities to solve the problem.

We are blessed with Biblical wisdom as the only means that teaches us how to pass through a crisis, become stronger, and actually profit from the challenges. Encountering unknowns in life develops character, if knowing the facts, we choose faith over fear. Unknowns are a course in the school of life that we must all attend. Today, how do we respond to these words of wisdom?