The Best Ways to Overcome Depression

Posted by Jun 5, 2015 Gospel Evangelism, Holy Word, Podcast, Word of Faith 1 Comment
The Best Ways to Overcome Depression

Depression is a joy snatcher when occurrence of unwanted situation takes place in one’s life. Unfortunately, no one on earth is immune against depression. So, everyone must have experienced depression at a particular condition of life. But the good news is that you can overcome depression in your life by the use of light-mind-control system available in the power of God.
World Health Organization estimates that 350 million people throughout the world suffer from depression. The condition reportedly affects 1 in 10 Americans, and more women are affected by depression than men. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence estimates that in the United Kingdom 21 in every 1,000 (16 to 65 years old) live with major depression.
Life is filled with ‘ups and downs’. The causes of depression include various problems such as: Financial, health, job, loss of loved one, childbirth, family issues etc. Jesus Christ was also aware of the bad influence of depression on human when He said in the book of Mathew chapter 11 and verse 28, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”. (NKJV)
Depression can occur in various forms, but there are two major permanent solutions to overcome it;

• Engage Yourself in Helpful Events

Depression is an output of low mood which affects the behavior, sense of well-being and activity of the sufferer. So, stay away from your room if you have the strength to visit your friends.
Your expression and laughter in the midst of your friends will improve the mood, and depression will have no power to overcome you. Whenever depression wants to entangle you, join the evangelism team of your church and go out to witness the good news of Jesus to people.
The more you read the word of God, the more strength and power you receive for your soul, and depression will have no power to knock you down. One perfect method I used to overcome depression when I lost my loving sibling was reading a lot of bible verses related to faith and hope for Christians who died in Christ’s righteousness.
When you feel the symptoms of depression, let your mind be filled with the promises of God in the bible.

  • Squeeze depression with your Headphone

Listening to music is a very effective solution to depression of any form. People with depression can feel sad, hopeless, restless or anxious, but music has a unique form of exciting people’s feelings and emotions.

A number of studies were done to test music therapy to treat depression. One 2011 study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry involved 79 people between the ages of 18 and 50 with depression. 46 received antidepressants psychotherapy and counseling, and the other 33 were given the same treatment but with an extra 20 music therapy sessions.

Participants were followed after treatment when it was determined that those who received music therapy experienced fewer symptoms of depression and reported an improved sense of overall well-being.

Music makes your body more relaxed and your mind will be in a creative mood of hopefulness. I do not allow depression to overpower me whenever the symptom arises. All I do is to put on my headphone and place my body in the sofa to enjoy the different tunes of good Christian classical music.

Music is the language of your soul, so you can listen to free classical Christian music online. It is a form of an antidepressant that is devoid of side effects unlike the drug therapy.

When you give your whole life (body, mind and spirit) to Jesus, depression will have no effect on you. The book of John chapter 8 verse 36 says: ‘’ Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed’’. The Holy Spirit will always refresh your mind with the powerful word of God and you will be set free from the bondage of depression.

5 Key Roles of Jesus for Your Salvation

Posted by May 30, 2015 Gospel Evangelism, Holy Word, Podcast , 2 Comments
5 Key Roles of Jesus for Your Salvation

The role of Jesus in the salvation of humanity is to rescue us from the hot judgment of God. He wants us to live a holy life so that we can enjoy heaven. The salvation of Jesus does not involve filling a registration form or standing before a screening committee. In fact, the salvation of Jesus for your life has nothing to do with your tribe and skin color.

You do not need any certificate to enjoy the salvation of Jesus Christ, but the only need you must fulfill to enjoy the salvation of Jesus is to give your total life to God. When you give your complete life to Jesus, He plays the major role to secure your life into an eternal rest. Permit me to share some roles of Jesus for your salvation which you can’t afford to miss;

 

1. He Gives You Understanding about the Significance of God

Some people were confused about the existence of life in a bigger picture, and devil manipulated their unstable mind to lure them into atheism. Since the fall of humanity in the beautiful Garden of Eden, God had a plan to restore our souls to eternal joy, and He fulfilled the salvation through the pure sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Listen to Jesus in John chapter 10, verses 17 and 18,”Therefore, My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. ”No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” (NKJV)
Reading more about Jesus in the Bible is the only way to clear whatever confusion that clouds your mind.

 

2. Jesus Delivers You from a Troubled Mind

The role of Jesus for the salvation of everyone who believes in Him is to deliver them from every trouble of life through the use of His divine power. The presence of the devil on earth marks the beginning of problems for humanity according to the book of Revelation chapter 12, verse 7 to 12, “And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer.

So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.”

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. “Therefore rejoice O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.” (NKJV)

However, Jesus is ready to give you solutions to any problem that comes your way. He says in Matthew chapter 11 and verse 28, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Many years ago, I had a serious peptic ulcer and everything about my life was crashing right before me.

I spent a fortune to the doctors, and yet the pains grew worst. One day, Jesus spoke to me through the Bible in John chapter 16 and verse 24, “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full”. I went on my knee in the bedroom and solemnly cry to the Lord to heal my stomach, and that day marked the last time I was troubled by the ailment. The salvation of Jesus was established in my life.
Jesus says in the second part of John chapter 16 verses 33b, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

 

3. The Salvation of Jesus Makes You Extraordinary

The power of Jesus is so enormous, and He is ready to share with you. Record showed the miraculous power of Jesus in the ancient generations, and the believers of this generation cannot stop counting the extraordinary encounter they’ve had with Jesus. He is not a miser anyway! His power of salvation is available for every obedient person.

 

If you want an extraordinary performance in your life, then the secret is revealed in John chapter 14 verses 12 and 13, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

 

4. Jesus Gives Power to Deal with Satan

Satan had no rest, moving from one place to another to torment the people who do not have the salvation of Jesus. Satan and his demons was the author of all unfortunate circumstances of life, but thank God for the role of Jesus for the salvation of our lives.

His sacrifice on the cross, shedding His blood to clean our sins and His resurrection from death gave us the authority to deal with Satan. No more nightmares, no more spiritual attacks, no more depression, no more failure and no more afflictions.

 

I want you to belief that Satan is real; I had a terrible encounter with him. He accused me of preaching the gospel of Jesus and after some moment of fierce battle, I defeated him by the name of Jesus. The word written in Philippians chapter 2 verse 10 is true, “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth.”

 

5. He Builds Your Peaceful Home in Heaven

This is not a joke! Your continuous obedience to the word of God through the salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ will yield the reward of a beautiful mansion in heaven. Jesus says in the book of John chapter 14, verses 2 and 3, “In My Father’s houses are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

The role of Jesus for your salvation is to make sure that you have a place to live in heaven forever. Since Jesus is playing His role, then your role is to love Him, obey His instructions in the Bible and live a holy life to the end.

How to be Free from Sin

Posted by May 22, 2015 Holy Word, Podcast, Word of Faith 2 Comments
How to be Free from Sin

To be free from sin goes beyond putting on a tag with an inscription “I am a Christian”. It involves a strong focus into the cleansing power of our Lord Jesus Christ. I remembered the story of Jane, who put on a beautiful white cloth to a birthday party. A few minutes after his arrival, he noticed some stains at the two arms of his shirt.

So, he rushed home to wear another clean white cloth. When everyone stood up for the opening prayer, Jerry his friend behind him whispered: ’Jane your cloth at the back view is badly stained’. He rushed home to change the stained cloth again, and he was wondering if it was impossible to wear a white cloth to a birthday party. At the third time, the old man sitting beside his chair warned him that if he decides not to clean the dusty chair, then he cannot be free from stains…

As long as people choose not to clean their mind with the word of God, wrongful thoughts will stain the right sense of thinking and action, thus, finding it difficult to be free from sin.
Sin is any wrong action against God’s desire for our lives, and the love of God for us made Him to send Jesus Christ to redeem us from the bondage of sin. Hebrew chapter 9 verse 28 says, “So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation”. (NKJV)
A woman with a hopeless look came to me and asked: ’Why do I find it difficult to be free from sin?’ I looked straight into her eyes and said: ‘’ Millions of people are asking the same question, but the answers are not far fetching…’’

1. Readiness to Surrender your Trinity

Your trinity comprises of the body, soul and spirit. The power to make you free from sin is available in our Lord Jesus Christ, but you won’t live a sinless life if you surrender 99% of your trinity to Jesus.

The Pharisees should have been a good follower of Jesus, but they prefer to give only their body to God and appear as saints. Their spirits and souls are mainly controlled by things of the world. Jesus made a comment about the Pharisees in the book of Matthew chapter 23, verse 25 and 26, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. “Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. (NKJV)

If you invite Jesus to come, then give Him the complete access to control all the aspect of your life. For instance, you cannot take part in spiritual gathering for prayers in the church and later join the physical gathering of the drunkards at the bar.
For you to enjoy the freedom from sin, you must draw a red line between your godly lifestyle and worldliness.

Please do not be deceived by false preachers who claim that the salvation of Jesus gives you freedom to do anything in the world. Second Peter chapter 2 and verse 1 says, “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction”.

2. Readiness to Obey God’s Word

I felt uneasy with the misconception of (Paul’s statement by people who are not ready to obey God’s word) Galatians chapter 2 and verse 16 which says, “knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified..”

When Paul said we are no more under the law, he was making references to ceremonial and sacrificial laws of the Old Testament which Jesus had come to fulfill. Paul had never taught anyone to disobey the Word of God.

In fact, if you carefully study the book of Matthew chapters 5, 6 and 7, you will discover that the instructions of Jesus are filled with higher expectation from us than the laws of Old Testament. When you give your life to Jesus, your behavior and lifestyle must be the same with His instructions recorded in the New Testament of the Bible. Romans chapter 8 and verse 2 says, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death”.

To be free from sin, you must be ready to do what is right. And the only source of righteousness is Jesus. As soon as you practice the word of God, the Lord Jesus will fill you with divine strength, because you cannot be free from sin by your own power. The book of John chapter 14 and verse 23 says, “Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him”.

The availability of God’s grace does not give us the license to disobey God’s word. As a matter of fact, to be free from sin involves living a lifestyle that is controlled by the righteous Word of God. Romans chapter 12, verses 1 & 2 says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God”. (NKJV)

3. Upload Every Temptation to the Database of Holy Spirit

The permanent solution for you to be free from sin is to avoid taking actions without the consent of the Holy Spirit. Sin is as a result of given ones consent to temptation. Christians can be free from sin, but can never be free from temptation. If our holy Lord Jesus Christ can be tempted by Satan, then we should not be afraid to defeat temptation.

Paul says in first Corinthians chapter 10 and verse 13, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it”.

Temptation comes in an attractive way to our mind in the form of brilliant thoughts or it may seem to be a good counsel from a close friend. Jesus Christ was free from sin by responding to the temptations of the devil with the word of God embedded in His mind by the Spirit of God.
So, when you hear from the Holy Spirit through the word of God before reacting to any issue (or taking any action) in life, you will be free from sin. Romans chapter 6 and verse 22 cap it up this way, “But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life”. (NKJV)

God’s View on Divorce and Remarriage

Posted by May 13, 2015 Family, Holy Word, Podcast 2 Comments
God’s View on Divorce and Remarriage

Divorce and remarriage is becoming a popular practice among the Christians and this signifies a serious disaster in our communities. The view of God to divorce and remarriage is different from the legal rights claimed by many divorcee.
Global records of marriages per 1,000 people decreases from 8.06 in 1960 to 4.86 in 2022, while divorces per 1,000 people increases from 1.01 in 1960 to 2.03 in 2022. And, it is sad to know that divorce rate by major religions in the world reveals; Protestant 34%, Muslim 31%, Jewish 30%, Catholicism 21%, Buddhism 10% and Hinduism 1%.

In the beginning of human existence, God discovered it was not good for man to be alone so He decided to give Adam a wife made from his ribs. God used the ‘rib style’ to create Eve, because He wants to set up an unbreakable bond between the first husband and wife.

The Bible says in Genesis 2:22-24, “Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” (NKJV)

The plan of God is not for married couples to live separately. He creates couples to be helpmates, so you will agree with me that divorce is not in the master plan of God for human.

Malachi chapter 2 verse 16 says: “For the LORD God of Israel says that He hates divorce, for it covers one’s garment with violence,” Says the LORD of hosts. “Therefore take heed to your spirit that you do not deal treacherously.” (NKJV)

What can Cause Divorce?

Some common reasons by couples who involve in divorce include;

1. Domestic violence and abuse

2. Infidelity

3. Lack of equality in the marriage

4. Lack of courtship

5. Marriage at a tender age and

6. Addiction

7. Poverty

8. Lack of commitment

All these causes can be avoided if our generation will accept the Bible as our road map for taking decisions in life. The power of choice given to everyone by GOD is a great contributing effect to the popularity of divorce and remarriage.

God’s view on divorce and remarriage was clear when the Pharisees discussed the issue with our Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew chapter 19 and verse 4 to 6 says: “And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ “and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? “So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” (NKJV)

When God gives you the freedom to choose and marry whoever you love, He takes the record on your wedding day. He is not happy whenever anyone put asunder. God is happy when you endure and keep your marriage intact. The best way to make a strong marriage is to practice a genuine love with your spouse.

God is always sad to hear couples filing for divorce, because He had made the husband and wife to become one flesh. So, it is an unpleasant experience for a flesh to be separated.

The main cause of unhappiness in broken homes is the disastrous effect of tearing a flesh apart. Linda Waite, a Sociologist in the University of Chicago analysed the relationships between marriage, divorce and happiness using the National Survey of Family and Households. She reported that unhappily married adults who had divorced were no happier than those who had stayed married. Some studies report that cohabitation before marriage is correlated with an increased divorce rate.

How can Divorce and Remarriage affect the Family?

Divorce can be described as emotional wounds filled with incurable pains to the victim. So, the effects of divorce are many which include:

• Children of divorced parents have a higher chance of behavioural problems than those of non-divorced parents
• Divorced person could have higher rates of clinical depression
• They seek formal Psychiatric care at higher rate and
• Have lower life expectancies

Jesus Christ discourages remarriage in Matthew chapter 19 verses 9, which says: “And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.”

If the only cause approved for divorce is adultery, then the separation is not an avenue to remarriage. Jesus gives us the understanding that anyone that re-marries commits adultery because he/she is already one flesh to the other separated partner. This implies that both divorced are to stay single in all the days of their life, or to resolve their differences and come together as husband and wife again.

I strongly believe the rate of divorce and remarriage can reduce drastically if we educate our young ones to get involve in courtship at a matured age before marriage. Marriage built on the foundation of true love is unbreakable even at the midst of strong storms of life. Everyone of us in marriage must subscribe to God’s view of one man-one woman-one flesh-no asunder!

Lake of Fire; Is Hell Created for Humanity?

Posted by May 6, 2015 Gospel Evangelism, Holy Word 2 Comments
Lake of Fire; Is Hell Created for Humanity?

Hell has always been a topic that a lot of people would not love to talk about but the interesting truth is that hell is not created for humanity. Lake of fire had never been an abode designed for us by God. God proved this to us in the most populous verse of the Bible; ‘’For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life’’. John 3:16 NKJV
Did you believe that hell is not a joke?

Proof of Hell Existence by the Scientists

There are over 163 references in the New Testament which warns of hell and over 80 of these references were mentioned by the Lord Jesus Christ. Since Jesus Christ is not a liar and He cannot lie, then you have to consider this issue with utmost concentration.

 
His story about Lazarus and the rich man was not a parable but a true life story. He wants us to learn a lesson about the reality of hell. ‘’…So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom…’’ Luke 16:19-31.

 
In 1987, scientists who never believed in the eternity of heaven or hell came to there right senses after a drilling research of the earth. It was published in the Birmingham News, April 10, 1987 with an article titled, ‘’Earth’s Center Hotter than Sun’s surface’’. The scientists discovered that earth inner core has a temperature over 12,000 degree Fahrenheit.

The Location of Hell is on the Map

Jesus gave us the understanding that His mission of salvation for humanity will not be completed without taking authority from ‘Death’ in hell. Matthew 12:40, ‘’For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.’’ So, the location of hell is at the center of the earth.

 
Jesus revealed hell to Mary K. Baxter in March 1976 and she wrote in her book titled ‘A Divine Revelation of Hell’; “Jesus spoke again: “Hell has a body (like a human form) lying on her back in the center of the earth. Hell is shaped like a human body – very large and with many chambers of torment”. (Page 34)

Who is Hell Created for?

Hell is for the disobedient spirits, which include Satan (formerly a Lucifer) and the rebellious demons (former angels of God) as mentioned in Revelation Chapter 12. Hell is translated as Hades in the Greek word. Some demons are bound in chains while some are unbound as mentioned in Jude 6. “And the angels who did not keep their proper domain but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great Day”.

 
Hell is a place of darkness filled with agony, gnashing of teeth, weeping and sorrow. Revelation chapter 20 verse 10 says: “Devil who deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever’’. So, it is clearly explained that every fallen spirit in hell (Death and Hades) shall be cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death (Revelation 20:14).

The Character of Hell

The character of beings dwelling in hell can be summarized as disobedience. God created us to obey His will for our benefits and not to rebel against His wishes for our lives. Whenever someone disobey God and dies in such a rebellious life, it is impossible for the spirit of such person to dwell in heaven so the only available abode for such a disobedient spirit is hell.

 
Once you belief in the salvation of Jesus for your life, then you are saved from hell. But if you go back to worldliness, He will exercise patience for you to understand the truth about holiness. His patience is an act of love to save your spirit from perishing in hell. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering towards us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance”. 2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV)

 
Lake of fire or hell is not created for humanity. It is created for the disobedient ones who made the choice to be rebellious to the instructions of the Lord. Jesus Christ gives us a clue of how the last judgment day will look like for those who made the choice of disobeying His instructions in the Bible. “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, depart from me, you cursed into the everlasting fire prepared for devil and his angels”. (Matthew 25: 41)

 
This is a call for every one of us to always check and balance our lifestyle with the standard of God’s words in the Bible. Unrighteous character cannot enter into heaven. “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters and all liars shall have their path in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death”. (Rev 21:8 NKJV)
This warning is not meant to scare you but to encourage you not to take God’s salvation in your life for granted. Jesus loves you.