2021-11-11
2 Corinthians 2:11 NIV
One of Satan’s Favourite schemes is getting us to use legitimate things in an illegitimate way. During the wilderness temptation, he tried to take advantage of Christ’s hunger by saying, “Turn these stones into…bread” (Matthew 4:3 MSG). But Jesus knew the Scriptures, so He replied, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God'” (v. 4 NKJV). Had Jesus given in to His human impulses, He would have gone along with Satan’s scheme and forfeited His heavenly Father’s supply that was just about to arrive.
We all need money, but Satan will tempt you to cheat on your taxes, shortchange your customers, cut corners on the job, or withhold your tithe. We have all been created with the need for companionship and sexual fulfillment. But Satan will tempt you to fulfill those needs by having an affair or trapping you into online pornography. We all long to be successful in our career. But Satan will tempt you to achieve it through lying, manipulating, or blowing someone else’s light out in order to let yours shine.
One of his oldest schemes is to confuse our values so that good appears to be evil, and evil appears as good. So what’s the answer? Paul says, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11 NIV). There is only one way to unmask Satan and defeat his schemes, and that’s through a close walk with God, a daily study of the Scriptures, and a consistent prayer life. That’s how you guard your mind, your mouth, and your morals.
Soul food: 1 Chr 23:21-26:19; John 10:1-10; Ps 99; Prov 26:1-6
2021-11-10
Jeremiah 31:3 NIV
Let’s take a moment and look at the kind of self-talk that leads to depression – and keeps us stuck there. For example, instead of simply saying, “I made a mistake,” we say, “I’m a total failure.” Instead of saying, “I accidentally tripped,” we say, “I’m a klutz.” Instead of just saying, “I ate too much,” we say, “I’m a pig.” And when we label ourselves with such titles, we reinforce our problems and make ourselves feel worse.
Let God change the harmful misconceptions you have of yourself, such as (1) “If somebody criticizes me, it means I’m worthless,” or (2) “I have to be loved and accepted by everybody in order to feel fulfilled,” or (3) “I can’t admit an area of weakness; I must be perfect or else I’m a failure.” Those are the kinds of misconceptions that cause depression in the first place. Jesus knew the importance of correct thinking when He said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32 NLT).
The good news is – you can live free from depression! How? By establishing a personal relationship with Christ. This may not automatically cure all your depression, but without Him in your life, you don’t have the power to change. When Christ comes into your life, He gives you a new purpose, new power, and a new perspective. You need something greater to live for than your own interests. People who live only for themselves are guaranteed to end up depressed. You need something bigger; something that draws you out of yourself. And that something is a relationship with Jesus Christ. Through Him you can conquer depression.
Soul food: 1 Chr 19:1-23:20; John 9:24-41; Ps 115; Prov 25:26-28
2021-11-09
1 Kings 19:15 NIV
Let God give you new direction. God told Elijah to go to the Desert of Damascus and anoint a new king and also a new prophet to take his place (See vv. 15-17 NIV). In other words, He gave Elijah a new assignment. Quit sitting around wallowing in self-pity. Get your eyes off yourself and start looking at the needs of others. Get involved in their lives through a ministry where you’re giving out and God is giving through you.
If you are constantly looking at yourself, you will get discouraged. Jesus said you must lose your life to find it (See Matthew 16:25). You say, “But I’ve failed badly and disappointed myself. Surely God must be disappointed with me too.” Disappointment only happens when someone expects you to do something different from what you do. Jesus knew Peter would deny Him, but He called him anyway. Why? Because He knew Peter would learn and grow through the experience and go on to even greater things.
God wants to give you a new purpose and a new direction. He is not through with you. Maybe you blew it. Big deal! If you let Him, God will pick you up and help you to start over. One mistake – or one hundred – doesn’t render you useless for life. Today, God wants to lift you out of your depression. He can help you. He can change you. You don’t have to go through life being manipulated by your emotions. Your emotions are controlled by your thoughts, and with God’s help, you can change how you think and what you think about!
Soul food: 1 Chr 16-18; John 9:13-23; Ps 105:1-15; Prov 25:23-25
2021-11-08
1 Kings 19:11 NIV
Pursue a fresh awareness of God’s presence in your life. The third thing God did in dealing with Elijah’s depression was to tell him, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by” (v. 11 NIV). Next, we read: “Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he…went out and stood at the mouth of the cave” (vv. 11-13 NIV).
That day God put on an impressive show with the wind, the earthquake, and the fire. But He wasn’t speaking to Elijah through any of these big things. What really got Elijah’s attention was the still, small voice – the gentle whisper. God usually speaks to us in stillness and quietness – not through some big dramatic demonstration of fire or power. He whispered, “Elijah, I’m still right here beside you.”
So if you’re feeling depressed, take your Bible and go to a serene, quiet place. Sit down, read the Scriptures, and get alone with God. Just let Him love you and speak to you. Let Him meet your needs and let yourself feel His presence. There is no more effective antidepressant than communication and fellowship with God. That’s what He means when He says to you, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10 NIV).
Soul food: 1 Chr 12:23-15:29; John 9:1-12; Ps 15; Prov 25:21-22
2021-11-07
1 Kings 19:9 CEV
Tell God your frustrations. After being restored through proper food and rest, Elijah traveled for forty days. Then he went into a cave and spent the night. In the morning, the Lord asked him, “Why are you here?” Elijah answered: “I’ve always done my best to obey you. But your people have broken their solemn promise to you. They have torn down your altars and killed all your prophets, except me. And now they are even trying to kill me!” (v. 10 CEV). Elijah poured out all his feelings, and God allowed him to let off steam. He wasn’t shocked by Elijah’s complaints.
Sometimes it’s helpful to share your feelings with a trusted friend. It’s cathartic, a cleaning out, a venting of all the things that have been pushed down inside you that are contributing to your feelings of depression. And Elijah had plenty of stuff pushed down inside. Notice the emotions he experienced. He was afraid (v. 3 CEV). Then he felt resentment, followed by low self-esteem and guilt. “I’ve had enough….I’m no better off than my ancestors” (v. 4 CEV). He was angry because he had worked hard for nothing (See v. 10). He was lonely to the point of despair: “Now they are even trying to kill me!” (v. 10 CEV). He was worried.
When you combine fear, resentment, low self-esteem, guilt, anger, loneliness, and worry, you’re asking for depression! So God let him spill it all out. He said, “Elijah, what’s frustrating you? What’s eating you up?” and Elijah poured it all out. So when you are depressed, what you need to do is – take it to God in prayer.
Soul food: Exo 20:1-17; Matt 5:1-12
2021-11-06
1 Kings 19:7 NIV
Take care of your physical needs. Elijah was exhausted, so he stretched out under a tree and fell asleep. “All at once an angel touched him and said, ‘Get up and eat.’ He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again” (vv. 5-6 NIV). Then the angel came to him a second time and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you” (v. 7 NIV). So he ate and drank and was strengthened by the food.
You can exhaust yourself in a good cause and pray until you’re blue in the face, but it won’t do any good until you learn to exercise wisdom concerning the physical needs of your body. God’s initial remedy for Elijah’s depression called for a change of diet and proper rest. A good night’s sleep or a vacation does wonders for your attitude. Be wise; when you’re physically and mentally drained, you’re vulnerable.
Notice, God didn’t scold Elijah by saying, “You coward! What are you doing here in the desert?” No, He restored him physically. And that was the starting point. So if you’re depressed, your first step toward recovery may be to get in shape physically. Take care of your health needs. Perhaps you need to change your diet, get more sleep, or begin an exercise program. Physical health has a profound influence on your moods. Can God heal you in answer to prayer? Yes. (See James 5:14). But He expects you to use faith – and wisdom!
Soul food: 1 Chr 10:1-12:22; John 8:42-59; Ps 123; Prov 25:18-20
