Leave Behind the Past

"But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14)

Spiritual bumps and bruises. Inner aches and pains that just don't seem to go away. Most all of us know what it's like to suffer from them but too few of us know just what to do about them.

We limp along, hoping somehow those hidden wounds will magically stop hurting, thinking that maybe (with a little extra sleep or an extra helping of dessert) that nagging sense of depression will finally disappear.

But does it ever happen that way? No!

Leave Behind the Past

"But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14)
Spiritual bumps and bruises. Inner aches and pains that just don't seem to go away. Most all of us know what it's like to suffer from them but too few of us know just what to do about them.

We limp along, hoping somehow those hidden wounds will magically stop hurting, thinking that maybe (with a little extra sleep or an extra helping of dessert) that nagging sense of depression will finally disappear.

But does it ever happen that way? No!

I know. I've been there.

Do We Have Guardian Angels?

Dr. Roger Barrier, Preach It, Teach It

Editor's Note: Pastor Roger Barrier's "Ask Roger" column regularly appears at Preach It, Teach It. Every week at Crosswalk, Dr. Barrier puts nearly 40 years of experience in the pastorate to work answering questions of doctrine or practice for laypeople, or giving advice on church leadership issues. Email him your questions at roger@preachitteachit.org.

Dear Roger,

Recently I attended a funeral service for one of my long-time friends named Randy. There came a moment in the service where the minister invited people to share testimonies of how Randy had touched their lives and what he had meant to them.

The first one to speak was Randy's brother, Will, who proceeded to share that he had a guardian angel named Ralph, and that Ralph had a message of love for all the people. Will then shared Ralph's message that God loved them. It all seemed a little quirky to me that Will had a guardian angel named Ralph.

OVERCOMERS

They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Revelation 12:11

The only original disciple of Jesus spared from martyrdom was the Apostle John who experienced persecution in different ways. While exiled on the island of Patmos he was given the revelation of Jesus which he wrote down for the churches of his day—and ultimately for us too. He describes our enemy Satan and the cosmic spiritual battle he wages against us as disciples of Jesus. John also points out that Satan is especially angry as he realizes his time is short.

Is There Not a Cause?

And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause? —1 Samuel 17:29

In 1990 the atrocities committed against the people of Kuwait roused our nation to righteous indignation. President George Bush announced, "This aggression-.-.-.-will not stand."

While the Iraqi army continued laying mine fields and stringing barbed wire, armaments and supplies began arriving from America, Europe, and Africa, accompanied by soldiers, ships, and aircraft. Differences in uniforms, languages, customs, and manners faded as the soldiers became Desert Shield. The world had seen the outrages, and now the world had a cause.

In these last days, multitudes of nations are again gathering behind a shield. Differences in dress, language, customs, songs, and worship fade as the remnant church of Jesus Christ unites behind the shield of faith. We are preparing to go forth into battle against the devil's forces. The church has seen the outrage, and the church has a cause.

Hitting Rock Bottom

Many people consider depression as a social taboo. As a result, a great majority of people who are depressed do not seek help. They face their battles alone, with no one but themselves to turn to. Their subtle cries for help are silenced, and their grief is discounted to something no more than a mere case of “the blues”. 


Eventually they hit rock bottom and the only solution to end their grief is suicide — a permanent solution to a temporary and treatable problem. Can God intervene in a seemingly hopeless plight? A man shares the story of how he felt devoured by his depression and the surprising phone call he received shortly after writing his letter of goodbye. 


Watch the video    http://powertochange.com/itv/spirituality/hitting-rock-bottom/?HD=true