God Forgives Sin in Mixed-Moods

by Donny Weimar

ChristianBipolar.com

Photo by Myicahel Tamburini on Pexels.com

Spiritually Mixed Moods

Spiritual people go high into the glorious clouds with cheers of exuberance, as they skip down the shopping isle – counting watches, shirts, and more like 1. 2. 3. Spiritual people experience guilt, like a heavy iron coat of metal, weighing down with them on the mattress. Z. Z. Z.

You want to be self-controlled. You do not want to get out of the recliner. You want to save for a rainy day. Wanting to buy out the store. All this go around confusion sounds crazy-mad to you. Doesn’t it? It does to me and sometimes I live with it too. You must have faith to forgive yourself if you are going to be a Christian striving for the image of Jesus in your heart, while living with a condition that sends your mood spinning. In a stage of hypo-mania.

Like you are in a mood where you could go a hundred yards dash in 30 seconds but the parking brake is on. Half your brain is wired for speed. The wheels moving the other cogs are in the mud. The outcome can land us in a hospitalization for hypo manic anger. Oh, yes, it’s real. You and I are going to embark on a special journey together in this article. We will pierce the inner workings of hypo mania to reveal some biblical secrets to may apply as we strive. Some solutions to those weird feelings swaying back and forth in that windmill of a mind inside. We will conclude with some intriguing recommendations from God Himself!

Do not Always Act on Your Feelings I – Manic Solutions

Feel impulsive – Do what it takes to avoid temptations

When payday comes the feeling of the penniless drought is watered with a craving to spend. With God’s help, avoid temptations.

“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Matthew 26:41 (ESV)

The strongest thing one may do to get away from being tempted is to offer up your mind to God in prayer. That is, as you may remember, one of the primary lessons of the Lord’s model prayer in Matthew 6. God who will give to each one according to his works (Romans 2:6) is a God of justice (Romans 1:18).

Father God is also the living God of all comfort and grace (Romans 6:23). His grace teaches us to deny temptations and to live in accord with His divine will. (2 Corinthians 7:1-2). We have a blessing with the opportunity to change our hearts and convert to serve Jesus, before temptations give birth to sin and death in our hearts (James 1:13).

Feel lustful – Do what is necessary not to engage the eyes, ears, vision, or touch.

Mankind, male and female, have been sinning in the same pattern as the first couple in Eden (Romans 5:12). The wages of giving into the same categorical deception by the Adversary, has been death. Thus, our better interest to avoid lust. Lust of the eyes? Bounce your eyes and glace away. Lust of the flesh? Turn your back to protect yourself, even if the other person is offended. People given to making themselves overly attractive on the outside are often unattractive once you get past the pretense they practice.

“And I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and whose hands are bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.”

Ecclesiastes 7:26 (ASV)

Solomon is a man describing a woman. The same entrapment can be played by promiscuous men. This leads us to the next point.

If you feel lascivious – Clothe yourself well and do your best not to flirt.

Lascivious means attempting to get other people to lust after oneself by the way one dresses, behaves and speaks. This is a sin according to 2 Peter 2:2. It’s akin to prostitution, but more like Craig’s list where adults look to “sleep” with one another liberally.

Feel Narcissistic – Be less “egocentric” and more “Theo-centric.”

Egocentric means self centered. Theo-centric means God centered. People who feel an inordinate fascination with themselves are narcissists. We see it widely promoted in modern psychology. The answer to all life’s problems are in you. If you decide to set your own mind to do such-and-such, it will happen for you. Even some big names in “Christendom” preach God as if He were a man-made God, you can pull out of a crackerjacks box. I do not intend to be rude. Neither you nor my life will be perfect this side of the grave.

“Go, now, you who are saying, “Today and tomorrow we will go on to such a city, and will pass there one year, and traffic, and make gain”; 14 who does not know the thing of tomorrow; for what is your life? For it is a vapor that is appearing for a little [while], and then is vanishing; 15 instead, you [ought] to say, “If the LORD may will, we will live, and do this or that”; 16 but now you glory in your pride; all such glorying is evil; 17 to him, then, knowing to do good, and not doing [it], it is sin to him.”

James 4:13-17 Literal Standard Version

Do not Always Act on Your Feelings II – Get Up from Depressed Feelings

People can get depressed to the point they feel as though they have no energy to move their bodies. The Bible offers some recommendations. Here are a some of them.

• Go for a walk while you talk with the LORD

When Jesus is forlorn in depression about His upcoming assassination death on a man-made tree, He walks about a stone throw away from the disciples and prays the Father about His temptation to not go through with the plan. Jesus remains obedient to Father God.

“And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became as it were great drops of blood falling down upon the ground.” Luke 22:44 (ASV)

• Listen to Gospel Hymns

Understandably, the difficulty to sing when you are downtrodden. Start by listening to recordings through the day. You can do this with lessons by the preachers who preach the truth in love as well. I have found GBN.org to be a great channel for both. When preaching is not streaming, hymns are being played.

• Do something special for a neighbor – think outside the box

Here we have the truth right-side up. Depressed feelings tend to make us turn into ourselves. Almost like the lenses falling out of the frames, we cannot see past our own nearsighted nose. “Love thy neighbor” is the second greatest commandment in the entire Bible. The first command is to love God with all our heart, mind, and soul. Do something for someone else when you feel doing nothing but sleeping in the recliner.

• Call somebody and encourage them

You will be surprised how effective this is. When we stir others to love and good works, we find ourselves motivated the same. The reason God wants Christians to spend time with Christians is for this reason. Hope is the goal. If you feel hopeless, get around some encouraging Christians. Isolation will destroy you. When encouraging people try to outdo one another with encouraging words, a whole new competition to feel good in a more healthy way begins.

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Hebrews 10:23-25 (NKJV)

God’s Recommendations

Wonderful blessings you may share with others in your personal walk with God. Let God Be Your Comforter. (2 Corinthians 1:3)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort them that are in any affliction, through the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ASV)

Allow God’s Word to Console You

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And light unto my path.”

Psalm 119:105 (ASV)

Rest in God’s Grace as Your Constant

“And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness. Therefore, I will rather gladly boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may overshadow me.” .

2 Corinthins 12:9 Green’s Literal Translation

God Always Listens to You

“Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice.”

Psalm 55:17 (NKJV)

Speak to Him. He listens when you talk. Why else end with a soft, amen? Because we are confident that YHWH has the last Amen, or as translated “So-Be-It done in accordance the LORD’s sovereign will.”

Home

7 of God’s Promises to Help Me Reboot My Brain

Everyone worries to some extent. Some call it concern for others. Others call it stress. Without some measure of anxiety humanity would cease to struggle for growth. Sometimes our brains run amuck though, and we get way off in the deep end of the pond. Life has us down with disparaging thoughts and false negatives. When I cannot trust my brain activity I rely on God’s promises. Here are seven of His promises that help me reboot.

Promise Number One

When Jesus gave his disciples the greatest mission to go and make disciples, he gave them comfort by saying, “I am with always, even unto the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). He knew their lives would be full of hardship and misery as they went forth sharing the gospel good news of his saving grace. Few of us shed blood for the cause of the Christ, yet we fret so much. Remember, Jesus is with us always, even unto the end of our age too.

Promise Two

Jesus said the Father will send the Comforter after he went to his throne in Heaven, John 15:26. In Acts 2, the apostles received His baptism. As a result we have the divine inspired Scriptures to comfort us as the Spirit works give us powerful hope to live a life worthy of the Christian calling, Romans 15:13

Promise Three

The Savior offers rest in a stress filled world. This is one of my favorite verses. “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28 ASV). I do not know about you but sometimes the circuit board in my brain overheats from being over stimulated by the harsh realities of this complex world. Jesus reminds us of how simple a pure spiritual life of trusting in his care can be refreshing.

Promise Four

Jesus is the Captain of my Salvation, Hebrews 2:10. He is the heir of all things and that makes him the helmsman of my life. I choose to yield my body as a vessel to of his direction and he may steer me wherever he may choose. This I do of my own free will and thereto I pray always, “Lord, not my will, but thy will be done.” Once I recognize and humble myself to the sovereignty of my Captain then the Master Helmsman can mold me and make me after his will. This is what I do what I cannot trust my own brain.

Promise Five

The Word of God helps me Renew my Mind. We touched on this a moment ago when we spoke of the Holy Spirit. I must add here in promise number five, my trust is exclusively in the Lord and in only in his word is my hope. Read Psalm 130:5. The advice of men and philosophers, they fail me. The voices of congresspeople and presidents come and go with the wind. Life itself is a vapor and of much education there is no end. But the Word of God renews me every day, and keeps my brain thinking rationally, serving correctly, and worshipping willfully. Romans 12.1.

Promise Six

When I cannot trust my brain, I walk by faith and not by sight, 2 Corinthians 5:6-8. Sometimes, all we can see is what we think is working against us. There are times that we are suffering when God intends it for good. He refines us like brass in the fire. Thus we must train ourselves to take courage to be well-pleasing to the Lord regardless of the messages popping back and forth between our brain’s synapses.

Promise Seven

Stop judging yourself when your brain runs ahead of you. It is not a sin to be tempted. If it were, Jesus would be a sinner because he was tempted in every manner you and I are, yet he never transgressed, Hebrews 4:15. Also, do not judge yourself ahead of the Lord’s judgement time, 1 Corinthians 4:3. Only God know the hidden things on the mind. If we cannot fully trust everything going on in our inner workings, then there is no reason to judge ourselves guilty nor innocent ahead of the great day. God’s grace is greater than all our sin. Yes, we could fall away from grace, Hebrews 6:6. But, if we wait in liberty with the grace of Christ we long for, we shall see the King someday, Romans 9:27-28.

The brain is complex and sometimes deceitful. When I cannot trust my own brain and need to reboot, I rely on those seven promises of God to help me reboot. Perhaps, they will help you too.

Donny Weimar

November 27, 2021

ChristianWithBipolar.com

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Christian Suffering Psychosis

Of course you can hear them. Of course you can hear them speak. They are your own thoughts. But what of those voices Diego could hear that were not his thoughts, were they mere fantasy? His friends thought it he was odd to hear these ghostly spirits that nobody else could. That did not make them any less real in his world. No. You see, Christians may suffer psychosis too.

ChristianWithBipolar.com

Diego Felt He Could Only Trust Himself

In Diego’s world what you and I believe to be real, he might not think is altogether true and likewise his perception of reality is eschewed by our logic as well. How can one trust his own thoughts in such a situation? But that is just the issue. When one is experiencing a bout with psychosis and delusions, Diego feels he is the only one whom is to be trusted.

Now, this does not make Diego any less Christian than you or I. It simply means his is a Christian experiencing a psychotic break and I tell you it can get much worse for Diego. And no, this does not mean the unfortunate brother is demon-possessed. Because there is a world of difference between biblical demon possession and clinical psychosis.

Diego’s Troubling Psychosis Could Get Worse

Diego might go on to develop visual hallucinations such as seeing shadows or people that are not there. He may also become paranoid that someone is spying on him or something to that effect. Diego could have the sense that he smells or feels things that you or I do not such as the odor of death and decay. These are only a few of the troubling things this brother in the faith could experience in psychosis. It is part of having his mental illness. In Diego’s case it is Bipolar I and he in an advanced stage of mania.

          It can also be seen in schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder which have separate diagnoses from bipolar. We will not go into those at this time. What I want to get into now is there is hope for Christians experiencing psychosis.

Helping A Christian in Psychosis 

         Let me say right here and now that I do not possess any type of professional credential to diagnose or treat a mental health disorder and what I say is for your personal Christian edification.

          Before, during and after you or your loved one experiences a psychosis, do a lot of praying – and I do not that to be a cliché. “Pray without ceasing” (1 Th 5:17). Putting on the full armor of God in its entirety is necessary if you will overcome this battle of the mind. Now, I would be amiss if I tell you all you must do is pray. No, I will tell you right here and now that to be foolish.

          If you feel yourself slipping into psychosis, while you are praying get into contact with you doctor immediately. At this point, I am not concerned with the reasons you have gotten to this point. We will address that in a moment. If you cannot reach your doctor, go ahead, and go either to the Emergency Room or to a Behavioral Health Hospital with the goal to be evaluated to see if might need medications immediately. If the doctors at the ER tell you it is safe for you to wait to see your doctor they will do so. It is to your advantage. Do not forget to pray all the way through this trial.

Reasons Christians Relapse In Their Mental Health 

         Now let us consider some possibilities for reasons some Christians relapse in their mental health. Sometimes people feel genuinely cured and stop taking their medications. This is a mistake, and many are fooled into relapsing back into their condition this way. Then there are times like the case of Diego. Diego had a change in psychiatrists and his new doctor did not prescribe his anti-psychotic medication for him. Nobody is perfect, even the professionals flounder at times. There are many other legitimate reasons that may cause relapse in mental illness, such as the pharmacy running the stock out of a medication. This has happened to yours truly.

          If you or a loved one suffers like Diego does and you are a Christian, know that you are not alone. Countless saints just like you are suffering secretly not knowing what to do or where to turn. I tell you the first place to turn is to your Father God who is the one who sends us the power to hope in His Spirit and live in His grace. If you are without Christ and you are suffering, Today is the day of your salvation. Trust the Lord always, in all things, in all ways.

Donny Weimar

November 27, 2021

LiveBiggerFaith.com

ChristianBipolar.com Podcast

Psychiatric Anxiety and Biblical Anxiety

There are psychiatric disorders medical doctors call anxiety disorders. Then there is anxiety defined by the Bible as a spiritual matter. They can be comorbid and intertwined but are not inherently the same. One thing you must always remember is that you were bought with a price and you are not your own. Thus, you have a Master who is concerned and will care for you.

Psychiatry’s Focus is on Organic Causes

Psychiatry is focused on organic causes for what the Diagnostic Statistic Manual 5^th Edition considers clinical anxiety disorders. These maladies are diagnosed by groupings of criteria and then classified into categories. The most severe anxiety disorders are due to chemical imbalances in the brain. They are treatable but not always curable. On the other hand, biblical anxiety is curable if the inflicted follows the spiritual model to be remedied. Before we delved into the anxieties the Bible will heal, we first will consider the complex issues of the organic psychiatric disorders, anxiety disorders.

Organic Anxiety Disorders are by Natural Phenomenon

Organic means the disorder is caused by some natural phenomenon. In the case of anxiety disorders the issue is due to a chemical imbalance in the brain. Neurotransmitters normally carry messages through electrical impulses across what are called the synapses. Serotonin is the hormonal chemistry that allows the communications between cells in the brain. When the neurons do not fire correctly due to an imbalance of serotonin, it affects our entire body, especially our moods, to include our fight or flight system – otherwise known as anxiety. Hence, the DSM category for anxiety disorders.

DSM V Categories of Anxiety Disorders

The Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Disorders has several diverse types of anxieties listed in its manual. The National Institute of Mental Health provides the following as a summary of some of the more common examples of clinical anxiety disorders.[1]

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

People with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) display excessive anxiety or worry, most days for at least 6 months, about several things such as personal health, work, social interactions, and everyday routine life circumstances. “The fear and anxiety can cause significant problems in areas of their life, such as social interactions, school, and work.” (“NIMH » Anxiety Disorders”)

Generalized anxiety disorder symptoms include:

• Feeling restless, wound-up, or on-edge
• Being easily fatigued
• Having difficulty concentrating; mind going blank
• Being irritable
• Having muscle tension
• Difficulty controlling feelings of worry
• “Having sleep problems, such as difficulty falling or staying asleep, restlessness, or unsatisfying sleep” (“NIMH » Anxiety Disorders”)

Panic Disorder

People with panic disorder have recurrent unexpected panic attacks. Panic attacks are sudden periods of intense fear that come on quickly and reach their peak within minutes. Attacks can occur unexpectedly or can be brought on by a trigger, such as a feared object or situation.

During a panic attack, people may experience:

• Heart palpitations, a pounding heartbeat, or an accelerated heartrate
• Sweating
• Trembling or shaking
• Sensations of shortness of breath, smothering, or choking
• Feelings of impending doom
• Feelings of being out of control

People with panic disorder often worry about when the next attack will happen and actively try to prevent future attacks by avoiding places, situations, or behaviors they associate with panic attacks. Worry about panic attacks, and the effort spent trying to avoid attacks, cause significant problems in various areas of the person’s life, including the development of agoraphobia (see below).

 

Phobia-related disorders

A phobia is an intense fear of—or aversion to—specific objects or situations. Although it can be realistic to be anxious in some circumstances, the fear people with phobias feel is out of proportion to the actual danger caused by the situation or object. (“NIMH » Anxiety Disorders”)

People with a phobia:

• “May have an irrational or excessive worry about encountering the feared object or situation” (“NIMH » Anxiety Disorders”)
• Take active steps to avoid the feared object or situation
• “Experience immediate intense anxiety upon encountering the feared object or situation” (“NIMH » Anxiety Disorders”)
• Endure unavoidable objects and situations with intense anxiety

There are several types of phobias and phobia-related disorders:

Specific Phobias (sometimes called simple phobias): As the name suggests, people who have a specific phobia have an intense fear of, or feel intense anxiety about, specific types of objects or situations. Some examples of specific phobias include the fear of:

• Flying
• Heights
• Specific animals, such as spiders, dogs, or snakes
• Receiving injections
• Blood

Social anxiety disorder (previously called social phobia): People with social anxiety disorder have a general intense fear of, or anxiety toward, social or performance situations. They worry that actions or behaviors associated with their anxiety will be negatively evaluated by others, leading them to feel embarrassed. This worry often causes people with social anxiety to avoid social situations. Social anxiety disorder can manifest in a range of situations, such as within the workplace or the school environment. (“NIMH » Anxiety Disorders”)

Agoraphobia: People with agoraphobia have an intense fear of two or more of the following situations:

• Using public transportation
• Being in open spaces
• Being in enclosed spaces
• Standing in line or being in a crowd
• Being outside of the home alone

People with agoraphobia often avoid these situations, in part, because they think being able to leave might be difficult or impossible in the event they have panic-like reactions or other embarrassing symptoms. In the most severe form of agoraphobia, an individual can become housebound.

Separation anxiety disorder: Separation anxiety is often thought of as something that only children deal with; however, adults can also be diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder. People who have separation anxiety disorder have fears about being parted from people to whom they are attached. They often worry that some sort of harm or something untoward will happen to their attachment figures while they are separated. This fear leads them to avoid being separated from their attachment figures and to avoid being alone. People with separation anxiety may have nightmares about being separated from attachment figures or experience physical symptoms when separation occurs or is anticipated. (“NIMH » Anxiety Disorders”)

Anxiety which has an organic cause has treatments and coping mechanisms available. You might consider researching of these at the www.nimh.gov.

One Final Observation About Clinical Anxiety

Before we discuss Biblical Anxiety, it is noteworthy to point out that all the afore categories of anxieties and phobias are fear based. The Bible addresses fears. Since the Bible does address fears, it has a role in care for individuals suffering with clinical anxiety. The Bible is all-sufficient to help all people, always, and in God’s ways. Now we turn to talk about anxiety from the vantage point of the Bible.

Biblical Anxiety

Let us begin by chopping at the root of it all. Fear. All anxieties are fear based. I am going to ask if you will indulge with me in a brief reading of Scripture. Hear what Jesus says about Jesus in Matthew 6.

“Therefore I say unto you, Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than the food, and the body than the raiment? ²⁶Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value than they? ²⁷And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit unto the measure of his life? ²⁸And why are ye anxious concerning raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: ²⁹yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ³⁰But if God doth so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? ³¹Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? ³²For after all these things do the Gentiles seek; for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. ³³But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. ³⁴Be not therefore anxious for the morrow: for the morrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” ^[2]

Now, if we were to substitute the word anxiety with the word fear and read it again, how would it sound? Yes, that is correct. We do not have to fret with fear over where we are going get a set of clothes. Perhaps, we will miss a meal but no we will not perish with hunger. Even so, isn’t there something more important than food on the table and a nice shirt and jeans to wear on Sunday morning? God feeds the birds, doesn’t He? He does. You know you are more valuable to the LORD of life than the birds. Those little creatures were made to serve us. We are higher up than they are in the eyes of God. “Be not therefore fearful, saying, “What shall we eat? Or what shall we drink? Or Wherewithal shall we be clothed?” You are a child of God. Worldly people worry and fret anxiously over worldly things. You have been set free from the world. You are clothed in Christ. I am going to tell you three secrets to having peace of mind from Philippians chapter four.

Three Secrets to a Peace of Mind

1. Always rejoice in the Lord, Philippians 4:4.
2. Always think on true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, reputationally and praiseworthy things, Philippians 4:8.
3. Always follow through with the things you have learned from the scriptures and Do Them, Philippians 4:9.

“….and the God of peace shall be with you.” (4:9)

Fact: Christians Suffer, Do Not Be Anxious About It

Jesus forewarned the disciples, “And when they bring you before the synagogues, and the rulers, and the authorities, be not anxious how or what ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: ¹²for the Holy Spirit shall teach you in that very hour what ye ought to say” (Luke 12:11-12 ASV). It is very possible that life will be miserable for you for some measurable amount of time. It is times like these that we must remember Job. And the words Paul wrote once again to the Philippians come to mind, “I can do all things through him that strengtheneth me. 14 Howbeit ye did well that ye had fellowship with my affliction” (Phil. 4:12-13). As disciples of Christ, you and I always have hope to abound.

Hope of the Holy Spirit

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 15:13) Whomever will deny the power of this verse blasphemes the Holy Spirit and quenches the hope He provides. I will not quarrel over this because the Holy Spirit inspires Paul to forbid disputes amongst brothers (1 Timothy 2:8). The clear point of this message is that God fills you with joy and peace in your belief, so that you may abound in hope in the power of the Holy Spirit. People could banter the operation of the Holy Spirit from now to Judgement and miss the entire discuss at hand. Here is the point: Number one: The Holy Spirit has power. Number two: Because of the Holy Spirit’s power, you may abound in hope. Number three: the God of hope fills you with all joy and peace because you believe. Period. Now, since you have this power what room is there in your heart to fret, worry, or be fearful? Jesus calls us to Himself.

Jesus’ Remedy

Listen to Jesus’s remedy calling you.

²⁸Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. ^[3]

This is a Short List of The Matters God Will Help You on Your Journey to Be Anxiety Free

First, I want to note that the Bible is concerned about spiritual ailment, not necessarily a chemical imbalance in the brain. But the Bible does help us cope with all kinds of anxieties. With that in mind I urge you to do the following.

1. Adhere to Jesus’ call to mercy. He is waiting to soothe your anxieties.
2. Trust in God’s Power to give you hope. Hope will reactivate the positive energy in your thinking processes.
3. Leave the past in the past. There is enough to be concerned about today so do not get swallowed up by the yesterdays and yester-years.
4. Forgive and Let Go. Whether you are having trouble forgive yourself for something God has already had grace on, or if it is something you are holding a grudge over. Its simply not worth the pain. The agony in your heart will eat you alive. Forgive and let it go.
5. Do not pretend you are a prophet with a crystal ball. The future is a mystery in God’s time. Today is the day of your salvation. Rejoice and be glad in it.
6. Train your spiritual mind to be in tune with the mind of Jesus.
7. Rest in the comfort of Father God, who is the God of all comfort and mercy (2 Co 1:3).
8. Finally, rest in the powerful hope of the hope of the Holy Spirit.

These have only been a few of the methods the Bible uses to address anxiety. Time has limited us. Lord willing, we will produce more podcasts and articles on the topic.

God bless your day.

Donny Weimar

November 8, 2021

Please visit www.ChristianWithBipolar.com

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[1] https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders

^[2] American Standard Version. (1995). (Mt 6:25–34). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[3] Ibid. (Mt 11:28–30).

Judas and Barsabas: Encouragers

by Donny Weimar

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” ^[1]

(1 Th 5:11 ESV)

          The brethren were wrestling in argument over the pharisaical notion Gentile Christians must be circumcised to be legitimate children of God. They were not even taking the apostle Paul’s nor the prophet Barnabas’s words for the matter. So they sent these two astute men to Jerusalem for an answer from the council. We are reading Acts 15.

          Experienced elders and apostles in Jerusalem were gathered to debate the topic. Peter delivered the resolution. It pleased everyone present, was it is the will of God, “but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood.”^[2] The church decided to send leading men to deliver the message to the Gentile churches to the north. Among them were Judas who was surnamed Barsabas and Silas, men of great reputation among the brethren. They carried the letter.

          These spiritual leaders did something marvelous for the Gentile brethren. For these frustrated and unsettled Christians, Judas Barsabas and his fellow worker brought words of encouragement. These giants in the faith did three things for the brethren that they could not find in themselves to do.

First, they brought a letter of encouragement. This letter confirmed the authenticity of their conversion – that they did not need to be circumcised of the flesh. Because Christian circumcision is of the heart (Romans 2:29). Judas Barsabas and Silas settled the brethren’s minds with encouraging words (Acts 15:24, 31). It is good to get encouraging mail. Isn’t it? When we are discouraged, the best thing to read is something positive. I have kept the most encouraging mail I have received over the years to read when I feel pessimistic and disgruntled. Thank you to all the Barsabas’s and Silas’s out there.

          Secondly, leaders like Judas Barsabas and Silas knew when and how to say just the right words to exhort the brethren when the brothers are disheartened. Acts 15:32 says, “And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words” (NKJV). Such spiritual leaders didn’t just pat their brethren on the back and say it’ll be all ‘right. They used words of encouragement. This kind of exhortation encouraged harmony in the family of Christ (Rom. 15:5).

          The Greek word for encouragement is pareklesis, which includes comforting earnestly, consoling and exhorting. A strong, gentle spiritual leader puts his arm around you and earnestly exhorts you to take comfort in God’s promises to care for you. With an exhortation, he has the element of not just moving one to get up and get going, but he says everything is going to be okay. He may also speak with a loving chastening, and a conviction to change faulty thinking or behavior.

          Third, Judas Barsabas and Silas spent a great quantity of time with the Syrian, Gentile, brethren. They did not spend an hour or two on a Sunday morning or a three-day seminar encouraging them. They spent quality time. Acts 15:33. Before they left them, the brethren were strengthened. An athlete does not become strong overnight. And a Christian who has been frustrated in his faith by pseudo spiritual leaders, claiming to know the way of salvation better than an apostle, does not become a mighty soldier for Jesus overnight either.

          Imagine the impact you will have on those around you when you choose to become like Judas. Judas Barsabas that is, or Silas his co-leader. This was a man who realized the source of comfort was not actually in himself but in God who is the source of all mercy (cf. 2 Corinthians 1:3). Encouragement is a most compelling manner to express biblical love because it places others ahead of ourselves. It takes humility and looking out for the common interest of others. When you see someone who is forlorn or disheartened due to the discouragement of others, pick them up with the love of Jesus.

          The brethren unite in harmony with peace surpassing understanding. It is the unity of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:3). Jesus laid his life down as a servant of humanity in the same manner that we are told to put others ahead of ourselves (Philippians 2:1-11). So, like Judas Barsabas and Silas we are carriers of living letters of encouragement (2 Corinthians 3:2). We bring words of exhortation and strength when we speak God’s love and truth with our brethren. Out of this kind of humility we too take on a type of spiritual leadership that brings comfort to our brothers and sister, thereby building up the body of Christ.

Our spiritual leadership might become well-known or remain lesser known. Our reputation could not be known, whatsoever. Without regard to how well-known we are – like Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas – let us encourage, exhort, and strengthen one another, as they did. When we focus more our energy on resolving conflict and time building harmony, we do much for the betterment of the church of Christ.

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^[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Th 5:11). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

^[2] Ibid. Ac 15:20.

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Listen to Donny’s Podcast Here

5 Simple Ways To Train As A Warrior for Jesus Christ, Now

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:12

By Donny Weimar

LiveBiggerFaith.com

ChristianwithBipolar.com

Scrawny? Weak? Feeble in your faith? Sinning is the habit of those who are not comfortable in their Christianity. You can be a warrior for Jesus Christ. Here are 5 ways to make Jesus the Lord of your life. No matter how long you have been a floundering Christian, this encouraging message will move you from the doubter’s corner to the victor’s reward.

1. Warriors for Jesus Christ Train for Battle by Giving Their Heart to Jesus.

When sinning is a habit, sins that we commit repeatedly, there is a blemish on our ability to serve Jesus like a good soldier of the faith. Has hardship caused you to stumble? Get up and brush yourself off. We have grace to stand in (Romans 5:2).

Listen friend, you are wearing the armor of God and the devil cannot penetrate it (Ephesians 6:11). Read about the Lord’s armed forces. The Spirit says to Paul to write these encouraging words, “Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier on service entangleth himself in the affairs of this life; that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.” 2 Timothy 2:3-4. ASV

By giving your heart to Jesus you enable the full impact of the Gospel to work in your heart. Your Lord is more than the King of souls, He is the Captain of your personal salvation. Listen to Scripture.

Heb 2:10 ” For it became him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings.”

Anchor yourself in God’s grace. You cannot merit your salvation. Yield your heart to Father God. Everything is possible with God. He can save to the uttermost. Define yourself as a warrior for Christ. That way when you meet hardship, you will not doubt. And that sin you keep on repeating will evaporate in God’s love.

2. Warriors for Jesus Christ Train by preparing Themselves with Bible study.

Have you ever tried to get to some place you have never been without a road map or GPS? It is an easy thing to get lost. I read somewhere that only 24% of people in the United States are convinced the Bible is the Divinely inspired, without error, special revelation directly from God. I suggest to you the reason for this statistic is people, even Christians have stopped reading the Bible. According to the New Testament, the Holy Spirit of God operates through the Word of God. He convicts, converts, and sanctifies using this medium. We are not talking about providence and the sovereignty of God. We speak of the pure unadulterated milk and meat of pure Bible teaching. Consider this passage.

“But they did not all hearken to the glad tidings. For Isaiah saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” Romans 10:16-17 ASV

How can people rejoice with the glad tidings of Jesus if they have not heard the word of Christ? Get yourself immersed in Scripture. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed worker, cutting-straight {Or: handling correctly} the word of truth.” 2Timothy 2:15 MLV2020.

3. Warriors for Jesus Christ Train by Giving Themselves to Prayer.

Never stop praying (1Thessalonians 5:17). God’s love is on your mind 24/7. When you get up out of bed in the morning, pause and pray before beginning your day. Sometimes, you will go through a test that day. Someone will cut you off on the road to work. If you have ever prayed for patience, you know life will slow down and frustrate you to no end. That is how God refines His warriors. When you change your prayer habits to praying more often than you are now praying, the quality of your life will improve. God’s tests always turn out for our help. James 1:3. I tell you the truth, any and every virtue that God wills for your life, if you pray about it, you will get it…no matter the test it takes to get it. Pray to endure the test. Pray with thanks for the blessing in the outcome. God will sometimes answer your prayers in the long run. Warriors for Jesus Christ train by giving themselves to prayer.

4. Warriors for Jesus Christ Train by Giving Themselves to Obeying the Gospel

You might not like hearing this, if you have been listening to denominational preachers. We are living post-denominational days now. And we are doing so by being what Christians were in the first century church of Christ. Refer to chart at the bottom of this article to see what every single conversion in the book of Acts involved. Scripture references are provided. It may astound you to find this passage in the New Testament.

“So-then my beloved, just-as you have always obeyed, not only as in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For* it is God who is working in you both to will and to work, on behalf of his delight.” Philippians 2:12-13 MLV2020.

Fact: When we give ourselves to always obeying by working out our own personal salvation, God will work to do His part.

5. Warriors for Jesus Christ Train by Letting Go of the Past and Living in the Present.

The reality of life is that you cannot do anything to change your past. Let go of what is in your history and have an active faith in His Story. We do not have to live in doubt any longer. Without faith, it is impossible for us to be saved (Hebrews 11:1-3). That is why with your faith, you can move mountains of tough times. Give your heart to Jesus and be a warrior for the way of salvation. Live in the here and now. People will hold grudges against you. But you know when God has forgiven you, you can forgive yourself. Let go and grow up. Do not depend upon people. They will let you down. Great blessings have happened in your past. Even greater blessings are in store for your future. Warriors for Jesus Christ train by letting go of the past and living for the present, with hope for the future.

You and I are in the Lord’s military. There is not a more powerful army on the face of this earth, except perhaps for the angelic host – and they are here to serve us. Do not be concerned about who you have been, up to this day. Today is a day of renewal. Today is the day to change our hearts and convert to serve the Living God. We can let go of yesterday because we pray and obey. After reviewing the chart below, ask yourself if they were converted this way, then how might we become faithful warrior Christians today. Come to Jesus. Come. Come today.

A Chart Survey of Bible Conversions

Who The Were and What They Did To Be Saved

~A Safe Guide For You~

THEY	HEARD	BELIEVED	REPENT	CONFESSED	BAPTIZED
Jews at Pentecost	Acts 2:37	Acts 2:44	Acts 2:38		Acts 2:38, 41
Ethiopian Eunuch		Acts 8:37		Acts 8:37	Acts 8:38
Samaritans	Acts 8:6	Acts 8:12			Acts 8:12
Saul of Tarsus		Galatians 2:16			Acts 9:18; 22:6-16
Cornelius	Acts 10:34	Acts 15:7	Acts 11:18		Acts 10:48
Lydia					Acts 16:14-15
Philippian Jailer		Acts 16:31	Implied Acts 16:33		Acts 16:33

Disciples who only knew John’s baptism (immersion) were immersed again, into Christ (Acts 19:3-4).

LiveBiggerFaith.com

If you enjoy history. I’m getting a lot of good from this book!

What’s on my desk

I spend more and more time at my desk these days, doing everything from preparing the family taxes to working on this blog. Because of this, my workspace is constantly changing. Holding the clutter at bay is challenging, so I prefer to keep nearby only a few quality items that serve multiple purposes over a stockpile of things I might never need.

My daily planner

My planner is one of those simple ring binder journals you can pick up from any stationery supplies store. White paper. No ruled lines to cage my venturesome handwriting and doodling. I’m an obsessive note-taker and fill pages to the margins with to do lists, rough sketches, and ideas for blog posts. I usually go through one planner every month.

Travel Tips

There are millions of tips out there on how to fly with kids, what to bring on camping vacations, which suitcase to buy, where to go and what to see in just about every corner on Earth. What I want to share today is something a little different – something that we discovered last summer during a family hike in the Appalachians. 

Staying Organized

Who me? Organized? My husband might tell you otherwise, but I do find it hard to keep track of our weekly schedule. You know: school, swimming, grocery shopping, tidying up, paying bills, remembering appointments and so on. Fortunately, in our house we all pitch in. No one person does everything. But we do have a little secret that helps our day run more smoothly.