Spring of Water

"Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.  The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:13-14 ESV).

Jesus was talking to the Samaritan woman while He rested at the well.  The woman made a daily trek to the well off peak hours but Jesus was there because He had an appointment with her.  Little did she know it.

The water she dipped out of that well kept her coming back because she got thirsty again.  Jesus used this example to invite her to drink of the water He could supply that would be an everflowing supply for life.  She'd never be thirsty again and the water Jesus could give her would be a "spring of water welling up."  The emptiness within her could, at last, be filled and satisfied.

"Welling up" implies to me, full and overflowing, abundant, and it just keeps coming  and coming.  The water Jesus gives is living water and comes with an unlimited supply.

Those of us with plants know we make our daily rounds to give them a drink.  The best though is when it rains.  We can let God water them.  There's a difference.  It is obvious in the plants' response.  Water from the tap vs God's water from the sky.  The 'heavenly' water makes the plants sit up, take notice and grow better.  I kid you not!

Truly the water Jesus gives is the best.  When we read the Word of God to refresh our souls and learn of Him we grow a whole lot better in response.  God's word versus the 101 other things we may imbibe like the daily news, which can depress us or make us agitated and angry; movies of all kinds or certain computer video games that steal our time and mental capacity.

What are we followers of Jesus Christ watering our souls with?  What are we thirsty for?  Let's drink the water Jesus gives that can become "a spring of water welling up to eternal life".  There's quality and quantity in this living water.

                                                 ~ ERC  April 2025 ~

Based on John 4:12-14.

Sing, Living Waters, along with the Getty's.

 

Good Book - Counseling Friends in Need - By Harold J. Sala - Review by ERChin

 Some of you may have been following my commentary on the individual chapters of this book.  This is an overall general review.  Know that if you are that layman counselor-friend, what Harold J. Sala has to say will be very helpful.  This is my opinion.

Sala covers issues, ways and means of how to help that friend in need who needs a listening empathetic ear.  Also that someone who is proactive to actually do more than just listen but to enable that friend in need to begin and continue the process towards overcoming their troubles and problems.

One of Sala's major points is to use the Bible in whatever counseling help you give in treating the whole person.  For example, see the titles of some of his chapters.  They are:  Using the Bible to Counsel Relationship Problems; Emotional Problems such as Uncontrollable Anger, Irrational Fears, Pervasive Worry, Emotional Depression; and Using the Bible to Counsel Addictive Behavior such as Alcohol Abuse, Drug Abuse and Sexual Addiction, which include Obsessive Sexual Relations, Promiscuity, Infidelity in Marriage and more.  Using the Bible entails reading it and memorizing key verses so the Holy Spirit can can bring that guidance needed to help bring about necessary changes towards effective overcoming victory in Christ.

I feel that the author Sala has each chapter laid out well and explains everything in 'easy' understandable layman's terms.  At each chapter ending he has a 'homework page' (my term) where he asks "questions for thought and discussion".  I found these very useful to help me summarize and solidify the message I felt he wanted the reader to learn in that particular chapter and be able to make use of, for ones own self first, and then in helping that friend who comes to you sincerely desperate for help.

I found this book very beneficial and helpful and believe it could be of good use to the serious readers who wish to be of effective help to their friends in need.  I do recommend this book to you.  By God's grace we can be helped personally, and be a help to others in their struggles in life and living to please the Lord until He comes.

"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He who calls you is faithful..."  1 Thessalonians 5:23 & 24a.

Father, You are so great!  Your power is limitless and You have given us Your Holy Spirit empowerment to live that Christian life You desire of us; to be holy as You are holy.  We are so thankful for this help and the help of friends who help us in our life's problems, struggles and temptations. May we be overcomers who reflect You and Your person.  I ask in Jesus' name, amen.

                                                  ~ ERC  April 2025 ~

For further reading you can check out some of my links below which are based on this book.

Less Boom - Counsel Chap 1

The Depression Emotion - (Counseling Chap 8)

Staying Connected With God (Counseling Chapter 10)

 "Pray without ceasing" 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

Sounds like 24/7 praying.  Certainly, it's an ongoing connection with the Lord.

This verse is sandwiched between 

"Rejoice always" 

and 

"give thanks in all circumstances," 

which is not conditional to whether the situation is a good or bad one.  Is it really possible to keep this up all day and night long?

To me, the continual praying is a way of staying connected to God, my Heavenly Father.  It's important to know my human limitations and that God has no limitations.  What's more, we can develop a wonderful relationship with Him.  His ears are always open to us.

So generally, we demonstrate our dependance upon Him and acknowledge our need for His intervention in our lives and the lives of our family, friends and all we meet.  That is, whether they realize it or not.

Our daily lives get busy and we get distracted and forgetful.  A way to remind oneself to "pray without ceasing" to keep the daily connection is to set your phone or clock alarm for various times throughout the day.  At those times, assign various issues, loved ones, or that friend in need to pray about and for them.  Or the in-the-moment need.

In-between times, whatever comes to mind, God wants to hear about too.  As you silently or verbally talk aloud to the Lord, you will develop that continual connection to Him.  You've all seen or are even 'one of those' people constantly on their phones, keeping their phones by their side, giggling away in their own private comedy show, as they read text messages from their contact's list.  This is the type of 'connection' we can have with our Heavenly Father.  It can be "without ceasing".

Naturally then, when counseling a friend in need, it is important to cover all stages of recovery and overcoming progress, with prayer.  Staying connected with the Lord for insight, wisdom, guidance and Holy Spirit empowering is essential.  We cannot 'do it' alone!

Rejoicing and giving thanks along the journey is part of this "continuous attitude of prayer" 

Father God, in all we do, in all we say, we do want to keep our connection with You, without ceasing.  Thank You for always being there for us.  We definitely need Your help and intervention 24/7.  At this time my friend _________ especially needs Your help to overcome and journey through their troubles and struggles with _________.  May Your Holy Spirit and the reading of Your word lead, guide, convict and bring us through.  Thank You for walking with him/her through their valley.  Bless all his/her efforts.  We do so depend upon You and Your enduring faithfulness.   We ask all this in Jesus' name, amen.

                                              ~ERC  April 2025 ~

Based on 1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV and Counseling Friends In Need by Harold J. Sala.  Chapter 10 - Successful Counseling - (OMF literature).

Sing, My God is All I Need, along with City Alight.  (Find the lyrics and read through them prayerfully before singing along.)

Memorzie:  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

Lord's Day Devotion - Reconciled and Made Righteous

 "For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV).

God really wants us to be righteous people especially when we belong to Him.  He went all out for us so this can be possible.  God made His son Jesus who was absolutely sinless, "to be sin" in our place.  This assuaged God's wrath and punishment upon us, so that He could then make those who accept this gift, righteous in His sight.

When we think of every type of sin there is and that every single person in the world who has ever lived, except for Jesus, has committed a variety of those sins, what is to be done with us?  Thank God that through Christ Jesus we can be reconciled and made righteous in God's sight.

"God, ... through Christ reconciled us to Himself ... that is, in Christ God was reconciling  the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them ..." (1 Corinthians 5:18-19 ESV).

The apostle Paul then wrote out of his deep care for the Corinthians,

"we implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God ..." (vs 20).

The word 'implore' is one of intensity. 

He, and God for that matter, and most importantly, deeply wants our reconciliation!

In light of addictive behavior we, as God's children, may be indulging in, God implores us to be reconciled to Him.  Realize your wrong doing, confess it and repent of it.  Get help from a trusted friend and even professional counselors to overcome.

God wants you to be reconciled to Him.  Through salvation and justification and then the progressive sanctification process.  Jesus paid the price for this.  He became sin for you, so that we might become the righteousness of God!    Give Him glory with your life.

What mercy!  What grace of God!  It is being extended to you, here and now!  Be reconciled to God!

He then entrusts this message of reconciliation to us, to pass it on.  He did this for my sake and for yours.  Brothers and sisters-in-Christ, be reconciled to God and then proclaim His message of reconciliation and righteousness to others.  He makes all things beautiful in His time.

This Lord's Day, as you gather together as a family of God around the table of the King to remember what Jesus has done and accomplished for us, reach out for that broken bread, partake.  Then sip of that cup of wine remembering the cost it was for Him to be made sin for you, as an individual and then for all the "whosoever" who have come to Christ and been given the righteousness of God.

Give thanks with a grateful heart.

Lord Jesus, thank You for that price you paid in order to reconcile us to God.  In order that we might "become the righteousness of God".  We humbly and gratefully give you our thanks.  May we each now go forth with this message of reconciliation to all those who need this same righteousness.  Thank You for the bread and wine which help us to remember Your love, mercy and grace, and above all, Your invitation of reconciliation and righteousness.  We come to You O Lamb of God.  In Your name we give our grateful thanks.  Amen.

                                                          ~ ERC  March 2025 ~

Based on 1 Corinthians 5:8 ESV.

Sing, In Christ Alone, along with Keith and Kristyn Getty and City Alight.

Unconditional Acceptance (Counselling Chapter 9)

 Showing unconditional love and acceptance is a very important part in counseling your friend in need.  Without this essential element, the lay counselor will be wasting their friend's time as well as their own time and breath.  This does not mean acceptance of wrong behavior, rather of the person his or herself.  One must see this crucial distinction.

Empathetic listening, giving support and encouragement towards repentance, and recovery of any type of addictive behavior will be a major part of the battle towards being real help for your friend in need.

Once the friend has established in their mind and heart that you truly sincerely care, they too are more apt to feel they are understood and can then make moves, no matter how infinitesimal at start.  Be sure, counselors, to show your acceptance unconditionally to your friend.

Most people generally accept that alcohol and drugs can be addictive and that most likely your friend will need professional help beyond what you as a lay counselor can give.  Make no mistake, however, that you are a key link in the 'recovery chain' and that you will very likely need to be standing by, along side for the duration.

Not everyone will realize that promiscuity, marital infidelity and homosexuality are also considered addictive behaviors.  This is what Harold J. Sala states in his book Counseling Friends in Need.  These too, can be obsessive, compulsive behaviors in a believer's life.  No doubt they will realize it's wrong and feel guilty but also feel that they can't overcome.  Showing unconditional acceptance could well be the tipping point when the addict-ee, indicates his or her behavior to you or you have found out somehow or another and have lovingly confronted your friend who also happens to be your brother or sister-in-Christ.

Addictive behavior, and what the Bible calls idolatry is connected, I believe.  It is like worshiping at the feet of the behavior and making it your 'god'.  It takes all your time and attention and destroys the individual indulging in the wrongful, harmful behavior.

When the person turns to the Lord in confession and repentance, seeking help, it is like they are turning to God from idols.  Being that friend-in-need in the right place and at the right time, and with the right attitude of unconditional acceptance, will most likely enable your friend in need to begin and continue to make God their God, and to seek Him in the recovery process towards overcoming victory.

Let's each of us followers of Jesus Christ be sensitive to our friends' needs, not to find fault but with loving care, reaching out with the empathetic, unconditional acceptance that will lead to your friend's decision to get help and progress towards recovery.

Wrap all efforts in prayer.  Let's abide in Christ, always.

Jesus, help us all.  Whether we are the person who needs unconditional acceptance or the one who can give it, walk with us, Jesus.   Be our guiding light through our darkest nights.   I ask in Your name, amen.

                                                   ~ ERC  March 2025 ~

Based on 1 Corinthians 3:16 & 17; Romans 12:1-2 and John 15:4-5 ESV.  Also, Counseling Friends in Need by Harold J. Sala, Chapter 9 - Using the Bible to Counsel Addictive Behavior Questions.  This is my answer above page 200.

Sing, Overcomer, along with Mandisa.

The Living Temple (Counselling Chapter 9)

 

"Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?  If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him.  For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple" (1 Corinthians 3:16 & 17 ESV)

For the follower of Jesus Christ, we are the living temple of the living Holy Spirit of the living God.  We need to take good care of the temple.  Consequences of not caring for His temple are destructive.

Does it sound harsh and unloving of God to destroy the one who is not caring for His temple?  It may, but just think about it.  If a person who professes to be a child of God continually drinks him or herself into oblivion, hurtling themselves into alcoholism, and all its fallout in family, friends and work, not to mention their own bodies, is this not destructive?  How can you  blame God for that?

God does not stop the natural processes of a body that chooses such out-of-control behavior.  It's not His fault when the temple of the Holy Spirit gets destroyed.  However, God is always sensitive to those who come to Him admitting their wrongs and in repentance seek His forgiveness.  This He freely gives.

Repentance implies that there will be change for the better.  When an alcoholic 'dries out,' his body will begin to recover although there may have been some permanent damage to the liver and other potential detriments.  Scars, so to speak.

Similarly, eating disorders do damage.  Actually, I don't know much about bulimia and anorexia.  It's new groundbreaking for me so if I say anything wrong here, please diplomatically correct me.

What surprized me of what I recently learned about these disorders, is that they are 'addictive behavior'.  Addictive in the same sense that drugs and alcohol can be and yes, with destructiveness to the body and therefore, for the Christian, the temple of the Holy Spirit.

At first I thought, why did Harold J. Sala write in his chapter on Addictive Behavior, about bulimia and anorexia!  But as I read I came to undersand why - a little.

In his book Counseling Friends in Need, Sala says that if such a friend in need comes to you sharing about her (or his) problem with bulimia or anorexia know that this person will need professional help.

There are some things you can do though to help support your friends.  One is to help your friend 

"realize the seriousness of the problem".  

This means you may need to do research about the damage to the body and mind and certainly read up about it, in general.

Next would be to guide and help support this person as she gets help.  You may be her person to hold her accountable as she strives to overcome.

So as you guide and support her, help her seek that professional help needed.  Perhaps finding that professional, getting an appointment, giving rides and such.  These may be welcome help.

Over all, prayer.  Seeking dependance upon the Lord, and His care.  He's the one to love her best.  Your giving unconditional love, not condemning her, your empathy and listening ears could go a long way to helping your bulimic or anorexic friend recover better and sooner.

Sala explained that bulimia is when a person gorges on food and then self-induces vomiting.  Anorexia is self-induced starvation.

If you look up these two eating disorders on the Better Health Channel, the Mayo Clinic and/or the NHS, you'll see the devastating effects and damage that can occur to one's body.  Such a list may include:  dental problems, osteoparosis, severe dehydration, heart problems, low BP, swollen ankles, malnourishment, and even at times, seizures, are among the few effects of bodily destruction.  Mental health can certainly become unstable, I read.

Such people will definitely need professional help and care!  However, having a friend go along the journey to overcoming with the living God's help will go a long way towards improved health both physically and mentally, slowing the destruction of the living temple of the living Holy Spirit.

Father God, I cry out to you for overcoming help for my friend _________, who struggles with bulimia/anorexia.  She (He) knows it's wrong and a sin against You.  Also that it is destructive to Your Holy Spirit's temple.  She has repented and wants to live in a healthy way both physically and mentally.  Thank You for Your Holy Spirit who helps her.  May she and all others who suffer from these eating disorders have victory in and through Christ.

Bless all their efforts towards this end until Jesus comes because she belongs to Christ and what is His is Yours.  In Jesus' name I beseech you.  Amen.

                                                    ~ERC  March 2025 ~

Based on 1 Corinthians 3:16 & 17; Romans 12:1-2 ESV.  Also Harold J. Sala's book, Counseling Friends in Need, Chapter 9 - Using the Bible to Counsel Addictive Behavior, pgs 197-200.

Memorize:  1 Corinthians 3:16-17.and Romans 12:1-2.

Sing, Day After Day, Jesus Reigns, along with City Alight.

Book Review - The Eagle's Shadow, Book 1 of The Covert War Chronicles - by Michael Reit - Publication Date: 24 April 2025

 

Michael Reit has done it right, again.  

What makes this historical work of fiction of his extra interesting for me is what I consider an unusual angle.  More often than not WWII historical fiction narrations involve the German or Austrian setting or even from Britain's perspective. Additionally, there is some mention of Poland, which is more well-known.  Besides Austra, this one covers the run up and the "peaceful" invasion of Czechoslavokia.  I have often wondered what Hitler's beef was with this country and I've found some answers in the story telling.   Of course, as this is indeed fiction, there is likely much "salt and pepper" added.

In this writing, a reader will meet some of the 'real' people of history such a Hitler, Reinhard Heydrick, Morevac and others.  Karl is fictitious but is a major source of seeing things through Nazi eyes.  We see the Jewish perspective through Felix and family's eyes in Austria, as well as Greta's in Czechoslavokia.  Through Adela's eyes we gain insight of what went on in upper levels of Czech government departments in the months prior to Hitler's invasion.  There's even some spy work in the mix, so that's an added excitement.

Felix was quite battered about but I won't say more on that account - Reit says it all.  A little spark of romance seasons the works but I await Book 2, the next in this new, The Covert War Chronicles series for the unfolding scenario.  Hope the wait won't be too long.

I rather enjoyed this clean tale and believe many others will too, especially if you like it combined with  WWII historical sagas.

                                                   ~ Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger ~

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by Net Galley and the publisher.

Read review on Goodreads.

Such Were Some of You (Counseling Chapter 9)

 

Reems of paper and hours of air time have been devoted to talk about homosexuality.  Often the persons we encounter who live such a lifestyle or any of the LGBTQIA+ ones, are looked upon in disdain especially by followers of Jesus Christ.  This does not endear us to them.

We forget what Harold J. Sala reminds us of in his book Counseling Friends in Need.

"Remember God loves the individual; it is sin He condems" (p. 196).

Whether it is one sin or another we need to remember "God loves the individual!"  Even the vile, scary, evil man who lives next door!  Let's 

"not condemn the person along with their sin," Sala continues.  "Strive to let your friend [in need] know that you love and accept her as a human being."

We never know the full extent of what an individual has had to suffer and encounter in childhood.  We do not fully understand his experiences or trauma or neglect that led to certain behavior in teen and/or adult years, including homosexual behavior.

There are several Bible verses in regards to homosexuality and how God calls it "unrighteous" and goes against how He made human beings male and female.  Yet it is a practice God can forgive.  I see that there is hope for anyone who wishes to choose God's way.

It is one in a list in 1 Corinthians 6:9-12 that the apostle Paul remarks on in talking about what lifestyles some of the Corinthians have lived.  He wrote,

"And such were some of you" (vs 11).

Homosexuality is in that list.  To me, this speaks of hope, that this lifestyle choice of a person who wishes to choose God's way, can be victorious with Holy Spirit's help.  Paul went on to state,

"But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God" (vs 11).

At the end of verse 12 Paul penned,

"but I will not be dominated by anything."

Any thing that displeases God.

I pinpoint the word "sanctified" in vs 11.  I once read a pamphlet with a title something like, "Can a Homosexual Change"?

The author asks a very good question.  He asked, 

"What is the oppostie of 'homosexual'?"

We may be tempted to glibly reply,

"Heterosexuality".

According to this author, your answer would be very wrong.  He says the opposite is "holiness."  You see, heterosexuals commit fornication, adultery and other forms of gross sexual immorality.  Definitely those are NOT holy.

God wants us to be holy as He is holy (see Leviticus 19:2 and 1 Peter 1:15-16).  Whether a person is heterosexual or homosexual, God tells us to be holy.  It is the opposite of all forms of sexual immoraltiy in God's sight.

Just the other day a friend told a group of us that she has never seen anyone who loved God more and is a regular churchgoer yet he is homosexual.  Whether homosexual or heterosexual, if a person says they love God so much yet continue in behavior that displeases and dishonors Him, how can this be?  If we love someone we will want to honor that person with what pleases them.  If surrendered to HIS will, then true repentance and transformation will occur.

So does God condemn the homosexual individual more so than heterosexuals?  Well He forgive without bias the one who comes in confession and repentance of violating His laws and principles and intentions of how He made human beings?

I really like what Sala said in this regard,

"For God to condemn someone for a practice he could not help would be unjust, but the fact is, homosexuality is but one of many practices God can forgive and with His forgiveness comes His enabling power to change, something that the Church is often strangely silent about proclaiming" (p 195).

I feel the avenue of forgiveness and Holy Spirit empowerment to change, to transform, and to have overcoming victory spells, 'H-O-P-E' to the one who chooses to live God's way.

May we each be able to explain this to any friend in need who comes our way sincerely seeking such help and hope to live a holy life, in Christ.  May we each seek to do so, too.

Father God, prosper us to live holy lives in Your sight as we seek You and choose Your way.  Help my friend in need _________, with the process of overcoming.  Thank You so very much for the hope we have through Jesus and the help we have through Holy Spirit conviction and empowerment.  In Jesus' name we ask, amen.

                                            ~ ERC  March 2025 ~

Based on 1 Corinthians 6:9-12 ESV and Counseling Friends in Need by Harold J. Sala, Chapter 9 - Using the Bible to Counsel Addictive Behavior.  Pages 194-196.

Sing, Overcomers, along with Mandisa.

Memorize:  1 Corinthians 6:9-12; Leviticus 18:22; 20:12 and Romans 1:12-67 for God's perspective.

Links for further info.:

Social Issues Facing the Church - Homosexuality

Pamphlet - Can You Change if You are Gay?

The World's Way vs God's Way (Counselling Chapter 9)

 This quote says it so succinctly ...

"Contrary to modern thinking ... God expects of singles the same He expects of married couples - sexual purity.  That means abstinence before marriage and commitment to one individual, your mate in marriage.  While casual sex may be the norm and have a measure of acceptance in our culture, it is wrong in the sight of God."

So wrote Harold J. Sala in his book Counseling Friends in Need.

This is in regards to promiscuity and marital infidelity.  God is displeased with both cases.  Granted a person may rationalize,   "I'm already 30 years old and still single and not a mate in sight.  Sigh.  One night stands will have to suffice."  Or, in a dead marriage, sigh again, "Where's the love, compassion and care?  That tempting person outside the marraige fulfills me"  And so there is promiscuity and marital infidelity if the believer in Jesus Christ chooses not to allow the Holy Spirit to give them the self-control and determination to abstain.

After all, "everyone else does it" without compunction, why can't I?!  But God's word is clear.  In 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, He says,

"For this is the will of God ... that you should abstain from sexual immorality..."

And from Genesis 20:14,

"You shall not commit adultery ..."

This is a sacrifice and life choice a follower of Jesus Christ will need to choose to make.  It's not easy to be a Christian and uphold God's will and ways many times but when one wishes to live to please the Lord, they will, 

"Present [their] bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service" (Romans 12:1-2).

Do you feel like it is reasonable?  God says it's a reasonable request.  Apparently, says Sala, the Phillips version of these verses, should you choose to read further, to "...not being comformed to this world," reads,

"Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould."

Promiscuity will not be satisfying in the end.  Marital infidelity will very likely end in divorce in all its ugliness.  We need to decide whom we will choose.  Choose you this day, the world's ways and ourselves or will you choose the Lord's way?  It's your choice.  Break every stronghold that's got a hold on you.

Should your friend choose God's way and come to you for help, their admitting the sinfulness in confession and true repentance will be a first place to start.  Again, accountability will need to be established throughout the process leading towards overcoming victoriously in Christ, says Sala.

Guilt may coat and corrode but I always like to go to 1 John 1:9 where when we confess our sins, Jesus is 

"faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to clease us from all unrighteousness" (ESV).

He keeps His promises and is there ready and waiting for your human responsibility to confess.  Then because He cleanses and purifies from all unrighteouness there will be no stains left.  Let's surrender all to Him.  This is a blessing in Christ not to be taken advantage of in an exploitive way, but with a humble attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving.

He has made this avenue of forgiveness available to His children and therefore, He washes and cleanses and purifies the stains of guilt from our sins as well.

Praise the Lord for His mercy and grace!

A marriage can be saved.  It would take the injured party in the marriage to choose forgiveness.  It would be tough!  The deepest and most intimate of relationships has been betrayed and violated.  Trust would need to be built up again.  Counseling from a professional may be needed.  But, should the spouses wish to stay together both will need to work at the relationship and at their compulsive behavior to not choose fulfillment elsewhere.  

I used to think that in a relationship, especially in a marital one there was a 50%-50% effort, the couple would go halves in a marriage towards reaching and meeting each other in the middle with compromise.  I had to stand to be corrected by what I once read, likely in a make your marriage better type of book, where the author said, that is wrong, each must give 100%!  It may seem very unfair especially when one spouse doesn't do the work, so to speak, even often giving less that even 50%.

Remember, children of God have His Holy Spirit indwelling and working in tandem, we should choose God's way.  Let's be living sacrifices to God and be holy as He is.

Conform and transform to God's way, not the world's.  In Him we have life.

Father God, help us all to choose You and Your will and ways for our lives.  Lord may Your word ever be the lamp unto our feet and the light unto our paths.  I ask in Jesus' name, amen.

                                            ~  ERC  March 2025  ~

Based on Exodus 20:14; Titus 1:6; Ephesians 5:33, Romans 12:1-2 and 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5.  And Counseling Friends in Need by Harold J. Sala. Chapter 9 - Using the Bible to Counsel Addictive Behavior pages 189-194.

Sing, Thy Word, along with Amy Grant.

The Awesome Place

 

A couple of Sunday's ago, the preacher preached from Genesis 28 about Jacob's journey to Paddan-aram in search of a wife.  Part way there Jacob had his famous dream about the ladder that reached from earth to heaven as the angels of God ascended and descended upon it.  The angels got their exercise that night.  Ha!

That's besides the point though.  Jacob then saw the LORD who stood above the ladder and spoke to Him.  Afterwards, Jacob exclaimed that that wayside station area was an "awesome place" because he felt that it was

"none other than the house of God and this is the gate of heaven." 

So he named the place, "Bethel".

The preacher's point and focus however, was on what the LORD said.  He told Jacob, 

"I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac ..."

Notice anything missing from that?  At least from our viewpoint now so many thousands of years later?

Usually there is a third "God of ...."

That is, the God of Jacob.  The preacher noted this saying that even though the two generations above Jacob had made God their personal God, Jacob had yet to do so.  Thus, God's pointed omission.

This is often true of many who have grown up in a Christian family.  The children have grown up saturated in church-going, Bible reading and perhaps even service to the Lord and church.  Yet sadly, they have not made the Lord, the Lord of themselves.  There is hope though that they will.

Look at Jacob by the end of this portion.  He vowed that,

"If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, so that I come again to my father's house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God ... and of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you" (vs 20-22).

Wow!

When we read through the rest of the chapters about Jacob in Genesis, we see how much God did do for him despite his scheming ways.  At the end of his life we're told that, 

"By faith Jacob, when dying ... [bowed] in worship ..." (Hebrews 11:21 ESV).

The Bethel experience was pivotal in Jacob's life making it truly an awesome place.  Pray for each of your children, and yourself too, if you have not as yet made God your God and Jesus your Lord.  By faith, may we each worship this God and our Savior who has been and still is with us and will be for all eternity.  God always keeps His part of a promise.

Flip over to the Psalms.  The sons of Korah make mention of "the God of Jacob," and the "LORD of hosts" being with them (Jacob's descendants, the children of Israel).  I stumbled on this verse just this morning while the sermon was still swirling around my mind.  Truly awesome!

God had wanted Jacob to know Him like his father and grandfather had.  Now, again, the sons of Korah, in song, encouraged Jacob's descendants towards the same.

"Be still, and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!  The LORD of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our fortress." [emphasis mine] 

Don't you think this is so brilliant!  Multiple times in the Bible we now read that God is "The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob".  Isn't this amazing!?  May this be similarly true of your family tree too!

God, you make all things beautiful in Your time.  I ask that our children will find their 'Bethel' moments, where they will sincerely call that time and place 'AWESOME' because they have now made You their God.  In Jesus' name I ask, amen.

                                                      ~ ERC  March 2025 ~

Based on Genesis 28:10-22, esp vs 13 and psalm 46:1, 10 & 11 ESV.

Sing, O God, Our Help in Ages Past, along with Reawaken Hymns.

Lord's Day Devotion - Power of His Resurrection

 Father God, thank You for all Your blessings on us Your children through Jesus.  His suffering, death and resurrection brought these to us through our faith in Him.  Now we wait to get to know Him and the power of His resurrection.

When we read about "the power of His resurrection" we really can't comprehend this well.   We just have to go back and read the incidents in the Bible and just have to say, "How great Thou art!"

Thinking of Jesus' resurrection.  He raised up Himself.  At the time 500 others were raised.  That must have been a shock to the relatives.  To Jesus, Himself it wasn't a shock or surprize.  His disciples were pretty sacred at first before the joy of His life hit them, "He's alive!"

The Old Testament incidents as well as the other New Testament ones all point us to this power of resurrection being really real.  We ourselves look forward to this power to resurrect us should we pass away before the Rapture happens.  It give us hope and peace of mind that we will go to be with him for all eternity and we won't be left behind in nothingness or terrorizing tribulation.

It takes earthly doctors a lot to resuscitate folks with their medical equipment.  Sometimes taking up to an hour or so in the most desparate of cases.  One word from Jesus and the damsel arose; the widow's son sat up on his way to the cemetary, and Lazarus who'd already been dead and buried for four days, all rose again from the dead.  It only took Jesus a couple of words to do so.  In this we see small glimpses of that power of resurrection and we give You our thanks.

We will share in this.  We're not so keen on the suffering and death part, of course, but these are part of our human feebleness and of our faith in Jesus.  Yet You hold out this scepter of resurrection power to buoy our faith and thankfulness in You.  We want to know it more.

As we partake of the broken bread and drink of the cup of wine, symbols of Jesus' own death and resurrection, we give you our grateful thanks, this Lord's Day.  Only in Jesus' can we know you and Your power.

In Jesus' name we give you praise.

Amen.

                                                     ~ ERC  April 2025 ~

Based on Philippians 3:10-11 (ESV).

Sing, How Great Thou Art, along with Chris Rice and Up from the Grave He Arose, along with Islington Baptist Church.

Pervert to Sanctification & Respect (Counsel Chapter 9)

 Many people will hold the obsessively sexual person in contempt.  They likely get labelled 'pervert'.  For a brother or sister-in-Christ to become such a person, it would be even worst, I'm thinking.  

However, if it turns out this person is among one of your friends, one who comes to you for help in overcoming, what can you do?  How can you help?

Discover the level to which this obsession is an addiction.  What are the movies being watched?  What is being fed into his or her mind and soul.  Since your friend in need professes to be a believer in Jesus Christ, he or she likely already knows this is sin.

Reminding them that God calls this behavior sin is necessary.  Since your friend has come to you, it is assumed he wants help.  First step is confession to God in repentance.  No doubt the recovery process will take time.  Harold J. Sala, in his book, Counseling Friends in Need, strongly recommends there be accountability in this process.

As you walk step by step with your friend, encouraging him or her along the way, Sala also believes memorizing Scripture helps feed the mind with 'healthy' food.  In the case of this obsession, he suggests 2 Peter 1:4, Psalm 119:9, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 and Proverbs 28:3, to be appropriate verses to memorize.  As your friend in need reads and memorizes these verses, the Holy Spirit can use them in the transformation process towards victorious overcoming.  Cover all with prayer.

Satan knows how to tempt us.  But, in all things, the Holy Spirit who is ever more powerful and indwells your believer friend, knows how to teach, lead and guide and convict us of our sins, leading us to repentance, confession and to living the holy life that pleases the Lord.

We can then love the Lord because His mercy never fails us.  His grace continually covers us.  His goodness runs after us.  He is ever faithful to us.

Heavenly Father, we love your voice.  We are aware that You want us to live holy lives because you are holy.  You want us to live in your goodness.  Thank You for Your Holy Spirit who helps us to do just that.

We ask for Your almighty, outstretched arm that is not shortened, to help each and every one of us live that victorious life in Christ should we choose to do so.  In this way we can give you the honor and glory due Your name, especially since we claim to call upon Your Name.  May our every breath be an honor and tribute to You.

We desperately need Your help!

Intervene in my friend _________'s life as he/she goes through this recovery process.  Turn his/her term 'pervert' to sanctification and respect.  Keep him/her accountable through it all and to maintain ever after until Jesus comes.  In Jesus' name I beseech You.  Amen.

                                                 ~ ERC  March 2025 ~

Based on 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 and 2 Peter 1:3-4.  Also Counseling Friends in Need by Harold J. Sala,; Chapter 9 - Using the Bible to Counsel Addictive Behavior, pages 174-200.

Sing, Overcomer, along with Mandisa.

Memorize:  1 Corinthians 3:16-17 & 2 Peter 1:3-4.

Lord's Day Devotion - Greater Love

 Reflecting on God's love which propelled Him to send His Son Jesus to earth to be the propitiation for our sins.  Scripture tells us,

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13 ESV).

We can find no one greater than Jesus who did this for the ultimate cause.  He died that we might live.  His love for all mankind was the greatest of all, ever, from time immemorial to the present date.

We cannot understand such love but we can accept this gift.  Have you ever been loved?  Even if there is no human being in your life to love you or be willing to love you, there is the One who does love you and that's Jesus Christ.

He calls you friend and he died in your place.  There have been incidents in history where some have died for others.  Even the story of the Titanic when passengers were floating in the ocean trying to keep their heads above water, there were those who gave their life jacket to those who were without Christ.

The Christians demonstrated God's love to those without Christ.  They also brought some of them to Christ.  Those Christians lost their life so that the lost could live and have the chance to know the One who died for their souls and have eternal life.

Those individuals died so one here and one there could live long enough to find Jesus and hopefully be rescued.  Jesus died that all human beings floating aimlessly in this world, may find life in Him, through faith.

This Lord's Day, ponder on Jesus' love that took Him to the cross for our sakes.  He'll never let us go once we have accepted Him as Savior.  Partake of the broken bread and drink of that cup of wine in remembrance of His love that did all this for us.

There has been no one greater who has had greater love than this.  Praise the Lord!

Jesus, Your love is immense and we cannot fathom the depths and heights of it but we are thankful that You did love. us.  That You still love us.  That You laid down Your life for us and even called us "friends" when we were actually "enemies" because of our sin.  Thank You for taking our place on that cross of shame.  It is with grateful hearts we give you our thanks, Lord Jesus.  Amen.

                                                         ~ ERC  April 2025 ~

Based on John 15:13 ESV.

Sing, The Love of God, along with Selah Videos.

There's a Choice! (Counsel Chapter 9)

 

You are not your own if you are a follower of Jesus Christ.  You have been bought with His precious life blood.  You are a temple of the living God's Holy Spirit.  Your body and spirit belong to Him (see 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 & 1 Peter 1:18-19)

Therefore when we choose destructive behavior such as drug or alcohol abuse, or of a sexual nature outside of marriage to your own spouse, you are sinning against God.  

A person may have reasons and excuses for the destructive decisions they've made:  a tough life; trauma, active duty in a foreign land PTSD and the like.  Yes, empathy for a friend's reasons do not abate.  However, it still remains that a choice was made be it due to peer pressure or stemming from medical treatment.  To continue, was a choice.

The behaviors are a choice.  Maybe though a person didn't realize they even had a choice.  It could have been that the environment one grew up in was very dictatorial, strict adherence was the norm and it felt like there was no choice.  In fact, the word 'choice' was not even in the regions' dictionary.

This is understandable.  But now you know, there is a choice.  Now you can make a decision.  What will you choose?  Would you like to extricate yourself from Satan's grip of bondage and live in the freedom you can have in Christ?

Would you like to live under the authority of Jesus Christ?  His Spirit lives within you if you are a child of God.  You belong to Him and He has given us the free will to gladly surrender to Him, surrendering our bodies and spirits that are actually already His.

There is hope and freedom in Christ.  Choose to live under His authority.  Seek help to overcome addictions.  The Holy Spirit will help you.  Put your hand in the hand of Jesus.  You won't regret this choice.

May our Heavenly Father and His great almighty power work in each of us for His glory and honor and for our good health, becoming a testimony to the world of His greatness through us.

Grant us these Father, in Your Son Jesus' name.  Amen.

                                                ~ ERC  March 2025 ~

Based on 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 and 1 Peter 1:18-19).  Also Counseling Friends in Need by Harold J. Sala; Chapter 9 - Using the Bible to Counsel Addictive Behaviors, pages 174-200.

Sing, Overcomer along with Mandisa.

Memorize:  1 Corinthians 6:19-20 & 1 Peter 1:18-19.

Truly Wishes Help (Counseling Chapter 9)

 

 

"Do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18).

"It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak" (Romans 14:21)

These verses pinpoint drunkenness and drinking wine, or we might say alcohol.  More to the point, an addiction.  I'll insinuate further, any addictions to drink, to drugs, internet surfing, and/or even listening excessively to world news, morning, noon and night.

In moderation most of these are permissible.  However, not all are beneficial.  It could be referring to beneficial to an individual or to the person's family in general.  One person's actions do have consequences not only to the individual but to those in their circle of family and friends.

Scripture is so direct in its command here, "Do not be drunk ..."  But then if we are so continuously panting for that next bottle of wine, beer or stronger drink; or the next fix of drugs, and so on, and have gotten out of control and you are a believer in Jesus Christ then the guilt aspect comes in to compound the issue.

Yet, the apostle Paul who penned Ephesians 5:18 gives the antidote,

"...but be filled with the Holy Spirit."

It is to be noted that one of the characteristics of the Holy Spirit fruit is 'self-control'.

When we take this to heart and become willing to change and persevere in it, there is overcoming.

Secondly, it looks to me like the rest of the followers of Jesus Christ have a responsibility in their care of the one with the addiction.  Whether it's in eating meat, drinking drink or indulging some other thing that would cause a brother or sister-in-Christ to once again fall back into harmful ways of drunkenness and other addictive behavior, then 'the others' need to be cautious and help him or her avoid slipping back.

For example, I once read an autobiography of an Indian guru who had come to Christ.  As most of us know, Hindu's will not eat beef because cows are sacred animals to them.  This guru, after his conversion to Jesus Christ, still would not eat beef although he now knew he had freedom in Christ to eat it.  He refused to in order to win as many as possible of his family, friends, and compatriots to Christ.  He would have offended them if he had carelessly and flippantly said, "Christ set me free of all that, I'll eat beef!"  He would have lost credibility with those people.  They would then not listen to the message of the gospel!

Another story is of one assembly of believers who purposely do NOT use wine for their holy communion.  "Why?" you may ask.  It's because several in their midst are recovered alcoholics.  They do not want to be the one to cause such a brother to stumble back into the destructive behavior once again.  Grape juice is therefore used instead of wine.  I really like it that the whole group of believers there would support those people in this way.

As to causes for the addictive behavior - they are many and varied; but in Jesus' name they can overcome.  It's a serious matter to cause another to stumble but this group of believers shows God's love and grace to their brethren by this action.  This is truly helping a friend in need who truly wishes to be helped.

                                                   ~ ERC  march 2025 ~

Based on Ephesians 5:18 and Romans 14:21.  Also, Counseling Friends In Need by Harold J. Sala - Chapter 9 - Using the Bible to Counsel Addictive Behavior, pages 175-182.

Sing, They Word is  a Lamp Unto My Feet, along with Amy Grant.

Compounded Guilt (Counseling Chapter 8 Q's)

 "But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere."  

                                                     (2 Corinthians 2:14 ESV).

Observe the adverb 'always' in the verse above.  There's a domino effect here.  It starts with thanks to God.  This leads to victory in Christ.  Giving thanks to God wherever we go leaves a fragrance behind, the fragrance of the knowledge of God.

Did you realize that?  Knowledge of God has a fragrance!  Followers of Jesus Christ, while giving thanks to God, spread His aroma that reaches out to the perishing lost.  Paul and Silas did sing praise in prison even after being seriously beaten and chained up.  An earthquake freed them and the rest of the prisoners but none of them ran away.  Don't you find that rather curious!  Then the jailer got saved along with his family.  Amazing what praise can do.

Good smells of cooking draw hungry people to the kitchen table.  May the "good smell" of Christ upon believers in Christ draw people, not so much to us, rather to Christ through us.

When we ponder the opening verse, we may think within ourselves, I just can't praise or give thanks.  I'm too down in the dumps, too angry, too worried and fearful.  Then you think, "Oh, I'm a Christian, I shouldn't feel like this!  Oh, but I do!"  Then a guilty feeling settles over you and it all becomes a vicious cycle that sucks us down further into the bog of despond.  The guilt becomes compounded within us.

I think the apostle Paul who wrote the letter to the Corinthians would ask you to please read that opening verse again.  Then he'd ask, "Do you want victory over these negative emotions?  Do you?  Do you really?  Are you sure?"

If you answered him, "YES!" to all of those, then the choice is in your hands.  Begin to give thanks to God for the good things, even if it is a very small thing of goodness.  Like, you had food to eat.  Someone smiled at you.  Your child gave you a hug.  You say, "Thank You Father for that smile.  It was so unexpected."  OR, "Thank You Father for my child and his hug."

You could even write those "little" things down in a note book.  That way you could review them and give thanks all over again.  Before you know it, a habit of giving thanks will form.

You may not notice it at first, but there will be a stick stuck into the spokes of that vicious cycle and you'll be on a roll, joining the triumphal procession, spreading Christ's fragrance among the people of your family, your neighbors, acquaintances, co-workers and friends.  Above all, your guilty feelings and other negative emotions will have dissipated if not completely evaporated.

Thanks be to God!

                                                       ~ ERC  March 2025 ~

Based on 2 Corinthians 2:14 ESV and Counseling Friends in Need by Harold J. Sala; Chapter 8 Questions.

Sing, Thanks To God - Hymn along with The Wellman.

See also:  Unless ...

Memorize 2 Corinthians 2:14 ESV to remind yourself daily of giving thanks to God and forming a habit of praise so the fragrance of Christ can be spread abroad by you.

Unless ... (Counseling Chapter 8 Qs)

 A kaleidoscope of emotions often chase each other around in our minds robbing us of the peace that passes all understanding when we give full sway to them.  Be it anger, fear, worry (among other emotions possible) that can toss us into depression and catch us in a miry bog that threatens to pull us into its whirlpool-like vise grip and never let us go, stealing us of overcoming victory.  

Unless ...

Unless a follower of Jesus Christ comes to understand the difference between experiencing emotional conflict and being overwhelmed by our emotions.  True there is much in our lives and this world that instigates our various emotions to rise up.  Yet we have the Holy Spirit's help to help us have self-control in each area of our lives.  

When we experience the various conflicting emotions we can ask ourselves what is the source or cause thereof.  Can the irritant be removed?  If not, have we sought the Lord's intervention and even 'vented' to Him?  Have we looked for a trusted friend to help see us through and/or sung praise to the Lord especially for the  good He is and has done in our lives?  Have we prayed, thanked and trusted God?  These are ways to counter being sucked into destructive thought patterns and behavior.

The apostle Paul was one of those brothers who could have easily succumbed to negative joy-gutting emotions.  When we read in Acts and even in some of his letters to the various assemblies of believers, all the hardship and persecution he endured would be enough to push him under.  Yet he didn't go to those places.

Instead, as he wrote to the Corinthians,

"But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere" (2 Corinthians 2:14).

Giving thanks and praise to God was Paul's antidote.  Notice the adverb 'always'.  He made it a habit to give thanks to God.  God will then 'always' lead him to victory.  See that?  I like the phrase "triumphal procession".  It means "they won" and you can win too.

A big difference then between emotional conflict and being overwhelmed by our emotions seems to be in large part, giving thanks to God!

Sound too easy and as if someone doesn't understand your plight?  It's not like that though.  Unless we begin to make even small steps in praising the Lord and giving Him thanks, a thankful heart habit will not begin to form let alone win.  I implore you all to begin today.  It is a choice, please choose this better way (see The Depression Emotion blog entry).

Lord Jesus, today, this very day, I choose to begin a regimen that builds habits of giving you thanks and praise as you lead me into triumphal procession as you did for the apostle Paul.  As the fragrance of the knowledge of You was spread everywhere by Paul's victories, may I too spread the aroma of Christ wherever I go.  I ask in Your name Lord Jesus, amen.

                                                   ~ ERC  March 2025 ~

Based on 2 Corinthians 2:14 ESV and Counseling Friends in Need by Harold J. Sala, Chapter 8 Questions.

Sing, Give Thanks With A Grateful Heart, along with Matgdalene Shodavara.

Memorize 2 Corinthians 2:14 to remind yourself daily of giving thanks to God.

The Depression Emotion ( Counseling Chapter 8)

 

Depression can descend upon the best of us, but the kind that overwhelms for great lengths of time is a serious matter.  When it happens to a friend and they seek help, what can be done?

They say happiness is a choice but you can't just knock incessantly on the door of your friend's emotional dark places like a woodpecker on a tree, and tell them to "snap out of it and get happy."  That'd make matters worse and alienate you from your friend.

What Harold J. Sala says in his book Counseling Friends in Need, makes sense to me.  He says both the spiritual and emotional life of a person gets affected and cannot be separated when trying to help your friend recover.  These are often triggered due to a physical condition, say like a terminal illness or as would be generally known, a life crisis.

So the counseling friend needs to discover "What the problem really is and what's causing it."  Sala says.   Looking into each of the areas:  physical, spiritual and emotional will be a start.  

Is there suppressed anger?  What is causing that?  It could be from a longstanding problem of abuse or trauma from childhood.  No instant fix cure is going to occur, generally speaking.  Inroads can be made though, with discovery.

In a loveless marriage, for instance, one may find the hopelessness of being "stuck" because the friend vowed on the wedding day "for better or for worse" they'd stay.  This can well lead to depression.

Secret habits or problems of addictions or illegal practices, which enter the spiritual realm create depression.  Guilty consciences eat at the person, and down they go.

Depression often manifests itself in doubts about does the Lord or my spouse even care?  Jesus said He'd be with us "always, even to the end of the age" (see Matthew 28:20).  Scripture reiterates this in Hebrews 13:5-6, that the Lord "will never leave [us] nor forsake [us]".  He further promises to be our helper.  Memorizing these verse could be a big help, as they feed the soul and spirit.

A Christian spouse has made a promise to be committed to their spouse "until Jesus comes and/or death do us part."  Yet the depressed person can come to doubt this continuance.  Being reassured by the spouse could help.

With the understanding of what's going on in your friend-in-need's life, that's going to be first stages in an ongoing process towards alleviating the depression and hopefully overcoming it.

Getting back to the idea of happiness being a choice, here's what Sala wrote ...

"A person's emotions are controlled by the will, and the decision to hold on to reality goes a long way toward breaking through depression" (page 172).

Just the fact that a friend has chosen to come to you, shows some willingness to choose happiness. Equipped with some of the "investing tools" mentioned above, together, you and Your friend and the Lord will very likely find that breakthrough.

My confidence and hope in saying that is based on Mr. Sala's - the one with much greater experience than mine, which is at a pittance level.  So I'd give his advice a try.

Singing praise and recounting ways in which the Lord's goodness, mercy and ways that have helped in the past could also be part of the 'cure'.  I know first hand, this to be true.  A friend once gave me a lovely, pink notebook.  In it I made the decision to record at least one thing, no matter how small, that had been good that day.  At the end of a week I could look back and see all those good things.  After a month, wow!  Praise to the Lord was then the response of the heart and an uplifting of the spirit.

The thick notebook had gotten filled full to the brim, cover to cover, with a couple of years' worth of goodness.  That was a few years ago now and I still occasionally peep inside to remind myself of God's goodness, faithfulness and blessings to me.

Since then, until now, the depths of dark despair and depression lifted.  Yes, there are times we all falter, and the depression hangs like a mist passing by a mountain but seeing God's goodness in our lives lifts us up.

Don't bite off more than you can chew though, when helping a friend, Sala cautions.  Some things really do need a professional's help.  For instance if the problem is a physical one, a doctor may need to do a thorough examination to rule out the physical or determine if treatment is needed.  If it is due to a 'secret' then the sin of it needs repentance, confession and accountability and even restitution where needed.  The Lord's forgiveness is there.

Pray that your friend is willing to choose to commit to the whole process towards overcoming their depression and finding happiness not just in the relief but in Jesus Christ as well.  It is in Him we followers of Jesus Christ live, move and have our being.

Jesus, I choose to have the burden of depression lifted from this day onward.  Together with my friend, I make this choice and will be committed to having that victory in You.  I do need Your help though in overcoming.  I ask it in Your name, amen.

                                                        ~ ERC  March 2025 ~

Based on Matthew 28:20 and Hebrews 13:5-6.  Also,  Counseling Friends in Need by Harold J. Sala, Chapter 8 - Using the Bible to Counsel Emotional Problems, pages 168-172.

Sing, You Raise Me Up along with Selah.