When You Feel Depressed

From a Devotional on Christlikeness – Stay focused, C Ten Boom said ‘if you look within, you’ll feel depressed, if you look without you’ll be distressed, if you look to Christ you’ll be at rest’. When you understand that God’s objective is to make you more like Christ, you’ll start praying fewer ‘comfort me prayers’ and more ‘conform me prayers’. Instead of asking ‘why me Lord?’ you’ll ask ‘what do you want me to learn Lord’. James 1:4 MSG -So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

Thanks Gavin

New Layout

So I finally decided to upgrade the design of MyMinstrel.com. Hopefully, if you are reading this you like the changes (or if it is your first time you like the design). It’s mobile responsive, meaning that depending on the screen size, the website will adjust so that viewing is optimal on a desktop, tablet, phone or other mobile device.

Enjoy!

John 19:6 S.O.A.P.

Scripture

John 19:6
When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him:for I find no fault in him.

Observation

Pilate and the soldiers scourged Jesus and delivered him to be crucified. However, Pilate proclaimed that HE found fault in Jesus. He then tells the Jews, “Take YE him, and crucify him.” Interestingly, it was the religious people that insisted on crucifying Jesus.

Action or Application

It is interesting how many times religious people, then and now, deliver Christians to be crucified. Religious people don’t have to be Christians. In fact, they are often governed not by the law of Christ, but by religious laws that produce death and not life.

Prayer

Lord, please help us to use our words and not death even when we believe that someone is in sin.

 

A Thought on “Gospel” and “Christian” Music

What do you think of the following thought regarding the difference between Gospel and Christian music?

The focus of Gospel music is evangelism; teaching, ministering to, uplifting, and testifying to the people of God. Christian music is music created by Christians that focuses on our love for God and glorifying Him. Both are important and very needed, but are so fundamentally different that it, by extension, almost necessitates segregation in worship.

EX Ministries – Response to Preachers of LA

http://exministries.tv/ex-ministries-g-craige-lewis-responds-to-preachers-of-la/

Every now I then I check out G. Craige Lewis to see what he’s talking about. I encourage you to watch.

A couple personal disclaimers:

I personally believe that, although he uses scriptures and makes points that are very good, that he oversimplifies his starting assumptions. E.g., assuming that because people are on TV that nothing on the show is reality is a very black-and-white assertion. Of course, I’m sure their is some nudging from the producers as well as editing to show what they want to show.

With that said, I believe God has “already judged [the pastors on the show]” and that true Christians should take this as a queue from God to put their trust no man, but rather in God.

I’ve prayed for G. Craige Lewis over the years and I’ve watched him become more refined.

Thoughts?

What do you think of Ex-Ministries? …G. Craige Lewis? …the preachers of LA?

Philippians 4:14-19, Response: Paul, I Appreciate the Appreciation

BiblePhilippians 4:14-19 (NKJV)

14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.
15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only.
16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.
17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.
18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.
19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, pauses after speaking about learning to be content in all things (one of my favorite passages), to thank the church at Philippi for supporting him in his missionary journeys, not only when he was present but also when he was traveling.  As we approach Thanksgiving (US), reading this and comparing it with present day communication regarding “giving AND receiving” reminds me that how something is received can be AS important as how it is given.

Continue reading Philippians 4:14-19, Response: Paul, I Appreciate the Appreciation