Hurting

Mind Games!


Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on thee,
because he trusteth in thee.
(Is. 26:3)

board game business challenge chess

Ever heard of ‘mind games’? It is a treacherous game where the victims struggle and strategize to become the winner. When confronted…the players of the game battle for supreme dominance over their opponents. The object of the game is to stay on top. In desperation, each player struggles to “stay afloat”…similar to someone being rescued who can’t swim. They would push down and attempt to drown their rescuers  to save their own lives. Just like a drowning swimmer…people who play mind games are really not in control (II Tim. 3:13)!

Mind games can be one of the longest games ever played. There are no rules or boundaries! Sometimes the players are subtle and at other times mind games can be fierce and highly competitive. The games are cruel and really, in the end, nobody wins!

According to the Bible, Christians are to stay far from playing mind games (Gal. 5:15). If you choose to play you can easily become a pawn to the master strategist himself! It’s really his game — his turf. He plays it so well and would teach anyone who’s interested how to play to their own detriment! Don’t play mind games!

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix
your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and
pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that
are excellent and worthy of praise.

(Philippians 4:8 NLT)

 

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Short Inspiration from the Scriptures: Ministers!


Ministers

(And the King shall answer and say unto them,
Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have
done it unto one of the least of these my
brethren ye have done it unto me.)
– Matthew 25:40 –

hands people friends communication

There are deep longings and unanswered questions that settle in the hearts of masses of people. They look for ways out and would confide in anyone who is trustworthy and able to help them. In countless ways — ministers run to their rescue — they are in place and the world has been touched by these servants of God! The Lord has fashioned some ministers to help reach into the very core of hurting, yet seeking-people (Prov. 20:5; I Cor. 14:24-25). They have gone through experiences that qualify them to be used by God to minister on great levels, as well (II Timothy 2:20-21). Ministers minister in every way imaginable to lonely and despondent people. They are doing a great work for Christ by their shear masses. All across the globe, ministers for Christ have been strategically placed in areas of spiritual leadership, and yet, they have servant hearts (Matt. 25:34-40). Even with all the ministry that takes place, everywhere people are still waiting for these true representatives of Christ to come forth. In comparison, the harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Thousands are ready for spiritual awakening and ministers will lead that cause…for, how shall they hear without a preacher? People must be led into a loving relationship with Christ! Are you that minister? If so…God has given you the power to make a difference and change lives!

Let’s be about our Father’s business!

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A Memorial. Your Memorial?


The Red Sea
When your children ask you, ‘What are these
stones to you?’ you’ll say, ‘The flow of the
Jordan was stopped in front of the Chest
of the Covenant of God as it crossed the
Jordan—stopped in its tracks. These stones are
a permanent memorial for the People of Israel.’”
(Joshua 4:6-7)

beach dawn dusk ocean

The following is the thoughts of this author’s mental picture of Israel’s Red Sea deliverance based on the Bible along with comments about our memorial:

The Egyptian army pursued the children of Israel into the massive sea bed! Their purpose was to enslave them again or possibly kill scores of them there in a mass grave. God looked at this scene and overthrew Pharaoh’s great army of 600 elite chariots of soldiers, along with all of his other superior fighters on chariots. The one angel of God stood between the fleeing Israelites and the insane Egyptians. At one point…the Egyptian armies were thrown into confusion as a result of God’s presence. He caused their chariot wheels to bog down in miry surfaces of the sea as they retreated…finally realizing God was fighting for His people! Moses stretched his hand out over the sea and the raging sea collapsed over the escaping Egyptians, killing them all! The Israelites meanwhile, continued journeying the opposite route with a corridor of waters (mounted on their left and right) ushering them to the shore on the other side! After safely coming to the land, the Israelites saw the dead bodies of the Egyptians that were washed ashore!

Oh…the praises that must have erupted at one of the greatest deliverances recorded in history! The children of Israel’s praises were encapsulated in the following words from their song!: Exodus, chapter 15 – click here.

After coming forth from the bowels of the Jordan sea, the children of Israel were commanded to set up 12 massive stones (near Jordan’s banks) as a perpetual memorial and to remind future generations of the power of God’s deliverance. These succeeding generations would see the stones and ask what was their purpose. Thus, the traditions of the elders was verbally passed down as generation after generation came to realized the realness of Israel’s mighty God!

Your Memorial?

You should have a memorial…how our great God has delivered you from what would otherwise have been humanly impossible to be delivered from! This memorial should be a place in one’s heart and mind of the power of God. It is a memorial of the past that gives hope for the future!

Never forget where God has brought you from? How He has placed people in your life to change you for the better? Remember your elders and your instructors, those who made a difference during your seasons of unrest. Don’t forget men and women who have helped you. Be thankful!

God has lovingly held back and made many restrictions in our lives! He has also set us free from all kinds of bondages! Like the children of Israel, let’s stop and give memory to the wisdom of a loving God. Israel saw the death of the Egyptians and yet were delivered from death. Look around you and you too will witness violent and premature deaths, as well. But God has spared our lives another day, and so, every new day should be a memorial of the past day. Give thanks and be thankful for these types of memorials are good things!

 

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Feeling Ugly?


God has made everything fit beautifully in its appropriate time.
(Ecc. 3:11)

multicolored abstract painting

 

Feeling ugly? Depressed? There is a far greater picture than you and I can see! And the master designer uses His tools to free-form ultimate beauty on the canvas of our lives! He uses His colors — both bright and very, very dark — to paint a picture and each stroke tells a story.

For now, the picture has not yet been realized. It doesn’t seem an appropriate time for the beauty. But, the master has not yet completed the prized possession. Once the beauty emerges, the value will be priceless. The meshing of the rich colors will have come together. Men and women also will look upon it and recognize it’s true worth.

– Your beauty will emerge in God’s appropriate time! –

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The Lamp of Truth. A Great Poem for Leaders Who Lead With Humility.


 

grayscale photography of hand

Lamp of Truth

He held the lamp of truth that day
So low that none could miss the way;
And yet so high to bring in sight,
That picture fair – the world’s great light.
That gazing up the lamp between
The hand that held it scarce was seen.

He held the pitcher, stooping low,
To lips of little ones below.
Then raised it to the weary saint,
And bade him drink when sick and faint.
They drank the pitcher thus between
The hand that held it scarce was seen.

He blew the trumpet soft and clear,
That trembling sinners need not fear.
And then with louder note, and bold
To raze the walls of Satan’s hold,
The trumpet coming thus between
The hand that held it scarce was seen.

But when the Captain says, “Well done,
Thou good and faithful servant, come,”
Lay down the pitcher and the lamp,
Lay down the trumpet, leave the camp,
The weary hand will then be seen
Clasped in those pierced ones – naught between.

–  Unknown

 

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