Managing my Mood

Well, I will be starting a new devotional for myself and to share my thoughts. I have had this booklet for a very long time—a year or so now, but haven’t felt compelled to really studying it. Why? Because who likes to acknowledge their faults in themselves? I would assume that not most people do.

You know, being Christian, people, doesn’t mean that we are perfect saints put on this Earth—we sin everyday like the un-Saved people too—there’s only one difference, Jesus Christ. Being Saved means trusting in Christ as your Saviour. He alone is the key. Yes, I am stating that there is one way to get to Heaven.

Acts 15:11 - “But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved.”

Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Romans 1:16 – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

John 14:6 – “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

It’s a gift. You ONLY have to receive it (gift). You say, “I don’t have to be Saved.”

Question: Do you believe in Heaven or Hell? It really doesn’t matter if you believe in Heaven and Hell or not—it’s in the Bible and the Bible speaks of both. Heaven for God’s children, and Hell for the unsaved. Of course no one wants to go to Hell….even God doesn’t want you to go to Hell. Yes, God is a loving God, but he is also a JUST God. In the end, we will all be judged….and it is not a matter of good works that out weight the bad ones because NO ONE is that perfect or without sin (omit Jesus on this statement).

1. Have you ever lied? (Thou shall not lie)
2. Have you ever taking the Lord’s name in vain?
Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord in vain)
3. Have you ever stolen something? (Thou shalt not steal)
4. Wanted to possess what your neighbor has? (Thou shall not covet)
5. Ever desired a man or a woman that was not your husband or wife?
(Thou shalt not commit adultery)
6. Do you worship that handbag or pair of jeans more than anything else?
(Thou shalt have no other gods before me)

Sin is Sin, people. These that are above are only 6 of the 10 commandments…sad to say-I viewed a program where a Christian went into a mall and asked local teenagers if they knew the 10 commandments in the Bible. Not a one could say them all-at most three or four and most didn’t know what that meant!! Then they were asked about naming 10 different brands of beer—sure enough they started sprouting them out. UGH! Something is very wrong—don’t you think??? And everyone wonders why America is the way it is now...

I have been Saved now for only 3 years –you could say I was a babe in Christ. Spiritually, I am still growing and I know it’ll be a lifelong learning process. Hence, I do the Bible reading and devotionals as much as possible. Taking that step into growing deeper with God is a choice you make…sure-environment plays a factor, the people you hang around, the books/movies you view, the things you do or don't do, and what’s in your heart.

The main theme of the devotional book and in the first chapter is dealing with your heart. Most issues we face and how we perceive them is from our hearts. Not our minds---our hearts.

Matthew 15:18 “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.”

You know I took a philosophy class couple of semester ago called Existentialism. As a Christian, this was an interesting class-to say the least. I actually was able to ‘witness’ to others and was given the freedom to do so…because, as a Christian, I know why I am here and this is what I believe to be true… Have you ever asked yourself that question? Why are we here?

I felt a certain amount of distress for the people who honestly stated that they did not know. How sad is that—not knowing...

Anyway, towards the end we had to discuss a play. A play I was not very fond of-as a matter of fact.

But it goes something like this…..

Three people were taking to a rather fancy but cold room; nothing homey sort to speak. Each person came in one by one. This was Hell (of course, Hell is completely different in the Bible). Each person knew why they were in Hell, but didn’t want to tell the other persons (until later on) But the thing that I got from it…is this--these 3 people (One man, two women- one a lesbian) ---they were all selfish, some prideful, all deceitful.

The meaning of this Hell is that they are bound to each other-Forever. Knowing that they can never leave the room, don’t eat, don’t sleep. One woman going after the man, man rejects her, and the other woman reject her. Seems complicated enough? Annoyingly enough--that would seem like an awful Hell.

But it’s only a figure of the author’s imagination. I could relate to the fact that others can and do annoy me. It’s a fact of life—trust me. But the one thing we should take away from this is the commandment to love one another. Christ can and will forgive us—if we let him in.

Self-pity doesn’t do any good…for our hearts, minds, family, or friends. You need help, you want help –we should all be praying about the situation rather than crying out, “Woe’s me!!!” Life is hard! Duh! Sometimes I need to be reminded that changing my heart for God, is what matters most of all and what will help me the most in this life.

Luke 6: 45 “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”

You got that right. Praying for a better heart today…