Follow Jesus Camp: January 2016

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Depression With Encouraging Bible Verses

Note from Author:
I am not a psychologist nor am I a pastor, therefore I am not able to give medical advice on how to treat or heal from depression. The purpose of this blog is to give a very general introduction to depression and not to go into great detail about this medical condition. It is also for you to read the bible verses below which you may read and feel encouraged. My prayer is that: you may seek the Lord with your heart and have a relationship with Him. That your depression is lifted away from you and there's no feeling of sadness or despair for you all.

Introduction

January has been known to many of you all as the depression month, when most people are feeling sad especially after the holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas. You may be sad because the holidays are over, or maybe you lost a loved one during the holidays, or maybe because you have the bills for the credit bill with all the purchases made for the holiday. Well whatever your reason may be, depression seems to be very common in around January.

It is normal for everyone to feel depressed from time to time, whether or not you are a Christian. It is okay to feel that way, and hopefully the feelings will go away and not linger around for months and or/even years. That's when it is more worrisome in my humble opinion. That is also a time when one should go seek a good friend or go see their doctor to see if it's more than just a momentary phase.

Depression may be defined as: “living in a black hole” or having a feeling of impending doom. However, some depressed people don't feel sad at all—in fact, they may feel lifeless, empty, and apathetic, or for men in particular they may even feel angry, aggressive, and restless.

Symptoms of Depression
Depression comes in many versions and come with different symptoms, the list below is just some of the most commons signs that most people encounter when they feel this way. Please read them carefully and don't dismiss what it is shared.

you feel hopeless and helpless
you’ve lost interest in friends, activities, and things you used to enjoy
you feel tired all the time
your sleep and appetite has changed
you can’t concentrate or find that previously easy tasks are now difficult
you can’t control your negative thoughts, no matter how much you try
you are much more irritable, short-tempered, or aggressive than usual
you’re consuming more alcohol than normal or engaging in other reckless behavior

Solutions to Getting Rid of Depression
There is no simple solution to getting rid of depression, some people go to seek a counselor whether it be a doctor of the brain or some Christians seek their pastors for help. Some people try to go to support groups in the community while some may pray to Jesus, some might try to make lifestyle changes and include ways of managing their stress and/or finding people who are supportive and develop meaningful relationships with others. Every one is an individual, therefore if one solution doesn't work, one shouldn't give up and try more than one solution to see whether it helps or not.

Including Some Encouraging Bible Verses
I know how hard it is to cope when you're feeling depressed and alone, thinking and believing that there's no one who will help you or want to be your friend. IT is not a good feeling to have but hopefully you have someone who cares about you and will be able to lift you up.

In fact, it is my hope that you'll read the following verses from the Bible and feel a bit encouraged and hopeful. The Bible has several stories of people that were depressed and though there's no right or wrong solution on how to cure it, it contains some encouraging verses that many Christians read when they are feeling sad and lonely. I strongly believe the Bible has verses that can fill your heart and lift you up during this time Dear Reader and I hope and pray you have an interest in having a relationship with the Saviour of the world who died for our sins. Since I turned my life over to Jesus, my life hasn't been easier but I know I can turn to Him whenever it feels like no one else is around.

Deuteronomy 31:8

And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

Psalm 34:17

The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

1 Peter 5:6-7

	Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Conclusion I hope that you took the time to read the above verses and look up any words that you aren't familiar with in a Bible dictionary. In my humble opinion, it sounds so amazing to know that the Lord is with me and that He doesn't fail, nor will He forsake or leave me. That's the first verse talks about. The second verse tells me that the Lord hears my cry and He will deliver all my troubles away. Isn't that awesome? I know it's so hard to believe, but it is a promise the Lord has given to me and any Christian child. You might be able to know that this is true too if you want to believe it and even if you are not sure, I think it is worth trying out and see for yourself. Lastly, the last verse I want to stress how interesting it says we should cast or to give all my care unto Him , and you ask yourself "why?" the verse gives you the answer, because he care for you. Wow, just when you think there's no one in this world, not your parents, your friends, your family, your teacher, your significant other, or anyone you don't know that doesn't care, the Lord Jesus cares for you so much and wants you to accept Him in His life, He wants to carry your burden for you and it isn't too heavy for Him. He loves you so much Dear Reader, it is my hope that you will consider Him even a little bit today and go to Him in prayer and turn away from your pains and sins and trust in Him.

Monday, January 11, 2016

A Personal Opinion About Yoga (Christian View)

A Personal Opinion About Yoga

Blogger's note to reader:

It is not my purpose with this blog to shun or disrespect anyone who practices Yoga as a form of medication or exercise or stress relief. I just wanted to share my personal view of this topic and share my personal convictions of why I don't practice it. I hope that the reader will read this blog with an open mind and not judge me because I won't judge them. Thank you for reading :)

Introduction
Yoga is a very popular form of sport, relaxation, stress relief and even to some a religion. It has gained much popularity across the Western hemisphere and more yoga studios are a common establishment in many urban city centers.

The term "Yoga" comes from the Sanskrit word yuj, which means "yoke" or " to unite" as in uniting the body, mind and spirit, and was first used in Hindu texts in 500 B.C. and has been said it was originated in Hinduism and remains a large part of some Hindu practices today.

^{2 Corinthians 6:14}Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

The above verse is from the Bible and it also has the word "yoke" and in this sense of the word it's used as a verb, and it is defined as: to couple or to join with one another, but more importantly the word before yoke is unequally, and so when you put the two words together it is meant to tell the Christian to not be together with non Christians because it might cause problems and that there's not really any sense of togetherness or agreeing points of views when together for there might be conflicts of interest and on specific practices like in the case of meditations.

However, things have changed in the last few thousand years, and most yoga currently practiced in the West only slightly resembles the original practice. In fact, most of what we call here is not truly yoga at all—it is only asana, which are the physical postures, and pranayama, the breathing exercises. I don't know what yoga entails in the East and so I won't be sharing them here. It has been said by some Hindus and yoga enthusiasts believe Hinduism involves yoga; but that all yoga is not Hinduism.

Meditation

Meditation is part of the practice of yoga generally presented in the three broad categories of concentration, mindfulness, and contemplation—are forms of mind training, operating on the fundamental premise that the mind determines the quality of life for the individual who does the meditating. It has been said by anti-yoga believers they believe that meditation is very dangerous because it promotes the purpose of clearing ones' mind until there's nothing and thus it

In my humble opinion, I think as a Christian, we are to meditate only on God and His Word. We are not to focus on ourselves or to clear our minds. The Bible never gave us a prescription to free our mind. But the Bible does have verses that support the view of meditating on Him.

^{Psalm 63:3} When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.

^{Psalm 119:15}I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

Focusing on Him

I strongly believe when one clears their mind, one is opening up to demonic powers and attacks. As a Christian, we are shown in the Bible to let our minds dwell on Godly things and meditate on Scripture and of Him only.

In the book of Philippians chapter 4 we are taught the following:

^{Philippians 4: 8}Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

The Bible teaches the Believer (of Jesus Christ) also to take care of our bodies because they are the temple where the Holy Spirit resides in. It is very clearly shown in the below verse that I will share with you all too. This verse is just to point a truth and not to say that an individual who is practicing Yoga is wrong, but merely this is what Jesus has shown me when I asked Him if it was spiritual for me to practice yoga and do it as a form of exercise.

^{1 Corinthian 6:19}What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

As a child of Christ though and belief that He died for my sins, and He rose up from the dead on the 3rd day and I have given my life for Him to control and to be used by Him to do His Will that He has for me. The following verse is a strong reminder that He died in my place for my sins.

^{1 Corinthian 6:20}For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I think it's a good idea to keep our bodies healthy by eating right, doing exercises, getting enough rest and to take care of it in general. I also think Yoga is dangerous if you allow your mind to go into a deep state of nothing while you are into a deep meditation. I think it's a good thing to believe in Jesus and to have a relationship with Him because He gives us such beautiful things to think about and so we should take care of our temples for His Sake because we were bought with a price. If you haven't decided to follow Jesus yet in your life, what is stopping you? Are you interested in accepting Him in your life? If you have any questions, please feel free to message the Blog owner or myself or even just leave a comment below any post in this blog. I hope that this blog will be a blessing to you too. I love you but Jesus loves you much more. <3 Thank you for reading :)

Saturday, January 9, 2016

The Story Behind the Hymn: Victory in Jesus

http://www.popularhymns.com/victory_in_jesus.php

I heard an old, old story,
How a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary
To save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning,
Of His precious blood's atoning,
Then I repented of my sins
And won the victory.

Chorus
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.

I heard about His healing,
Of His cleansing pow'r revealing.
How He made the lame to walk again
And caused the blind to see;
And then I cried, "Dear Jesus,
Come and heal my broken spirit,"
And somehow Jesus came and bro't
To me the victory.

I heard about a mansion
He has built for me in glory.
And I heard about the streets of gold
Beyond the crystal sea;
About the angels singing,
And the old redemption story,
And some sweet day I'll sing up there
The song of victory.

Story:
Eugene Bartlett, author and composer of both words and music, was born in Missouri. After finishing Hall-Moody Institute in Martin, Tenn., he began teaching in singing schools. Because of his musical gifts and talents, young Bartlett was a sought-after music teacher.

In 1918, he established the Hartford Music Co. in Hartford, Ark., and published many shape-note songbooks featuring his songs and the songs of contemporary writers.
For more than 20 years, Bartlett conducted singing schools throughout Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Alabama and Tennessee. For several years he edited a monthly music magazine, Herald of Song, promoting singing schools, including news of local personalities and advertising the newest songbooks.
"Victory in Jesus" was written in 1939, two years before Bartlett's death. The song first appeared that year in "Gospel Choruses," a paperback songbook published by James Vaughan in Lawrenceburg, Tenn.
Since the early 1960s, "Victory in Jesus" has become popular among evangelical congregations, and the recent hymnals published for these churches have included it.

Bible Verse:
1st Corinthians 15:57 - But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ