How To Help Others & Yourself When Discouraged or Depressed

HOW TO HELP OTHERS AND YOURSELF WHEN DISCOURAGED OR DEPRESSED


Words of wisdom from your Bible


The Merry Heart


Proverbs 15:13 “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” When a person is merry and cheerful, it shows on their face, but when one experiences a broken heart, their will to go on can be lost. We might say, The wind was taken out of her sail. Verse 15 “All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.” When one faces continual discouragement, not a single day seems to be good, but evil. However, for the one who maintains a merry heart, life is always good. How much more true this is when the person maintaining the merry heart is a lover of the Savior, Jesus Christ!


In Good Health


Proverbs 17:22 “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones.” A bright and positive outlook and attitude can actually work good for the body, much like vitamins or prescription medicine. When one is depressed, it can have an impact on the body’s overall health. It has been documented that a broken spirit or a discouraged heart, over a prolonged period of time, can and often does lead to a diseased body: hypertension, heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, cancer, etc. “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” (Proverbs 16:24 - It is interesting to note that King Solomon states that honey provides health to the bones. It is doubtful that sugar or artificial sweeteners can make such a claim legitimately.)


In My Shoes


Proverbs 14:10 “The heart knows his own bitterness; and a stranger does not intermeddle with his joy.” Solomon, the writer of this proverb, observed that no one truly “knows” the bitterness or the joy another may experience. Why is this so? The reason for this can be found in understanding that we are each unique beings. Our experiences and feelings may not be a perfect match of those around us. Have you ever noticed how someone can experience a setback, but just keeps moving forward, while another can experience the same or similar setback, yet that person shuts down completely? It is because we are who we are in life, due to our past personal experiences: parents, siblings, education, religious training, status, race, culture, etc., all have their role in making us who we have become. While no one can truly intermeddle with your joys or sorrows, this does not mean he or she can’t offer you help to get through and even come out of your bad spot in life, or share in your joys. While others may not be able to fully understand your heart and mind, they still may have had enough of life’s experiences to share in your joy and sorrows.


A Positive Attitude


Proverbs 18:14 “The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?” Any wounded prisoner of war who survived imprisonment and abuse at the hands of his captors, can certainly attest to the truthfulness of the verse. When one is hurting bad physically, a positive attitude—especially when based upon the promises of God’s Word—may get him through his trial. However, when the spirit becomes wounded and downcast, it is then much more difficult to recover or even survive from the infirmity. We see then how important it is for Christians to keep God’s promises in the mind’s forefront, with their eyes fixed on Jesus, His teachings, and the hope of His imminent return! What better way can anyone maintain a good spirit in this fallen world?


Encourage Yourself


Psalm 42:11 “Why are you cast down, O my soul? and why are you disquieted within me? hope you in God: for I shall yet praise him.” It becomes difficult to offer praises to our God when we become discouraged or depressed. This was the case with David, when he sang this song while in exile, desiring to return to his beloved Jerusalem. He had to lift up his own downcast soul, so he could bring himself to praise his God. Sometimes it works to give yourself a good talking to, so you can turn your attitude around. “And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” (First Samuel 30:6) At times, it can seem that no one is there to lift you out of your funk. When this happens, do what David did—encourage YOURSELF in the Lord!


A Good Word


Proverbs 12:25 “Heaviness in the heart of man makes it stoop: but a good word makes it glad.” Sometimes all it takes to lift a friend out of their funk (depression, slump) is to offer a word or two of positive encouragement. “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” (Proverbs 16:24) “There is that speaks like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.” (Proverbs 12:18) “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” In other words, when something is spoken beautifully, at the right moment, it is likened to a valued work of art. (Proverbs 25:11) “Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so does the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.” (Proverbs 27:9) “A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!” (Proverbs 15:23) If you bring good news or an encouraging word to someone, that person is uplifted. But it doesn’t stop there. By being the bearer of this word or news, you too experience joy! It is so wonderful when the right word(s) is spoken at the appropriate moment. The followers of Jesus Christ should seek God’s Spirit to guide them as they attempt to minister words of help to strangers, family and friends. When Christians do this, they then can say with the prophet Isaiah, “The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary.” (Isaiah 50:4)


By David Cosma, July 4, 2013

U.S. Penal System Places Responsibility Upon Wrong Shoulders

U.S. PENAL SYSTEM PLACES CRIMINAL’S RESPONSIBILITY UPON WRONG SHOULDERS MAN SAID that the Bible is a book of archaic principles which have no practical benefit for a modern society. Now THE RECORD: God’s laws concerning corporal punishment were structured in such a way as to ensure that the cost of the crime was shouldered by the perpetrator, and that justice was quick. In Exodus, chapter 22, verses 1-3, it reads: “If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him. If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.” Note that the thief had two options: pay for his theft in goods or, if he lacked the means to pay for his crime, he was sold to retire his debt to society. In every instance the criminal shouldered the cost of his crime. Many are appalled at the idea of a man or woman being sold into servitude to make good their offense, but consider the alternative: We incarcerate into the prison system to punish and attempt to rehabilitate. The first-time offender cohabitates with other criminals which include some very hardened ones. He or she then returns to society much less naive and in many cases more accomplished in the way of error. The recidivism rate in the U.S., which is the rate at which criminals end up back in prison for similar crimes, is a whopping 67½%. The prison system’s rehabilitation record certainly has its work cut out for it. It’s quite common for inmates to be sexually violated: males sodomized and females raped and exploited. The atmosphere in the present prison system is simply not conducive to rehabilitation. God’s system of being sold into servitude to pay one’s debt to society was clearly more humane. Not only was the offender working in a much better and safer social setting, it was fully possible one would learn a trade and certainly learn the value of honest labor. It is also conceivable that a diligent laborer could find favor with his employer and secure a good job after his sentence was completed. God’s plan placed the responsibility of the offender’s debt upon his own shoulders. The penal system in the U.S.A. and in many, if not most, countries place the burden of the crime upon the innocent. Consider the enormity of this cost which is being shouldered by the wrong people: According to a February 7, 1994, Time Magazine article, the cost of imprisonment in the U.S. at that time was $24,000 per person per year; computing that cost with a 3% inflation rate per year, the cost in current U.S. dollars equals $31,315 per prisoner. Now consider the 1998 American prison population of 1,299,096 inmates, and compute the cost of housing the criminals. It is a staggering $40,300,000,000! To put this in perspective, it would take the total federal income tax of five million average tax payers to foot this bill. The servitude is being served by the wrong people. In God’s commandments to Israel, a prison system like we know today did not exist, but there was a place for dealing with criminals called “ward.” Leviticus, chapter 24, verses 11-14: 11 And the Israelitish woman’s son blasphemed the name of the LORD, and cursed. And they brought him unto Moses: (and his mother’s name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan:) 12 And they put him in ward, that the mind of the LORD might be shewed them. 13 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 14 Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him. One was kept in ward for a very short time until the facts of the issue were resolved and then punishment was exacted speedily. God’s word declares, remember, Ecclesiastes, chapter 8, verse 11: “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” God’s program was swift. If one was found guilty of a crime punishable by death, the Biblical example shows that he was put to death speedily. In the American legal system, a prisoner convicted and sentenced to death can start the appeals process which can stretch over 23 years, 60 appeals and over 200 individual judicial and executive reviews. The cost of this process is enormous. The average time on death row between the years 1977 and 1995 was nine years. Not too speedy, is it? Again the cost is being shouldered by the innocent. God made provision for those who killed someone by accident; it was called the city of refuge. Numbers, chapter 35:11 Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares. 12 And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment. 13 And of these cities which ye shall give six cities shall ye have for refuge. 14 Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge. 15 These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither. There were six of such cities. This review, of course, is very brief, but what should be obvious is that the commandments of God are perfect. The penal system He directed Moses to establish was swift. Rehabilitation was very likely and the cost of that rehabilitation was shouldered by the right person. When man alters God’s directives, man fails without exception. Now you have THE RECORD. (copied and slightly edited from Godsaidmansaid.com)

HOW WILL THE POPE'S RESIGNATION IMPACT THE WORLD & WHO WILL RULE NEXT?

by David Cosma

News is rapidly spreading that Pope Benedict XVI (aka Joseph Ratzinger) has announced his resignation as the leader of 1.2 billion Roman Catholics, effective February 28, 2013. It has been reported that it is not due to illness but, rather, to failing stamina to continue his duties. Benedict is 85. It remains to be seen what may be made known in the days ahead regarding further details of his choice to step down. He is the first pope to do so in 600 years. His predecessor, Pope John Paul II, reigned from his deathbed, and was the longest reigning pope in modern history. Here is what I foresee happening in the next weeks, based on my understanding of the Scriptures, Bible prophesy, Roman Catholic tradition and history. Expect the next pope to be labeled by the press as another “conservative,” much like Pope Benedict XVI and Pope John Paul II. Why do I believe this is likely? Because these two popes were responsible for the appointment of EVERY SINGLE CARDINAL now serving in the Roman Catholic Church, and it will be up to these cardinals to elect the next pope. It is interesting to note the timing of the pope’s resignation--February 28th--is only days after a large group of Cardinals, hand-picked by Pope Benedict XVI, will assume their new posts. Expect that the next pope will be either a German, as is Pope Benedict XVI or an Italian. Why do I believe that a pope is most likely to come from one of these two countries? Because Bible prophesy reveals that the final resurrection of the Roman Empire is upon us and a European pope will be necessary to galvanize the European Community (aka United States of Europe), in preparation for the fulfillment of Daniel’s prophesied ten-toed image, which represents the modern-day European Community. A German or Italian pope would certainly fit the bill. Also, a German pope would be able to work closely with German leadership (the most powerful European nation), which will fulfill the role of a religious-politically mixed system prophesied in Daniel and Revelation for the End Times. An Italian pope could also help to rejuvenate the financially defunct country of Italy. Italy and Greece have appeared much in the news in recent years, due to their bankruptcies as major nations. Expect that the next pope will likely be more effective at unifying Europe, even more so than were Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. The people of Europe have long desired unity among their countries, but knew it could only happen with a strong Roman Catholic leader. This next pope could be just who they have been looking for, and it appears that it is the right time in history for this to become a reality. (Read Revelation 17) Expect that the Roman Catholic Church will grow ever stronger in its power and influence, especially with regards to Europe, but also around the world. Great support for the next pope is likely to be evident, and there will be tremendous hope in this next leader over one of the world’s largest religions. Time will tell if what I foresee will transpire. I, like you, will watch with great anticipation as God unfolds His marvelous plan for the “restitution” of all things. (Acts 3:21) By David Cosma, Monday, February 11, 2013

HOW SAFE COULD A NATION BE, WHOSE TRUST IS IN GOD?

HOW SAFE COULD A NATION BE, WHOSE TRUST IS IN GOD?

In reading the following verses from the thirteenth chapter of the book of First Samuel, we can learn some valuable principles with regards to the security of a nation and the need for a leader who respects God’s specific commands. 19 Now there was no smith [a metal worker] found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears: 20 But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share [sharp steel wedge of a plow], and his coulter [blade of a plow], and his axe, and his mattock [digging hand tool]. 21 Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads [pointy stick to urge animals to move]. 22 So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found. During the period of time in which the prophet Samuel served Israel, they had no smith in the land. The Philistines had a corner on this market until the time of King David’s reign. (I Chron. 22:30) This forced the farmers to travel to the Philistines’s to sharpen their instruments used in building and farming, but prevented them from producing their own weapons for defense. Not long after Saul was anointed king by Samuel the prophet, they were threatened by their neighbors, the Philistines. Our text indicates that the people were unarmed and, therefore, were considered an easy prey to their nearby enemies. Only King Saul and his son Jonathan were equipped for battle. If you continue reading the text you learn that the Lord intervenes on behalf of His chosen people, Israel, saving them from their enemies. Sadly, King Saul only half-heartedly sought after God and failed to fully obey His commands, which would have secured a certain and swift victory over all of their enemies. There are some lessons to be gleaned from this passage. 1) When an enemy nation (or individual) perceives that a nation (or person) is weak, they open the door of vulnerability to attack. 2) When a nation is weak, they can easily become overcome by those who would take advantage of them by suppressing and oppressing them. 3) When a people are unarmed and, therefore, unable to defend themselves in the event of an attack, they are at the mercy of their government to protect them. King Saul had not yet built an army capable of such protection. 4) We see the importance of a people putting their trust in God, His Word and in seeking out His divine will and protection in times of distress. In the passage above and the following chapters, King Saul’s half-hearted obedience to the LORD delayed victory and increased anxiety and hardship for his own people, over whom he reigned. The psalmist David wrote, “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.” (Psalm 20:7) This must not be interpreted to mean that a nation should not equip itself with an army or machinery capable of preserving the lives of their people. What it does mean is that a nation’s or their leaders’ trust is not solely in their army tanks and air force jets, but rests in the Lord their God. How safe would a nation be whose motto truly is “In God We Trust,” and meant it? - by David Cosma, January 2013

How An Alabama Woman Turned Dough Into Cash For Orphans

Patricia Barnes, better known as Sister Schubert, is known for her successful rolls--Sister Schubert’s Homemade Rolls.* A single mom with two daughters, twelve and sixteen, had to come up with a way to support her family. She had some business sense from working in her family’s furniture business, but didn’t know how to parlay those skills into a pay check. After her homemade rolls became a regular hit at church fund raisers, she decided maybe others outside of her congregation might also enjoy them. The business that began humbly in her home in Luverne (near Troy), Alabama quickly expanded to a warehouse, then a showplace facility, until she sold her business to Lancaster Colony Corp, of Ohio for $40 million! When she received her lump sum of “dough,” she asked God, “Why did you trust me with all of this money? I’m just a little bitty person.” After a few bad experiences with new “friends” with extended hands, and the loss of $2 million on a defunct dot com business, she got serious about seeking God’s will for her life and how the money should be used. Through a missionary couple from the Ukraine, she learned about orphaned and abandoned children who were being placed in state-run facilities that were nothing better than prisons. Two years after making a trip to the Ukraine, she adopted her son, Alex. Barnes continued visiting the Ukraine and eventually secured a building that was converted into a lovely facility for orphaned and abandoned children, naming it Sasha’s Home. Sasha is the Russian nickname for Alex. Only a few days ago, on January 1, 2013, a new adoption law went into effect--signed by Russia’s president Vladamir Putin--banning all adoptions by U.S. citizens.** I have no idea how, or even if this new law might impact Sasha’s Home, but think it would be appropriate to pray for this worthy work, established by Sister Schubert, now known to you as Patricia Barnes.

* - Source: Will Jesus Buy Me A Double-Wide? by K.S. Zacharias, The Sister, pp. 39-49. ** - http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323530404578207390201149074.html

Ten (Yea, Eleven) Things Not To Buy in 2010

In an article titled Ten Things Not to Buy in 2010, a list of ten items is given that consumers should avoid purchasing this year.
1) DVD’s sales are expected to drop dramatically. Home movie fans have found it easier to shop online for their movie choices and download it directly into their computer or TV. The process only takes a minute or so, and the cost is less than the cost of a movie ticket.
2) Home telephone lines are expected to soon become as archaic as rotary phones. Most people are now using cell phones, with a personal number for each family member.
3) External hard drives have been popular to consumers who don’t want to lose their precious family pictures or important business documents stored on their home computer (PC); but now there is an alternative: online backup services. Two of the most popular are Carbonite.com and Mozy.com, each charging about $55 per year to save your pictures and documents online on a secure Web site. If your computer bites the dust, you simply download your saved materials into your new PC from the online service.
4) Smartphones like the Blackberry Storm and the iPhone are expected to have some stiff competition this year when Google unveils its new Android. It will offer features via the Google site that the other leading phones are not equipped to offer.
5) Compact digital cameras have ruled as king among nominal photographers, with most recently switching to picture taking with their cell phones. However, a new technology is available that takes pictures more closely resembling what is seen in the viewfinder. Canon, Sony and Nikon offer these cameras for less than $600.
6) Newspaper and magazine subscriptions are fast fading away, with several longtime newspapers filing bankruptcy in recent years. Online news sites and webazines (online magazine sites) are replacing the hard copy paper versions.
7) CDs containing recorded music have also come upon hard times. Many music fans are now downloading their favorite tunes into their iPods and cell phones from sites like itunes.com.
8) New college textbooks are not selling as well as in years past. The internet has provided less expensive means to sell used textbooks from sites like CheapestTextbooks.com and Booksprice.com, not to mention other free classifieds online. Coursesmart.com sells subscriptions to digital copies of more than 7,000 textbooks; while TextbookMedia.com allows students to download textbooks for free.
9) Gas-guzzling cars are not expected to make a comeback in 2010. In fact, they are going the way of the Model-T. With gasoline prices predicted to rise this year, new car sales will likely be driven by more energy efficient hybrid vehicles.
10) High energy consuming homes and appliances may have a difficult time selling this year too. Home energy like gas and electric are also expected to increase this year and continue rising in the coming years, making people search out the most energy efficient homes, refrigerators, washers/dryers and dishwashers on the market. (Source: SmartMoney.com)
11) To the above list of ten we add one more. Many people will learn to put aside their good works in their vain attempt to earn (purchase) salvation, and place faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, receiving the free gift of grace: eternal life!

Edited & written by David J. Cosma for this blog: baysidebc@yahoo.com

How will you be celebrating Christmas?

How will you be celebrating Christmas this year?

By this coming Sunday, the day celebrated as Christ’s birth (December 25th) will be a mere dozen days away. However, it is not time to begin singing the familiar carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” since the first day begins on December 25th and ends on January 5th, the day before the Feast of the Epiphany. This feast was set to commemorate the visitation of the wise men who came bearing gifts for the Christ child. This tradition, for which there is no biblical basis, has its origin with the Roman Catholic Church. In fact, by the time the wise men reached the Christ child (months following His birth), He was no longer a babe in a manger, but living with Joseph and Mary in a house (Matthew 2:1-12).

People are scurrying about: decking the halls, shopping for gifts, baking Christmas cookies and preparing for that holiday trip or for company soon to arrive. There is so much to do during these final days leading up to Christmas Day.

It has always been my concern, in more than thirty years as a pastor, that many professing Christians tend to overlook the intended meaning of that day. Do we spend so much of our time preparing and then forget what Christmas Day is supposed to be about?

When the focus is on food, gifts and decorations, there seems little room for the Christ Who humbly entered this world that we might have the gift of eternal life. Perhaps it is time to begin some family traditions in your home that will assure that Christ isn’t crowded out of the celebrating.What our family has done over the years is to begin Christmas morning around the breakfast table with scripture reading about Christ’s first advent. We sing Happy Birthday to Jesus, then one of the children blows out the singular candle on the cake (Jesus is the Light of the world), prepared just for the occasion.

There may be some discussion about the scripture, and each, in turn, will be asked to say something about what Christmas means to them: family time, love, merriment, fun activities, a break from school and, of course, thankful that Jesus came two millenniums ago, without which there would be no salvation.

If you don’t have any special family traditions to help commemorate the day with Christ as the focus, then perhaps you could begin something this year. You can make it unique and special, tailor made just for your family.

Keep this verse in mind: “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or WHATSOEVER YE DO, do all to the glory of God” (First Corinthians 10:31). This includes how we recognize and celebrate the first advent of our Lord.

(Pastor Comments by David J. Cosma for Sunday, Dec. 13, in the year of our Lord 2009.)