Spirituality as a Coping Skill for Mental Illness

                                        By

                            Anthony Joseph Hopkins

Mental illness alone is very challenging for more than 40 million people living in the United States. People who struggle with the diagnosis of a mental illness find themselves struggling to make it. Frankly, there are people, who turn to their faith in God just to make it. Personally, I suffer from schizoid affective disorder. I have been suffering from a mental illness for almost 22 years now. Why having a serious mental illness would is so difficult?

 For me, I hear voices that are not the Holy Spirit. In my report, I have found that spirituality is an often overlooked resource in mental illness recovery. My assessment of religious or spiritual beliefs are under researched, and in most cases, it is laughed at by the Mental Health Community. Honestly, most psychiatrist refuse to actually listen to their patients. Many psychiatrist and therapist that I have consulted with during the past 22 years, feel that my spirituality is pointless.

I will admit that I have benefitted from pastoral counseling more than consulting with a psychiatrist and therapist. There are three main reasons how people with a mental illness cope with their problem. First, through spirituality, as well as relying on a power that is greater than the person themselves. As for me, I attend Fort McKinley United Methodist Church. The address to the church is 3721 West Siebenthaler Avenue Dayton, Ohio 45406. I have attended Fort McKinley Church for 7 years now.

 It helps me to cope much better with a mental illness by attending church as well as Bible study during the week. I feel a whole lot better when I am at church. Second, there are over 50 million people who have been diagnosed with a mental illness and a substance abuse problem. This statistic comes from the National Institute of Mental Health. People who suffer from a mental illness, at least some of them drink alcohol or self-medicate themselves just to cope with their problem. Third, another coping mechanism that some people have used is suicide. I remember on February 13, 2010; I tried to kill myself because I was responding to internal stimuli.

The voices that I was hearing told me to kill myself. Smolak, Gearing, Alonzo, Baldwin, Harmon, and McHugh (2013) reflected and reviewed 43 original research studies over the past 30 years. These people have discovered that patterns that were related or pertaining to religious beliefs and a patient’s recovery from a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia.

 This observation found that religion and spirituality have a mostly positive association with mental illness recovery. However, the intensive observation indicated that spiritual perceptions of family, caregivers, the community at large, and professionals affiliated to the mental illness saw tremendous progress.

 The results pointed out that religious themes were often evident in the perception of disease etiology, that family members and caregivers used religion as well as religious based professionals over mental health professionals. I would admit that working with a Pastor each week is much more feasible than dealing with a psychiatrist on a monthly basis. However, this report has better reflections of the patient.

 It also has a better understanding of a patient’s spiritual and religious beliefs as it assists in improving coping with a mental illness better than relying on medication. Religion and spirituality in conjunction with mental illness recovery remained historically under emphasized and minimized by mental health professionals. This means that spirituality will have to be emphasized by the patient themselves as a means to better cope with their mental illness.

The report finished with the idea of how enhancing the treatment provider’s awareness of a patient’s religious and spiritual interaction may improve treatment outcomes. I would like to say that religion and spirituality is not emphasized during an average consultation or therapy session. The majority of professionals prefer the use of medication to eradicate mental illness. Corrigan, McCorkle, Schell, and Kidder (2003) studied a total of 1,824 patients living with serious mental illness, who also had significant functional disability, but did not engage in substance abuse.

The information pointed out that the self-reporting of spirituality and religion as well as measured outcomes in psychological well-being, psychiatric symptoms, and life goal achievement such as employment and housing. This study determined whether religion and spirituality yielded similar benefits in the lives of people challenged and suffering from a serious mental illness, but also determined if those same people benefitted differently from religion. The patient’s themselves participated in community activities and common ways of worshipping versus spirituality defined as thinking about one’s self as part of a larger spiritual force. (P. 488).

This study found that patients who self-identified as religious or spiritual has a much greater sense of well-being, better coping skills, and diminished psychiatric symptoms.  There was also no difference in quality of life as far as employment and/or housing.

People who suffer from a serious mental illness usually advocate and assert that religion and spirituality serve essential recovery roles in that they may provide useful coping skills to help with stressors.  Also, as previously noted, mental health professionals tend not to be very religious; therefore, the differences between professionals and patients may lead to a gap in treatment as professionals fail to ask about beliefs.

This could lead to a failure to explore religion or spirituality as a means towards a therapeutic end.  There are conclusions from this study.  The raw facts suggests there may be a need for faith based programs to be integrated into recovery programs for people with serious mental illness.  In the future, more research is needed to determine the role of faith based programs and to more thoroughly examine the causes and effects of spirituality in the lives of people who suffer from mental illness.

In all cases, this study and examination serves to remind mental health professionals of the central role religion or spirituality often play in the lives of patients and to the fact that sensitivity to the patient’s needs in this area lead professionals to helping the patient find appropriate services and resources.

Women and minorities struggles with mental illness are much more intense than other races.  These patients were more likely to be religious and more likely to turn to their faith as a means of coping, getting better, and staying healthy.  These patients length of stay in a psychiatric ward was significantly shorter for patients who attend worship services or used religious thoughts and activities as one of the most important strategies to deal with their mental illness.

An initial spiritual assessment should focus on determining how patient’s spiritual beliefs and practices influences their functioning and recovery.  By doing so, mental health professionals will likely uncover strengths and resources that can be utilized to foster recovery. 

 Mental Health Professionals can also help patients focus on their capabilities and resilience as well as accessing and using other positive recovery oriented narratives drawn from the patient’s spiritual worldview in order to address their problems more efficiently.

Spiritual Assessment within the mental health area is under researched and given that spirituality and/or religion is identifiably a magnificent and positive part of serious mental illness recovery.  This needs to be a more widely researched and utilized avenues of social science.  In a society where mental illness can be isolating and stigmatizing label; spirituality can be a core identity to which almost everyone can find a community or ways to help make life with serious mental illness worth living.

References

1.  Corrigan, P., McCorkle, B., & Kidder, K. (2003). Religion and Spirituality in the lives of people with serious mental illness.  Community Mental Health Journal, 39(6) 487-99

2.  Smolak, A., Gearing, R. E., Alonzo, D., Baldwin, S., Harmon, S., & McHugh, K. (2013). Social Support and Religion: Mental health service use and treatment of schizophrenia. Community Mental Health Journal 49(4) 444-50

Verse of the Day ▼ Devotions ▼ Search Home Verse Of The Day Galatians 6:15 ◄ What Does Galatians 6:15 Mean? ► For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Galatians 6:15(NASB) Verse Thoughts Paul’s emphasis in his Galatian epistle was that we are saved by grace through faith and we are to live the same way. We are saved by grace through faith and not by works of the Law… AND we are also to live by grace through faith and not by keeping religious rules or partaking in legalistic practices or cultural customs. We are not saved by works of the law or through man’s merit – but by grace through faith in Christ.  A huge transition had to take place within the early Christian Church. Up until Christ’s crucifixion, those who believed God’s Word were looking forward to a coming Messiah. Before the Cross, people were born under the Law. They believed that God would send a Kinsman-Redeemer Who would redeem His people and save them from their sin. However, before the Redeemer arrived to pay the price of sin, their trespasses would have to be covered by the shed blood of innocent animals – but only covered, for it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to completely take away sins. Until He arrived, God gave His people a series of feast days and specific sacrifices that pointed to their promised Messiah. He gave them an earthly priesthood and kingdom in anticipation of the Saviour’s heavenly Priesthood and eternal Kingship. Before the Cross, the people were anticipating a coming Kinsman-Redeemer – and His name is JESUS. Before the Cross, the people were still living under the Mosaic Law – in the dispensation of Law. Day by day, the Law reminded them that they were sinners in need of a Saviour, for no one could reach the impossibly perfect standard the Law required. But like Abraham and other men of faith… those that trusted God’s Word and believed His promises were credited with righteousness – as they looked forward to the coming Messiah Who would redeem them from Satan, sin, death, and hell. Daily sacrifices and the Lord’s annual feast-days were a constant reminder that all have sinned and all need a Saviour – for all sin has a price to be paid. Paul reminded these believers that the Law was God’s tool to show us that we are all sinners. It was a school-master to bring us to Christ, the sinless Lamb of God Who, by His own death, would take away the sin of the world. And 4000 years after Adam sinned, God sent His only begotten Son to pay the price for the sin of the whole world… so that whoever trusted in the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, would be saved. Those who looked forward to the coming Messiah, in the dispensation of the Law were saved by grace through their faith, which was reckoned as righteousness. We who look back to the Cross, in this dispensation of grace, are also saved by grace through faith – and we too are reckoned as righteous. And our salvation was bought and paid for by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. The Cross of Christ was the pivotal point in history when the curse of the Law was broken and the price of sin was paid for in full. The shed blood of Christ was history’s defining moment… when the icy grip of death on the throat of humanity was supernaturally broken by Christ’s sacrificial death and glorious resurrection. Before the Cross, the curse of the Law was on all men – Jew and Gentile alike. But God chose Israel to be His own people. He redeemed them from Egypt and adopted them as His own sons. Israel was chosen to be the one way through which mankind could be redeemed, for the Messiah was to be born from the seed of Abraham, through the tribe of Judah, of the house of David. However, the only way for Gentiles to approach God in Old Testament times, was to become a Jewish proselyte and maintain strict adherence to Israel’s laws and customs which included circumcision, adherence to the ongoing cycle of feast-days, following the food-laws, and through the year-by-year Day of Atonement – whereby the blood of sheep and goats temporarily covered the sin of the people – until the promised Messiah would come to offer Himself as the full and final ransom payment for the sin of the world. Before the Cross, the Gentile nations were excluded from salvation – unless they became a Jewish proselyte. But following the Cross, the barrier that had existed between Jew and Gentile was broken-down forever, such that circumcision became an unnecessary ritual. Paul writes, “circumcision is of no consequence and uncircumcision is not anything… because in Christ there is a new Creation – old things are passed away and all things are become new.” Sadly, then as now, there are those that Paul calls ‘Judaisers’, who insist that post-Cross Christians are required by God to follow the same rites and rituals as pre-Cross believers, in order to be saved. They insist that salvation depends on keeping the Law in addition to believing on the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, for the forgiveness of sins and life everlasting. But this is unbiblical, this is a false gospel, and this is Paul’s emphasis in his Galatian epistle, “that neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, for we are all part of a new creation – in Christ.” The old, fallen creation in Adam and Israel’s pre-Cross rites and rituals pointed to CHRIST – Whose sacrifice has paved the way for a new, redeemed creation in Christ. Old things are passed away – behold all things are become new. My Prayer Heavenly Father, thank You for the wonderful way that You gradually opened-up our understanding through the Old and New Testament Scriptures, to teach us that we are all sinners in need of a Saviour, and we are justified by faith. Thank You that You have broken down the barrier between Jew and Gentile and that that by grace through faith in Christ, we are new, redeemed creatures, and part of the one new-man in Him. May I live my life to Your praise and glory. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN. ◄ Previous: Galatians 6:14 Next: Galatians 6:16 ► Choose a Verse from Galatians 6 123456789101112131415161718 Ephesians 2:3 Ephesians 4:19 Proverbs 11:14 Esther 9:32 Follow us Galatians 6:15 Further Study Galatians 6:15 in the Parallel Bible Galatians 6:15 in the Thematic Bible Galatians 6:15 Cross References Galatians 6:15 Treasury of Scripture Knowing Galatians 6:15 Sermons Galatians 6:15 Prayers Galatians 6:15 Images Galatians 6:15 Devotionals Choose Chapter Subscribe to the Verse of the day Today’s Devotionals Spiritual Illumination Deuteronomy 33:25 Song of Solomon 4:16 Matriculation But It Is Hardly Credible That One Could So Persecute Jesus! My Servant (JOB-study 8) He Knows He Loves He Cares Doctrinal Statement / Privacy Policy / Use of Pictures / Donate / Contact Us © Copyright [2011 – 2021] Knowing-Jesus.com – All Rights Reserved ×

What is The Definition of Spiritual Discernment?

By: Anthony Joseph Hopkins January 28, 2020

The fundamental definition for Christian discernment is a decision making process in which an individual makes a discovery that can lead to future action. In the process of Christian spiritual discernment God guides the individual to help them arrive at the best decision. 

Next, I want to inform all of you that the definition of Spiritual Discernment is separating what is worldly from spiritual.  It is distinguishing the spirit of truth from the spirit of error.  This means that if someone is saying something that does not make sense, please look at the Holy Bible for the answers to all of your questions.  We are supposed to decide what the truth is.  One of the things that I actually do is consult with my personal Savior Jesus Christ about what I have heard to see if it lines up in the Bible. 

        Further, I want to inform everyone that the Lord Jesus Christ will guide you and lead you in the right path.  It is that when it comes to Spiritual Discernment, we have to understand that there are false prophets out there, and we have to expose them.  I pray to the Lord Jesus Christ for all things.  I also realize that it is not me who is doing the work.  It is the Holy Spirit that is inside of me that is doing all of the work.  I used to hear voices that were not the Holy Spirit for 10 years.  I know that God’s word tells me the truth.  God’s word also talks to me.

        Moreover, I want to inform all of you that having Spiritual Discernment is very important.  This means that you really understand what is true from what is actually false.  I am a type of person, who pay close attention to what the Pastor is saying on the pulpit.  I have received total acceptance from God.  Spiritual Discernment comes from the Lord Himself.  I know that this is something that is not acquired overnight.  It takes a lot of prayer, reading the Bible, and becoming a doer of the word of God.

        In Addition, possessing the gifts of the Holy Spirit is very important.  It enables all of us to distinguish the full truth that comes from God.  I know that I have been baptized almost 5 years ago.  As soon as I got baptized, I have felt a complete change inside and outside of me.  Spiritual Discernment gives me an opportunity to fully understand God’s message.  I know that I am still a Work in Progress according to God.

 I know that I am going to make mistakes in my life.  I truly want to say that I no longer destroy my own Temple by drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana every single day.  I know for me personally, I have been clean and sober for 30 years from marijuana as of January 21, 1990.  I have been clean and sober from alcohol since Wednesday May 2, 1990.  Spiritual Discernment had to really grow on me.  This is simply because I used to let people take full advantage of me.  I used to be a Yes Man.  I used to concur everything that someone says out of their mouth; without fully thinking all about the consequences in my personal life.

        Also, I want to say that I have learned a whole lot about real life, and real life situations.  I used to be a person that did not understand what Spiritual Discernment until the very last minute.  This is simply because at one point, I dwelt inside of the world.  I obviously did what others did inside of the world.  Spiritual Discernment gives you a sense of maturity.  It will really make you aware of all things.  What is the definition of awareness?  Awareness is knowledge or perception of a situation or fact. “We need to raise public awareness of the issue” concern about and well-informed interest in a particular situation or development.  “A growing environmental awareness”.

Awareness is the state of knowing something, such as the awareness that the sun comes up every morning. The adjective aware gets turned into a noun when the suffix -ness is added, so awareness is the state of being aware, or having knowledge of something.  Definition of discerning. : showing insight and understanding: discriminating a discerning critic.  There are three different types of awareness. There is prompted awareness: when asked, people tell you they know the organization when picking them off a list. There is unprompted awareness: when asked, people come up with the organization on their own without having to look at a list to say “Oh yeah, I know. “

        Finally, I want to say that having discernment is very important to everyone.  This is simply because our job is to know the truth.  We have a job of spreading the Gospel, casting out evil spirits, and to make disciples of everyone.  I have invited people to Church all of the time.  Sometimes, people come, and there are times when they did not come to Church.  I have been very understanding to everyone.  I share the Gospel with everyone.  I share the Gospel online and in my personal life.  What is Spiritual Discernment?  Spiritual Discernment is a learned behavior.  God will have to give this to you.  I know that it has taken me years to have Spiritual Discernment.  Being able to distinguish the truth from error takes a lot of practice.

        In Conclusion, I want to inform all of you that this is not a very easy gift to acquire.  God has to bless you with this gift.  I know that I have always been aware of things that people do; whether it is right or wrong.  This is something that takes a lot of experience.  I will admit that I used to be a follower for 18 years of my personal life.  From 1972 to 1990, I did exactly what everyone else was doing.  I concurred very easily because I used to be easily influenced by people, places, and things.  Currently, I am a person that has changed my behavior for the better.  My relationships took a lot of time.  Relationships takes time.  Spiritual Discernment is a gift that someone has to be blessed with it.

        Postscript: I want to inform everyone that God has given me wisdom and grace.  I have acknowledged that Jesus Christ is my personal Savior.  I really love people.  I know that it has not been very easy learning about Discernment that comes from God.  We have God’s Spirit inside of us.  I want to inform all of you that Spiritual Discernment is a very careful walk with the Lord.  We have to take an inventory about everything that we have done in my life.  We have to take an inventory when it comes to being around other people.  We have to make the most of our time because the days are evil.  We have to be very careful how we spend our personal time.  God loves you and so do I.    

Please take good care of yourselves.  Please keep me in your prayers.  I really love all of you very much.  Please take good care of yourselves.  I really mean it.  God and Spiritual Discernment is what I have in my life right now.  Whenever, you have Discernment, it means that you cannot believe everything that people tell you.  We all have to ask God for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. 

Understanding Online Scamming and Criminal Element

Let’s look at this for a moment. We already know that human behavior is learned. When it comes to dealing with a criminal element, this is very different. What is a criminal element? A criminal element is based on systems, and representatives that are involved in street enterprises and a specified family of members that engage in crimes against humanity. This enterprise itself has many members that represent a hierarchy and a subculture that is very powerful. An element is a constituent part. This constituent part is made of many systems. Criminals themselves are members who are responsible for engaging in activities that is against the normal when it comes to human behavior. The definition of a criminal is one who commits acts that are forbidden by law.

Let’s tie all of this together. A criminal element is a cohesive unit consisting of divisions of people and its purpose is to obtain a specified amount of resources and or wealth from those who have worked so hard to obtain them. This is not to say that all of these people are not hard working people themselves. They just make bad choices. Some of these choices that are made are for the sake of themselves. This means that they are only trying to gain something from someone else and forget what the next person thinks. Next, the hierarchy will be emphasized here for a moment. This hierarchy is a chain of command consisting of members unlike those working for an industry.

Well, to begin with, there is a president, or one who is in charge of an operation such as a criminal element. This is a person who directs and gives orders to his members. The members are outlined as follows: President, Vice President, Generals, Captains, Lieutenants, Financial Advisors, War Counselors, Master at Arms, Sergeant at Arms, Sergeant, and Foot Soldiers. The foot-soldiers themselves are responsible for bringing in the money for the operation that I am talking about. In addition, the online scammers and criminals that are involved start off engaging in a meeting themselves. This is like a think tank session; which consists of a closed meeting to others as well as the general public.

The objective is to find out what avenues to take and how to comprise of a specified mission. This is broken down into stages. The stages themselves consist of training for new members. The members themselves are hired by a specific enterprise consisting of the above members. The stage that is specified is recruitment. A recruit is a new member learning how the criminal element works itself. They are trained by foot soldiers that are responsible for teaching others how to engage in specific organized crimes in order to benefit this enterprise.

Moreover, when these members are online unlike those who are responsible for scamming me out of $15,559 dollars, they are using pictures of women who are previously online to lure other men to converse with them. What these intended victims do not know is that they are being used by not only the women involved in the picture, but the men who are hiding behind them. The women themselves will have to prove their innocence in a court of law. This for them is not easy. The men who are responsible are those who they are involved with in the present or those from their past. 

This is classified as stalking. These women are involved because they are responsible for setting up telephone conversations with their intended victims, for the sole purpose of gaining money from them. However, what these women do not know is that they are being used as bait themselves for others. The men in the criminal enterprise should have been honest and truthful themselves from the very beginning. Now, remind you that these women as well as the male victims have been placed under illegal surveillance and their phones have been wiretapped. Women are more than likely than men to become victims of this crime. Some of them know, but there are those who do not know they are being under surveillance.

Some of the equipment that is used is home computers to other sophisticated equipment that is used to perform special operations in the military. Online scamming and the criminal element behind it come from the individuals themselves who are primarily stalking their intended victims online by observing their every move. Some of this goes by undetected. The women who have pictures online are victims themselves of identity theft and fraud that is being perpetrated by men who have illegally obtained their information by hacking it. As we speak, there are at least, 65,000 to 100,000 websites that are used by online scammers each day.

 The funds themselves that are obtained by these men come from the cash that their intended victims have sent them. I am people who have been scammed because I have sent electronic wire funds to what I have thought to be a real woman.

It turns out that all of my money was illegally intercepted by other women who have used the name of a specified person. The men and women who have received my money had made a complete fool out of me in the process. I am sharing my personal story because it’s very important for those who are online to meet honest people. There are those who are involved in this money making scheme must answer to another person. This person is a higher ranking official or officials themselves. It’s that they have taken money from hard working people, but have deprived the enterprise, to whom they are involved with. Let’s look at some of the intimidation techniques that are used by these organized criminals and scammers.

First, there is a technique called emotional and mental telepathy. This is a universal band of emotions consisting of many people who are angry at the person that is responsible for hurting them. How does this work, is that an act or an offense itself has taken place. The person or persons involved become victims because the parties involved do not want to engage in any acts of violence themselves. Next, there is a method called channeling. Channeling is when a group of people themselves with emotions consisting of rage, anger, aggression, and fury use their minds as a means of nonverbal communication.

This technique is very effective and it is a nonviolent approach. However, it also hurt others because this universal energy is penetrated inside of the mind or psyche of the victim itself. This is a form of emotional abuse to the intended victim because of the fact that the perpetrators themselves are reluctant to confront the people who have harmed them. As soon as the people involved in any dispute with each other are together, it would be nice to meet at a very safe place so that all issues can be resolved peacefully.

However, in some cases, this is something that is used to intimidate people. I can say this; there are signals from the human brain of others that can be used as a means of intimidation or to hurt others. This is a channeling method of behavior that comes from those who are aggressors to their intended victims. It wears down the energy of others to the point that they feel sleepy all of the time.

In essence, it can also be used as a means of deception. There are scientific approaches that have been used to deal with human behavior, at this time, it will not be discussed. Let’s look at the tracking devices that are used by organized criminals for a moment. These devices that I am referring to are those that come from specified software that is used by members of law enforcement. The latest tracking devices that are used by professional hackers come from the satellites themselves. At least they are responsible for hacking into the systems by gaining signals and information from personnel who are using them. However, there are so many people involved in this online scamming situation that the names of those involved are held confidential until their innocence are proven in court.

Let’s understand one thing, online scammers and those who are related to this criminal element are responsible for taking advantage of their victims. Allow me to remind you that this is a subculture that exists worldwide. The members themselves are responsible for altering and illegally changing the information of their intended victims and in some cases use it as their own.

 For instance, many of the victims just like me are having a really hard time trying to recover from being scammed out of a large sum of money. I also want to say that there are women who are victims of this crime by the men who they have been involved with in the present as well as in their past. This is because of their personal information that was given to the perpetrator was in confidence. I really didn’t expect to get taken advantage of by both men and women. Sometimes it takes many years to recover from the irreparable damage that comes from being scammed out of money.

Organized criminals and those of the online scamming variety are responsible for committing crimes against humanity. What are these crimes that I am speaking of? These crimes are murder, robbery, bank fraud, identity theft, identity fraud, social security fraud, and stealing bank accounts of their intended victims. There are other crimes that online scammers commit besides fraud.

There are other crimes that are committed such as money laundering, racketeering, as well as common assaults against other people. In most cases these perpetrators commit witness intimidation and assaults from either the verbal and nonverbal communication methods that they use on their intended victims. There are acts of coercion and extortion that are being used by suspects to intimidate victims as well as witnesses before appearing into a courtroom setting. First of all, to be honest, a person who walks on earth should always be able to do the things that they intend to do. To be honest, there are individuals who are so slick that they have a tendency to try to brainwash their victims to doing things that they normally would not do.

This applies to those who are kidnapped victims who are held captive by their suspects until rescued by law enforcement. I really do not understand why someone would try to influence the behavior of another person to engage in a specified form of deviant behavior or behaviors. Why would someone control the mind of another or even influence another person in a negative way?

 Witness intimidation as well as other forms of intimidation of others exists when it comes to a certain group of people. This is a behavior that is used by those who are excessively controlling.

This is a domineering person that I am talking about who is responsible for scamming me out of my money. This person is a man that is between the ages of 35 to 50 years old. This person that I am referring to comes from a country which is densely populated and is one who is of African Descent. This gentleman has numerous of people that are in his company right now. This person is one of those who are responsible for scamming as many as over 100,000 to 2,000,000 people within the past 20 years. I am talking about the person who has scammed me as well as their cohorts. These people as well as his members of his specified group are classified as cyber-stalkers, cyber-cheaters, and cyber-bullies in the process. Seriously, these people as well as their associates are located anywhere in the United States or around the world engaging in violent crimes.

Their still obtaining electronic wire funds from other men worldwide. This illustrious group also engages in computer hacking when it comes to internet systems. Illegal wiretapping is also used in most cases. Although this group has the capability of also interrupting the bio computers of their intended victims, they are still armed and dangerous. A bio computer is the human brain. The brain itself is a very sensitive organ that is capable of processing and receiving data just like the analytical machine which is called the computer. The person who invented the computer is named Charles Babbage. Why would criminals enter inside of the bio computer of human beings? The answer to this question is to intimidate others or to injure them in some kind of way. In some cases, this is also used to distract or disrupt the lives of others. This also invades their personal privacy.

God Knows All Things About All Of Us!!
By: Anthony Joseph Hopkins

Praise The Lord Saints!! Praise The Lord Everyone!! How are all of you doing today? Fine, I hope. I want to inform all of you that God knows the things that we need of long before we ask Him. God knows all things about us. He knows our thoughts, opinions, and feelings. I realize that God knows exactly how long we are going to live on earth.

Next, God knew all of us when we were inside of our mother’s womb. I know that this is something that God knows about all of us. God even knows all of the things that we need in order to sustain all of us; while we are living on earth. I have come to the realization that I cannot do anything without God. He also has supplies all of my personal needs. I really love Him because he has never stopped loving me as a person.

Further, I have a very important question to ask all of you. Does God knows about all of us? The answer to this question is yes. I want to say to everyone that God has been really good to me as a person. Even though, I am not perfect. I am only a Work in Progress. I want to inform all of you that God has blessed me every single day; for the past 54 years of my life.

Moreover, I want to inform all of you that I cannot do anything without God. I cannot even take care of myself without God. It is the Holy Spirit that inside of me that is talking to me on a daily basis. I know that I desperately need the Lord in my life right now.

In Addition, the above Bible verse is true. It is God that is doing for us more than we are doing for ourselves. I really love all of you as members of the human race. I know that some of you do not know me as a person. However, I love you anyway. I know that my life has been filled with ups and downs during the past 10 years now. I want to inform all of you that I suffer from Schizoid Affective Disorder. I have been suffering from a mental illness for the past 22 years now.

Also, I am relying on God for all things. I cannot do anything without Him. There are some people, who actually think that: they have work so hard for the things that they need. There are some people, who actually think that they have done the things that they have done without God’s help. I know for me personally, I am dependent on the Lord for all things. I am dependent on the Lord Jesus Christ for everything. I love all of you very much. The Lord is sustaining me moment by moment. He has his way in my life.

Finally, I want you to know that I cannot do anything without the Lord Jesus Christ. I want to inform all of you that I have been physically sick as of late. I want to say that I am very excited to have Jesus Christ as my personal Savior.

In Conclusion, I am sealed by the Lord Jesus Christ right now. I am sealed by Him the Holy Spirit of Promise. God always keep His promises. I know that in Galatians 6:8 means what goes around comes around. I know that I used to live inside of the world. I also used to do the things of the world. Currently, I have learned the truth about God. My seal with Him is forever.

God Knows All Things About All Of Us!!
By: Anthony Joseph Hopkins

Praise The Lord Saints!! Praise The Lord Everyone!! How are all of you doing today? Fine, I hope. I want to inform all of you that God knows the things that we need of long before we ask Him. God knows all things about us. He knows our thoughts, opinions, and feelings. I realize that God knows exactly how long we are going to live on earth.

Next, God knew all of us when we were inside of our mother’s womb. I know that this is something that God knows about all of us. God even knows all of the things that we need in order to sustain all of us; while we are living on earth. I have come to the realization that I cannot do anything without God. He also has supplies all of my personal needs. I really love Him because he has never stopped loving me as a person.

Further, I have a very important question to ask all of you. Does God knows about all of us? The answer to this question is yes. I want to say to everyone that God has been really good to me as a person. Even though, I am not perfect. I am only a Work in Progress. I want to inform all of you that God has blessed me every single day; for the past 54 years of my life.

Moreover, I want to inform all of you that I cannot do anything without God. I cannot even take care of myself without God. It is the Holy Spirit that inside of me that is talking to me on a daily basis. I know that I desperately need the Lord in my life right now.

In Addition, the above Bible verse is true. It is God that is doing for us more than we are doing for ourselves. I really love all of you as members of the human race. I know that some of you do not know me as a person. However, I love you anyway. I know that my life has been filled with ups and downs during the past 10 years now. I want to inform all of you that I suffer from Schizoid Affective Disorder. I have been suffering from a mental illness for the past 22 years now.

Also, I am relying on God for all things. I cannot do anything without Him. There are some people, who actually think that: they have work so hard for the things that they need. There are some people, who actually think that they have done the things that they have done without God’s help. I know for me personally, I am dependent on the Lord for all things. I am dependent on the Lord Jesus Christ for everything. I love all of you very much. The Lord is sustaining me moment by moment. He has his way in my life.

Finally, I want you to know that I cannot do anything without the Lord Jesus Christ. I want to inform all of you that I have been physically sick as of late. I want to say that I am very excited to have Jesus Christ as my personal Savior.

In Conclusion, I am sealed by the Lord Jesus Christ right now. I am sealed by Him the Holy Spirit of Promise. God always keep His promises. I know that in Galatians 6:8 means what goes around comes around. I know that I used to live inside of the world. I also used to do the things of the world. Currently, I have learned the truth about God. My seal with Him is forever.

Touching Lives with James Merritt DAILY DEVOTIONAL EMAIL Subscribe to receive the daily devotional from Dr. James Merritt right into your inbox SUBSCRIBE Facing Fear, Standing Firm January 27, 2021 “Then I will rejoice in the Lord; I will delight in His deliverance.” Psalm 35:9 In this Psalm of David, he recognized the Lord’s salvation for his life and rested in the reassurance that God would deliver him from the enemies who rejoiced at his failures and scoffed at him. I cannot relate to bearing the brunt of that kind of hatred. I would be tempted to run from opposition, but David didn’t run. He chose to face his enemies with compassion and with strong determination to rely solely on God. Each of us can learn from David as we ponder our worries and concerns. Beyond any doubt, David believed God would answer, and that is true victory against the enemy! What enemies are pursuing you today? Have you been reluctant lately to commit an area of your life to God? Do you have faith that God will save you from life’s burdens? Stop trying to fix your problems with your own strength. Have courage to lay your cares at God’s feet. Take comfort in Peter’s words found in I Peter 5:7, “Casting all your cares upon Him, because He cares about you.” Dear Father, Thank you for rescuing me. There is no burden or anxiety I have that is too heavy for You to carry. I rejoice knowing You will handle any fear I face today. Amen.   Topics: Fear Bible Reference Psalm 35:9 Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD, exulting in his salvation. About Contact Us Jobs Pastor Resources Prayer Request Privacy Policy Copyright © 2019 Touching Lives, Inc. | 1800 Satellite Blvd, Duluth, GA 30097 | United States | 770-982-0168 Touching Lives is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization

Verse of the Day ▼ Devotions ▼ Search Home Verse Of The Day Philippians 3:2 ◄ What Does Philippians 3:2 Mean? ► Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; Philippians 3:2(NASB) Verse Thoughts Living the Christian life in the way that God ordained was the highest priority on Paul’s list… and in each of his epistles we read of the identifying marks of a Christian who is walking in spirit and truth. Paul shows us how to abide in Christ, submit to the Spirit of God, trust in His Word, and live the way that God intended His children to live. The man or woman of faith who is living as God intended… is the one that produces the gracious fruit of the Spirit. The person who is living a Christlike life is the one that loves as Christ has loved and who is ready to say, ‘Thy will not mine be done’. They know that their salvation has nothing to do with their own merit or their own good works, but rests entirely on Christ and the good work that He did on the Cross. The believer who is living God’s way is the one who dies to self, lives only to the Lord, and recognises that we are not only saved by grace through faith in Christ… but also understands that we are to live by faith, to walk by grace through faith in Christ, and to cast off all legalistic works of the flesh. Paul was acutely aware of the devastating results of placing one’s confidence in fleshly works and legalistic rituals. Legalism was aggressively being promoted in Paul’s day by those that he called Judaisers, just as it is today. This group, then as now, delights to distort the gospel of grace, by teaching that works of the Law are an additional requirement for full salvation – which is sadly the antithesis of the truth of the glorious gospel of God. Paul recognised the dangerous and devastating effect this unbiblical teaching can have on a believer… and attached a blistering label to those that promoted this teaching. He called them dogs and workers of evil… and those that come from the false circumcision, he identified as ‘Judaisers’. “Beware of the dogs,” is Paul’s clear warning. “Beware of the evil workers. Beware of those that mutilate the flesh.” Paul gave a solemn and serious warning that the saints of God who had trusted Christ for their salvation, must not be hoodwinked in by these Judiasers, or tricked into following their unbiblical teachings. He warned them not to follow after the teachings of these deceivers, but to be watchful for their deceptive scheming which insists that in order to be rightly related to God, believers had to add to Christ’s finished work on the Cross, by adhering to legalistic teachings and works of the flesh. Jewish circumcision of the flesh was indeed given to Israel as an outward sign of their covenant relationship to God through Abraham, but it was not a sign of their salvation. The Bible tells us that Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness, and it was their faith in God that saved Israel and not through works of the Law. In Deuteronomy 30:6 Moses made it clear to God’s chosen people that the outward sign of circumcision identified Israel as God’s covenant people which should reflect an inward circumcision on the heart. The other sign of circumcision was meant to demonstrate a heart that trusted in God and believed His Word. We read, “the Lord thy God will circumcise your heart to love the Lord with all your heart and soul, so that you may have life –  that you may have salvation.” The Judaisers of Paul’s day and the religious legalists of today who insist that salvation, justification, and sanctification, must include certain legalistic practices and religious rites may have good intentions, but they are teaching a false and dangerous gospel. Paul’s warning to beware of their false teachings continues to be relevant in today’s increasingly apostate Church. May we heed the apostles warning to, “beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of legalists and beware of the false circumcision.” My Prayer Heavenly Father, thank You that You have given us the Bible to teach us how to live in this Church dispensation. Thank You for the many lessons that I can learn from both the Old and New Testament. May I become increasingly vigilant in my Christian walk and rightly divide the Word of God so that I am not taken in by any deceptive teachings. May I hold fast to that which is good and be truly circumcised in heart and soul, so that I may love You with every fibre of my being – to Your praise and glory. This I ask in Jesus’ name, AMEN. ◄ Previous: Philippians 3:1 Next: Philippians 3:3 ► Choose a Verse from Philippians 3 123456789101112131415161718192021 James 3:1 Genesis 1:29 Isaiah 32:17 John 4:26 Follow us Philippians 3:2 Further Study Philippians 3:2 in the Parallel Bible Philippians 3:2 in the Thematic Bible Philippians 3:2 Cross References Philippians 3:2 Treasury of Scripture Knowing Philippians 3:2 Sermons Philippians 3:2 Prayers Philippians 3:2 Images Choose Chapter Subscribe to the Verse of the day Today’s Devotionals Our Inheritance is in Christ Hebrews 13:13 Philippians 3:20 Partakers Look Again and Consecrate A “Job” Experience (JOB-study 6) Rest in the Lord Doctrinal Statement / Privacy Policy / Use of Pictures / Donate / Contact Us © Copyright [2011 – 2021] Knowing-Jesus.com – All Rights Reserved ×

Verse of the Day ▼ Devotions ▼ Search Home Verse Of The Day Ephesians 3:8 ◄ What Does Ephesians 3:8 Mean? ► To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, Ephesians 3:8(NASB) Verse Thoughts Paul was not one of the twelve men chosen by the Lord Jesus to be a disciple during His earthly life. He was not one of the multitude who was baptised by John unto repentance early in Christ’s ministry. He was not a man like Matthias, who accompanied the apostles during the time that Jesus went in and out among them all… and Paul was not one of the crowd who were cut to the heart on that first day of Pentecost when the men of Israel realised that they had crucified their Messiah, and cried out in despair, “brethren, what shall we do?” Paul was an ultra-orthodox Jew who hated the Lord Jesus Christ. He despised the Christian Church with a deep-seated loathing. He was one that violently persecuted the Church of God, which is the Body of Christ, and he tried to destroy it. He dragged men, women, and children from their homes, and flung them into jail – killing them by the sword and causing many to be scattered abroad throughout the entire region of Judaea and Samaria. Following his conversion on the road to Damascus, the caustic animosity that he had towards the fledgling Church caused Paul great pain. He was greatly disturbed when he realised his actions were in direct opposition to almighty God. His hatred towards Christians was starkly contrasted with the Lord’s great love, and Paul became acutely aware of God’s amazing grace towards him personally… and to the Jewish and Gentile nations. When he understood that Jesus Christ was the King of Israel and that he had been complicit in crucifying his Messiah, Paul came to the shocking realisation that in tyrannising the Body of Christ, he was abusing the Lord Jesus Himself. By persecuting Christians, he was persecuting the Lord for they were members of His mystical Body. In consideration of all the terror he struck into the hearts of Christians and the many men and women who were murdered at his bidding, Paul recognised the incredible grace of God and the incalculable mercy He had towards him. He could only judge himself to be the very least of all the saints of God, for he considered his sins against God and the Body of Christ to be the most heinous of all crimes. “To me, who is the very least of all the saints,” he cried, “this grace was given to me, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ.” Despite his murderous past and hatred of Christ, Paul was chosen by God to be His apostle to the Gentiles. Amazing grace! In His goodness, grace, and kindness, God even revealed mysteries to Paul which had been hidden in past ages and were not revealed to earlier generations. Paul was given revelation about the dispensation of the grace of God, and to him was revealed the mystery of the Church and the one new man in Christ – which is made up of believing Jews and believing Gentiles; the one new man in Christ where we are all one in Christ Jesus our Lord, and equal members of His mystical Body. The apostle Paul gave us greater understanding of justification, sanctification, glorification, and the wonders of the permanently indwelling Spirit of God. He gave us insight into positional sanctification and progressive sanctification. He gave us an understanding of the difference between union and communion – between our permanent union with Christ, which can never be broken, and our fellowship with Him, which can be broken by sin and renewed through the confession of our faults. He opened our understanding of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in the finished work of Christ alone, and helped us to understand more of Christ’s propitiatory work on the Cross on our behalf. And Paul also gave us a greater understanding of slavery to sin and the freedom we have in Christ. This murdering Jew became God’s chosen apostle to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ and the many mysteries that had been hidden for ages and generations. Paul knew that His great salvation was a result of God’s amazing grace and long-suffering mercy towards him – no surprise that Paul got to the point where he recognised that it was only by God’s grace that his final destination had been changed from eternity in hell to everlasting life with Christ in heaven. It is not surprising that Paul could only refer to himself as the very least of all the saints… and dedicate the rest of his life by proclaiming the grace of God which was given to him and to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable, unsearchable, incalculable, boundless riches of Christ to all who are saved by grace through faith in Him. My Prayer Heavenly Father, I am filled with awe when I start to realise the unfathomable, unsearchable, incalculable, boundless riches of Christ, which I have received by grace through faith in Him. As I think back over my life, I have nothing that could commend me to You and by rights I should be condemned to eternal separation from You. By rights, I too am the worst of all sinners and am not worthy to be called Your child… and yet while I was still a sinner, Christ died for me and You searched me out and saved me. Praise Your holy name. May I live and work to Your praise and glory through time and into eternity. In Jesus’ name, AMEN. ◄ Previous: Ephesians 3:7 Next: Ephesians 3:9 ► Choose a Verse from Ephesians 3 123456789101112131415161718192021 Mark 8:34 Hebrews 9:14 John 17:12 John 17:6 Follow us Ephesians 3:8 Further Study Ephesians 3:8 in the Parallel Bible Ephesians 3:8 in the Thematic Bible Ephesians 3:8 Cross References Ephesians 3:8 Treasury of Scripture Knowing Ephesians 3:8 Sermons Ephesians 3:8 Prayers Ephesians 3:8 Images Ephesians 3:8 Devotionals Choose Chapter Subscribe to the Verse of the day Today’s Devotionals Resurrection Ground Romans 3:22 Romans 8:15 Author Of Peace Leave Room For God These Three Men (JOB-study 5) Sorrow to Joy Doctrinal Statement / Privacy Policy / Use of Pictures / Donate / Contact Us © Copyright [2011 – 2021] Knowing-Jesus.com – All Rights Reserved ×

Touching Lives with James Merritt DAILY DEVOTIONAL EMAIL Subscribe to receive the daily devotional from Dr. James Merritt right into your inbox SUBSCRIBE Love Your Enemies January 25, 2021 “Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong!’ Wait for the Lord, and He will avenge you.” Proverbs 20:22 There is one thing that has been true of every human being who has lived long enough on this earth and that is everyone makes enemies. If you have convictions that you believe in, and the courage to stand up for them, you are going to make enemies. If you are willing to take a stand for Jesus Christ, you are going to make enemies. If you are willing to tell the truth – even in love – you are going to make enemies. The question is not, “Do we make enemies?” The question is, “How are we going to respond to our enemies?” The Bible gives two pieces of advice on how to handle people that don’t like you, oppose you, harm you, or want to do you wrong. First, never go down to their level. There are countless people whose lives have been ruined, not by what has been done to them, but by how they have responded to it. There are people whose entire lives are built around how they can pay back someone who has done something wrong to them. This is not only an exercise in futility; it is unbiblical. Retribution and revenge can never heal your wounds. In fact, seeking to repay a wrong with another wrong only does more harm. Unforgiveness and anger lead to bitterness; and once bitterness takes root you will be miserable. There is only One who has the right to pay anyone back for a wrong; and God is the only One who knows how to pay back a wrong in the right way. So how should we respond to our enemies? Proverbs 25:21-22 says, “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.” Back in Bible days, homes were heated and meals were prepared on little stoves that would look like an outside barbecue grill. When the poor ran out of coals for the fire, they would put empty containers on their heads and pass under the windows of wealthier people, who would drop extra coals into the containers. At the end of the journey, the poor man would arrive back home with a pile of burning coals on his head for his fire. It was an act of kindness and generosity. We must teach our children to fill their enemies with forgiveness and kindness. Often times, this will turn enemies into friends. And when it doesn’t, it displays the character of God, who loved us and sent His Son to die for us while we were His enemies. Dear Lord, loving our enemies is one of the hardest things about being one of your followers, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try. Please help me to model obedience to the command well for my children so that they may learn to obey you as well. In Jesus’ name, amen.  Topics: Love Bible Reference Proverbs 20:22 Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you. Proverbs 25:21-22 About Contact Us Jobs Pastor Resources Prayer Request Privacy Policy Copyright © 2019 Touching Lives, Inc. | 1800 Satellite Blvd, Duluth, GA 30097 | United States | 770-982-0168 Touching Lives is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization