Has your life become a pressure-packed race, a marathon of dealing with trivial pursuits and inconsequential irritations, distracting anxieties and unwarranted fears?  Could your life be described by the philosopher Thoreau as “one of quiet desperation”?  I think it’s impossible to consider what the Bible says about worry without examining Paul’s message in Philippians 4:6-7.  “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  This basic approach to worries and concerns will ultimately lead to inner peace. A Replacement for Worry Always replace your worries…

Have you noticed the wide variety in personalities among people today? Some are extremely outgoing, and talkative, while others are shy. For some people the glass is always half full, for others it’s always half empty. While some are optimistic and positive, others tend to be negative, skeptical and pessimistic. Personalities were different in Jesus day as well, including among His followers. Peter, for example was extremely outgoing, positive and optimistic. On the other end of the spectrum was Thomas, whose name is often prefaced by the adjective “Doubting….” Peter Marshall labeled Thomas “the Galilean from Missouri.” Even today some people are extremely positive, and for them life seems filled…

When we trust Christ as our personal Savior, the guilt of personal sin before God is forever removed! As Paul affirms, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1). The Bible uses images such as “Our sins have been buried in the depths of the sea’ (Micah 7:19), “…remembered no more,” (Jeremiah 31:34), and our transgressions have been removed “…as far as the east is from the west.’ (Psalm 103:12) To gain an understanding of the significance of this phrase, picture a globe of the Earth. From the North Pole to the South Pole is a distance of 12,430 miles. Yet the Psalmist…

Depression affects people from all walks of life, all ages, and all ethnic backgrounds. It can be extremely serious, but the good news is depression can be treated.  However, it’s important to recognize that depression causes great emotional pain and feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. Before we can help someone close to us who may be suffering from depression we must make sure we understand exactly what depression is. Depression exists on a continuum from “the blues” or “the blahs” to significant depression or even suicidal feelings.  While sin can lead to depression, being depressed is not a sin or an indication of being out of fellowship with God. In…