Neil's Blogs
Today's Post
Reconciliation
January 22
Suppose you came across a dead person and you had the power to save people. What would you do? Would you give the person life? If you did that, that person would only die again. To save dead people you have to perform two functions. First, you have to cure the disease that caused them to die. “The wages of sin is death, . . .” (Rom. 6:23a). Jesus cured the cause of our death, when He went to the cross and died for our sins, but that is not all He did. Let’s finish the verse . . .”But the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:23b).
Under the inspiration of God the apostle Paul knew that we would see only the cross and not the resurrection. So in his epistle to the Ephesians he prays that our eyes would be opened to see our rich inheritance in Christ. To the church in Rome he writes, “For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His” (Rom. 6:5). For all you who think that Christ came only to die for your sins, the apostle Paul wants you to know that there is much more for you as follows (with my comments) in Rom. 8-11:
But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Isn’t that great Christian, God proved His love for you, but is that all there is for us know? Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God. Isn’t that great Christian, you are not going to hell. You have your “fire insurance,” but is that all? For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall be saved by His life. Isn’t that great Christian, someday we shall be saved, not only by His death, but also by His life. Do you feel in limbo? Then read on. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
“For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (Col. 3:3,4).
Dr. Neil
For Spanish, see http://ficmm.org/blog
Causes of Depression
Causes of Depression Martin Seligman, a noted secular researcher on depression, reflected on its causes: I have spent the last twenty years trying to learn what causes depression. Here is what I think. Bipolar depression (manic-depression) is an illness of the body,...
Unipolar Depression
Unipolar Depression The focus on medically curing unipolar depression has been on the production, preservation, and transmission of neurotransmitters. Some of the earlier antidepressant drugs were monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI’s). The purpose of these medications...
Bipolar Depression
Bipolar Depression Depression is categorized as bipolar and unipolar. A bipolar or manic-depressive illness has two poles: highs (called manic moods) and lows (depressed moods). One of the foremost experts of this illness, Kay Jamison (she struggled with manic...
Mental and Emotional Signs of Depression
Mental and Emotional Signs of Depression The following are common emotional symptoms and resultant mental states of those who are depressed: Sadness: I feel awful! Depression is most commonly characterized by a deep sadness. The “blues” seem to creep up slowly and...
Physical Symptoms of Depression
Physical Symptoms of Depression Energy Level: I just don’t feel like doing anything. Lack of energy, excessive fatigue and unrelenting tiredness are the characteristics of the melancholic. Walking, talking, cleaning the house, getting ready for work, or doing a...
Melancholy
Melancholy I get up every morning with no sense of hope, and not enough energy to climb out of bed? Negative thoughts pepper my mind, and I’m emotionally drained all the time. I may have a few good moments, but they never last. I can’t even muster up enough energy to...
Uncompromising Witness
Uncompromising Witness The great challenge in this life is to not lose our composure under fire. Can we maintain our position in Christ without deferring to the flesh? In my early years of ministry I was asked to teach the largest Sunday school class in our church....
Secular Education
Secular Education Question from a Facebook friend: I’m a kindergarten teacher and I recently received Christ. One thing really bothers me. What I don't understand is how can psychology and theology mix. I want to be an educator, but finances are hard, and there is so...
In the World But Not of the World
September 10, 2014 -In the World But Not of the World I still haven’t fully addressed the question asked at the beginning of the week. The good man wanted to know if it is okay to find “joy” in sporting events, entertainment venues, and natural conversations about...
Contentment
Contentment Not to the degree that Paul was, but I have been reduced to poverty, and enjoyed modest abundance (read Rough Road to Freedom). I have given up my home three times for the sake of ministry, and God has more than restored what I lost. I have been cursed and...
