The Cross-Stitching Comparison

 The Cross-Stitching Comparison

Originally written in 2017.  (I actually haven't cross stitched in at least a year, but after reading this again, I think I will get back to it!)

One of the hobbies I enjoy is cross-stitching.  The first cross-stich I made was for my Grandma in 2003.  I have made more projects than I can count; I seem always to be working on something as it keeps my mind from getting bored.  Since I have been extra cross-stich occupied this month, I began realizing how many parallels there are between cross-stitching and my Christian walk.  Sounds silly, I know, but read on and you will see what I mean.

Before I can even begin to work on a project, I must make sure my hands are clean.  I would not want to inadvertently transfer any dirt onto the nice clean fabric.  One little stain could ruin a lot of hard work. 

The same is true in the way I should approach my relationship with the Lord.  I must make certain my hands, mind, body, spirit, and heart are all clean on the inside and not just on the outside.  Sin can separate me from my Holy Father.  One mark can soil all my walk with the Lord.  Yet, just as stain remover can save the cross-stitch, prayer and sincere repentance can restore me unto Christ.      

(Matthew 23:25-28) Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness.  Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

 

If I want my project to be a work of art and not just something to do to occupy my restless mind, then I must follow the pattern.  I study it and formulate a plan of action, make notes, and have all my thread organized before I even begin.  I become so meticulous about the pattern, I sometimes even dream about my work.  I must stick to the pattern if I am to have a successful project.  If I try to set the instructions aside and veer off on my own, chances are I will have a messy outcome.

If I am to walk down paths of righteousness and not merely be a Christian in title alone, I must study the Word of God.  I must know Christ’s laws intimately.  I am not to merely read the Bible for unproductive entertainment, but to absorb all I read, make notes, and let it all sink in.  I am to be so obsessed with the words of Jesus Christ, I even dream in scripture verses.  If I stray away from what the bible teaches, I will end up with a mess.  I must follow through obeying Jesus’ commandments in order to successfully endure to the end.

(2 Timothy 4:7-8) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. 

 

As I work, it is fun to start to see a picture taking shape, but it is difficult to make out the complete picture until the project is farther advanced.

Just like life!  When we look at our life in segments, it sometimes makes no sense.  What is the big picture?  We often have to wait until something very specific happens to see the results.  For example, when the insurance company I worked for in 2011 downsized and let several of us go, I felt like God had let me down.  It was not until I met Mel three months later that I realized all the time I had while I was unemployed was a huge gift from God.  It made it possible for us to spend a lot of time together, so we were able to fall in love and get married three months after meeting.  If I had been employed when we met, I may not even have found the time to meet him in the first place.  What a huge loss that would have been!  After my relationship with the Lord, marrying Mel has been the best thing that ever happened to me.

(Jeremiah 29:11) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.      

It is inevitable that I will make a mistake at least once during my project.  My mind wanders easily, so sometimes forcing my brain to focus and properly count the little squares to place the stitches in the right places goes wrong.  Gratefully, I have a wonderful pair of scissors called “snip-a-stitch” (which, strangely enough, are identical in style to the suture removal scissors I used when I was veterinary technician).  I can simply cut away the misplaced thread and correct my mistakes.

Not all mistakes in life can be undone.  Sometimes the damage we have caused is so severe a relationship is forever ruined.  However, with Christ, He will always take me back if I repent.  Revelation 2:1-7 speaks to the church in Ephesus that has lost its love for Jesus.  Yet, God tells them if they repent and do their first works over, He will take them back.  As I have said many times, grace is not automatic, we must ask for forgiveness and repent with a sincere and penitent heart, determined never to repeat the same sins.  When we do as such, Jesus is then gracious enough to forgive us.

(Revelation 2:4, 5 & 7) Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you repent. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God. 

When I look at the back of a completed cross-stich project, it looks like a mess!  I am certain the perfectionists out there follow all the rules, and the flip side of their fabrics all look neat and tidy in the end, but not mine!  It is a jumble of knots and shows all the places my thread became tangled and snagged.  There is little resemblance of the design on the other side.  It looks as if I did not even begin to follow the pattern.  What is before my eyes is nonsensical.  Yet turn it over and, voila, a beautiful picture is now visible. 

I cannot count the times when my life felt like an ugly chaotic mess.  My heart was knotted and messy.  As I stated a few paragraphs ago, I cannot always see the big picture and have often been certain God has left me on my own with no directions.  However, when I step back and analyze the entire picture and not just one-side, I can clearly see God’s hand has always been present. 

In the series of novels I am writing (Mel calls them the “Zynastrian Chronicles”), in both books one and two (I am now currently working on book 3), one of the common themes is learning to recognize how God’s hand so beautifully guides our paths.  Zachariah, one of the main characters, has had a series of disappointments and heartaches in his life.  He is only able to heal from his past and learn to let go of his anger toward God after he realizes how each major stage in his life all happened for his own good.  I do not want to waste time going into Zachariah’s story since that is not the point of this blog, but basically his life was a tangled mess.  Yet when he is finally ready to see the other side of things, his heart heals, and he is able to reconcile with God.  I must have this same attitude. 

(Romans 8:28) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  

(The above was a bookmark I made for my Dad) The last step of every cross-stitch project is to add the backstitching.  These lines create the detail and make the picture more defined.  Without the added lines, the picture is pretty, but not distinct.

There are times in our lives we may assume we are finished, or have the attitude we are good enough, but there are still more details for God to add.  It may seem we are at a place where everything is right where it should be, but God is never fully finished working on us.  Unlike a cross-stich that eventually has an end, God is always adding the well-defined moments to our lives that make us complete.  We are always growing spiritually (or at least we should be), and God is always finding more and more ways to bless us.  The details only get better and better as our lives progress.   

(Psalm 139:1-6 & 13-16) Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it. For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.  

As I mentioned in the first paragraph, I have made more projects than I can count.  Yet I have only made one project exclusively for myself. The above picture the gift I made for Mel’s birthday last year (I have also made him at least three other cross-stitches and I am currently working on a two-sided lighthouse bookmark for him). I do not have pictures of most of the presents I have made.  All of my projects have been gifts for others or for my husband and me to share.  I have wanted to make myself a bookmark for a while, but I am always working on something for someone else.  This is in no way a complaint.  It makes me very happy to create a work of art for someone else. I have always loved giving gifts, and being on a limited budget, cross-stitching is something I can easily afford.  It is personal, and while I am making it, I can take the time to pray over the person.  Sometimes God even calls me to make projects for people I scarcely know.

(Acts 20:35) And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive."

This is the way God wants me to approach my faith.  We are called to let our lights shine and not keep our faith hidden.  When we share the love of Christ more people than we may ever realize will benefit.  With such a perfect gift of love that Jesus has given to us, why would we want to keep it to ourselves? 

(Matthew 5:14-16) You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.  

Dream of the Pilgrim, Written by my Husband

 

Dream of the Pilgrim

Written by my Husband (Mel)

Several years ago, the Lord gave me a dream similar to John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress. Although the dream was not as long or as detailed, as Bunyan’s dream, it was at least two hours in length. I will give a condensed version of the dream. As the dream began, I was looking down upon a ship that appeared to be from the colonial era. Then I was standing within the ship talking to my wife, I explained to her that we were in Plymouth, Massachusetts and the ship was a reproduction of the Mayflower. We then discussed how America was founded as a Christian nation, as well as how most Americans have removed God from sight and sound in order to pursue their own pleasures. I also understood that Christians are pilgrims passing through this world, with the responsibility of sharing the Gospel with the unsaved.

Then I noticed a large staircase ascending into the air with many rooms attached at different levels. I began to ascend the staircase, and I entered a room that resembled a ballroom filled with people dressed in formal attire. I was told by the Lord that these people were lovers of pleasure more than of God, and most of them never read a single verse from the Bible in their life. I then noticed that many of the people were carrying glasses of wine in their hands, and most were drunk.
 
Then I entered a room filled with men drunk from the wine of sin, and there was broken glass everywhere. Many of the men were passed out, and some were dead. Then the Lord said to me that the wages of sin is death.

Then I entered another room filled with men that had lost all hope, and they were very depressed. I could feel their despair, and it was quite overwhelming, it gave me a strong sense of compassion for these men. The Lord said that this was the place of despair, and true peace was found only in a relationship with him.

 Then I noticed a room at the very top of the staircase, and it was very high in the air. I entered the room, and I noticed a pulpit with three crosses engraved on it, as well as altars for kneeling all around the room.  Above the room there was no ceiling, only a beautiful sky filled with the golden light of God’s glory. The Lord said to me that this was the place of repentance and new birth. I understood that if a person would repent of their sins, as well as put their faith in Christ, that they would experience true peace, as well as joy, and would discover the true meaning of life. Then I departed the room and began to descend the staircase.

I then noticed a man climbing the staircase toward the upper room, he was covered with leprosy, and he stank with a pungent body odor from sin. I felt unconditional love for this man, and I would do anything I could to help him, I didn’t care what he looked like or the smell that came from his body.  I reached out my arm to him and asked if I could give him a hand.  I helped pull him up, and I gave him a hug, and told him that I loved him. I told him that I knew what was in the upper room, and he replied, “Don’t tell me, I must find out for myself.” Then before the man ascended the staircase to this upper room, I told him that things were going to get a whole lot better! Then the Lord told me that after this man repented of his sins and experienced the new birth, he would be healed from sin, as well as given a white garment.  This was the end of dream.

 I awoke from this dream in tears, because I could feel the love that God has for his creation. I understood that God loved mankind so much that he was willing to leave his throne in Glory and become a man and die on the cross for us. The Lord is willing to forgive us of all of our sins, no matter how big they are if we will repent of them, repentance means to turn away from them. The Lord is very patient, as well as merciful with each of us, he gives us time to grow in our Christian Walk. We enter the Kingdom of God as a baby, we learn to walk by taking baby steps at first, we also start off on milk, then eventually we mature to strong meat. The Lord does not expect perfection, but he does expect us to grow spiritually, as well as to produce good fruit (Galatians 5). We are also called to be set apart from the sinful world, if a person is truly born again it will show in their lifestyle. Also consider these Scriptures.

 1 John 1: 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

(1 Timothy 6: 11) But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.  12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

(2 Corinthians 7:10) For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

(Luke 15:7)  I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

 (1 Corinthians 6: 9) Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.  11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.   

Dreams of the Coming Judgments, Written by my Husband (With New Intro by Me)

 

Note: God spoke to me again this morning (09/24/25) and said, "The storm clouds are gathering.  The wrath of God is coming." This goes a vision I had on 08/31/24 of an impending judgment ready to come on every state in this country. While I do not know when it will occur, God is very strongly urging me to share this post again written by husband a few years ago.  Before I share my husband’s post, I would like to add a few words.

I typically save the prophetic words for Mel’s blog https://twelfthhourendtimeministries.blogspot.com/ but we are both called to a prophetic ministry, and I need to be more obedient to God by sharing more dreams He has given Mel and me.  The more I place God first in my life and am obedient to give up the things God hates, the clearer I hear His voice in both dreams, visions and words. At the times my walk with God is strongest and my faith is highest is usually when God speaks to me the most.  Therefore, I have also been called to share the warnings to all those who will listen.  I have had many dreams where I am warning people of the upcoming dangers about to hit this world.  I am often trying to lead people to safety and/or warn them tragedy is coming.  Sometimes I know the people in my dreams, but not always.  Truthfully, most people refuse to listen, but I am still called to warn even only one heeds the words of the Lord.  

(Acts 2:17-18) And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

It is very difficult to say when these tribulations will occur.  It is unwise to put an exact date on things.  God can be cryptic and hard to understand.  This makes it difficult to interpret a date.  What God has given Mel and me is not always the literal date of an event we believe will happen, but more of a sign of things to come.  With that disclaimer, I want to make it clear I do not know when these things will occur, but it is very soon, which is why God is very strongly urging me to post this today.  However, we both feel the time to get to remote areas will be between 3-10 years at the very most.  So, start making plans now.  I should also add that a number of judgements will occur before the “official” start of the tribulation described in the book of Revelation.  Such as the earthquakes and bad storms, this has already begun. 

One last thing: I drew the below picture depicting one of Mel’s dreams in 2017 (the above artwork is from my Bible journal).  When Mel tells me his dreams I can see them so clearly in my mind, I have the need to interpret them on paper.  I wish I was a better artist!  The angels in his dream (see his writing below) had black wings, but I wanted their wings to stand out a little more and not get lost in the stormy skies.       

(Matthew 24:6-8) And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. 

(Matthew 24:29-31) Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 

Recent Dreams of the Coming Judgments

Written by my Husband (Mel)

(Hebrews 12:26-29) Whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, "Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven." Now this, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire. 

Recently, the Lord has given me more dreams about the coming judgments. Quite often, the Lord will show me tornadoes and earthquakes as symbolic of coming judgments. The tornadoes and earthquakes are literal, but they are also symbolic of the much greater judgments to come. I see the coming great tribulation as a very dark, immense storm on the horizon. In a dream, I saw many large black tornadoes drop from the sky. The tornadoes seemed to be targeting upscale neighborhoods. The upper halves of the tornadoes were angels of the Lord. The Lord spoke to me that the angels were directing the paths of the tornadoes. My wife drew the picture of the angel/tornadoes that I used as cover art for this teaching. These judgments are not random events; they come by the hand of the Lord. The Lord’s righteous judgments are meant to bring a wake-up call to repentance, to those who will respond.

I had another dream, where I heard civil defense sirens wailing and I saw flashes of lightening, accompanied by rolling thunder. I heard a voice shout, “Tornadoes! Take cover!” I understood that God is warning His children to prepare a place of safety to ride out the storm of the coming tribulation. Those who wait until the last moment to prepare may find themselves stranded in the wrong location. The Lord did not rapture Noah out of the earth, rather He instructed him to build an ark of safety. Because of Noah’s obedience to the Lord, we are here today. We should follow Noah’s example and seek the Lord with prayer and fasting as to where the safe havens are located. The major cities of America will burn from nuclear fire. Go remote!

In another dream, I was standing in front of a federal courthouse in a large city. There was a large, round, seal of the USA, on front of the building. The seal was the eagle with the olive branch and arrows in its talons, which was also the seal of the Roman Caesars. A strong wind began to blow trash from the street into the air. I could hear a loud, cyclonic sound approaching the courthouse. The sound was the hum and roar of an immense tornado. I began to call on Jesus for protection. This dream was very clear high-definition quality, and I could hear the sound of the cyclone for a few seconds after waking. The tornado was approaching a federal courthouse. I believe that this indicates God’s judgment is upon this land, and that God’s laws trump man’s form of justice. Gay marriage and transgender bathroom laws are an example of man-made laws that will bring judgment upon this land. The wind was blowing trash into the air; I believe that this is symbolic of the sins of this nation. This nation has much blood on its hands. Illegal war campaigns, abortion of the innocents, sexual perversion pushed in the classrooms, the removal of God’s laws from sight and sound, are but a few. Many people are lovers of pleasure more than of God. The Lord hates materialism and he will destroy Babylon (USA) in a single hour. The merchants of the earth will weep over her, as her smoke ascends upward.

 In another dream, the Lord showed me tornado judgments coming upon the United Kingdom. The Lord showed me that their materialism would also result in judgments. I saw buildings of commerce, as well as places of entertainment. The Lord said that they are almost Americans. In other words, they have forgotten God as well. The tornadoes are symbolic of many forms of judgments. In another dream, I saw people hiding in a bomb shelter in Paris, France. They were hoping to survive the Great War to come. I saw a large nuclear explosion go off near the Eifel Tower. I was told that Paris is ground zero, and that no one would survive. The Day of Judgment is coming upon the entire world and our only hope for survival is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Many of God’s children will be martyred during the Tribulation, but others will survive to see the Lord’s return. Those who will survive are those who know God’s voice and are willing to relocate to wilderness or remote areas of God’s choosing. I believe that God is rising up prophets to be guides for his children into the wilderness (Revelation 12).

I believe that Babylon, described in Revelation 18 is a dual prophecy. It is a reference to Rome of old, as well as the modern Rome of the end time (USA). It is also a reference to spiritual Babylon, (Roman Catholic Church and her offspring, apostate Christianity).

(Revelation 18: 1-24) After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury." And I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her. In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, 'I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.'  Therefore her plagues will come in one day--death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her. "The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, 'Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.' And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore: merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men. The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you, and you shall find them no more at all. The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, and saying, 'Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.' Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, 'What is like this great city?' They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, 'Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she is made desolate.' Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!" Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, "Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore. The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters shall not be heard in you anymore. No craftsman of any craft shall be found in you anymore, and the sound of a millstone shall not be heard in you anymore. The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth." 

When you surrender your all to Jesus, He can set you free from depression! (Includes my "Depression" poem.)

When you surrender your all to Jesus, He can set you free from depression!

(Includes my "Depression" poem.)

I hear so often from Christians who love and serve Jesus that they are steeped in depression, anxiety, and dark thoughts. Way too many people battle with a feeling of hopelessness. If you or someone you love is one of those people, I pray this writing gives you hope, peace and joy!

(You can also see my recent writing about casting our burdens on Jesus: "Jesus Will Never Tell You That You Are Beyond His Help" https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/09/jesus-will-never-tell-you-that-you-are_15.html

Let me start off by saying that grief is never wrong, and even the Bible reminds us it is acceptable, so do not ever let anyone tell you tears are wrong. Psalm 30:5 - Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. & Ecclesiastes 3:4 - A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance.

However, I am not writing about normal grief, but a dark depression that never seems to go away. Let me also say that depression is not a sin, it is a symptom of what you have gone or are currently going through. In some cases, depression can even be a chemical imbalance one cannot control. There is never, ever any shame in seeking treatment, and in fact, I would encourage you seek professional help from a Biblical counselor if your depression if needed.

I have shared this story before in my blog, "Advice on How to Help a Hurting Friend" https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/04/colossians-19-advice-on-how-to-help.html but I will share part of it again: I once had a Christian co-worker confide in me that due to depression, she struggled with issues of faith. She felt as if her mind was a battlefield between Christ and Satan and she was painfully struggling not only to win the spiritual war, but also to understand why this was happening. My heart went out to her, and I told her I fully believed she was indeed involved in spiritual warfare and quoted to her Ephesians 6:12 - For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. I also told her that we have a God that intercedes on our behalf and reminded her of Luke 22:31-32 - And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."

Due to a traumatic childhood, she was someone who was difficult to encourage, yet through our 4 months of working together, I tried my best to be her friend. I once gave her a card to let her know I was praying for her and wrote some verses in the card including 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. She accepted the card with tears and thanks and said life was hard right now, but then the wall came back up, and she said no more.

The job we were working at was seasonal, and as soon as the season was over, she never had anything else to do with me. I tried to keep in contact with her, but she was not interested. I still think of her often and pray for her. God knows where she is and has her in His hands and heart.

Her struggles due depression are ones we have all heard of many times, and maybe even experienced ourselves.

The number one way to conquer depression is not on your own, but through the power of the Holy Spirit. By surrendering your all to Jesus and letting Him be your hope and peace. There are hundreds of good verses I could give to encourage you, and I absolutely believe in the power of Biblical Truths, prayer, and praise. So I am in no way dismissing the healing power of reading God's Word. Yet I also know that there are many for whom Jesus is nothing more than a band-aid for a broken heart, not a cure.

For those people quoting scripture and prayer will never be enough if they refuse to let go of the items in their lives that cause depression. Therefore, I want to help you understand why you (or someone you love) may be experiencing depression and how to conquer it.

There is a reason why scriptures won't bring more than temporary comfort and Jesus cannot heal your mind. Here is the key: when you surrender your all to Jesus, He can set you free from depression!

As I told my friend, I will say it again, spiritual warfare is very real. Satan wants to tear all of us apart and separate us from the Father as wheat is separated from the chaff. We may or may not realize how easy it is to open doors that allow Satan and his demons to enter into our homes. By watching television and movies as well as listening to music with satanic beats and reading ungodly books (which often includes so-called Christian artists and authors), we give Satan a foothold and allow him to affect us with emotional ailments, nightmares, and even bad tempers and sinful desires.

Depression attaches itself to your emotions is by stubbornly refusing to give up the things we know God hates. When we are suffering mentally (or physically, financially, and spiritually) we beg for help. We ask God to fix our circumstances. We say we will do whatever He asks of us. Yet when God says we need to give up a particular sin or sins in order to be set free from bondage, we balk.

We try to justify our actions. For example, some might say, "Jesus, I know if only I would give up pornography, You would heal my mind, But God, find another way to help. I know Your word says that looking at another woman with lust is cheating on my wife, but..." (Matthew 5:28 - But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.)

Or some may try to bargain, "God, I know if I gave up the demonic influences of television and movies that my depression would decrease, and I would see more answers to my prayers. But can you quit mentioning that 'touch not the unclean thing,' scripture verse? Surely that verse has nothing to do with modern day times anyway. If You can give me more proof, other than what the Bible says, that Hollywood is harmful to my soul, then I will give it up." (see 2 Corinthians 6:14-18)

Or some may just ignore God altogether, "God, you expect me to give up alcohol and marijuana? But then how will I cope with all the pains from my past? You need to help me deal with my problems another way; I will not give up drinking or drugs! If I quit going to the bars with my buddies, they will not understand." (Proverbs 20:1 - Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.)

In essence we have all been guilty of saying, "God, You are not enough for me. I know I am begging and crying for You to help me, but if you expect me to give up what the Bible says is unclean, then You don't love me at all, You just want me to be bored and miserable. I do not trust your plan for health and healing. I do not believe that the Bible that tells me to give up my sins. If you love me, You will simply grant me a miracle." (Mark 2:17 - When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, "They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came... to call... sinners to repentance."

It is the same with sin. If we refuse to repent and cast sin away, our minds will not improve and will have the potential to escalate to the point of non-repair. If we do not allow God to test us and get to the bottom of why we are depressed and why we are so stubborn to give up sin, we will never get the relief we are begging for. (Psalm 139:23-24 - Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me. & Psalm 51:7 - Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.)

Whatever God is asking you to give up, be it pornography, homo- or bi- sexuality (etc.), the occult, Hollywood, alcohol, an affair, false religion, bad temper, argumentative attitude, etc. then you need to follow His will and let go of your own stubborn pride, or you will remain in darkness. (1 John 1:6-8 - If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.)

I know there are some already resistant to what I have said because you are too attached to certain forms of entertainment. Well, I am going to make even more of you upset when I say there are also some people you may need to let go. When we allow people with poisonous personality traits or ungodly beliefs in our lives, we are asking for trouble 1 Corinthians 15:33 - Do not be deceived: Bad company corrupts good morals. Especially those glorifying the occult; they will do more than tempt you to sin but can literally disturb your peace.

You may meet a seemingly nice person who just happens to be into Wicca, yoga, fortune telling, fantasy role playing, or steeped into witchcraft through movies/books. Make no mistake, there is nothing safe, fun, or innocent about witchcraft. Being around these people can cause their demonic influences to oppress you with depression.

We are to treat everyone with kindness and respect, but when we willingly let a person involved in Satanism in our lives, we are mixing dark and light when they are clearly meant to be separated (again, see 2 Corinthians 6:14-18). There is a fine line between witnessing to an unbeliever and becoming their friend. By all means, please share the love of Jesus, but do not cross the unholy line and become unequally yoked.

It is not just outside influences that give Satan an open door to harass us. When we give into negativity, critical attitudes, grumbling toward God, and sinful desires, we are saying we are more fleshly-minded than spirituality in-tune. We make it easier for the enemy to plague us with not just depression, but also anger, bitterness, un-forgiveness, and other sinful actions. I am talking of oppression, not possession. We must bind and cast the evil spirits out of our homes in Jesus’ name and trade our poisonous attitudes for a heart of repentance and praise. Worshiping the Lord (not just singing a pretty song but really honoring Jesus with your heart and soul), brings down the strongholds of sin.

I know this is already a long writing, but I cannot end it without offering you hope. The main goal of Jesus' death on the cross was for our spiritual health, to save us from our sins, not for our tears our mental health (in spite of what some songs may say). However, we can still say that Jesus wants us to enjoy life, not be trapped in depression (John 10:10 - I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.) And if we can truly accept the precious gift of Salvation and then honor that gift by living for Jesus and not for the world, we can be free indeed!

I wrote the below poem in 2005 for a friend that was perpetually wallowing in self-pity and often depressed.  It is difficult for her to find joy even in the best of times.  God showed me it was her false religion where she placed empty rituals and unnecessary man-made laws above grace and the pure love and sovereignty of Jesus that was causing her depression (see 2 Corinthians 3:5-6).  

Freedom in Jesus means giving up our sins so we can break the chains of depression. Accepting forgiveness from God and truly believing He loves us can help bring about peace and joy. Believing your repented of sins are forever under the blood of Jesus should set you free from darkness in your mind. However, if you still cannot find the joy of the Lord, (as I stated above, unless your depression is caused by a legitimate medical issue) depression can never be cured until you learn to hate what God hates and then give it up.

For a reading on joy, please see my article, "Pursuing the Fruits of the Spirit: Joy" here: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/search?q=joy and one on peace "Do you find it difficult to believe that Jesus came to be your personal Prince of Peace?" https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2024/12/do-you-find-it-difficult-to-believe.html

Depression (2005)

Depression
Has settled in;
How can she
Tame such a Beast
That devours life's joy?
With teeth and claws
That scratch and bite,
And a forked tongue
That whispers hate and deceit,
And purrs sweet nothings
To make her believe
Its treacherous lies

Redemption
Has paid the price
To kill the Beast
And set her free;
With nail-pierced hands
That comfort and heal,
And eyes of peace
Full of hope and love
And words of truth
To bless with joy
And a pure heart
Full of mercy and grace

Are you plugging your ears and closing your eyes?

Are you plugging your ears and closing your eyes?

 (Acts 28:27) For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

This passage from Acts makes me think of the Old Testament.  The books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, & Ezekiel are pretty intense and sometimes difficult to read because of all the horrible things that are precited to come to the rebellious people to which the prophets are speaking (as well as prophesies for our own time). I am not going to dwell on those prophesies today; my focus is on those who willingly approached the prophets and asked for signs.  There are multiple instances, and I am not going to list one specific one but group them together in general because they all follow the same pattern.

Men of the city, usually the leaders, would seek out one of the prophets and beg for a prophecy from God. They would promise to obey to do whatever the Lord asked of them.  They claim they will not be rebellious or angry but promise to do the Lord's will.  What they do not consider is that God knows their hearts and if one asks for a word from the Lord, he had better be prepared for an honest answer.  God cannot lie (Titus 1:2). The prophets of God were willing vessels and bravely obeyed the Lord in saying all they were instructed to say.  Therefore, when asked for a prophecy, the answers were usually along the same lines (and rings true for us as well): repent of your sins, give up your idols, your false theologies, your immoral lifestyles, and God will bless you.  Just as the verse in Acts above tells us God wants to heal those who repent.  Did the seekers get on their knees and obey?  No!  They got angry and found another "religious" man to give them a new prophecy that tickled their ears and made them happy. Sometimes they even imprisoned, tortured, and/or murdered the prophets that spoke the Truth. They stubbornly held onto their wicked ways until the Lord did as He promised and punished them.  You see, God always, always, always, gives us a chance to surrender our will and give up our sins. God does not desire any of us to be punished now or in death but wants all to live for Him so we can have a joyful life now and spend forever with Him in heaven.  

(2 Peter 3:9) The Lord... is longsuffering to us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.  

Aren't we just like the men of old? We beg God to speak to us and promise we will obey.  Yet when we read the Bible and see that God commands us to be separate from the world and the Lord says to "'come out from among them, and be ye separate... and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters,' saith the Lord Almighty. 'And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters,' saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. " (2 Corinthians 6:17:18-7:1), we shut the Bible and put it back on the shelf.  We do not want to be told to give up false religions, alcohol, drugs, sex outside of marriage, the occult/witchcraft, lying, cheating, pornography, etc.  We plug our ears and shut our eyes to the Truth and go to a happy little church that will willingly tell us there is grace for all our sins, so we do not need to repent because God loves us no matter what we do.  

(2 Timothy 4:3-4) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 

Today's pastors are not ignorant of what the Bible really says about holiness, they choose to scripture pick the verses that make it seem as if God winks at sin.  They know if they were honest to their listeners like the prophets of old were, their offering plates would be empty. They are counting on you to be lazy and just take them at face value and not read the Bible on your own. Most are just like those men that sought out Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel and don't want to be told to change their rebellious ways.  

People who preach holiness are called judgmental because we refuse to lie to you.  The truth is, we are not judging you; we care about you and want you to have an abundant, joyful life in Christ. What we say is out of a heart of love, not criticism. If we hated you, we would not care where you spent eternity. 

My writings are not from a critical heart, but a compassionate one.  I am not judging any person; I am merely pointing out what the Bible has to say about sin. Those of us who preach holiness love you more than those that lie to you just so you will put money in the offering to help them buy a new car. We don't want your money; we want you to be set free from sin so you can live in peace and have eternal joy in heaven.  Freedom in Christ is repenting of and not repeating habitual sins.  God's grace does not mean you are free to sin.

(Romans 6:1-2 & 6) What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 

My point is, do not turn away from the Truths of the Bible just because you don't like what it asks you to give up.  If you are seeking answers from the Lord, that is an excellent place to start.  But don't just say you love the Lord, follow it up with action.  You need to choose to love the Lord more than you love the world. Are you willing to listen to the Truths in the Bible?  Will you give up what God asks you to?  Will you unplug your eyes, open your eyes, repent and obey? 

Do not push that button!

Do not push that button!

Be honest: how many of you want to push that big red button that says, “Do Not Push?”  Do you want to do it out of curiosity’s sake?  What does it do?  Or just to be rebellious? "No one can tell me what to do!"  

Do you ever stop to consider why someone does not want that button pushed, or are you only thinking of yourself?  What if you disobeyed the sign and someone got hurt?  Would you even care as long as you were not the one injured?  What if someone you love would be the victim on the other end of that mysterious button?  I hope that would deter you.

 

Now let me add a few more words: “Do Not Push Or You Will Go To Jail.”  Still feeling the need to satisfy your curiosity or do the prospects of a fine or jail time cause you to walk away?  

I know there are some out there that think the risk would be worth it.  After all, there may be a reward for breaking the rules. What if you pushed it and whistles went off, confetti fell from the sky, and some man in a three-piece suit came running out with a check for $10,000,000?  

Maybe you will launch a rocket and you’ll get to see an exciting show.  Who cares if someone gets hurt or killed?  Quite frankly, the possibilities are endless, and that’s why you are just itching to push that button to see what happens.

Now let me change the words again: “Do Not Push Or You Will Go To Hell.”  You still want to do it, don’t you?  Curiosity can have a powerful influence, and rebellion is an even bigger encouragement to do not do as you are told.  Maybe it is just a suggestion, and pushing a pointless button will not really send you to Hell.  There really are no consequences because all you have to do is say you are sorry, and all will be forgiven, right?  Or maybe some Man (Jesus) you never bothered getting to know already paid the debt for your sins so why not go ahead and do whatever you want?  There really is no point in trying to figure out why any rules are there in the first place. Do not walk on the grass?  Do not touch the wet paint? Silliness! These are not any more serious than, do not commit adultery?  Do not lie or steal?  They are all a bunch of archaic rules meant to make life boring!

But I am here to tell you that the rules were all put there for a reason, not just to keep you oppressed!  I am not speaking of the laws of Moses, for even the apostle Paul states that the old laws bring death (2 Corinthains 3:5-6 Our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter [of the law], but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life - see also https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/06/leviticus-numbers-deuteronomy-jesus.html ).  I am referring to the laws of Jesus Christ.  

(Matthew 19:16-21) And, behold, one came and said unto [Jesus], "Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?"

And He said unto him, "...If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments... Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself... If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me."

The Lord wants us to follow His rules so that we avoid Hell because He wishes that none would perish in Hell (see 2 Peter 3:9), but live with Him for all eternity, it is why He died such a brutal death on the cross.  When you realize His rules are there to protect you from torment in Hell, it should make you want to follow them.  They are there to protect you from hurting others as well as yourself, not restrict your fun!  God is holy and cannot abide with unholy sin, therefore, we must be clean to live with Him forever. 

If you really consider the rules, you can see why Jesus says not to do certain things, they all cause others pain.  Now if we follow the fruits of the spirit (see below) they will bring others joy!  Wouldn’t you rather be a bringer of happiness than of destruction?  Therefore, think twice before pushing that button!       

 (Galatians 5:16-25) I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 

What bribes have we taken to crucify Jesus all over again?

What bribes have we taken to crucify Jesus all over again? 

Earlier this week I read through the book of Matthew, and in chapter 26 I reread about the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot, as well as Peter denying that he was a disciple of Jesus (this chapter is too long to post in this writing, please read it on your own).  I think we all feel disgust at Judas and disappointment in Peter.  However, when we really stop to think about it, aren't we just as guilty?

Judas accepted a bribe of thirty pieces of silver to betray Jesus to be arrested and crucified.  What bribes have we taken to crucify Jesus all over again? Don't think that's what you are doing?  Hebrews 6:4-6 states very clearly that when we have chosen to accept Jesus' free gift of salvation, then later backslide and throw that gift in the garbage, we are placing Jesus back on the cross.

(Hebrews 6:4-6, Amplified Version) For [it is impossible to restore to repentance] those who have once been enlightened [spiritually] and who have tasted and consciously experienced the heavenly gift and have shared in the Holy Spirit... and then have fallen away—it is impossible to bring them back again to repentance, since they again nail the Son of God on the cross [for as far as they are concerned, they are treating the death of Christ as if they were not saved by it], and are holding Him up again to public disgrace.   

Makes me shudder just to think about it in those terms.  

You may agree that backsliding is just as bad as the book of Hebrews says, but you may say you never backslid and are still a Christian.  Every time we slip, we are not backsliding, of course.  But habitual and rebellious sins we refuse to give up put our souls in danger.  God will absolutely forgive each time we repent, but if you are on a perpetual loop of repeating the same sins then repent, repeating the same sins then repent, you are not truly sorry for your actions but using God's grace as an excuse to sin (see Romans 6:1-2).  God knows your hearts and if your repentance is shallow, God will not forgive your cold arrogance toward sin. 

Do you really know what the Bible says about the types of purposeful sins that can send you to Hell?  Here is just one list.  When you study the Bible on your own, you will be aware of all God hates.

(Galatians 5:19-21) Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

When you choose any of these things over Jesus, such as ungodly entertainment, the occult/new ageism/witchcraft, mind altering substances (whether legal or illegal), sex outside of marriage, hating others, etc., these things have become your bribe to turning your back on Jesus and His holy ways.  These sins have become your 30 pieces of silver and when you trade Jesus for your sinful desires, the accepted bribes crucify Him again. 

And just like Peter, I am sure we have given into peer pressure and have at least once denied we were Christians.  What does the Bible say about being ashamed to publicly call yourself a Christian?

(Matthew 10:32-33) Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

Pretty serious, don't you think?  We are not called to be popular, but to please Jesus.  Your buddies did not die for you, nor can they save your soul.  Give your loyalty to Jesus only!

(Galatians 1:10) For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

If we ask, the Holy Spirit will give us victory over our sins and help us to conquer our old nature.  Don't refuse to listen to His promptings to purge certain activities, practices, and even people out of your life.  Pray that God will help you hate what He hates and love what He loves.

(Romans 3:22-23) Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

Yes, we are all guilty of betraying Jesus for the pleasures of this world.  But the good news is:

(1 John 1:9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 Jesus loves, heals, and forgives sincere repentance, so come back to Him today!