VL - Issue 18 - November 2015

More documents

Info

Choose to Live by Todd Ingersoll I grew up in a Christian family. I went to church and youth group and did everything else expected of me. I learned a lot about God, but I was never certain if I knew Him. During my senior year in high school, I was accepted to attend Moody Bible Institute (MBI), but shortly thereafter, I realized I did not have a personal relationship with Christ. Instead of dealing with this, I chose to lie about it to my pastor, family, and friends…and then the downward spiral began. I went from questioning my faith to believing that I had committed the unpardonable sin and was now destined to go to hell. Countless sleepless nights and the beginning of severe depression followed. Because of pride and fear, I chose to isolate myself and not tell anyone what was going on inside of me. That isolation opened the door for the enemy to have a field day with me. Isolation is the enemy’s playground. I was bombarded with one lie after another, but I believed them because of how I was feeling. I continued in this downward spiral for the remainder of my senior year and the first semester of my freshman year in college. The lies and feelings increased in severity, and I became all the more confused. I was studying to be a pastor at MBI, but I knew my faith was invalid. I avoided the inner turmoil by remaining busy with school and basketball—which worked okay during the day, but then night would come, and I would be haunted with these condemning thoughts and hopeless feelings. I found myself, on a daily basis, looking out my nineteenth-floor dorm window, thinking about ending my life. I managed to survive that first semester by the grace of God and the help of a couple close friends, Jim and Mick. I then returned early to school after Christmas for a basketball tournament. My best friend had challenged me to read a book called Ordering Your Private World, by Gordon McDonald, and so I finally did on the last day before the rest of the students returned. God used that book to get hold of my heart and to speak truth into me. I got on my knees alongside my bed and cried out to Jesus. I was truly amazed that He heard me, and I was suddenly overwhelmed with feelings of peace and joy like I had never experienced before. On January 14, 1989, I became a son of God and started a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life and was amazed at the changes that were taking place. This, however, is not the end of my story; it was just the beginning. I continued at MBI for another two years before I felt God calling me to go into business instead of the pastorate. I returned home and began working in contracting. Then I began telling parts of my story to family and friends. Instead of being received with open arms, I was met with many opposing—and confusing—points of view. Little by little, I opened the door again to the enemy’s lies. I chose again to isolate myself, and before I knew it, I was severely depressed and more confused than ever before. I sought counseling and help from doctors, but nothing seemed to help. Not the medicine, therapy, or countless counseling sessions. I used to drive aimlessly for hours, trying to clear my head and make sense of things. One day I made the snap decision to drive off the road in an attempt to end my life. But God had placed an off-duty EMT right behind me who watched me fly <strong>18</strong>0 feet through the air. Only by the grace of God and my guardian angels did I survive—and that with only minor injuries. This led to a new chapter in my life. I sought extensive counseling and inpatient care. I was surrounded by my family and girlfriend who loved and supported me. I learned a lot about myself during the weeks and months that followed, and eventually felt I had been set free from depression once and for all. My relationship with my girlfriend continued to develop, and Susan and I were married on January 23, 1993. Life was great. It was as though I’d been given a second chance—until the unexpected happened. On May 12, 1995, I watched our firstborn son die on the delivery table. I was strong at first as I tried to be there for my wife, but that only lasted so long. Six months later, I was driving to the office, thinking it was just going to be another day at work… when, without warning, I was overwhelmed by feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. I reacted without even thinking about it. Without premeditation, I pulled my truck into a storage bay and again tried to end my life. This attack came on so fast, with no warning, and I reacted as though it were out of my control—but God clearly reminded me once again that He is in total control! By the grace of God, I was rescued from a burning building with only minor injuries. I went on to pursue several months of extensive counseling and therapy and began rebuilding my life again. By the amazing grace of God and the love and support of my faithful wife, family, and friends, God restored my life. My wife and I are blessed with three healthy boys, a successful business, and many opportunities to share our story to help others. The enemy has tried more than once in the twenty years since then to take me down. Through the truth of God’s Word, however, and the power of prayer, support from my wife, family, and friends, and choosing to live in community when I was struggling instead of isolating, I have weathered those storms. My heart truly breaks each time I hear that someone has taken their own life. I was there more than once—I understand the struggle. I don’t understand why God protected me and not some others, but He has reminded me time and time again that it is not for me to ask. It is for me to trust that God is in total control and that He “causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). He has also taught me that true freedom only comes through believing and claiming His truth, regardless of my feelings. God has opened many doors for me to help those who are battling depression or who have a loved one that is. First Peter 5:8 tells us that the enemy prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour— this applies to Christians just as much as it does to non-Christians. But Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God has good plans for us, not bad ones; plans for the future and hope. We must learn to claim these truths for our lives. God doesn’t guarantee that times will always be easy and trouble free, but He does promise to be with us and to work everything in accordance to His plan and purpose. Can true believers of Jesus Christ try to take their own lives? Yes—I did. But Jesus Christ came so that we can have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10). If you or a loved one is struggling, I encourage you with the following verse. “Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God; listen to His voice and hold fast to Him. For the Lord is your life” (Deuteronomy 30:19–20 niv). V 10 www.kojministries.org
Switch That Label! by Crackhead. Slut. Liar. Unbeliever. Thief. Cheat. Worthless. Fat. Ugly. Stupid. Poor. Every day, people try to attach names to us, many of which aren’t even true. They make rash assumptions or judgments and run with them. The most recent name applied to me was noncompassionate Christian. As I heard those words, my heart filled with many emotions. First, I was angry. Who did this guy think he was, judging me like that? He was the noncompassionate Christian! I was also hurt. His comment made me feel like I was failing at being who Christ wants me to be; the person I so desperately want to be. I had to step back and get God’s take on the situation. I have to admit—it was all I could do not to react in self-defense. As I sought God’s perspective, however, He gently instructed me to show this person His love, to treat him like he had never said anything hurtful to me, and to pray for him. God also reminded me to let Him handle the situation, that He would defend my reputation and show others, including the person who had hurt me, that these words were untrue. And then He reminded me of something else. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8–9 Aleshia Dye Proverbs <strong>18</strong>:21 nkjv says that “death and life are in the power of the tongue.” It’s a warning to us to be wise in what we say—to others, but also to ourselves. Negative self-talk can be just as damaging as someone else’s gossip. So no matter what label someone has tried to attach to you, speak truth—God’s truth—to yourself. Instead of agreeing with the world’s labels, declare aloud the virtues that God says are in you until they become a reality in your life. Instead of saying, “I am so stupid,” you could say, “I am so smart. God has given me wisdom. I have the mind of Christ.” Rather than saying, “I’m worthless,” say, “I’m God’s treasured possession. I am worth the very life of His Son!” Satan uses negative words to distract us from taking hold of God’s promises for our lives. They rob us of time and energy. They cause us to think differently about ourselves than God thinks of us. But consider this: people don’t talk about ordinary people. They talk about people who are different. Be different for Jesus and let them talk. So what is your label? Does it match any of the ones God would put on you? Loved. Forgiven. Gifted. Strong. Courageous. Beautiful. Treasured. Wise. If not, then it’s time to switch your label. It doesn’t matter what people call you. Christ knows your heart. Don’t allow what others have said or how you feel about yourself to keep you from seeing yourself as God sees you. Speak God’s truth about your life. Believe what He says, and watch your life begin to change. Be filled with His love and live every day to please Him. When you do, His love will shine through you. The labels you’re used to wearing will begin to change. And if you have a negative label because of your past or current situation, ask Christ to save you. When you do, your negative labels will be washed away. It’s time to pull off those ugly, worn-out, old tags and let Jesus put His label on your heart and life. V Beautiful You! I love you, My child. Did you know, I think you’re beautiful? You are. Come to Me, right now, just as you are. You are perfectly designed for an incredible purpose. Don’t compare yourself with others. Don’t wish you were someone else or that you were somewhere else. Be the you I created you to be, right where you are. Know that even now, even in this season, your life has great value and purpose. My child, quit striving to be someone else. If you are trying to be someone else, you can’t be who I created you to be. There is no other you! You are enough. Quit striving to do more. It’s not about how much you can do for Me; it’s about trusting Me. Just rest in Me. Receive the love I am lavishing upon you. Then love me back and love those I place in your path. It’s that simple. Quit striving to be somewhere else. You can’t bloom where you are at this moment if you are always trying to get somewhere else. Take a deep breath. Rest in the plan I have for you. It’s good. You may not be able to see it, but I do. I see it all. I see how I will take your past and your present and weave them into the most incredible future. Trust Me. I’ve got you. Quit worrying. Quit doubting. Quit regretting. And quit being afraid. It’s not necessary, nor is it helpful. It only wears you out and steals your joy, peace, opportunities, gifts, and time. I love you, My child. I love you just as you are; I love you right where you are. Don’t listen to the lies that torment your mind. You are not a failure, devoid of hope, ugly, worthless, or beyond repair. You don’t need to clean up to come to Me. You don’t need to perform to please Me. I am already pleased with you. And I cannot possibly love you any more than I do right now. Receive My love. Receive My Truth. And find the freedom to be you… beautiful you. www.kojministries.org 11
Page 1 and 2: REAL PEOPLE | REAL STORIES | REAL H
Page 4 and 5: FROM THE PUBLISHER An Invasion of L
Page 6 and 7: REFRESH YOUR SOUL A Wardrobe Change
Page 8 and 9: Watermelon on the Rocks by Kristi O
Page 12 and 13: The Train Ticket by Becky Coursen B
Page 14 and 15: FAST AND FURIOUS by Linda Cubbedge
Page 16 and 17: A WORK IN PROGRESS by Kenny Munds M
Page 18 and 19: A WORK IN PROGRESS | from page 17__
Page 20 and 21: BURYING FOX by George Beasely THE M
Page 22 and 23: Under the Hat by It wasn’t the fi
Page 24 and 25: Unbroken Donkey by Carey Morford I
Page 26 and 27: MINISTRY NEWS UPDATE FROM KOJ MINIS
Page 28 and 29: MINISTRY NEWS UPDATE FROM IN HIS WA
Page 30 and 31: God Made a Way by Calvin M. Greetin
Page 32: GIVE FREEDOM Victorious Living PO B

VL - Issue 18 - November 2015

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?