Showing posts with label LINDA EVANS SHEPHERD. Show all posts

Monday, July 29, 2019

The Life-Changing Secret to Prayer You May Have Overlooked - LINDA EVANS SHEPHERD CHARISMA NEWS

5:00PM EDT 7/28/2019 LINDA EVANS SHEPHERD CHARISMA NEWS

It's a new day, a fresh season. The air here in Colorado is sweet after days of rain. The grass is green, and the crab apple tree in my backyard is filled with fluffy pink blossoms.

After a deep season of sorrow upon losing my precious daughter Laura, I am feeling a new sweetness in my spirit. I'm letting go of grudges and pain, and joy is overtaking my fog of grief.

Can the human spirit really find this kind of refreshing? Yes, but only when we refuel by the power of God.

Imagine if I gave you the keys to a beautiful new car loaded with the latest gadgets—back-up cameras, Bluetooth, anti-collision tech and even a sunroof—though minus a tank of gas.

So, you accept my gift but think, I guess this car isn't meant to be driven, at least not anymore, right? Otherwise, it would start. But never mind that, it's a beautiful car, and I should be grateful. To prove it, the kids and I will come out to the garage from time to time, use the Bluetooth, open the sunroof and play our favorite tunes. And that will have to be enough.

And so, once a week, you religiously go and sit in your beautiful car. But you never go anywhere. Sometimes you dream of using the car as it was originally intended. You imagine driving to work, driving down the coast or maybe even taking a trip to see friends. But you know in your heart that if the manufacturer wanted you to actually drive the car, he would also have filled the tank.

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Of course, the real you is too wise to fall for such a whopper. When your car needs fuel, you fill it up. It's a simple as that.

There are some Christians and churches who have never filled their tank with the power of God, His Holy Spirit. And some people and churches have never thought to refill their tank when it runs dry. That's exactly how I found the refreshing in my soul after a winter of pain. I called on God through the power of the Holy Spirit to help me to forgive those who so wronged my child and to heal my emotional pain. And if God, through the Holy Spirit, will do this for me, He will also do this for you.

If you need to refuel with the power of God, pray this simple prayer that South African pastor William Murray taught the young students of the Moody Bible Institute to pray in the late 1800s. Through this prayer, the young people were empowered to change their world for Christ. If you're ready to pray this prayer, simply pray, "More, Holy Spirit, more!"

Pray this often and pray it over your church as well. The power of God you've always dreamed about could be realized in your life and the lives of those you love.

Linda Evans Shepherd is a nationally known Christian speaker and a bestselling author of over 30 books. She's the president of Right to the Heart Ministries, founder of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA) and the founder of GodTest.com. Her latest book is When You Need to Move a Mountain.

This article originally appeared at gottopray.com.

For more about the work of the Holy Spirit, listen to the podcast included here:

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Saturday, June 9, 2018

The Sneaky Spirit of Suicide: How You Can Fight the Looming Lies That Pushed Celebrities to Kill Themselves - LINDA EVANS SHEPHERD CHARISMA NEWS

The Sneaky Spirit of Suicide: How You Can Fight the Looming Lies That Pushed Celebrities to Kill Themselves

6/8/2018 LINDA EVANS SHEPHERD CHARISMA NEWS

I want to answer the celebrity suicide question that so many are struggling with: "If a celebrity such as Kate Spade, Anthony Bourdain or Robin Williams should kill themselves, why shouldn't I?"

Here's my answer, an answer I would have loved to have shared with our recently departed friends.

Depression is like a living monster built on lies that parade through your mind, lies built for one purpose, to steal, kill and destroy the wonderful person you are. Dr. Keith Abow, a psychiatrist who has dealt with many who entertained this monster, said in an article that addressed Robin Williams, "I would have told you to fight against the invader with everything and every resource, without pride. Deploy every weapon. And because the truth is the mortal enemy of every lie, I would have told you to get to an emergency room or call a suicide hotline or 911 and tell someone the absolute truth about all the dark thoughts you were having—yes, even the one about leaving the planet. Especially that one. Because that one is the big lie implanted in your mind by the Godforsaken charlatan, scum, named major depression. Your enemy. And mine."

I applaud Dr. Abow's wise words, but I'd like to continue to shine truth on the lies that come with depression. The idea that you should kill yourself is from the pit of hell. We know Satan has come to steal, kill and destroy the very ones God has gifted with the most purpose and potential. First, he blinds them to their future and hope; then he whispers lies into their hearts about how the world would be better off without them, and only death will stop their pain.

If you are hearing such lies, do not believe them.

If I could have said one thing to Kate or Anthony or Robin prior to their deaths, I would have told them, "You are loved not only by God, but you have also brought joy to many. If you choose to live, not only will you continue to bring joy to others, but you will find happier moments yourself. Plus, you can find God's peace here in this world."

The sad truth is that many will be influenced by these celebrity suicides and will choose suicide as well. Kate, Anthony and Robin could have chosen life and in time, walked out of their depression. They might even have experienced God-given purpose as well as love, joy and even peace. Sure, in continuing life, these dear souls may have struggled from time to time, but much could have been done to manage their depression, and they could have lived out their lives in peace and even joy. The problems these celebrities may have struggled with such as self-loathing, financial woes, fear of the future, loss of relationships or even mental illness could have been survived or even carried by Jesus himself.

If these celebrities had only trusted in the God who loved them; if they had pushed back against their depression, even one more time. If they had called 911 or gone to the emergency room, they could have lived through the darkness to find life once again.

Kate, Anthony and Robin are gone, but you are here, and I'd like to say that if you are depressed, you can fight back. You can recognize the lies of depression, which may be trying to coax you into a tragic decision that will not only hurt you but those who love you. Don't do anything rash while you are in the depth of your hurt or despair. Live, so you can have a hope and a future.

As the word says in Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT), "'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'"

You do not have to give into the temptation of death. You can choose to live. Just as the Lord told his people,

"I call heaven and earth to witnesses against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live" (Deut. 30:19).

Live! God loves you and will get you through the darkness.

Please pray with me:

Dear Lord,

I come to You with my depression and thoughts of suicide. I break the spirit of suicide off of myself in the name of Jesus and in the power of His blood. If Satan has sent his lackeys to pepper me with thoughts of suicide, I say—you must be quiet! You may not speak to me again—in Jesus' name!

I declare that I will live because God has plans for me. Plans for good and not for disaster, to give me a future and a hope.

I declare that this day, I choose life and blessings so that my children and I may live.

Also, Lord, I ask that You heal the grief and trauma of my wounded heart and exchange my pain for Your peace, love and joy. I ask that You, Lord, carry my burdens so I may have Your peace.

I pray this in the powerful name and through the blood of Jesus Christ my Savior!

Amen.

If you would like to know more about God's love for you, go to: GodTest.com

Linda Evans Shepherd is the author of The God You Need to Know; Discover His Story, Experience His Love, a book that recently hit No. 1 on Amazon in several categories.