Did you know that 730,000 people attempt suicide every year? And those 730,000 attempted suicides affect a minimum of 6 people surrounding them. That's 4,380,000 people who are affected by this one act each and every year. Now the reality is that only 30,000 of those 730,000 attempts are successful. Only 1 out of 50 attempts actually accomplish ending their lives. As of today there are 4.4 million people who are survivors of attempted suicides. In adults suicide is the 11th leading cause of death. In youth it is the 3rd leading cause of death. For every 2 people from the ages of 1 to 19 who are murdered, 1 commits suicide. Lastly someone attempts suicide every 18 minutes.
By now you're probably wondering what has all that got to do with me? I would never attempt suicide and if fact I would never think about it as an option. You're probably right. But....
Would you take on stress or even depression. Would you consider frustration, anger, abuse? How about alcohol, drugs or pornography? None of these seems to be as serious as attempting suicide but your wrong. Any one or all of these can lead to attempted suicide. Then there's another angle. Is suicide just about death or can we attempt suicide while living our lives. Have you ever heard anyone say that so and so committed career suicide? Isn't a drug or alcohol abuser committing suicide?
We'll enough of that. I'll leave it with this. According to a recent study less than 2.5% of all Americans say they are happy. What's up with that?
Jesus addressed this issue long ago. Jesus gave us the answer for all that seems to keep us from finding happiness. I must tell you that I am conceding for the moment to the idea of being able to find happiness. Happiness is not scriptural as far as I can tell. There is something far greater than happiness. The fullness of God is far more than just being happy. A good Chicago hot dog can make me happy. A Fuddruckers burger can make me happy. One of those special looks from Ann Marie can make me happy. Many things can make me happy... but... they only last for a moment. SO.... I am not searching for happiness. I want and need something more. Let's see if Jesus really spoke about what I and millions of others think I'm looking for.
Matthew 6:25 AMP.
Jesus says, "Therefore I tell you,"
Therefore is saying, for a reason. I is Jesus. tell is to impart information. you... is no doubt me.
So let's put it all together. For a reason I, Jesus, am imparting the following information to YOU ED!!!!
Time is up for today but our application is to call someone whom you have not spoken to in some time and say hello. Then give them a scripture verse that will encourage them. You may not know what verse until you make the call.
THEREFORE I TELL YOU!
By now you're probably wondering what has all that got to do with me? I would never attempt suicide and if fact I would never think about it as an option. You're probably right. But....
Would you take on stress or even depression. Would you consider frustration, anger, abuse? How about alcohol, drugs or pornography? None of these seems to be as serious as attempting suicide but your wrong. Any one or all of these can lead to attempted suicide. Then there's another angle. Is suicide just about death or can we attempt suicide while living our lives. Have you ever heard anyone say that so and so committed career suicide? Isn't a drug or alcohol abuser committing suicide?
We'll enough of that. I'll leave it with this. According to a recent study less than 2.5% of all Americans say they are happy. What's up with that?
Jesus addressed this issue long ago. Jesus gave us the answer for all that seems to keep us from finding happiness. I must tell you that I am conceding for the moment to the idea of being able to find happiness. Happiness is not scriptural as far as I can tell. There is something far greater than happiness. The fullness of God is far more than just being happy. A good Chicago hot dog can make me happy. A Fuddruckers burger can make me happy. One of those special looks from Ann Marie can make me happy. Many things can make me happy... but... they only last for a moment. SO.... I am not searching for happiness. I want and need something more. Let's see if Jesus really spoke about what I and millions of others think I'm looking for.
Matthew 6:25 AMP.
Jesus says, "Therefore I tell you,"
Therefore is saying, for a reason. I is Jesus. tell is to impart information. you... is no doubt me.
So let's put it all together. For a reason I, Jesus, am imparting the following information to YOU ED!!!!
Time is up for today but our application is to call someone whom you have not spoken to in some time and say hello. Then give them a scripture verse that will encourage them. You may not know what verse until you make the call.
THEREFORE I TELL YOU!
Ok, So all weekend I had been asking the Lord who I need to call just to share an encouraging word and scripture. It happened quite the opposite. A friend from North Carolina called me that I have not talked to in a few months. He had called me in need of prayer and needing some direction. So as we were talking the Lord allowed it so I could pray for him. He felt encouraged through the prayer. I was able to share w/ him the verse out of James confess your sins to one another.
ReplyDeleteOn friday I called my friend Taylor, who was on his way to South Carolina School of Leadership formerly a Master's Commission...Anyway I had been praying for God to give me something to say and he led me to Proverbs 12:1 which talks about those who enjoy correction love knowledge and when I called that was exactly what he had been struggling with is the fact that he has been in ministry and is a couple of years older than the other new guys which may give him a sense of pride and a hardness to criticism so we prayed and I agreed to continue to pray for him as he starts this season of his life. It was encouraging for both him and I to know that even though we haven't seen each other since we were 13 that God has put us in each other's lives to be that prayer warrior that Iron sharpens Iron when we need it the most.
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