Counseling Blog submitted by Minister Dr. Rosalyn H. Berry
FROM THE HEART OF GOD
March 2014
“The Springtime of Grief”Oh how I love springtime! It represents life to me by bringing forth that which was buried underneath the earth. It seems as though God says, “Plants, flowers, and trees it is time for your beauty to come forth”! Isaiah 61 speaks of the Messiah’s ministry being fulfilled by the anointing of the Spirit of the Lord. His ministry includes the binding up of the brokenhearted, proclamation of liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; bringing comfort to all that mourn, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified (v 1-3).
As we grieve our loss we bury many emotions underneath the surface. If we never allow them to be nurtured and brought to the light they will eat away at our very soul. We lose our strength, will, and desire to go on. We begin to have fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness. This fellowship can lead to us being bound and held captive in obscurity, inactivity, ruins, nonexistence, depression, even death.
If this is where you find yourself today God is saying to you, “Now it is high time to awake out of sleep. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: therefore cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armour of light. Awake you that sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light. Don’t be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Romans 13:11-12; Ephesians 5:14)
The springtime of grief brings forth emotions that have been buried – bitterness, emptiness, apathy, love, anger, guilt, sadness, fear, self-pity, and helplessness. Take those emotions along with God’s help and use them for change, growth, new insights, understanding, and refinement. Live in hope out not despair.
Oh how I love the springtime of grief! It seems as though God is saying, “My child, it is time for your beauty to come forth! I have given you beauty for your ashes! You can do all things through Me because - I Am Your Strength!”
Dr. Rosalyn H. Berry, LPC
bveros56@aol.com
CBBC Counseling
Blog submitted by Minister Dr. Rosalyn H. Berry
FROM THE HEART OF GOD
February 2014
“GOD’S DIVINE PURPOSE FOR LOSS”
Loss is defined as the state of being deprived of or being without something that
one has had; death, or the fact of being dead.
What is God’s purpose for depriving man of or being without something that he has
had?What is God’s purpose for death?Paul said, For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Philippians1:21 NIV).Paul further states, But whatever was to my profit I now
consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness
of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ – the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain to the
resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:7-11 NIV).
God’s divine purpose for loss is to give us gain.We put too much stock in the temporariness of this fallen world.God is trying to get us to set our affections on things above – which are eternal.We can use Job as a perfect example.Job’s losses were profound.And even though Job was an upright man and honored God in all his ways, he had to lose in order to gain.
As Job journeyed through his grief he pondered the purposes of God for allowing
such loss in his life.He thought he had been deprived erroneously of all that he once had.He was a good man and had done many good things. He was well respected and was prosperous in all his
ways.Even so, God wanted to give him more.When God began to question Job in chapter 38 and 39 (please read) Job could only respond with these words, I am unworthy – how can I reply to you?I
put my hand over my mouth.I spoke once, but I have no answer – twice, but I will say no more (40:4-5 NIV).Job realized that what he thought he had been deprived of in this fallen world could not compare to things God has prepared for him in glory!
As we experience loss in this fallen world God knows that we don’t always understand and it has the potential to consume us.But remember the words of Job: I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours is thwarted. Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too
wonderful for me to know. My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes. (Job 42:2, 3, 5, 6 NIV).
GOD HAS A DIVINE PURPOSE FOR LOSS!
CBBC Counseling Blog submitted by Minister Dr. Rosalyn H. Berry
FROM THE HEART OF GOD
"FORGETTING, REACHING, and PRESSING"
Philippians 3:13-14
I count not myself to have apprehended: but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! This is the time we usually make new resolutions for the year but rarely get the mission accomplished. Why is that? I believe we abort the mission because we fail to go through the process that is found in Philippians 3:13-14 - Forgetting, Reaching, and Pressing.
In the earlier part of Philippians 3, Paul speaks about his prior accomplishments in the flesh. They were superb accomplishments - Accomplishments that would have put him on the list of Who’s Who today. But the things that were great worldly accomplishments for him, he gladly traded for a goal even greater - the prize God offers because of what Christ did for us on the cross – Salvation! He went through the process of Forgetting, Reaching, and Pressing.
FORGETTING: Paul removed from the forefront of his mind his rich heritage; top notch education; and zeal to uphold his righteousness of the law. Even though those things were not necessarily bad he removed them from the forefront because he no longer identified with that life. What do you need remove from the forefront of your mind that is no longer a part of your new life? What do you need to stop dwelling on from your past that hinders you in your new life? Ask the Lord to renew your mind.
REACHING: Paul saw before him the opportunity to know Christ Jesus through the righteousness of God through faith. This revelation offers life eternal! Nothing in his past accomplishments can compare to such an opportunity. So he stretched forth, strained, and struggled to move from his past accomplishments to what is at hand now. This requires a made up mind. Have you truly made up your mind to seize the opportunity God has placed before you? Are you willing to step out on faith in God and not faith in your flesh or past accomplishments? Ask the Lord to increase your faith and help your unbelief.
PRESSING: Paul pursued a goal that far exceeds any worldly recognition he could have gotten. He knew he had not come anywhere near to the attainment of this high calling. With this opportunity he can have an intimate relationship with God, and experience the power of His resurrection and fellowship of His suffering. And after all of that he gains the ultimate prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus! Is your goal today to pursue the things of God for your life? Do you spend more time in pursuing fleshly accomplishments over spiritual accomplishments? Ask the Lord to help you align your will with His will.
Let’s align our resolutions with the will of God for 2014! The mission is guaranteed to be accomplished through Christ Jesus our Lord by the power of the Holy Ghost! AMEN
CBBC – COUNSELING BLOG
FROM THE HEART OF GOD
MINISTER DR. ROSALYN H. BERRY
“DO YOU WANT TO BE MADE WHOLE?”
John 5:1-16
There were a multitude of impotent folk – feeble, sick, weak, blind, waiting by a pool called Bethesda (which means House of Mercy or kindness) seeking healing. One man in particular had been there with an infirmity for thirty eight years. By now he was feeble in mind and body. He was frail and without strength. Jesus took notice of this man and asked him a life changing question. He asked the man, “Wilt thou be made whole?” Jesus wanted to know if the man had even considered or desired to become healed in his body, well in his mind, and sound in true doctrine. Jesus wanted to know the man’s intentions because He was there to offer him wholeness immediately. (Jesus may be asking you that question right now!)
The man responded by saying, I have no man to help me. As a matter of fact as I lie at this pool called Bethesda (House of Mercy or kindness) in mud, mire, shame, disgrace and dishonor man pass by me, step down before me and seek healing for himself. So I just lie here stuck in this condition. After hearing that pitiful story and seeing the condition this man was in Jesus said to the man, rise, take up your bed, and walk. Jesus was saying awaken from lying, sitting, obscurity, inactivity, ruin, disease, death; lift yourself up loose the excuses; and live! (Do you feel stuck and hopeless today? Jesus is ready to free you so you can live!)
Only Jesus, the Son of the Living God could give this man what he really needed. He was looking to man to give him the healing that only Jesus could give. Without knowing who Jesus was the man still accepted the offer of being made whole. Later on Jesus made himself known to the man while they were in the temple. Jesus told the man in admiration to take a good look at My marvelous work in you. You are no longer impotent and infirmed but you are whole in your mind, body, and soul. I did that for you because I am HE who came from God to offer you Hope. Henceforth, sin no more or a worst thing will come upon you. (Jesus came to offer you Hope in your hopeless state right now!)
If you are in a state of brokenness today and you have waited at the house of mercy for man to make you whole I offer you a better way – JESUS! Jesus has the authority to make us whole because HE was wounded for our transgressions, HE was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon HIM; and with HIS stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5). Accept HIS finished work on the cross for the ultimate healing – ETERNAL LIFE! Meanwhile we can enjoy wholeness today as we allow Jesus to see HIS marvelous work being manifested in us for HIS glory! (The decision is yours – Jesus responds according to your response!)
FROM THE HEART OF GOD
Minister Dr. Rosalyn H. Berry
“JESUS, OUR WONDERFUL COUNSELOR”
Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.
Jesus, our Wonderful Counselor. This word wonderful means “beyond understanding”. Jesus is a Counselor that is greater than we can begin to understand! Why do we need a
“Wonderful Counselor”? For one, the world is a confusing and overwhelming place. We need someone to help us get through the fog. Also, we have a sin problem that we cannot
handle by ourselves. We may try to be good but we fail. We need someone who can do for us what we cannot do for ourselves, someone to lead us to salvation and new life. We
yearn for a relationship with God. Some people don’t realize it but they are searching for meaning and purpose in their life. We need someone to lead us to Him. That someone is
Jesus! Why is Jesus a “Wonderful Counselor”?
The first characteristic of a good counselor is someone who is able to rightly identify the problem in the one they are counseling. We have all had experience with people who
try to counsel us but didn’t have any idea what we were going through. But Jesus understands and sympathize with our weakness because He has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). He became man to face what we face, to walk in our shoes. He knew what it was like to be tempted and suffer. He understood the desire to strike back, to give up, and to despair. Jesus got through it without sin but not without struggle. Jesus understands the hurts, the needs, our tears, and the rebellion of man. Take your best friend, the person who listens when no one else will, the person who understands your deepest need, the person who will not jump on you when you make a mistake but will help you get back up….Jesus is like that, only extraordinarily better! HALLELUJAH!
A good counselor is not just sympathetic but must also know how to help and give the appropriate prescription for the problem. Jesus is the wisest Counselor because His wisdom is from the Throne room of Heaven. He never sought the counsel of man. “For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been His counselor?” (Romans 11:34). Our Lord does several things when we turn to Him. First, He tells us the truth. He tells us what’s really wrong with our lives. He points out that we are really rebelling against God and we need to repent of our sins. Secondly, Jesus tells us to trust what He has done for us. He knew that we could not save ourselves so He provided the help that we needed by paying the penalty for our sin. Thirdly, He gives us the prescription for life that will help us live a spiritually healthy life. This is the Bible – the Word of God. The counsel of Jesus is superb! He understands our situation and has addressed with love and wisdom. Give His counsel a chance!
The best test of a good counselor is whether the people who go to that counselor are helped. Jesus is the most effective counselor that ever lived and is still changing lives today! As we go through this holiday season. I hope we see that Jesus – the Wonderful Counselor was
born! He is the One: we have been looking for all our lives; who understands when no one else does; who stands by us when everyone else turns away; who really can help us confront the past and begin again; who can help us find the God we knew was present but couldn’t reach him. But even the “Wonderful Counselor” cannot help us unless we are willing to be helped. It’s time to stop hiding from the things that haunt our life and take our hurts, fears, and failures to Jesus. We don’t have to hide the truth about our self and what we’re going through. He already knows and still loves us anyway! GLORY TO GOD!
When Jesus was born to Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem it was God’s way of sending us the help we needed. It was God, getting off the throne of Heaven to become a baby, so that He might come into our world, take our hand, and lead us home! HALLELUJAH! WHAT A WONDERFUL COUNSELOR!
HAPPY HOLY HOLIDAYS ENJOYING JESUS!!
Dr. Rosalyn H. Berry, LPC
bveros56@aol.com
CBBC –COUNSELING BLOG
FROM THE HEART OF GOD
MINISTER DR. ROSALYN H. BERRY
“DO YOU WANT TO BE MADE WHOLE?”
John 5:1-16
There were a multitude of impotent folk – feeble, sick, weak, blind, waiting by a pool called Bethesda (which means House of Mercy or kindness) seeking healing. One man in particular had been there with an infirmity for thirty eight years. By now he was feeble in mind and body. He was frail and without strength. Jesus took notice of this man and asked him a life changing question. He asked the man, “Wilt thou be made whole?” Jesus wanted to know if the man had even considered or desired to become healed in his body, well in his mind, and sound in true doctrine. Jesus wanted to know the man’s intentions because He was there to offer him wholeness immediately. (Jesus may be asking you that question right now!)
The man responded by saying, I have no man to help me. As a matter of fact as I lie at this pool called Bethesda (House of Mercy or kindness) in mud, mire, shame, disgrace and dishonor man pass by me, step down before me and seek healing for himself. So I just lie here stuck in this condition. After hearing that pitiful story and seeing the condition this man was in Jesus said to the man, rise, take up your bed, and walk. Jesus was saying awaken from lying, sitting, obscurity, inactivity, ruin, disease, death; lift yourself up loose the excuses; and live! (Do you feel stuck and hopeless today? Jesus is ready to free you so you can live!)
Only Jesus, the Son of the Living God could give this man what he really needed. He was looking to man to give him the healing that only Jesus could give. Without knowing who Jesus was the man still accepted the offer of being made whole. Later on Jesus made himself known to the man while they were in the temple. Jesus told the man in admiration to take a good look at My marvelous work in you. You are no longer impotent and infirmed but you are whole in your mind, body, and soul. I did that for you because I am HE who came from God to offer you Hope. Henceforth, sin no more or a worst thing will come upon you. (Jesus came to offer you Hope in your hopeless state right now!)
If you are in a state of brokenness today and you have waited at the house of mercy for man to make you whole I offer you a better way – JESUS! Jesus has the authority to make us whole because HE was wounded for our transgressions, HE was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon HIM; and with HIS stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5). Accept HIS finished work on the cross for the ultimate healing – ETERNAL LIFE! Meanwhile we can enjoy
wholeness today as we allow Jesus to see HIS marvelous work being manifested in us for HIS glory! (The decision is yours – Jesus responds according to your response!)
"And He answered and said to them, have you not read that He who made them at the beginning, made them male and female, and said, for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife..." Matthew 19:4,5
The recent SCOTUS rulings concerning the Defense Of Marriage Act (DOMA) and Same Sex Marriage should give the church reason to pause and rekindle their prayer fire for guidance. Shooting from the hip of secular knowledge or hurling insults at people we are comissioned to love, is the wrong weapon of warfare.
When approached about the validity of divorce writs, which were instituted by Moses, Jesus reminded them that it was the hardness of their hearts that caused Moses to give them a way out. However, He reiterated the rudiments of marriage; it was God who made us, and He made us male and female. Furthermore, the union of marriage consists of a male and a female, not the amended demands of their society over time to include concubines, servants, sisters of the wife, etc. into the marriage union.
Christ also clarifies the intent of God for the union of marriage; a male and a female. And, clarifies why societal changes had come about; the hardness (self-centered stubborness) of their hearts.
When the church engages this matter based strictly on secular views, we tend to gravitate to various political or social grounds, thereby allowing society a free pass to attempt to interpret biblical doctrines based on thier secular morals.
The church must refrain from worldly behavior, and make its stand on biblical principles instead. We must speak TO society, not FOR society. And when we speak To society, we must speak FOR the Lord and not our personal preferences.
We are commanded by Christ to love everyone, and to love God. If we love God we will keep His commandments by performing holy matrimony for unions that consist of a male and a female, while at the same time opening our doors and hearts to whosoever will come.
Let's see if the outrage of many in the nation against the IRS' charges for targeting groups because of their political leanings, will become equal in volume if the IRS targets religious groups for their biblical stand on marriage.
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