10250 North Freeway @ West Road
Houston, Texas 77037
Tel: (281) 447-8484
Pastor: Dr. Lester Hutson

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As we saw from God's Word in the previous lesson, God wants His children to live happy, fulfilling and successful lives. We also saw that He can give us what no one or anything else can give us: peace, security and purpose for living. However, God cannot help those of us who are not living the happy, peaceful life He wants for His children if we do not first take the appropriate steps.

At this point I'd like to reiterate that I do not have any medical nor psychological training. I am only speaking from experience (including what I've observed, heard or read) and what I know from God's Word.

I believe the first step you should take is to seek professional help. I've known a few cases of depression that were directly related to the victim's diet and general health. One case in particular was due to a chemical imbalance which was quickly corrected with medication.

The next step is even more important to your everlasting soul than the first. You must determine if you are a child of God. If He is not your Heavenly Father none of His blessings will flow your way and when you pass from this earth you will spend eternity away from Him in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15). Not only will you continue to suffer throughout your life but when it is finished here on earth it will continue exponentially in Hell.

It is a common misconception that all of us are God's children. God's Word clearly defines two groups of humans: His children and those who are not His children. All those who do not believe that Christ is the Son of God and have not put their faith and trust in Him have Satan as their father (John 8:44) and those who believe in Christ and have put their faith and trust in Him are 'born of God' (1 John 5:1). Which group are you in?

The religious community has many ideas and formulas for becoming a child of God but only God's Word has the correct one. Some teach that you must become a part of their church. Others teach that you must be baptized. Others that you must live a good life. Yet others combine all these into their teaching. But what does God say is the way into His family and eternal life in Heaven with Him?

Jesus' own words are, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me' (John 14:6). He also said, 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life; (John 3:16). God's Word tells us that it is by putting our faith in Christ, who He is and what He has done on Calvary on our behalf, that puts us into the family of God and gives us eternal life. John 3:36 puts it this way, 'He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.' 1 John 5:1 further states that 'Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.' It is not living right, nor joining a church, nor being baptized that saves us and puts us into the family of God. It is the simple act of putting our faith and trust in Christ as the Son of God and what He has done on the cross as our only hope for salvation that saves us.

Have you put your faith and trust in Him? Are you one of His children? If you aren't why don't you do that right now? Just realize that Christ is the Son of God, that He did die on the cross over 2000 years ago for your sins and then accept that payment for your sins as your only way into God's family and later into Heaven. That is all there is to it. No baptism, no church membership, no jumping through religious hoops. Just simple plain belief. Jesus said, 'except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven' (Matthew 18:3). The thief on the cross next to Jesus was given eternal life simply by admitting that he knew Jesus was Lord (Luke 23:43). And He will do the same for you if you will simply believe in Him and what He did for you on the cross.

SUMMARY:

If we find ourselves discouraged or depressed we must make the first moves to get ourselves out of the emotional pit we've fallen into. The first step we should take is to consult a medical doctor to eliminate any dietary or chemical imbalance which could be causing our dilemma. Next, we must determine whether or not we are a child of God and therefore able to benefit from His providence. Once we have accepted Christ as our savior by acknowledging that He is the Son of God and by putting our faith and trust in what He did for us on the cross, then we become a part of God's family. However, we still need to take a few more steps to place ourselves in the position where God can bless our lives and help us out of our discouragement or depression.  

NEXT LESSON:

Now that you know you are a child of God we can look further into His Word and learn what else we need to do in order to receive His help in our time of need. In the next lesson we will look at establishing and maintaining our fellowship with God.

"It Does Make a Difference What You Believe"