[Faith-talk] FW: [thefamilyoffaith] Fw: The Source of Suicide

[Eric Calhoun]

I want to forward this.  If you feel you may be offended, hit the delete
key now.

Eric


Original Message: 
From: "TONY_at_FloridaHealth" <FloridaHealth21 at verizon.net>
To: <tony1.familyoffaith at yahoo.com>
Subject: [thefamilyoffaith] Fw: The Source of Suicide
Date: 
Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:08:53 -0400




      The Source of Suicide  

      by Dr. Larry Ollison

      At 3 p.m. on a cold afternoon I received a call that a friend that
I hadn't seen in nearly a year had taken his life. This wasn't the first
time that I had received such a call. Years ago one of my friends in the
ministry took his life also. He was married with children and had a
wonderful wife. He had great accomplishments. He was a scholar and an
author and public speaker. However, he believed the lie of Satan for just a
moment. Because he had the opportunity and the means, in that moment of
belief, he took his life.

      One of these men seemingly had nothing to live for and the other
one had everything to live for; yet, in a moment of weakness, they chose
death over life. God said, "I have set before you life and death, blessing
and cursing; therefore choose life." (Deuteronomy 30:19). For many years I
wondered why God would say to choose life. Of course, anyone in his or her
right mind would choose life. Sadly, many are not in their right mind.

      One of the ministries in our local area is TIPI Ministries. It is
an outreach to Native Americans. Seventy-five percent of all Native
Americans earn less than $7,000 per year. Forty-five percent live below the
poverty level. Unemployment ranges from 45% to as high as 90% on some
reservations. Only 5% of Native Americans are Christians. The average life
expectancy for Indian men is 40.9 years and 46 years for women. Not
surprisingly, suicide is five times higher for Native Americans than any
other ethnic group in America. 

      The point I am getting at is this. Lifestyle and your relationship
with Jesus affect the suicide rate.
      The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. If he can steal your
prosperity, you have poverty. If he can steal your joy, you have
depression. If he can steal your belief in Jesus, you have hopelessness.
Poverty, depression, and hopelessness are the key ingredients for suicide.

      Some people would never take their physical lives. However, many
commit emotional suicide by "checking out" of society. If you live your
life in a state of emotional dullness without friends, without relatives,
and without God, you will accomplish no more than the person who takes
their life. Satan wins either way.
      We must break this cycle of suicide and it can be done by the daily
renewing of our minds with the Word of God. We must decide that nothing
will separate us from the love of God and we must train our children
accordingly. Jesus said, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples
indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
(John 8:31-32).

      Renew your mind daily with the Word of God and cast down the words
of the enemy. Know who you are in Christ and know your authority. Accept
the teachings of health, prosperity, and joy and reject the teachings of
false humility through poverty, sickness and solemness. Know the truth, be
set free, and choose life.  


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      When writing about this devotional, refer to devotional #0385 
      Larry Ollison Ministries PO Box 880, Osage Beach, MO 65065 USA