tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177469837373285045.post2954253220474821253..comments2008-06-13T12:59:18.754-05:00Jon@TheWaynoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177469837373285045.post-80198680389686878912008-06-13T12:12:00.000-05:002008-06-13T12:12:00.000-05:00I was also spiritually raised from the dead, saved from living according to the carnal, imperfect, temporary life which leads to certain death and eternal damnation.<BR/><BR/>Before I knew I needed Jesus Christ to forgive me and save my soul, I knew that I needed help out of depression. So that's what I prayed for. And God dealt with my emotional, mental, psychological needs BEFORE he dealt with my spiritual needs. But when I knew about Jesus, I repented and was washed by the blood of the Lamb of God.<BR/><BR/>Every ministry's focus should be a change of heart and mind, which results in a new destination for the soul, i.e. heaven. Every ministry should teach that the abundant eternal, perfect, spiritual life is God's priority and needs to be ours.<BR/><BR/>HOWEVER, much of the church teaches about the spiritual life without showing people why the church should be trusted and listened to. The first "Christian", the Anointed One whom all of us "little anointed ones" follow, Jesus Christ, knew exactly what He was doing when He ministered FIRST to people's emotional, physical, and mental needs, and THEN taught them the spiritual truth.<BR/><BR/>Anybody who has their heart, strength, and/or mind healed by the Holy Spirit and by God's angels (who are ministering spirits sent forth to minister to those who WILL inherit salvation) will love God with their heart, strength, and mind and, therefore, their soul also.<BR/><BR/>Anybody who only hears somebody trying to win their soul will not yield anything, because in their flesh they see no tangible benefit to salvation. It is true that a MATURE Christian should know that because they have been raised from spiritual death, they are far more joyful about that than any emotional, physical, or mental restoration He gives. BUT we don't expect non-Christians to be spiritually mature, do we? So we give them what they want now in order to get them to want what they always needed. If we're being and doing the full work of the body of Christ, that is.DaDrozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13205456667258179316noreply@blogger.com