A Friend Indeed

Have you ever heard the saying “A friend in need is a friend indeed.”

Friendship is one of the greatest blessings if this life. Today I want to talk about the great friend anyone could ever have. He is a “friend in deed’ not because He is in need but because we are. Solomon,one of the wisest men to ever live penned these words, “ A man who has friends must himself be friendly. But there is friend who sticks closer that a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). Of course Solomon was speaking of God. He is the greatest friend. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life of his friends” (John 15;13). Jesus said to His disciples, “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends” (John 15;15). The Bible says of Moses, “So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face as a man speaks to his friend “ (Exodus 33:11). We must conclude that not only is God the greatest friend anyone could have but that He want to be our friend too.

If there was ever a time we needed God’s friendship, it is now. We live in a catastrophic time. When evil replaces good, and the world is divided, we never know what’s going to happen next. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring. When will our America be peaceful and proud again. When will our economy rebound or will it plunge even lower. I recent poll shows more than 70% of Americans feel safe only at home,

Aside from our national crisis, many are working through personal crisis. Some are in the midst of marital difficulties, some are facing financial problems or facing severe problems with their children. All of us have dilemmas we must face. And things just keep getting harder and harder.

Interestingly, Psalm 46 was written at a time of national crisis in Israel. Martin Luther King wrote a hymn and it sums up what is going on in the world today:

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us we will not fear, for God has willEd His truth to triumph through us.

Martin Luther King.

There is so much evil in the world, the devil isn’t hiding any more, yet so many refuse to see him or his tactics.

As you look at your Bible, you may notice that Psalm 46 is divided into 3 parts. Verses 1-3 are about God’s presence as our refuge and strength at the end of the verse is the Hebrew word “Selah” which means to pause, mediate, consider, reflect. Verses 4-7 tell us about God’s power, that we can trust Him to bring us through anything.

God’s presence is our refuge.

God is our refuge and our strength. A very present help in trouble. (Verse 1)

The Hebrew word for “trouble’ refers to a tight place. We speak of being in trouble as being “between a rock and a hard place.

That is exactly the idea represented in the word. It means when the world is pressing in on you, when circumstances are strangling you, when you feel helpless and alone.

When we are in trouble we are to remember the two truths about God.

1. God is our refuge and strength.

Refuge carries the idea of shelter. Have you ever been caught outside in a storm! What do you want? Shelter! In a much greater sense, when the storms of life descend, God is our refuge. He shelters us from trouble.

Psalm 61 says, “I will abide in Your tabernacle forever, I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.’ It doesn’t mean God has big wings. It does mean that God is our shelter our refuge to strengthen us when trouble comes.

2. second God is a very present help, when we are in the midst of troubling times.

Present helps literally means ‘speedy aide.” God is always present and quick to come to our aide when things get rough.

God is not only our refuge and very present help. The Bible also says that He is our shield.

Psalm 3:3 says “ But You O’ Lord are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.’ God sometimes shields His people from trouble and sometimes He delivers His people from trouble.

Sometimes He sends our troubles away before we even know them. He refuses to let troubles enter our lives.

Have you ever thought back on your past, and thought “I shouldn’t have lived through that?” It would stagger us to know how much trouble God has shielded and protected us from! On the other hand sometimes God will allow us to face struggles, trials and tight places so He can teach us to rely on Him for deliverance, so we can learn that He indeed is our refuge.

Sometimes God calms the storm for His people, other times He calm His people in the storm.

In verses 2-3 we see that because God’s continual presence is our refuge, “Therefore we will not fear. Even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though it’s waters roar and be troubled. Though the mountains shake with its swelling

The earth and the mountains are symbols of stability. What is more stable the earth below our feet?

We always take it for granted. What is more solid than mountains! We don’t ever expect the earth to move. It is solid and permanent.

We can’t I. Our wildest imagination dream of the Great Rocky Mountains crumbling to dust and rolling to the Pacific Ocean! Yet we’ve seen many things in our lives that seemed so stable become suddenly unstable.

We saw the twin towers of the World Trade Center, symbols of our economic prosperity crash before our eyes in real time, we saw the symbol of our military defaced In Afghanistan. Our American standards and values being taken away. Our every day freedoms that so many take for granted be taken away from our own Government.

We have seen our personal stability shattered too, sickness, finances, homes.

What do we when our stability is shattered completely? The common response is panic, red crimson fear. The biblical response is found at the beginning of verse 2. Because God is our refuge, because He is our ever present help, therefore we will not fear,

In Mark 6:54-52 we find the account of Jesus sending Him disciples out in the midst of the storm on the Sea of Galilee while He goes to the mountain to be alone with His Father. Of course, in a small boat in the middle of a great storm, the disciples are panicking. Jesus comes to them, walking on water on the waves. At first they fear even more because they thing He is a ghost. He comforts them by saying, “Be of good cheer, it is I do not be afraid.’ He goes into the boat with them and calms the storm. Verse 51 concludes by saying, “They were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure and marveled.

How is Jesus our friend in times of trouble? Let me show you three ways from this account.

First He intercedes for us. In verse46, while the disciples were in the storm, Jesus was on the mountain praying. 1 Timothy 2:5 says, “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.” Hebrews 7:25 says, “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to

Second, He sees us. Verse48 says, “He saw them straining at rowing.” The Lord is not blind to our struggles. If He keeps up with the number of hairs on our heads. He is aware of the burdens of our hearts. He knows what we are going through.

Third, He comes to us. Verse 48 says, “He came to then…” Verse 51 says Ge went “to them.” When we struggle. He comes right along beside us. Hebrews 13:5 says, “For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you not forsake you.”

God is our refuge He alone is stable, immutable, unchanging and unmoving. God will be with His people. He is our refuge. He is the friend that sticks closer than a brother.

How To Pray Through Spiritual Warfare

“Spiritual Warfare” is a phrase you might hear some Christmas use, but the truth is many people do not fully know what it Issa, or what to do about it.

One way to explain spiritual warfare is by comparing it to physical war. Historical battles were often about controlling territory for political or economic power. Spiritual warfare is the battle for control over people’s souls.

Whether you believe in or follow Him or not, God created you for a reason. He created you to know Him and experience His love. He created toy for you to love others as you love yourself and to use your skills and talents for the good of the world.- to point people to Him.

However m God has an enemy, who is known as Satan or the devil. Because he is an enemy to God and God’s people, He is something referred to as “the enemy” or “the prince of the power of the air(Ephesians 2:2).

Satan is committed to preventing people from knowing God and trusting Him with their lives. The enemy’s tactics may differ depending on whether someone is already a Christian or not, but his ultimate purpose is always to keep people from experiencing the lov of God.

“The God of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

2 Corinthians 4:4

Whether you feel under spiritual attack right now, you know someone else who might be or you just want to understand spiritual warfare better,

How Are You Involved In Spiritual Warfare?

Spiritual warfare sounds like a battle between God and His enemies. So what does that have to do with the rest of us?

If you have chosen to begin a personal relationship with God, then you know you have asked Him to be in control of your life. But part of you wants to take back control and continue to put up an internal fight.

You might even feel like there’s a battle going on inside your mind some of the time. Do you have days when you struggle to believe what the Bible are says about God, or about you? That’s completely natural. But lies – especially subtle ones – are the enemy’s favorite tactics.

Know Your Enemies

The Bible teaches that three forces are battling with God for ownership of your heart: the world, the flesh and the the devil. Thankfully, God is stronger than the world or your flesh.

The World And Spiritual Warfare

Societies and cultures in the world encourage people to think and act in certain ways. Some elements of every society or culture can point you toward Jesus, some are neither good or bad, and some directly conflict with our ability to follow Jesus and maintain a strong connection with God.

The things a culture values- what’s if focuses it attention on- are usually a clear indicator of the position God’s commandments are given in it. In Western culture, physical appearance, personal success and freedom from responsible to the wider community. are just three example of things the world encourages you put before God.

Scripture reminds us that to walk closely with God we need to be alert to the ways we are influenced by the people around us,

For everything in the world – luster of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – comes not from the Father but from the world.

1 John 2:16

The Flesh And Spiritual Warfare

Although the influence of the world around you is very real, you also need to be aware that the struggle to turn away from God can come from within you – from your own sin and your own desires

The apostle Paul,who helped spread the early church as a missionary and wrote much of the New Testament, struggled with his flesh. He gave us a great picture of what this struggle feels like:

It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decided to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.

Romans 7:21-23

The Devil And Spiritual Warfare

Ultimately, the devil has already been defeated by what Jesus did on the cross. Jesus’s resurrection from the dead demonstrates that He won the victory over death. But the devil wants to blind people to the truth of what Jesus has done.

The devils attempts to send us off course in our relationship with God go right back to the beginning of human history. He was the author of the first temptation people faced.

The temptation of Adam abs Eve, which we read about in Genesis 3, it provides a clear picture of what we can expect from the devil:

  • He is more crafty that any wild animal.
  • He comes along side us pretending to be an ally.
  • He deceives us by trying to bend the truth God speaks to us.
  • He tries to plant doubts in our minds and the things God said.
  • He wants you to think God is restricting us when in reality He is protecting you.
  • He encourages us to rebel against God by telling us that we deserve to be the ultimate authority in our lives.
  • He uses your pride and your sense of shame to turn us against others.

Be mindful that you enemy, the devil, is real. He is single-minded and dangerous, so be wise in how you conduct your warfare with him. If you follow Jesus, God has given you incredible resources by placing the Holy Spirit within you, but you need to resist letting your pride tent you to try to fight your enemy on your own.

Fighting Spiritual Battles The Jesus Way

Throughout His life on earth, Jesus faced spiritual warfare in many forms. He was tested by the devil during His 40 days in the Wilde (Luke 4:1-13; He was provoked, falsely accused, and verbally abused by people who did not like what He was saying And it’s important to remember that Jesus was a man – fully human so He faced all the temptations any other man would face.

But He never lost any of His spiritual battles. Even His wrongful conviction the execution on the cross, which looked like bitter defeat, was ultimately His greatest victory. So what examples does Jesus give us about using prayer in spiritual warfare?

Jesus Created Space To Be Alone With God

Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed

Like 5:16

Many times in the Gospels, Jesus withdrew from situations we can interpret as scenes of spiritual warfare. One example is when Jesus heard the new that His cousin, John the Baptist, had been beheaded by Herod. It never says that He retreated for His enemy. Instead He withdrew from a particular place.

There is nothing wrong with praying in a coffee shop or while walking in public places. But it’s important to take regular time alone with God, preferably as free from distractions as possible.

Jesus wanted to give God His full attention and spend time with God – and Jesus is God – how much more do His followers need to do the same.

Taking time alone with Gid reminds us that He is ready and waiting to spend time alone with us, healing our wounds and renewing our strength.

Jesus Combined Prayer With Fasting

Fasting can help raise your awareness of your need to depend on God. The Bible teaches that fasting can enhance your ability to hear from God as you prioritize Him about physical needs.

It’s worth noting that Jesus during His 40 days in the wilderness. This was immediately before Jesus began His public ministry. The devil must have felt threatened by what Jesus was doing given the efforts he went to trying to distract Jesus from His mission. Jesus saw fasting as a weapon of spiritual warfare.

Fasting is something that needs to be undertaken wisely given the physical implications. It is important to not that if you have certain physical ailments it is not wise to partake in a full fast, stopping all food for a long period. There is a fast called the “Daniel Fast” that is used by pastors and preachers. It lets you eat some foods but you have to sacrifice things in your regular diet.

The Holy Spirit’s Role In Spiritual Warfare

God is three persons in one God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the most often misunderstood member of this Trinity. But to experience consistent victory in spiritual warfare, it’s crucial to know and understand His role in your life.

After Jesus was raised from death, He appeared to His closest friends and followers. They were scared and confused. They did not know what was going to happen to them because they felt surrounded by enemies, including the Jewish authorities. But Jesus knew this, and He knew the Spiritual battles that lay ahead of them.

As He met with them, He commissioned them for the work of making Him known throughout the world- the same work Christians today are invited to join and one of the reasons Daysb is so determined to wage war on Christians. (We see it in the world today).

Jesus wanted His friends to have peace and clarity for their spiritual battles. So He told them that their greatest source of strength, His Holy Spirit, would now live within them. “Peace be with you!” as the Father has sent me, I am sending you, And with that Hr breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. (John 20; 21-22).

We might think of God as someone completely separate and different from humanity. But Jesus entered our humanity and experienced the same struggles we do. When He was leaving to return to His Father in heaven. He left us with the greatest gift He could. He offered each of us the chance to experience His own presence living within us. His Holy Spirit.

So as you experience Spiritual warfare, you are not just looking for strength from outside yourself or from the tools God gives you, such as prayer and the Bible. God is working within you, giving you everything you need to love the way you are designed to as His child.

Praying With Other Believers

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise them up. And if he has committed sins he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

James 5:13-16

Not only is it pleasant and encouraging to prsy with other followers, but it’s crucial to your success in Spiritual warfare,. When you admit to others the things you struggle with, the sin that you’re wrestling with – this is the decisions you make that go against God’s best for you – and even sickness you experience, and you pray for each other, not is so you can be healed,

I feel that is why I was healed from Bladder Cancer. It is the reason I go to church every week and drive to prayer meetings twice a week. You cannot expect to be healed, if you don’t have a relationship with God and have other followers praying for you.

The fact that God designed for you to experience freedom from your sin, struggles and even sickness through praying with others clearly shows He doesn’t intend for you to go through spiritual battles or any part of life alone,

Engaging a community of fellow believers is vital to preserving and overcoming spiritual warfare.

What Does Victory Look Like In Spiritual Warfare

God encourages you to be bold in the things you pray for.

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Mark 11:24

If you feel like only God could win the spiritual battle you are fighting, you’re right. Bring it to Him in prayer and let Him do what He does best: fight your battles.

Spiritual warfare will often look like major challenges in your life. But you will also face battles that are more internal than external. The enemy wants to put as much distance between you and you’re heavenly Father as he can. His tactics often involve exploiting out very human nature, such as shame, disappointment, insecurity and loneliness.

Victory might look like overcoming a clear obstacle to your faith, such as the persecution of some kind relating to what you believe. But on a day to day level, victory will often be demonstrated by your perseverance through any circumstance that might cause you to question whether you can trust God.

It’s very important to hold God responsible for thing in your life that don’t go the way you want (and also easy to forget to thank Him when they do). But the Bible reminds us that “thr message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishinh, but to us we are being saved it is the power of God, (1 Corinthians 1:18).

When it comes to using prayer as a weapon of spiritual warfare, victory is fundamentally about trust. Do you believe that your battles are His battles? Do you trust that when you bring a heartfelt need to God, He hears you and will respond.

So your victory may look like your willingness to continue believing is a Salvation that the world tells you is ridiculous.

When it comes to using prayer as a weapon of spiritual warfare, victory is fundamentally about trust. Do you believe that your battles are His battles? Do you trust that when you bring a heartfelt need to God? He hears you and will respond.

Quite a few years back, my neighborhood was being infested by drug dealers and people who were doing drugs. We could not leave anything outside of it would be stolen, music and screaming happened every night, all night. There was was a insurmountable amount of traffic on the street. Yes, the homeowners would call the police but to no avail. This went on for months.

Finally a few of us took matters into our own hands a few nights a week we would get together at the same time. And walk our neighborhood praying for God to take the Riffraff out of our neighborhood. After a few weeks, people were getting arrested, a few went to jail (or prison). Some had drug overdoses, and some went to rehabilitation centers. We had fought for our nice wholesome neighborhood and won.

We are still enjoying a quiet, peaceful neighborhood. Because of our sacrifice a few night a week and using prayer as a powerful weapon against the devil.

Try using the following verses from the Bible as prayer when you are battling the world, the flesh, or the devil. You can even insert your name or the name of someone you are praying for to personalize the verse.

Here are the verses:

  • 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
  • Isaiah 54:17
  • John 8:32
  • 1 Peter 5:7
  • John 15:7

Stronger Than Ever

Have you ever had a fragile, cherished item slip from your hand and break into a million pieces? You have likely had your own heart break in a similar way after some deep disappointment, loss, or betrayal. How can you repair something that’s now scattered in a million pieces?

The world tries super glue, the devil suggests the trash, but God alone has a way of fixing things so something greater happens.

God’s healing power is mirrored in the beautiful art form called ‘kintsugi,” where broken vessels are repaired with gold in a way that goes beyond repair and a more beautiful piece if formed. The word “kintsugi” actually means “golden Joinery” and is a perfect picture of what the Spirit of God does when He touches the very area in which the devil seeks to break us. Kintsugiiis an ancient Japanese art of repair, the artist doesn’t try to hide the history. But the history is highlighted with veins of gold, or sometimes silver and adding a new dimension to the vessels value and beauty.

This concept is ex-emplified in the human body as well. When a bone is broken it comes out stronger in the place where the original break was.

Let’s look at Jeremiah 18 where in the midst of Jeremiah’s frustration with his nation, God reminded the prophet that He alone is the Master Potter and has power to create and recreate when a vessel is marred.

Charles Spurgeon, a celebrated 19th century preacher once said this impromptu prayer:

“Lord, you have done more with us that you did with Thomas, for he was told to place his finger into the open would in your hands and side, but You, O Lord God, have done something greater with us, for You placed Your finger into our open wounds and healed them.”

Charles Spurgeon

Indeed, God puts His fingers into the wounds in our life and seals them with gold.

In the final hours of Jesus’s life, He warned Peter that the enemy sought to sift the young apostle and rob him of his calling. Why did Jesus pray for Peter to come through the ordeal successfully? Why not pray that Peter be able to side-step the sifting in the first place?

In some ways, the warfare intended to be used by the end to break us actually make us stronger and of greater value.

Joseph was made stronger by the ordeal of betrayal, David was fashioned into a commander in the cave of Adulum. The frail Obi Wan engaged in a lightsaber duel with Faith Vader in order to buy time for the next generation to escape. Obi Wan said “Strike me down, as he warned Vader and I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.”

Given a choice between sparing your temporary discomfort or letting you have a moments light affliction in exchange for an eternal increase in reward, which would you choose? Is it better to deliver you from the process or deliver you through the process?

Many times we are deliver fro. The fire, but when we walk through the fire, God declares “I will be with you!” You will come out a winner on the other side, and like Peter, Joseph, and David, the new vessel will be able to contain, and reveal a whole new level of glory. God is the ultimate “kintsugi artist.

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience by which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, “I lived through this horrible. I can take the next thing that comes alone. And God will be with you through it all.

What Is Behaviorism?

Behavioralism, is known as behavioral psychology. It a theory of learning based on the idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning, and conditioning occurs through interaction with the environment. Behaviorists believe that our actions are shaped by environment stimuli.

According to this school of thought, behavior can be studied in a systematic and observable manner regardless of internal mental states. Behavioral theory also says that only observable behavior should be considered as cognition, emotions,and mood are far to subjective.

Strict behaviorists believe that any person can be trained to perform any task, regardless of genetic background, personality traits, and internships thoughts- within the limits of the physical capabilities. It only requires the right conditioning.

Behavioralism was formerly established with the 1913 publication of John B. Watson’s classic papers, “ Psychology as the Behavioralists views it.’ It is best summed up by the following quote from Watson, who is considered the father of behaviorism:

Give me a dozen healthy infants, well- formed, and my own specified world to bring them up in and I’ll guaranteed take any one at random and train him become any type of specialist I might select – doctor, lawyer, artist, merchant, chief, and yes, even bigger-man and thief, regardless of his talents, penchants, tendencies, abilities, vocations, and race of his ancestors.””

John B. Watson

Simply put, strict behaviorists believe that all behaviors are the result of experiencing. Any person, regardless of his or her background, can be trained to act I. A particular manner given the right conditioning.

From about 1929 -1950, behavioralism grew to become the dominant school of thought in psychology. Some suggest that the popularity of behavioral psychology grew out of the desire to establish psychology as an objective and measurable science.

During this time, researchers were interested in creating theories that could be clearly described and empirically measured but also used to make contributions that might have an influence on the fabric of everyday human lives.

Types Of Behaviorism

There are two main types of behaviorism used to describe how behavior is formed.

Methodological Behaviorism

Methodological Behaviorism states that observable behavior should be studied scientifically and that mental states and cognitive processes don’t add to the understanding of behavior. Methodological behaviorism aligns with Watson’s ideologies and approach.

Radical Behaviorism

Radical Behaviorism is rooted in the theory that behavior can be understood by environment and the reinforcements within it, thereby influencing behavior either positively or negatively. This behavioral approach was created by the psychologist B. F. Skinner.

Classical Conditioning

Classical Conditioning is a technique frequently used in behavioral training in which a neutral stimulus is paired with a naturally occurring stimulus. Eventually the neutral stimulus comes to evoke the same response as the naturally occurring stimulus, even without the naturally occurring stimulus presenting itself.

Throughout the course of three distinct phases of classical conditioning, associated stimulus becomes known as the conditioned stimulus and the learned behavior is known as conditioned response.

Learning Through Association

The classical conditioning process works by developing as association between an environmental stimulus and a naturally occurring stimulus .

In physiologist Ivan Pavlov’s classic example, dogs associated the presentation of food (something that naturally and automatically triggers a salivation response) at first with the sound of a bell, then with the sight of a lab assistant’s white coat. Eventually, the lab coat elicited a salivation response from the dogs.

Factors That Impact Conditioning

During the first part of the classical conditioning process, known as acquisition, a response is established and strengthened. Factors such as the prominence of the stimuli and the timing of the presentation can play an important role in how quickly an association is formed.

When an association disappears, this is known as extinction and causes the behavior to weaken gradually or vanish. Factors such as the strength of the original response can play a role in how quickly extinction occurs. The longer a response has been conditioned, for example, the longer it may take for it to become extinct.

Operant Conditioning

Operant conditioning, sometime referred to instructional conditioning, is a method of learning that occurs through reinforcement and punishment. Through operant conditioning, an association is made between a behavior and a consequence for that behavior.

This behavioral approach says that when a desirable result follows an action, the behavior becomes more likely to happen again in the future. Conversely, responses followed by adverse outcomes become less likely to occur,

For example Is a child was punished every time they spoke, that child would learn to not talk. And would in turn have poor communication skills.

This behavioral approach says that when a desirable result follows an action, the behavior becomes more likely to happen again in the future. Conversely, responses by adverse outcomes become less likely to occur.

Consequences Affect Learning

Behavioralism B.F. Skinner described operant conditioning as the process in which learning can occur through reinforcement and punishment. More specifically, by forming an association between a certain behavior and that behavior, you learn.

Timing Plays A Role

The process of operant conditioning seems fairly straightforward- simply observe a behavior, then offer a reward or punishment. However, Skinner discovered that the timing of these rewards and punishments had an important influence on how quickly a new behavior is acquired and the strength of the corresponding response.

This makes reinforcement schedules important in operant conditioning and can involve either continuous or partial reinforcement.

  • Continuous reinforcement involves rewarding every single instance of a behavior, it is often utilized at the beginning of the operant conditioning process. Then, as the behavior is learned, the schedule might switch ti one of partial reinforcement.
  • Partial reinforcement involves offering a reward after a number of responses or after a period of time has elapsed. Sometimes, partial reinforcement occurs on a consistent or fixed schedule. In other instances, a variable and an unpredictable number of responses or amount of time must occur before the reinforcement is delivered,

Uses Of Behaviorism

The behaviorist perspective has a few different uses, a couple of which are related to education and mental health.

Grace For The Small Things

As Christians, thinking about God’s grace for the “big things” like salvation isn’t hard for us to accept at all. But somehow, that doesn’t always bring us the peace we need to conquer the small things of everyday life. Despite loving Jesus, we continue to be worried and overwhelmed.

It’s Interesting that the New Testament writers often paired the word grace with peace. In many of his letters Apostle Paul says, “Grace to you and peace from God.” And the Apostle Peter, and the beginning of his second letter greets the believers with these words. “Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord” (verse 2).

These opening salutations are not customary greeting written before getting to the “good stuff.” Why does Paul always couple grace and peace? The earliest Jesus followers knew that grace doesn’t stop at God’s gift to us, but instead, that’s where grace begins. God extended His grace to the whole world when He sent Jesus to reconcile us back to Himself. This is the essence of our salvation; it’s the big picture that sustains us and keeps us hopeful.

However, the joy and peace we feel from our salvation only trickles down into other areas of ur life when we embody His grace and peace together. It was God’s grace that brought peace between Him and humankind. And it’s our grace to ourselves and others that puts peace between us and the difficulties we face.

Yes, there will be more tough days ahead, but when we can give ourselves and others grace,we will all be better for it. Other will see an example of how to love others, and we will draw closer to God, even when our flesh want to do otherwise.

Acknowledging God’s grace in the big things, Luke our salvation, is just as important as acknowledging it in the small things. And those are the times when we experience the fullness of His peace that’s available to us all, through the grace we have received.

2: Peter 1:1-4

Are You On The Road To Heaven?

In 2020 a survey was completed by Life-way Research that reported 85% of Americans believe there is something more to life than this present world. That means only 1 out of 170 peoples think that when they die the will cease to exist. Our life experiences have taught us this principle of cause and effect. We understand that something does not come from nothing.

So, when people think about the universe they realize the universe didn’t just pop into existence from some subatomic particles that cannot be explained. The truth is intelligent people understand that there is something we don’t understand. There is something beyond us.

Most of us believe there is more to life than the present world. That is why Life-way Research reported the 85% of Americans agree that belief. In another poll by Roper Center reported that 80% believe in heaven and 67% believe in hell. They also reported that 84% believe their going to heaven when they die. The survey even reported that majority of atheists believe there is something beyond this present world and 80% believe in heaven.

The Wide Gate And The Narrow Gate

Now I want to ask you a question, “ Do you also think you are going to heaven?” Most people think they are going to heaven, including everyone who thinks they are a Christian. But the sad truth is that Jesus said that is not true. Do you remember Jesus’s teaching in the Sermon on the Mount about a wide road and a narrow road? This illustration can be found in Matthew 7:13-14. There Jesus said,

Enter through the narrow gate: for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Matthew 7:13-14

In this illustration, the gates are adjusted to size of the roads. The second gate is wide and so is the road. That road leads to destruction. The Greek word for “destruction” can be translated as “ruin or wasted.” People on that road will be ruined. It refers to hell. The first gate is narrow and small. The Greek word for narrow is different in verse 14. It is thilbo. It refers to a compressed way or difficult path. T is like a road with high cliffs on each side. Jesus’s message is that this road is difficult to travel. Yet, it is the only one that leads to life- eternal life. Now Jesus did not use this word just to make illustration interesting. He wants us to know what life is like for anyone who travels this road. Then He added there are few who find it. So, are you on the road to heaven? Or are you traveling this road? There are several reasons who people think they are on the road to eternal life.

Seeking Jesus With Wrong Motives

The one reason some people think they are on the road to heaven is that they believe in Jesus, but they came to Jesus with wrong motives. For example, If someone says they have come to Jesus and became a Christian because it would make them wealthy many who say this are unhappy with God because money was not flowing into their bank account. Other people have claimed to become Christians believing that God would fix their marriage, finances, sickness, give them mental peace, or help them have a joyful life. Some people have been deceived into thinking God would bless then in some other way if they just become a Christian. So, who would be vain as to reject that type of offer? Sadly, they have missed John 6:26-27 which tells us,

Jesus answered them and said “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of loaves and were filled. Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endured to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.

John 6:26-27

This passage tells us that Jesus was speaking to a group of people who had seen Jesus’s miracle of the feeding the five thousand. After the miracle Jesus escaped from their presence and later these people found Him. In this passage we are told they were seeking Jesus in order to have their personal wants satisfied. Notice that Jesus rebuked them for only one reason. They were seeking Him with the wrong motives. There are wrong reasons to seek Jesus.

The reason such pate not on the road to heaven is that their faith in Jesus is not real. In 1 Corinthians 15:2 the Apostle Paul warned the people attending the church in the ancient city of Corinth that they might have vain faith. Here is Paul’s warning,

…by which also you are saved, if you half fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:2

When Paul said they might have vain faith, he meant their faith did not save them. That is, you can have faith in Christ, but it may not save you. The verses that follow suggest that those with vain faith did not fully understand the facts of the gospel- why Christ died and was resurrected,

One example of vain faith is found in Acts 8:13 tells us about a man names Simon Magus. We are told he believed in Christ and was baptized. But in verse 20 Peter said to Simon was going to perish. Peter’s comment reveals Simon Magus did not have faith. His faith was not real. He wanted to use the power of the Holy Spirit like some magic trick. He had the wrong motivation for professing faith in Christ. Sadly, many people profess to be a Christian for the wrong reason.

Seeking Jesus With Correct Motives

So what is the correct reason to become a Christian? The correct reason is to have your sins forgiven. In the next two verses Paul explained the essence of true faith. He said,

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He raised on the third day according to the Scriptures

1 Corinthians 15:3-4

Paul’s message is that truth faith believes Christ was also resurrected and responds by wanting one’s sins to be forgiven.That is the correct motivation. These people are the one’s who are on the narrow road to eternal life.

Why Do People Hate?

Have you ever heard the cliche, “no bond is stringer that two people who hate the same person. It turns out that there is actually some truth to that. Despite having people being a socially unacceptable act, it seems that people thrive on hating people, things, opinions, skin color and anything else that can be thought about.

Research has shown that people form stronger bonds when they are able to talk about dislike toward someone else than when they both have positive feelings toward someone. The question is, why does an action as disrespectful as spewing negativity about other people increase hatful individual quantity and quality of connections?

The Fiery Emotions That Fuel Hatred

If you are a generally positive forgiving person, the concept of hating others, much less someone an you hardly know, is a foreign concept to you. I personally cannot understand why people say hateful, cruel, judgmental thing about anyone let alone people you barely know. How does anyone have a hate relationship with anyone based on a group of people based on a name.

It seems that hate emotions are common feelings that psychologically brings out the worst behaviors in some individuals and prompt them to say negative statements about another person or group.

Here are four primary reasons why people hate others:

People want a scapegoat

When you are struggling, whether it’s problems at work, low self-esteem, conflicts in relationships, it feel much better to funnel your negative energy into blaming someone else than to confront your own role in your problems. A lot of people hate groups while being supported by a group of people who share their beliefs and make them feel like they belong.

They’re lonely and seeking connections, even hatful ones

Many other people join hate groups because it fills their need for friendship and belonging. You don’t need to do or be anything special, all you have to do is hate and be negative towards other people. If feels easy, and people find it easier to make connections by putting others down or hurting people.

They Fear The Unknown

When someone note enters a group particularly if they are. A position of influence, many people immediately begin gossiping negative things about a person or group because they fear dynamics. Sharing hatred toward a person is away for the existing group to strengthen their bonds in the defensive against the outsider.

Their Insecurities get the best of them

Hatred surfaces when people are highly insecure. Often, they’ll compare them self’s to other people and when they come to the conclusion that the other person may be better than them or possess traits they don’t want to acknowledge they speak out against that person to project their anxiety onto them.

Understanding the Bonding Power off Hatred

Expressing hate for other people it’s controversial. We’re taught from a young age that you should only say nice things about other people, so when someone says something negative, it catches other people’s attention and draws them in. If people share negative opinions, it open the ability for people to form connections in three ways.

Hated defines social lines

Humans desire structure and certainty in their social lives. To establish that people naturally divide into groups (social circles where everyone feels like they belong with one another) and out groups (people who exist outside of social circles and are not typically welcomed). When people declare their dislike for others, it helps people understand boundaries between social circles. This is a powerful motivator for people to form because it satisfies their need to feel connected to others.

Mutual hate evoked stronger response than love (like)

In one study, people were shown a video of two people having a conversation in which the man is politely hitting on a woman. After being asked if they liked or dislikes the man, they were told they were going to meet people who shared their opinion of them and asked how likely they were going to get along with the person they meet. People who had a negative opinion of the man were far more likely to say they would get along with someone who shared their negative opinion than those who had a positive opinion.

Sharing hatred can be an expression of vulnerability

Research shows that to form lasting intimate bonds with people, you have to be. Vulnerable with them – that is you have to share your authentic unfiltered feelings. Instead of being negative toward another person because of the internal struggles described above, you may share that you hate someone for a valid, personal reason such as they hurt you or hurt someone or something you cared about. This instance is a moment of vulnerability because you are sharing a difficult experience which can lead to hate the other person on your behalf and bond with you.

Bonds of Hatred Come at a Cost

Though there are some bonding bento spewing negativity about other people, don’t try and use this tactic to make friends because it’s risks far out any good that comes from it. Beware of these potential consequences of speaking poorly about others.

To know if someone else dislikes the same person or group as you, one has to make the first move and say something negative. This can come at a serious cost of your reputation of people around you if they don’t agree with your negative opinions. Researchers discovered that when we hear someone talking about other people, we impose the content of what’s said onto the speaker. It’s a phenomenon called trait transference and to understand how it works, pretend you and I have met at a conference and are having a conversation like this:

You: What did you think of that last speaker?

Me: Ugh, I thought he was boring and dry, I had trouble keeping myself awake.

This can go one of two ways: If you also thought the speaker was boring,we would bond over our shared dislike of him. But, if you thought the speaker was interesting or deserved a decent review, you would hear my opinion and think that I am boring and dry because your brain would project my statements onto me. It might not be instantaneous or something you’re fully conscious of, but how you feel about me would decrease in response toward my negativity toward another person,

The Bottom Line

Given the risks, unless your hatred is founded in a socially acceptable ideological belief, comes from a personal experience of being hurt or could be otherwise justified by most people, it is best to keep it to yourself.

There is so much hatred in the world today, we have to ask ourselves what is the root cause of it. Is it someone else’s opinion? Is it the Media? It is something you experienced for yourself.

I try really hard to respect everyone opinion based on the root cause of the hatred. As you know I have been personally hurt in the past. And I spend many years as a hater of many things.

My advise is before you choose to hate someone, find out why they are that way. What is the truth. Do I hate them because someone else hates them or I heard they were a terrible person. Remember everyone has a story, every one has a heart that either loves it hates, everyone is capable of being hurt. And everyone bleeds the same color.

Hate no one, no matter how much they’ve wronged you. Live humbly, no matter how wealthy you become. Think positively, no matter how hard life is. Give much even if you’ve been given little. Forgive all, especially yourself. And never stop praying for the best for everyone.

Even if you choose to hate them.