Mount Pleasant (Baltimore) 34/39 Deacon Care Family Ministry

Welcome to the online home of the Deacon Care Family Ministry for the 21234 and 21239 zip codes of Mount Pleasant Church and Ministries, Baltimore, Maryland. We are better known as the "34/39 Zip Zone!"

The Mount Pleasant members of 21234 and 21239 have joined together for a number of activities. Sunday breakfast at church, a Saturday breakfast and walk in the park, Sunday dinner, Meet and Greet after service, and a Resource Center Fellowship. Page down for the latest information, then enjoy the photo slideshow at the bottom of the page.

Blog Posts & Messages

Our blog posts begin here. We add both announcements and notices that are specific to 34/39 members and to Mount Pleasant's members at large. We try to update this site several times each month. We welcome your posts in the comment sections.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Semon Notes: Overcoming Depression - 7:45, Dec. 14, 2008

The following highlights are from Bishop Johnson's 7:45 service. All members are encouraged to get the full context from the CDs.
Scripture context: Psalm 102:1-4, Romans 8:25-29, Hebrews 4:14-16
  • The spirit of rejection leads to depression. Depression is anger surpressed. It comes from feelings of anger, guilt, hopelessness.
  • [Depression] Leads to a place of cessation of activity.
  • Depression is a deeper level of emotional turmoil. 1 person in 5 will experience levels of persistent depression. Depression is a major risk factor after heart attack and stroke.
  • Depression not only affects you, but it affects those around you.
  • Depression can be caused by a variety of factors:

--> Stress. God didn't create our bodies to handle much stress. God didn't give us the spirit of fear, but fear unrecognized can lead to stress.

--> Unconfessed sin. When sin in going on in your life unchecked, the enemy will lead you to a place of depression.

--> Other physical things. You may need to get a good check-up. Some things to check: overactive thyroid, female hormones, diabetes, vitamin B12. The Bible tells us to take care of our temples. These things can create a deficiency, a sadness.

--> Sometimes prescription drugs will cause you to be in a place of sadness and depression (overmedicated) ... may not always be possessed by a demon.

--> Recreational drugs: alcohol, cocaine. Depression comes later ... you keep crashing, it gets worse.

"I always want to have a clear mind so that I can make good decision, make wise choices, to deal with the matter at hand."

Feelings of depression are described in the Bible as: * Fallen countenance * Broken spirit * experiencing despair * being broken hearted * losing heart * becoming faint or weary.

(Be careful of depression right after you're on a great victorious high.)

No one is exempt. No one is completely immune. All are vulnerable. Remember to put on the whole armor of God - it protects you from depression. (Ref. Ephesians 6:10-18)

READ Psalm 143: 1-3.

Depression takes a person's spiritual freedom and power. Remember to pay attention to what has your attention. Remind yourself, "I am a child of God."

Don't let depression get you this year - you already have power - you're already free.

READ Romans 7, Romans 8: 1-2.

The joy of the Lord is my strength. He who the Son sets free is free indeed! All things work together for good ... [for those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose!] Remember the good times - remember how He brought you out. Weeping endures for a night ...[but joy comes in the morning.] Meditate, muse on how the Lord made a way out of no way. Think about all of the good things he has done.

To do:

  1. PRAY (Get down to where the rubber meets the road, where you mean business with God. He will come to your rescue.)
  2. PRAISE (Praise = Thanksgiving - which ushers you into worship. Remember Psalm 103: 1-5 --- "Bless the Lord, Oh my soul!" Tell my soul to get up out of that darkness. Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord.) Remember: Psalm 127, Revelations 3:20.
  3. WORSHIP (In God's face; behold the beauty of Him. Worship takes you into a place of supoernatural transfer.)
  4. PRAISE Again (Thank Him for what took place in worship.)

Study the life of David: every place you look, he comes out of that despair and praises God. The end of the Psalms - he says "Let everything that has breath [praise the Lord.] (Psalm 150.)

During the holiday season. Don't concern yourself with who's not here, only with who is there. Set your sights on one who will never fail you.

Read Romans 8, Hebrews 4.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Psalm 103 (full text, KJV)

1Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

2Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

3Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

4Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

5Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

7He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

8The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

9He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.

10He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

11For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

12As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

13Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

14For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

15As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

16For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

17But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

18To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

19The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

20Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

21Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.

22Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

Unknown said...

Thanks for this detailed post about signs, causes and treatment choices for depression. Prayer is the answer for any problem. He had solution for every thing. All we need to do is keep trust in GOD and continue our effort to solve problems. Whatever be the reason of depression, overcoming depression is very easy. I've found out plenty of techniques which can be used to beat depression.