(Scripture text from Ruth 1:1-5 and Ruth 1:19-21)

The story of Naomi is one of tragedy and sorrows. The devastation to her is staggering. From Naomi to Mara. "Pleasant " to "Bitter". How did she get from so high to so low? Naomi lived in the days of the Judges around 1070 B.C. She was married to Elimelech, which means "God is My King." She lived in Bethlehem, which means "House of Bread." A nice family with a nice home living less than five miles from the house of God. But she must have been discontented. One of Satan's greatest weapons is to create discontent in my present situation.

The seeds in Naomi's life were sown with her attitude. She has two sons, and names them Mahlon and Chilion, which means "sick" and "destruction." Something happened to Naomi's attitude. Discontent and a bad attitude are a dangerous combination. When that happens, nothing goes right. Perhaps depression settled into Naomi's life. "Guard your heart for out of it are the issues of life."

• The first cause of depression is usually that of believing a lie.

Somewhere at the root of depression is a lie that Satan has caused us to believe. Satan whispers "You're not going to make it, God has left you. You're missing all the fun." But once a person believes something, true or not, they will act on what they believe. The famine comes to Bethlehem. There are dry times in every life. But God is faithful and Naomi's needs were met. She was full. But, when you've believed a lie, the first thought when dryness comes is to leave the house of bread. She left full to go to Moab. The antidote to a lie is God's Word! Speak it! Claim it!

• The second cause of depression is failure to reach out once you believe the lie.

If I believe the lies of Satan, he'll get me to the point that even though I have full faculties, I won't reach out to God to get help. I can pray but I don't. I can ask, but I won't. The antidote is to get up. When Hagar and Ishmael were sent away from Abraham, they were dying of thirst with a well of water right next to them! (Gen. 16:7) She was so depressed that an angel had to show her the water next to her! Get up! Don't doubt in the darkness what God gave you in the light!

1 Cor. 10:13 declares there is always a door. The word "no" in this verse means "without exception." So Paul says that without exception God will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able. When you believe there is no door of escape, you lose all hope. Jesus said, "I am the door." But when Naomi let her attitude get affected, and when she believed a lie and when she acted on the lie, she went from Naomi to Mara; Pleasant to Bitter. But God is faithful and we will trust Him and His promises.

Generate good will. The greatest thing we can do to buffer ourselves against the ravages of stress is to continually spread good will to those around us.

Limit negatives. Stop negative self-criticism. Limit your time with negative people.

Stop digging. If you're in a hole, the first rule is to quit digging. If you're overloaded, start saying "NO!"

Accept your limitations. God is the author of limitations, and He gave them to us for our protection. We violate them at our peril.

Defend you boundaries. Establish appropriate boundaries and defend them against the onslaught of an extraordinarily demanding world.

Prune the activity branches. Like new branches on a fruit tree, additional activities and commitments add themselves to our lives every year, often without our permission.

Value simplicity. No one ever lived a simpler, more unencumbered than Jesus.

De-accumulate. Everything we own also owns us. Each possession must be cared for, maintained and paid for.

Control the "paper tumor." Every year the amount of paper and information it contains seems to metastasize without pity. When at all possible, use the "OHIO" rule - "Only Handle It Once."

Restrain technology. Maintain a healthy skepticism of any new technology and don't buy it unless you can control it.

Value traditions. Identify the traditions in your personal, family and church life that have special significance and protect them vigorously.

Establish stability zones. People generally benefit from having certain areas in their lives where change is kept to a minimum, and stability and reliability are assured.

Move less often. Church leaders are often called on to relocate frequently. But at a time when the rest of the world continues to change so wildly, leaders who have a choice may want to consider the benefits of greater longevity in one position.

Consciously slow your pace. Despite what you might think, it really is possible to slow down. We just have to say NO more often.

Scrutinize "timesaving" technologies. Most timesaving devices don't actually save time.

Control interruptions. The average manager in America, according to one study, is interrupted 75 times a day. Because the telephone is the primary culprit in this mischief, find creative ways to disarm it.

Practice contentment. Although contentment is commanded and commended in Scripture, it is rarely practiced among today's Christians.

Subtract from your "needs" and desire less. There are two ways to get enough. One is to continue to accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less.

Tune out advertisements. Wage war against advertisements, most of which are designed for no other purpose than to create a need.

Decrease your debt. Debt is a noose, and Satan is the hangman. Resist the consumptive lifestyle, and avoid impulse buying.

Create a margin of emotional energy. Pay close attention to the vitality of your relationships.

Create a margin in your use of time. Get less done, but do the right things. Set aside time to relax, but be available when the interruptions are for the purpose of God.

The annual "When Apostolics Meet" Holy Ghost Crusade for Y2K will take place on March 30, 31, and April 1 at 7:00 p.m. nightly at the Slidell City Auditorium located at 2056 Second Street in Slidell, Louisiana. This Crusade features several excellent choirs and praise and worship groups from around the metro New Orleans area and some of the best preachers in south Louisiana.

Thursday, March 30

Jathan Maricelli

Pentecostals of Lee Road Choir - Covington, Louisiana

&

Slidell First Pentecostal Church Signing Choir - Slidell, Louisiana

Friday, March 31

Joey Dardis

Chalmette Choir and Brass Band - Chalmette, Louisiana

&

The Louisiana Spanish Choir

Saturday, April 1

Gregory Batiste

Apostolic Outreach Center Mass Choir - New Orleans, Louisiana

&

First Pentecostal Church Men's Quartet - Bogalusa, Louisiana

If you will be in our area during this time, make plans to attend! Contact the First Pentecostal Church office at 504-643-8760 for more information.