POPE LEO, SAINT PETER AND DONALD TRUMP

Many Catholics were upset with President Trump when he criticized Pope Leo XIV as being “weak on crime and terrible on foreign policy.” Trump’s remarks were in response to the pope’s criticism of the war in Iran. Many expressed their belief that the pope is owed a level of respect not due to normal human beings or other religious leaders.

For example, Archbishop James R. Golka of Denver stated that Trump’s language toward the pope, “Fails to reflect the respect owed to the Successor of Peter.” We must point out, however, that this phrase about the pope being “the successor of Peter” is Catholic dogma and nowhere to be found in Scripture.

Now, I believe we should show respect to all human beings and treat one another with a certain dignity and respect. That is called “civilization.” The one thing I want to address--and challenge--in this article is the idea that the pope is owed a unique respect above all others as the “Successor of Peter.”

Peter is Not the Foundation of the Church

Matthew 16:18-19 is used by papal advocates to claim that Jesus said He would build His church on Peter and that He gave Peter the keys of authority over the Church. Add to this the doctrine that the bishop of Rome (the pope) is the successor of Peter and inherits his authority and you have the basis for the authority and preeminence of modern popes.

It is clear, however, from even a cursory examination of Matthew 16:18-19, that the Church is not built on Peter, but on Peter’s revelation of who Jesus is, i.e., on Jesus Himself. This is clearly borne out in Jesus’ response to Peter’s revelation of Him as the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Jesus commends Peter for his revelation, saying,

Blessed are you Simon, son of Jonah, for flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I say to you that you are Peter (petros), and on this rock (petra) I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

The Greek word for “Peter” in this passage is petros, which referred to a little rock or pebble. The Greek word for “rock” in this passage is petra and it was used to refer to a large, massive stone. With a play on these words, Matthew records Jesus as saying, “You are petros (a little rock), and on this petra (a massive rock) I will build my Church.

The foundation on which Jesus said he would build His Church is not a little rock like Peter, but the massive rock—the petra--which is the revelation of who He is, i.e., Himself. 

That the church is built on Christ Himself is affirmed by Paul in I Corinthians 3:11. Commenting on his founding of the church in Corinth, Paul makes it clear that he did not found that church on either Peter or himself. He wrote, For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

This was the belief of the Church throughout the early centuries. For example, Saint Augustine (354-430), often acclaimed as the greatest of the church fathers, understood the rock to be, not Peter, but Christ. Commenting on this passage, he wrote,

“Therefore,” He saith, “Thou art Peter; and upon this Rock” which thou hast confessed, upon this Rock which thou hast acknowledged, saying, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God, I will build My Church;” that is upon Myself, “the Son of the living God, will I build My Church” (Hyatt, Infallible Pope, 14).

Interestingly, this was the view of Pope Benedict XVI, who as the young Joseph Ratzinger, wrote in his doctoral dissertation, “If the church is founded on Peter, it is not founded on his person, but on his faith . . . the foundation of the church is Christ.” 

Did Jesus Give the Keys to Peter Alone?

Jesus also said to Peter at this time, And I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Remember, however, that this was said within the larger context of a discussion with the Twelve. It is obvious from the context and later passages of Scripture that Jesus did not here give Peter authority over the other apostles. Just a few verses down in 16:22-23, Jesus sharply rebukes Peter and says to him, Get behind Me Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.

In Galatians 2:11, Paul tells of publicly rebuking Peter to his face when Peter waffled concerning the equal acceptance of the Gentiles through faith in Christ. Peter obviously accepted this rebuke for in his second epistle he commends Paul to his readers and refers to Paul’s writings as Scripture (II Peter 3:15-16). Indeed, the late Dr. Hans Kung, the most widely read Roman Catholic theologian in the world, described Peter as,

A man passionately committed to Jesus but changeable and wavering. He is errant and fallible; he is no hero or genius. His failure to understand, his lack of courage, his unreliability and his flight are unsparingly reported, as is the flight of the other disciples.[1]

So, the words of Jesus concerning the keys were obviously meant for the whole church, not Peter alone. Peter confirms this himself, for he never claimed any special prominence among the apostles or other church leaders. 

No Exaltation of Peter in the New Testament

The other apostles never offered any special exultation or respect to Peter, nor did Peter ever claim any such respect and honor.  In fact, his humility and self-deprecation stand in stunning contrast to the grandiose titles that modern popes have adopted, such as “Successor of the Prince of the Apostles” and “Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church.”

Jesus, in fact, warned Peter and the other apostles against adopting special titles that would set themselves apart from the rest of the people. In Matt. 23:6-12 He exhorted them,

But you, do not be called “Rabbi”; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.

In his letter we know as I Peter, Peter addresses the elders in the churches that will receive his letter and refers to himself as a “fellow-elder.” In other words, instead of exalting himself above all others, he places himself alongside all the other elders in the various churches.

In the New Testament, none of the apostles present themselves with titles in front of their names. In his Second Epistle, Peter refers to Paul as “our beloved brother Paul.” And in his letter to the Seven Churches of Revelation, John, who was one of the Twelves, refers to himself as “your brother in tribulation” (Revelation 1:9).

Someone has said "the ground is level at the Cross" and this was certainly reflected in the words and actions of those earliest Christians, including the Apostles.

In Summary

It is clear that the present authority and preeminence of the pope is a product of Catholic tradition and dogma, not Scripture. They are from the era when Constantine began merging the church with the empire, which led to the “Romanizing” of Christianity and the development of the modern Roman Catholic Church with its pomp, pageantry and hierarchy. Commenting on the dark and sordid history of the papacy in its pursuit of power, the noted Roman Catholic theologian, the late Dr. Hans Kung, wrote,

 The road [to preeminence] was built with an unflagging Roman concern for power, which did not hesitate even over the use of forgeries (Hyatt, Infallible Pope, 8).

I hope that Pope Leo and President Trump can have a productive conversation that is grounded in mutual respect. For this to happen Trump will need to tone down his combative tendencies, and the pope will need to lay aside this erroneous idea that he is owed a special respect and honor above all other human beings. 

[1] Hans King, Christianity: Essence, History and Future ( New York City: Continuum, 1996),  83.

This article was derived from Dr. Eddie Hyatt's two books, Apostolic Leadership and Infallible Pope?, both available from Amazon and his website at http://eddiehyatt.com.

RELENTLESS FAITH

 

This is no time to back off and become docile and passive in our faith. This is the time to press on, press in and trust God to the very end. This is the time to be relentless in our faith.

Everyone thought blind Bartimaeus was too insignificant, blind and poor for anyone to notice, especially the renowned prophet from Galilee who was passing by on the Jericho road where he sat begging, But Bartimaeus began crying out at the top of his voice, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me." 

The crowd tried to shut him down and warned him to be quiet. But Bartimaeus was relentless in his faith and cried out all the more, "Son of David have mercy on me." Jesus finally stopped, called for him, healed him and the world is still talking about his miracle and his relentless faith (Mark 10:46-52). 

There is a similar story with the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:22-28. She was rebuffed by the disciples who wanted to send her away and was initially ignored by Jesus who "answered her not a word." But she was relentless in her faith and would not quit and Jesus finally said to her, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done to you as you desire." Her relentless faith brought healing to her young daughter who was at home demon possessed. 

There are so many similar examples in Scripture where relentless faith carried an individual into the presence of the Lord and to the victory they desired. So, if you have hit some bumps in the road of life, I implore you today to not lose heart and hope. Press on with your eyes fixed on Jesus and His covenant promises. Be relentless in your faith!

Dr. Eddie Hyatt has over 50 years of ministerial experience as a pastor, Bible teacher, revivalist, missionary and professor of theology. His numerous books are available on Amazon and his website at http://eddiehyatt.com.

GOOD THINGS HAPPEN ON HALLOWEEN WHEN COURAGEOUS PEOPLE STAND FOR TRUTH

3 Invaluable Treats  from Martin Luther's Bold Act on October 31

For the Christian, good things do happen on Halloween. 506 years ago, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the Wittenberg church door, an act comparable to a Facebook or X post today. In it he challenged the authority of the Roman Catholic Church and its selling of indulgences, which offered forgiveness of sins apart from repentance and faith, but for the right price. 

The post went viral and ignited the Protestant Reformation, which changed both church and world history. In fact, at the dawn of the year 2000, the editors of Life magazine listed Luther’s act as the second most momentous event of the past millennia, after the invention of the printing press in 1440, and before the discovery of America by Columbus in 1492, which was listed at number three.

Luther, despite his weaknesses, was a man uniquely prepared for a very unique moment in time. I have listed below three treats that we inherit from his bold act of faith on that Halloween day.

Treat #1

Courage to Stand for Truth

We live in a time when Christian values are under attack. Christian morality is mocked in the media and Christian students are subjected to ridicule in the classrooms of America. It is a time for courage, and in this Luther has left us a living legacy and example.

If Luther was anything, he was bold and courageous, so much so that his friends sometimes thought he was too bold. In giving a report to Spalatin about Luther’s bold stand befoe the Emperor and Catholic authorities at the Diet of Worms, Frederick the Wise said, “How excellently did Father Martin speak before the Emperor and Estates. He was bold enough, if not too much so (Hyatt, TheCharismatic Luther, 67).

It was, however, no time for timidity or reticence. The church was in shambles. God’s people were enslaved to an oppressive religious system that was obsessed with power. The times called for a courageous voice that would not flinch in the face of the greatest powers on earth. Luther became that voice that God used to change the course of history. 

Such bold voices are in great need in the church today. There is so much hedging, evading and ducking by Christian leaders today when it comes to making a clear sound for truth.

For example, this author was astounded to hear a well-known evangelical pastor and leader, dance in circles when asked by a popular TV icon if Jesus is the only way to God. Instead of giving a simple straightforward answer, he ducked, swerved and feinted, but never gave a clear answer to such a simple, straightforward question.

Contrast Luther, who in a letter to Pope Leo X, dated September 6, 1520, and while still a Catholic priest, spoke with such clearness and boldness. He spoke with respect, even addressing Leo as “Holy Father,” but he did not mince words. He wrote,

I have truly despised your see (office), the Roman curia, which, however, neither you nor anyone else can deny is more corrupt than any Babylon or Sodom ever was, and which, as far as I can see, is characterized by a completely depraved, hopeless, and notorious godlessness.

We can all be thankful that Luther did not duck, feint and dance around the issues of his day. He obviously made mistakes, but no one could ever complain of not knowing where he stood. He changed history by being clear, concise, courageous and bold.

May God raise up a generation to proclaim His truth with that same spirit of courage and boldness.

Treat #2

Individual Freedom and Religious Liberty

Luther struck an incredible blow for individual freedom of conscience and religious liberty when at his trial for heresy he boldly resisted demands that he retract his teachings, declaring that “it is unsafe and dangerous to do anything against one’s conscience.” He went on to say, “My conscience is bound by the word of God, and I cannot and will not recant anything” (Hyatt, The Charismatic Luther, 27).

Freedom of individual conscience was practically unheard of in the medieval world into which Luther was born. Individualism was suppressed. Conformity to the religious and social norms, determined by those in authority, was demanded and enforced.

Those who veered from the established religious norms were punished, imprisoned and even put to death. Individual freedom was sacrificed for what was considered the good of the whole by those in power. Most often, however, it was not for the good of the whole, but for the good of those holding the reins of power.

By his bold stand at Worms, Luther unleashed a powerful ideal of individual freedom. Others took that ideal and brought it to America—the land of the free--where it was further developed on American soil. Freedom of conscience and individual religious liberty then became hallmarks of freedom-loving people and nations throughout the Western world. We have Luther to thank for this.

Treat #3

The Power and Priority of God’s Word

When you hear a public figure quoting the Bible or hear how the Bible continues to be the perennial all-time best seller, you can thank Martin Luther. Luther directed the attention of the church back to the Bible as the ultimate guide and source of authority for morality, life and faith.

In Luther’s own personal life, the Bible was supreme. His boldness came from his conviction that Scripture is the highest authority to which one can appeal. When, therefore, he stood before the tribunal at Worms, his appeal was to Scripture. “My conscience is captive to the word of God,” he declared (Hyatt, The Charismatic Luther, 27).

Luther’s high esteem for the Scriptures is expressed again and again in his writings. In his book, To the German Nobility of the Christian Nation, he wrote,

I would advise no one to send his child where the Holy Scriptures are not supreme. Every institution that does not unceasingly pursue the study of God’s word becomes corrupt (Hyatt, TheCharismatic Luther, 70).

In later life, when asked how he, a simple monk and teacher, had been able to have such an impact when opposed by both the pope and the emperor, Luther replied,

I simply taught, preached, wrote God’s Word; otherwise I did nothing. The Word so weakened the papacy that never a prince or emperor did such damage to it. I did nothing. The Word did it all (Hyatt, The Charismatic Luther, 29).

Luther’s priority of Scripture for the individual believer, was something new and radical to the world of medieval Europe, which placed ultimate authority with the pope and church tradition. Luther’s placement of Scripture as the final authority above church tradition and hierarchy was momentous for the history of the church and Western society.

Will You Courageously Stand for Truth Today?

Yes, good things do happen on Halloween. The above treats, or blessings, have come down to us because one man chose to stand against the corrupt cultural and religious tide of his day with God’s truth. Luther’s faith and courage were deeply rooted in his belief that God’s truth would ultimately prevail. This is clearly expressed in the following excerpt from his great hymn, “A Might Fortress is Our God.”

And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us.
We will not fear, for God hath willed,
His truth to triumph through us.

This article is derived from Dr. Eddie Hyatt's books, The Charismatic Luther, and Apostolic Leadership, both available from Amazon and his website at www.eddiehyatt.com.

5 VITAL TRUTHS CONCERNING CHRIST'S ATONING DEATH

Yom Kippur, or "Day of Atonement," begins today (Wednesday) at sundown and is the most holy day of the year on the Jewish calendar. Yom means "day" and Kippur is probably derived from the Hebrew kofer, meaning "ransom." Yom Kippur falls on two of our calendar days because the Jewish day begins and ends at sunset.

It was on this Day of Atonement that the Old Testament high priest went into the holy of holies, and with animal sacrifices, made sacrificial atonement for the sins of the people of Israel (Leviticus 16). Interestingly, there was to be absolutely no work on this Day. This Day was God’s idea and God’s work, with the high priest being the one carrying out the proceedings.

The Old Testament Day of Atonement was a type and foreshadowing of the atoning death of Jesus Christ, not just for Israel, but for the world. Jesus Himself said in Mark 10:45 that He had come to give His life a ransom for many. Paul speaks of the death of Christ as a sacrifice, even referring to Him as our Passover lamb. (I Corinthians 5:7).

The atoning death of Jesus Christ is the greatest gift God has given the human race. It offers forgiveness, freedom and peace with God that cannot be attained or achieved from any other source. It is, therefore, necessary that we understand the truth concerning the atonement for many false teachings abound today, which are based on a distortion of this wonderful act of grace.

Here are 5 truths that are vital for understanding and appropriating the full blessing of Christ's atoning death.

Truth #1
We Cannot Add to His Atoning Work

As mentioned above, there was to be no work on the Day of Atonement. All human labor was to cease. This speaks to the fact that God did not ask or require our help in Christ’s atoning work. Hebrews 1:6 speaks of how Christ, by Himself purged our sins. We have nothing to add. We can only come, and in faith receive the benefits of the work He has already done. It is a Christ centered atonement.

Saul of Tarsus, who later became Paul the apostle, Paul had to learn that his own religious works would not make him right with God. Concerning the righteousness that comes from keeping the Law, Paul said he was “blameless” (Philippians. 1:6). He came to realize, however, that he was just a proud Pharisee. Struck down and lying in the dust of the Damascus Road in the presence of the risen Messiah, he saw how unworthy and undone he really was, and how all his human righteousness was nothing more than “rubbish” (Philippians 1:8).

There are many proud Pharisees today who are depending on their church membership, or singing in the choir, or their occasional good deeds to take them to heaven. They are like John Wesley who was a baptized, confirmed, and ordained Anglican. He even went as a missionary to colonial America to "convert" the American Indians. 

Wesley, however, had his own Damascus Road experience and later wrote, "I who went to America to convert the Indians had never been converted myself." He came to realize that, like Paul, he had built his faith on a faulty foundation—himself and his own works. He came to the stunning realization that only faith in Christ, and Him alone, would save him, and he was never the same.

Many Christian notables have had this Christ-centered revelation, including Martin Luther, George Whitefield, and Pandita Ramabai. This revelation transformed their lives and they impacted their generation for Christ. As the old hymn says, “On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand."

Truth #2
The Benefits of the Atonement 
Must be Appropriated by Repentance & Faith

Yes, the forgiveness and blessings of Christ’s atoning death are free and available to all, but must be appropriated by repentance and faith. This is why Paul, when speaking to the Ephesian elders, reminded them how he had testified to both Jews and Greeks, Repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Our English word "repent" comes from the Greek word, metanoia.  Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon defines metanoia as "a change of mind, especially the change of mind of those who have begun to abhor their misdeeds and have determined to enter upon a better course of life."

One serious misunderstanding of the Atonement is the idea that its benefits are automatically applied regardless of attitude or behavior. This idea seems to run parallel with the popular teaching that since Christ has paid for my sins, I do not have to confess sins I commit or be watchful concerning sin.

They speculate that if Jesus paid the penalty for all sins, then any sins I have committed in the past, or am committing now, or will commit in the future, have already been paid for, and borne away, by Christ. I, therefore, do not have to confess sin or be concerned with sin. There is no longer a sin problem for me or for the human race.

For many, this theory has an attractive ring to it, but it is at odds with so many passages of Scripture. For example, Simon the Sorcerer, who had been baptized in the great Samaritan revival led by Philip, offered Peter and John money in return for the authority to lay hands on people to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Peter’s answer to him was very telling.

Peter said to Simon, Your money perish with you because you thought the gift of God could be purchased with money (Acts 8:20). Peter went on to say, Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. (Acts 8:22).

Simon’s request had revealed that true repentance had not taken place even though he had been baptized. Peter said that Simon was in a state of perishing and he called on Simon to repent of his wickedness and ask God for forgiveness.

Peter obviously did not see the benefits of the atonement being automatically applied in Simon’s case. He did not take Simon’s sin lightly. There was a need for repentance and contrition of heart on Simon’s part if he was going to experience the blessings and benefits of Christ’s atoning death.

This is why Paul expressed concern to the Corinthians about un-repented sin in their midst and said he feared that when he would come to them,

My God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced (I Corinthians 12:21).

No, the atoning merits of Christ’s death are not automatically applied across-the-board. The New Testament is filled with passages about the importance of repentance and faith in appropriating the forgiveness and blessings provided through Christ’s atoning death. This understanding is vital for another Great Awakening in our land.

Truth #3
The Atonement Was Not a Commercial Transaction

We must realize that the atonement of Jesus Christ was not a commercial transaction in which He paid the aggregate penalty for every single sin that ever was, or ever will be, committed. If this were the case, there would be no mercy or forgiveness on God’s part. God would be like an ice cold businessman who demands exact payment for every debt and obligation.

If such were the case, the sinner would be in the position of being able to demand his/her salvation from God since the precise debt for any sins they have committed, or ever will commit, has been paid. Salvation would not be a gift from God but something He owes and must give to every person regardless of their attitude, because the precise debt has been paid.

Instead, however, God is presented in Scripture as a merciful and caring being, willing to forgive those who come to Him in reverence and faith. The word “forgive” means “to remit” or “to cancel” or “to write off.” Because of what Christ has done, God is willing to “remit” or “write off” our sins when we put our faith in Jesus Christ and His atoning work through the cross.

We, therefore, should not think of the Atonement in terms of a quantitative payment for every individual sin. We should, instead, think of the Atonement in terms of “quality.” It was the quality of the sacrifice--Jesus Christ being God incarnate--that made His sacrifice acceptable in the sight of God and the basis for God to offer amnesty and pardon to a race of rebels, if they will only come to Him in repentance and faith.

The death of Christ on the cross was a public demonstration of God’s love for humanity and a public showing of His willingness to grant forgiveness and new life to those who will come to Him in repentance and faith. It also, however, showed the terribleness of sin and provided satisfaction for the just nature of a holy God who cannot wink at sin.

Truth #4
The Blessing of Repentance & Confession of Sin

On the Old Testament Day of Atonement, the people were instructed to “afflict their souls.” In other words, they were to examine themselves and repent of wrong and sinful attitudes and behavior. But is such an approach appropriate for a New Testament believer?

In I Corinthians 11:27-32 Paul cautions the Corinthian believers about taking communion in an "unworthy manner," that is, with unconfessed sin in their lives. Communion is a celebration of Christ's atoning death and sin is not to be treated in a light, trivial manner by those who participate. Paul instructed, Let a man [person] examine himself and so let him eat . . .. In verse 31 he says, But if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged, but when we are judged we are chastened by the Lord that we may not be condemned with the world. 

As New Covenant believers with the indwelling Holy Spirit, we judge ourselves by opening our hearts to the Lord and inviting Him to show us anything in our lives that is displeasing to Him. As He brings attitudes and behavior to our attention, we then acknowledge, or confess, our sins before the Lord as we are instructed to do in I John 1:9, a passage and letter written to believers. The results of such repentance and confession can be astounding.

This was the experience of a church, described by Charles Finney, that led to great revival. Through the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, the leaders of this church came to realize that in seeking numbers and recognition from the culture and community leaders, they had compromised their commitment to Christ. They, therefore, formulated a public statement concerning their “backsliding and want of a Christian spirit” (Hyatt, Pilgrims and Patriots, 177).

It was submitted to the congregation for their approval and then read before the congregation. As the confession was being read publicly, the entire congregation stood to its feet with many of its members weeping. Finney said that, from that moment on, the revival went forward in great power, and the opposition, which had been bitter, was silenced.

Jesus told the parable of the Prodigal Son to reveal the merciful, forgiving heart of God. However, the parable also reveals the attitude of heart in which the wayward son or daughter must return to the Father.

After coming to the end of himself in the pigpen, the prodigal departed for home with a different attitude. He determined that on arriving home, he would say to the Father, Father I have sinned against heaven and in Your sight and I am no longer worthy to called your son. Make me as one of your hired servants (Luke 15:18-19).

The prodigal was not perfect. He probably smelled like a pigpen. He probably had pig manure on his shoes and straw in his hair. But he had left the pig pen with a changed attitude and was headed in the right direction, back to the Father’s house. That is a picture of true repentance.

When the Father saw him afar off He ran and fell on his neck weeping. He then brought him into the house, completely restored him to his place in the family, and initiated a time of rejoicing for his safe return.

Truth #5
You Can Appropriate the Atonement Blessings Now

God rejoices today when erring sinners return to Him in faith and sincerity of heart. If you have never appropriated the wonderful forgiveness and blessings of Christ’s Atonement, I urge you to do so today. Come to Him now in faith and sincerity of heart. He will receive you with open arms.

If you are a believer, I urge you to invite the Holy Spirit to search your heart for any attitudes, or any compromise with the world, that are displeasing to Him. As He brings these sins and weights to our minds and we confess them before Him with contrition of heart, I am convinced that we will see a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our lives, our churches, our nation, and the world.

Dr. Eddie L. Hyatt is an author, Bible teacher, and ordained minister with a vision for Spiritual Awakening in America and around the world. His numerous books on revival and Spiritual Awakening are available from Amazon and his website at www.eddiehyatt.com/bookstore.html. To schedule him to speak at your church, group, or conference, send an email to dreddiehyatt@gmail.com, and visit his website at www.eddiehyatt.com.

HOW GOD USED A LITTLE DOG TO DELIVER ME OUT OF DEPRESSION

by Roland Stewart III

I never thought I would have to deal with depression. I am by nature a positive, upbeat person and from the time I was a teenager I trained myself to always think positively. I had no time or empathy for a negative person. My response would be, “Get over it and move on.”

But in 2012 I suffered a very serious heart attack that almost took my life and required immediate open-heart surgery. The weakened state in which it left me led to depression when I was unable to carry out the most fundamental tasks. God, however, had a way—an unusual way—to bring me out of my depression, and I believe He also has a way to deliver from the depression you are in.

It Was a Very Serious Time

When I was finally released from the hospital, I was in a very weakened state, but right away I phoned friends and business partners to assure them that everything was okay. I did not want people to run scared, so I talked to them in terms of “I am just fine. All is wonderful. It’s roses and chocolate.”

In reality, however, I knew in my heart that this was a serious time.  My body was weak. I tired easily. And I had this awful sick feeling. To add to the problem, I was taking all kinds of prescribed drugs and medications, all of which had negative side effects.

I thrive on action and getting things done, but in my weakened state, I found that I couldn’t carry out the most fundamental tasks. I felt myself slipping into feelings of hopelessness. Hopelessness is the chief characteristic of depression.

When I had the heart attack, I was running 21 different entities—more or less—including limited partnerships and LLC’s. But in my weakened condition, I couldn’t keep up with everything. I felt I was losing control of life, and this led to a sense of hopelessness and despair.

I remember lying in bed, feeling so sick, and thinking, “I am probably not going to make it. I am going to die any day.” Then I would think, “I’ve got shake this off and get things in order. I don’t want to leave a mess.” Then I would begin thinking about my wife, my daughter, and my mother, whom I had cared for since the death of my father. What is going to happen to them? How will they manage?

This went on day after day. No matter how hard I prayed or sought to fill my mind with positive thoughts, I could not shake off the sense of hopelessness and despair.

Prepared for Greater Effectiveness

Having come through this, I now realize that what I was experiencing was not something strange or unusual. In fact, it is estimated that depression affects over 18 million adults in any given year. That’s one in ten! Also, it is the leading cause of disability for people between the ages of 15 and 44. Furthermore, it is the primary reason someone dies of suicide about every 12 minutes. That’s over 41,000 people a year! By way of comparison, according to statistics at the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, homicide claims fewer than 16,000 lives each year,

Even Paul the Apostle went through a time of hopeless despair. He tells about it in II Corinthians 1:3-10. In verse 8-10, he tells of a time of ministry in Asia: We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself.

God delivered Paul from this hopeless situation, and in verses 3-4, he explains how these trials had worked a compassion in him for others who were going through similar difficulties. He refers to God as the God of all comfort whom he says, comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

In a similar way, I can see clearly that God has used my ordeal with depression to work in me an empathy and compassion I did not have before. This has served me well in my calling to help veterans, many of whom are suffering from depression and PTSD. This has also served me well on numerous occasions ministering to people in a state of hopeless despair.

The Day of My Deliverance

When the time came for my deliverance, God didn’t use a great doctor or a psychiatrist with the latest medical technology. Instead, He used a little white dog we named Chimera. Chimera belonged to my daughter, Libertee, and is a cute little two-pound ball of fur. We also had a big black Labrador named Sabrina, and she and Chimera got along really well.

One day, as I was lying in bed, I was feeling sick and hopeless. I noticed Chimera and how happy she was. I watched as she played with a little toy. She would run, toss it, and shake it. One time, 80-pound Sabrina decided to join in the fun. She got close to two-pound Chimera and stood over her growling, but Chimera went right on having the time of her life.

As I watched this, something snapped in me. The light came on! I thought to myself, “My Lord! If that little puppy could go through all it has been through, being brought into a strange new home with a massive growling monster towering over her, and still have that kind of faith and love and happiness—what in the heck is wrong with me? That big Lab standing over her growling could snap her in half with one bite and she has absolutely no fear.”

I was still sick and physically weak, but the depression lifted, thanks to Chimera. We’ve nicknamed her “Doctor KAI.”

Being free of depression helped speed up my physical recovery. This confirms the medical theory that shows that a person’s state of the mind has a profound effect on the health of the body.

Through this experience, I was reminded that puppies and service dogs can, in fact, help alleviate depression for many people. For example, they can often fill the need for love and companionship for seniors sitting alone at home or in senior citizens’ homes. Also, this is often true of veterans suffering from PTSD.

Might the reverse also be true? Dogs caged at the SPCA want the same thing—love and companionship. It’s a winning combination!

Pruned for Greater Fruitfulness

As I thought about my life, I realized that I had been through the pruning process that Jesus spoke about (John 15:1-2). In this passage, He compared Himself to a vine, us to branches, and God to a gardener. He says that God prunes the branches, not to destroy them, but to cause them to be more fruitful.

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful (John 15:1-2, NIV). 

I came through this pruning time a changed person. I now had more confidence in God and less in myself. Going forward, I knew my life had to be more about God and less about me. It had to be more about ministry and less about worldly business.

If I had not gone through this pruning process, I would never have been able to help the suicidal veteran I talk about later in this book.

This article was derived from the book, The Man With Nine Lives, by Roland Stewart III and is available from Amazon. Mr. Stewart is a wealthy real estate mogul with an amazing rags to riches story. He has been snatched from the jaws of death so many times that his friends and colleagues began referring to him as "the cat with nine lives," hence the title of his book.

https://amzn.to/41vgqWX

MY FATHER TAUGHT ME THAT GOD IS REALLY REAL WITHOUT SAYING A WORD

When I was 11 years old my family was living on a farm near Tipton, Oklahoma where my dad worked as a farmhand making .50 center per hour.  Our family attended the Assembly of God church seven miles away in Tipton, and we were there every Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night.

Becoming dissatisfied with his situation on the farm, Dad began making plans to move to Dallas, Texas and work as a bricklayer. But as he made his plans to move, he heard the Holy Spirit speak in his heart, “What about pastoring this church?”

This seemed like an impossibility for two reasons: First of all, the church had a pastor and he had given no hint that he planned to leave. Secondly, Dad knew that the people did not see him as a pastor. He was a farmhand with a fourth-grade education and on the lower end of the socio-economic scale in this “nice” church.

However, it sounded like God had spoken and 12 years before this he had experienced a supernatural call to the ministry but had never been able to find his niche. He decided to ask for confirmation, and said, “Lord, if this is you speaking to me, let this pastor resign before the first of the month.”

He was shocked when he went to church the following Sunday and the pastor got up and announced his resignation. Knowing that God had spoken, Dad afterwards went to the church secretary and said, “I would like to submit my name to be the pastor of this church.”

The church had a process in place for selecting a pastor and it consisted of allowing anyone who was interested to preach in a service and then afterwards the members of the church would vote. If the preacher got more than 50% of the votes, he would become the pastor. The secretary replied, “You are the first one to inquire so your name is at the top of the list.”

About three days later, an older gentleman, who was the chairman of the board of deacons/elders, visited my dad and informed him that he had talked to all the members of the church. “We are all in agreement,” he said, “That you are not qualified to be our pastor.” He then asked Dad to withdraw his name for consideration because, he said, “No one will vote for you.”

Well, what do you do now? God had clearly spoken for him to pastor this congregation, but now they are all in agreement that they do not want him as their pastor. He was between the proverbial “rock and a hard place.”

Not being a politician with a plan to sway votes, Dad went to prayer. He prayed all night but heard nothing. What now? Do you throw in the towel and move on? Something inside would not let him quit, so he prayed all night the second night; but there was no voice, no guidance, and no direction.

Virtually everyone advised him to withdraw his name and forget about pastoring that church. One of his relatives poked fun, saying, “The Lord told Clarence to go plow, and he thought He said to go preach.” The one voice of support came from my oldest brother, Harvey, who said to him, "Daddy, if God told you to do this, you better do it." 

He prayed on, all night for the third night in a row. As morning dawned, he looked out a window and as the first rays of the morning sun shone in his face he was, in his words, “turned into another man.” Suddenly he had no concern what anyone thought of him. The only thing that mattered was being obedient to the call of God.

He went out and found the secretary of the church and the chairman of the board of deacons/elders. He said to them, “Brethren, whatever you do is between you and God, but I have to go through with this.” They said OK, and arranged for him to preach the following Sunday night.

I still remember the message that Sunday night, and there seemed to be special anointing from the Holy Spirit as he preached from Haggai 1:5, “Consider Your Ways.” After finishing his sermon, he said the congregation, “I have done what God asked me to do and it is now between you and God.”

He then led our family out of the church to our home, now about one-half block away, where we waited to hear the results of the election. About one-half hour later, someone came from the church and told him he had been voted in as pastor with 100% of the vote. WOW!!

They then proceeded to explain that, after we left, Brother Cook, the chairman of the board who was emceeing the election, had gotten up before the congregation weeping and said, “Folks, I have been wrong about this man; he is supposed to be our pastor.”

Everything suddenly changed. Hearts were melted across the congregation. And whereas everyone there had come prepared to vote against him every single member voted for him.

From that time forth, except for brief intervals between pastorates, my dad was in full time pastoral ministry for the rest of his life. The last church he pastored was the Assembly of God in Chicota, Texas, which he pastored for 27 years. One young man, Tony Boykin, who grew up under his ministry, wrote the following after his passing.

He had a profound impact on my life that changed me forever. My children and I can always say that our Christian life was helped to be framed by one of America's greatest pastors. I will forever believe that he will stand beside Moses, King David, Elijah, and Father Abraham. If any man has ever lived by Gods highest standards, it was the legendary C.H. Hyatt. I miss one of the best friends I have ever had.

So, I learned this most important lesson, not from a lecture, but from being there and seeing this unfold. I learned that that God is really real, and that He does answer prayer in marvelous ways when we pray and obey.  

Dr. Eddie L. Hyatt is a Bible teacher and ordained minister who has authored over 30 books on spiritual awakening, gifts of the Spirit, women in ministry, church order and other biblical themes. All are available on Amazon and his website at http://www.eddiehyatt.com.

THE HYATT INSTITUTE UPDATE - PROGRAMS AND COURSES BEING OFFERED

Great progress is being made. We have uploaded 17 courses comprised of 160 lessons. We have also uploaded instructions, books, manuals, and everything needed for a fully functioning college. I believe we will have all the courses necessary for launch to be uploaded by the end of this month. We then need to make ready the WordPress website where people go to enroll and download the courses. So if you know anyone who is familiar with WordPress and would like to offer their help, let us know.  I think it is safe to say that we are within 2-3 months of launching the Institute. We will continue adding courses after launch so that we have a thorough, well-rounded curriculum to offer the world. 

Below are the three diploma granting programs with their distinctive courses.  

Women Studies Program –

The Spirit, the Bible & Women, Part 1 – 4 credits (10 lessons)
The Spirit, the Bible & Women, Part 2 – 4 credits (10 lessons)
The Spirit, the Bible & Women, Part 3 – 4 credits (10 lessons)|The Spirit, the Bible & Women, Part 4 – 4 credits (10 lessons)
Choose an Elective from Below – 4 credits (10 lessons)

Revival Studies Program

2000 Years of Charismatic Christianity, Part 1 – 4 credits (10 lessons)
2000 Years of Charismatic Christianity, Part 1 – 4 credits (10 lessons)
The Great Awakening &America’s Birth – 2 Credits (5 lessons)
Apostolic Christianity – 4 Credits (10 lessons)
The New Testament Gift of Prophecy – 4 Credits (10 lessons)
Understanding Angels & Demons – 2 Credits (5 lessons)

Biblical Studies Program

Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, Part 1 – 4 credits (10 lessons)
Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, Part 2 – 4 credits (10 lessons)
Paul, Women and Church – 4 Credits (10 lessons)
Revelation Revealed, Part 1 – 4 Credits (10 lessons)
Reasons to Believe – 2 Credits (5 lessons)
Thinking Biblically About Church – 2 Credits (5 lessons)

If you would like to be on the mailing list of the Hyatt Institute to receive updates concerning its launch and info about new courses, send and email to Eddie Hyatt at dreddiehyatt@gmail.com and to Rhonda Klug (the director) at rhondaklug@hotmail.com.