Merry Christmas!! Word of Hope Ministries wishes you peace on earth, through God's Son Jesus Christ Who was born so that we may have life eternal.....
Romans 15:4 (New International Version, ©2011) "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope".
Friday, December 24, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
sneak peak
I'm up to something new at Word Of Hope Ministries. This is a sneak peak. Please pray for me as I work on this new idea over the coming weeks and months. I hope to launch it in 2011, Lord willing!!
Click here:
Word Of Hope Mentor Website
Click here:
Word Of Hope Mentor Website
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Self Forgiveness, is it Biblical???
Self Forgiveness – Is it Biblical??
In a word, NO. It is not a Biblical concept. In fact, it comes straight out of pop psychology and humanism. Think about it --- we are commanded to forgive others. We are forgiven by God if we are a true believer. But where is it written that we need to ‘forgive ourselves’?? I could list a myriad of scriptures about forgiveness – but you go look them up in your own Bibles and you will see that I’m telling you the truth here. If you find one that says ‘forgive yourself’, show me – but you won’t find it.
If you are a counselor, life coach, mentor, disciple, Sunday school teacher, pastor, etc….and you are telling people to ‘forgive themselves’, please reconsider your teaching on this.
This is a pet topic of mine, I suppose because this is part of my testimony. I was a believer for several years, all along saying “I receive God’s forgiveness, I forgive those who have hurt me, now all I need to do is forgive ME and I just can’t seem to DO IT”! I carried around guilt over some things in my past…..for years. All the while I was a Christian, serving others, working in ministries, even leading Bible studies. But I knew something was amiss – why did I always still feel so guilty, clinging to things in the past, that I thought I needed to ‘forgive myself’ for??? I was STUCK, and it showed in the stunted growth in my spiritual walk.
As a believer, I had a lot of victory in many other areas. But this one thing kept me STUCK, and I couldn’t get past it. Finally, in a Bible study I took some years back, there it was. The sentence that changed my walk with God forever, and broke loose chains that I didn’t even realize had been there. The sentence was “nowhere in Scripture are we told we need to forgive ourselves. It simply is not a Biblical concept”. WHAT???
I remember the moment – I felt like I had been hit by lightening and finally saw the Truth. I got it. If I say that Christ’s death on the cross was enough – then why wasn’t I living it? If it was enough, and I am forgiven completely, why would there be a need to forgive myself?? And furthermore, it is God’s job to forgive me, not my own, so I was actually trying to be God. Jr. in my own life. It was also the sin of unbelief – unbelief that the cross and resurrection really meant what we say they do.
Maybe it is a matter of semantics in some cases, but probably not in most cases. Perhaps what they really mean is ‘stop reminding yourself of your mistakes and beating yourself up again’. That’s different than saying ‘forgive yourself’. Semantics do matter – we need to be really clear on these matters with those we talk with, because it can mean the difference of proclaiming a clear gospel, or a self-centered false gospel.
We have bought in to the lie that the Bible really does not hold all the answers to life’s problems, so we look outside of it and in to psychological theories instead. It is in those theories that you will find self forgiveness, but you will not find it in Scripture. Let’s stick to Scripture!
This revelation changed my life. Floodgates opened. I started growing again. I was free of the burden of striving and trying to forgive myself, when all along I was already forgiven. Freedom! God called me to ministry soon after this, and there’s been no turning back.
So I am very sensitive to the terminology ‘forgive yourself’. I see it everywhere. I hear people say it in church. I see it on blogs, by counselors and coaches and Bible study teachers alike. I have spotted it in some popular Bible teacher’s books. This is humanism, and it has crept in to our churches. Every chance I get to dispute it and point out Truth about this, I do it. I hope you will too!
Here’s a good little resource for a very good teaching on this topic. If you are local, and want one, I may have some extras in my office. It’s worth the quick read – it’s very profound!
http://www.christianbook.com/forgiveness-i-just-cant-forgive-myself/robert-jones/9780875526782/pd/26780
In a word, NO. It is not a Biblical concept. In fact, it comes straight out of pop psychology and humanism. Think about it --- we are commanded to forgive others. We are forgiven by God if we are a true believer. But where is it written that we need to ‘forgive ourselves’?? I could list a myriad of scriptures about forgiveness – but you go look them up in your own Bibles and you will see that I’m telling you the truth here. If you find one that says ‘forgive yourself’, show me – but you won’t find it.
If you are a counselor, life coach, mentor, disciple, Sunday school teacher, pastor, etc….and you are telling people to ‘forgive themselves’, please reconsider your teaching on this.
This is a pet topic of mine, I suppose because this is part of my testimony. I was a believer for several years, all along saying “I receive God’s forgiveness, I forgive those who have hurt me, now all I need to do is forgive ME and I just can’t seem to DO IT”! I carried around guilt over some things in my past…..for years. All the while I was a Christian, serving others, working in ministries, even leading Bible studies. But I knew something was amiss – why did I always still feel so guilty, clinging to things in the past, that I thought I needed to ‘forgive myself’ for??? I was STUCK, and it showed in the stunted growth in my spiritual walk.
As a believer, I had a lot of victory in many other areas. But this one thing kept me STUCK, and I couldn’t get past it. Finally, in a Bible study I took some years back, there it was. The sentence that changed my walk with God forever, and broke loose chains that I didn’t even realize had been there. The sentence was “nowhere in Scripture are we told we need to forgive ourselves. It simply is not a Biblical concept”. WHAT???
I remember the moment – I felt like I had been hit by lightening and finally saw the Truth. I got it. If I say that Christ’s death on the cross was enough – then why wasn’t I living it? If it was enough, and I am forgiven completely, why would there be a need to forgive myself?? And furthermore, it is God’s job to forgive me, not my own, so I was actually trying to be God. Jr. in my own life. It was also the sin of unbelief – unbelief that the cross and resurrection really meant what we say they do.
Maybe it is a matter of semantics in some cases, but probably not in most cases. Perhaps what they really mean is ‘stop reminding yourself of your mistakes and beating yourself up again’. That’s different than saying ‘forgive yourself’. Semantics do matter – we need to be really clear on these matters with those we talk with, because it can mean the difference of proclaiming a clear gospel, or a self-centered false gospel.
We have bought in to the lie that the Bible really does not hold all the answers to life’s problems, so we look outside of it and in to psychological theories instead. It is in those theories that you will find self forgiveness, but you will not find it in Scripture. Let’s stick to Scripture!
This revelation changed my life. Floodgates opened. I started growing again. I was free of the burden of striving and trying to forgive myself, when all along I was already forgiven. Freedom! God called me to ministry soon after this, and there’s been no turning back.
So I am very sensitive to the terminology ‘forgive yourself’. I see it everywhere. I hear people say it in church. I see it on blogs, by counselors and coaches and Bible study teachers alike. I have spotted it in some popular Bible teacher’s books. This is humanism, and it has crept in to our churches. Every chance I get to dispute it and point out Truth about this, I do it. I hope you will too!
Here’s a good little resource for a very good teaching on this topic. If you are local, and want one, I may have some extras in my office. It’s worth the quick read – it’s very profound!
http://www.christianbook.com/forgiveness-i-just-cant-forgive-myself/robert-jones/9780875526782/pd/26780
Sunday, August 8, 2010
What Does Love In Marriage Look Like?
From Paul David Tripp’s What Did You Expect?: Redeeming the Realities of Marriage:
1.Love is being willing to have your life complicated by the needs and struggles of your husband or wife without impatience or anger.
2.Love is actively fighting the temptation to be critical and judgmental toward your spouse, while looking for ways to encourage and praise.
3.Love is the daily commitment to resist the needless moments of conflict that come from pointing out and responding to minor offenses.
4.Love is being lovingly honest and humbly approachable in times of misunderstanding, and being more committed to unity and love than you are to winning, accusing, or being right.
5.Love is a daily commitment to admit your sin, weakness, and failure and to resist the temptation to offer an excuse or shift the blame.
6.Love means being willing, when confronted by your spouse, to examine your heart rather than rising to your defense or shifting the focus.
7.Love is a daily commitment to grow in love so that the love you offer to your husband or wife is increasingly selfless, mature, and patient.
8.Love is being unwilling to do what is wrong when you have been wronged but to look for concrete and specific ways to overcome evil with good.
9.Love is being a good student of your spouse, looking for his physical, emotional, and spiritual needs so that in some way you can remove the burden, support him as he carries it, or encourage him along the way.
10.Love means being willing to invest the time necessary to discuss, examine, and understand the problems that you face as a couple, staying on task until the problem is removed or you have agreed upon a strategy of response.
11.Love is always being willing to ask for forgiveness and always being committed to grant forgiveness when it is requested.
12.Love is recognizing the high value of trust in a marriage and being faithful to your promises and true to your word.
13.Love is speaking kindly and gently, even in moments of disagreement, refusing to attack your spouse’s character or assault his or her intelligence.
14.Love is being unwilling to flatter, lie, manipulate, or deceive in any way in order to co-opt your spouse into giving you what you want or doing something your way.
15.Love is being unwilling to ask your spouse to be the source of your identity, meaning and purpose, or inner sense of well-being, while refusing to be the source of his or hers.
16.Love is the willingness to have less free time, less sleep, and a busier schedule in order to be faithful to what God has called you to be and to do as a husband or a wife.
17.Love is a commitment to say no to selfish instincts and to do everything that is within your ability to promote real unity, functional understanding, and active love in your marriage.
18.Love is staying faithful to your commitment to treat your spouse with appreciation, respect, and grace, even in moments when he or she doesn’t seem to deserve it or is unwilling to reciprocate.
19.Love is the willingness to make regular and costly sacrifices for the sake of your marriage without asking anything in return or using your sacrifices to place your spouse in your debt.
20.Love is being unwilling to make any personal decision or choice that would harm your marriage, hurt your husband or wife, or weaken the bond of trust between you.
21.Love is refusing to be self-focused or demanding but instead looking for specific ways to serve, support, and encourage, even when you are busy or tired.
22.Love is daily admitting to yourself, your spouse, and God that you are not able to love this way without God’s protecting, providing, forgiving, rescuing, and delivering grace.
23.Love is a specific commitment of the heart to a specific person that causes you to give yourself to a specific lifestyle of care that requires you to be willing to make sacrifices that have that person’s good in view.
How are you doing?
1.Love is being willing to have your life complicated by the needs and struggles of your husband or wife without impatience or anger.
2.Love is actively fighting the temptation to be critical and judgmental toward your spouse, while looking for ways to encourage and praise.
3.Love is the daily commitment to resist the needless moments of conflict that come from pointing out and responding to minor offenses.
4.Love is being lovingly honest and humbly approachable in times of misunderstanding, and being more committed to unity and love than you are to winning, accusing, or being right.
5.Love is a daily commitment to admit your sin, weakness, and failure and to resist the temptation to offer an excuse or shift the blame.
6.Love means being willing, when confronted by your spouse, to examine your heart rather than rising to your defense or shifting the focus.
7.Love is a daily commitment to grow in love so that the love you offer to your husband or wife is increasingly selfless, mature, and patient.
8.Love is being unwilling to do what is wrong when you have been wronged but to look for concrete and specific ways to overcome evil with good.
9.Love is being a good student of your spouse, looking for his physical, emotional, and spiritual needs so that in some way you can remove the burden, support him as he carries it, or encourage him along the way.
10.Love means being willing to invest the time necessary to discuss, examine, and understand the problems that you face as a couple, staying on task until the problem is removed or you have agreed upon a strategy of response.
11.Love is always being willing to ask for forgiveness and always being committed to grant forgiveness when it is requested.
12.Love is recognizing the high value of trust in a marriage and being faithful to your promises and true to your word.
13.Love is speaking kindly and gently, even in moments of disagreement, refusing to attack your spouse’s character or assault his or her intelligence.
14.Love is being unwilling to flatter, lie, manipulate, or deceive in any way in order to co-opt your spouse into giving you what you want or doing something your way.
15.Love is being unwilling to ask your spouse to be the source of your identity, meaning and purpose, or inner sense of well-being, while refusing to be the source of his or hers.
16.Love is the willingness to have less free time, less sleep, and a busier schedule in order to be faithful to what God has called you to be and to do as a husband or a wife.
17.Love is a commitment to say no to selfish instincts and to do everything that is within your ability to promote real unity, functional understanding, and active love in your marriage.
18.Love is staying faithful to your commitment to treat your spouse with appreciation, respect, and grace, even in moments when he or she doesn’t seem to deserve it or is unwilling to reciprocate.
19.Love is the willingness to make regular and costly sacrifices for the sake of your marriage without asking anything in return or using your sacrifices to place your spouse in your debt.
20.Love is being unwilling to make any personal decision or choice that would harm your marriage, hurt your husband or wife, or weaken the bond of trust between you.
21.Love is refusing to be self-focused or demanding but instead looking for specific ways to serve, support, and encourage, even when you are busy or tired.
22.Love is daily admitting to yourself, your spouse, and God that you are not able to love this way without God’s protecting, providing, forgiving, rescuing, and delivering grace.
23.Love is a specific commitment of the heart to a specific person that causes you to give yourself to a specific lifestyle of care that requires you to be willing to make sacrifices that have that person’s good in view.
How are you doing?
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
"The ministry of our churches is woefully incomplete without women. Our churches need women who love gutsy theology, gritty service, and the rigors of gospel counseling. This is especially so because there are some situations, particularly in ministering to other women, in which women will generally be far more effective than men."
Keep reading by clicking this link:
http://www.9marks.org/ejournal/how-pastors-can-equip-women-ministry
Keep reading by clicking this link:
http://www.9marks.org/ejournal/how-pastors-can-equip-women-ministry
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
truth about abortion
I'm sharing this just to show the current shocking statistics about abortion. Often I see women in my counseling office who have had abortions in the past - and I have seen how much it devastates their lives, often for years to come. 1 in 3 Christian women (some teens) have had abortions. Many will never talk about it, but it has left wounds in their lives that only God can heal.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
A Word Of Hope about.....THINKING BIBLICALLY
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (New International Version)“4The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
As we approach life and its struggles, it is helpful to remember to approach everything by reminding ourselves to “THINK BIBLICALLY”. I think that is part of what is meant by ‘taking every thought captive’ in the above verse. We are to think a thought as Christ would think that thought. In order to do that, we need to think Biblically. In order to think Biblically, we need to be continually growing in love, knowledge, and application of God’s Word!
So often as I meet with women, I often notice areas of unbiblical thinking. The best counsel I can give when I notice this is to challenge them (and myself) to be sure that we are thinking Biblically. For example: A woman has confessed to cheating on her husband, and she says “I know Christ died for my sins, but I still feel guilty. I don’t feel forgiven”. Is this Biblical thinking? No, because Biblical thinking would say that no matter how I ‘feel’, the fact is true that as a believer, I AM forgiven. Another example: The same woman says “I know Christ has forgiven me. So now I just need to forgive myself, but I don’t seem to be able to do it”. Is that Biblical thinking? No, because Biblical thinking would acknowledge that self-forgiveness is nowhere in Scripture, and it is trying to be your own god, in a sense. Biblical thinking would say that I need to acknowledge that Christ’s death on the cross was sufficient for me, and there is nothing more I need ‘do’.
Romans 5: 6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Here’s another example: A woman is struggling with excessive alcohol use. She is frustrated at her lack of victory in this area, and she says “it’s just the way I am. I just have to accept that I cannot change. It isn’t that big of a deal anyway”. Is this Biblical thinking? No, because Biblical thinking would acknowledge that in Christ, there is freedom. Christ’s death would be in vain if there was no victory over sin! Biblical thinking says “God CAN change me”.
Romans 6: 6For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.
What are some areas that you have caught yourself in unbiblical thinking?? I’d love to have you comment and add some more examples. You never know, someone might need to hear exactly what you have to say about your personal challenges with Biblical thinking vs. unbiblical thinking.
Let’s all remember to THINK BIBLICALLY!!
As we approach life and its struggles, it is helpful to remember to approach everything by reminding ourselves to “THINK BIBLICALLY”. I think that is part of what is meant by ‘taking every thought captive’ in the above verse. We are to think a thought as Christ would think that thought. In order to do that, we need to think Biblically. In order to think Biblically, we need to be continually growing in love, knowledge, and application of God’s Word!
So often as I meet with women, I often notice areas of unbiblical thinking. The best counsel I can give when I notice this is to challenge them (and myself) to be sure that we are thinking Biblically. For example: A woman has confessed to cheating on her husband, and she says “I know Christ died for my sins, but I still feel guilty. I don’t feel forgiven”. Is this Biblical thinking? No, because Biblical thinking would say that no matter how I ‘feel’, the fact is true that as a believer, I AM forgiven. Another example: The same woman says “I know Christ has forgiven me. So now I just need to forgive myself, but I don’t seem to be able to do it”. Is that Biblical thinking? No, because Biblical thinking would acknowledge that self-forgiveness is nowhere in Scripture, and it is trying to be your own god, in a sense. Biblical thinking would say that I need to acknowledge that Christ’s death on the cross was sufficient for me, and there is nothing more I need ‘do’.
Romans 5: 6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Here’s another example: A woman is struggling with excessive alcohol use. She is frustrated at her lack of victory in this area, and she says “it’s just the way I am. I just have to accept that I cannot change. It isn’t that big of a deal anyway”. Is this Biblical thinking? No, because Biblical thinking would acknowledge that in Christ, there is freedom. Christ’s death would be in vain if there was no victory over sin! Biblical thinking says “God CAN change me”.
Romans 6: 6For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.
What are some areas that you have caught yourself in unbiblical thinking?? I’d love to have you comment and add some more examples. You never know, someone might need to hear exactly what you have to say about your personal challenges with Biblical thinking vs. unbiblical thinking.
Let’s all remember to THINK BIBLICALLY!!
Monday, May 17, 2010
A Word Of Hope about.....HOPE
1 Peter 3:15b “….. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”
This verse says to always be prepared to share the reason for our hope. This scripture is special to me, because it is the verse that someone once prayed over me the first time I realized God had a calling on my life to become a Biblical Counselor. I knew that this verse summarized what I would be doing as I walked alongside those I counsel, disciple, and mentor.
Thus, the name of the counseling ministry God has called me to: “Word Of Hope Ministries”.
I have a new goal for the ministry and use of this blog. I plan to post “A Word Of Hope” about a variety of topics pertaining to life’s struggles. I will post as I write them (bear with me as I develop a new routine of posting more often, Lord willing!). This first post is to kick it off, and I hope you will check back often for future posts on a variety of topics such as “A Word Of Hope about…..depression, anxiety, fear, worry, eating disorders, anger, forgiveness, marriage struggles, relationships, parenting, mental illness, spiritual growth, understanding God’s Word, and many many others!
To get this new series started, here are just a few ‘reasons for the hope that I have’!!!!..........
*He is MIGHTY TO SAVE. (Zeph. 3:17)
*He expressed His love for me in that while I was still a sinner, He died for me. He died for you, too. (Rom. 5:8)
*God will never change. I can fully trust Him because He will not act contrary to His character or Word. (Heb. 13:8)
*He always keeps His promises. ALL of them – some in principle and others specifically designed for us in our times. (Deut. 7:9)
*He is faithful to finish what He starts. Including in me. (Phil. 1:6)
*He will only allow what He knows I need and can handle with His help. (1 Cor. 10:13)
*My eternity is secure, so what have I to fear? (Deut. 31:8)
*He sets up kings and kingdoms, and also dethrones them as He sees fit. (Daniel)
*He is always sovereign. Always. SOVEREIGN. (the entire Bible!)
*He knows my heart is deceitful and desperately wicked, and yet He still loves me. (Jer. 17:9)
*His love for me never changes based on what I do or don’t do. (Ps. 107:31)
*He lifts me up – when I am weak, He is strong. (2 Cor. 12:10)
*I have the Holy Spirit in me. I can rely on Him, and not myself, because I am so unreliable on my own! (Luke 3:16)
*He can move mountains. (Matt. 17:20)
*No one can snatch me out of God’s hands. I am perfectly safe, always. (Heb. 13:5)
*It is for freedom that He set me free. My chains are gone! (Gal. 5:1)
*He is preparing a place for me. (John 14:3)
*All prophecy either has come true or will come true. (Rev. 22:7)
*God’s Word is alive in me. It pierces me just when I need it. (Heb. 4:12)
*God’s Word works. (the entire Bible!)
*With God on my side, who can be against me? (Rom. 8:31)
*Victory has already been won. (1 John 5:4)
*I can do all things through Christ Who gives me strength. (Phil 4:13)
*He gives and takes away, and either way, I can say ‘blessed be the name of the Lord’. (Job)
What would YOU add to this list???? It’s a great attitude adjuster to focus on our hope. Take a little time to consider the reason for YOUR hope today!
Feel free to leave comments – I’d love to read them!!
This verse says to always be prepared to share the reason for our hope. This scripture is special to me, because it is the verse that someone once prayed over me the first time I realized God had a calling on my life to become a Biblical Counselor. I knew that this verse summarized what I would be doing as I walked alongside those I counsel, disciple, and mentor.
Thus, the name of the counseling ministry God has called me to: “Word Of Hope Ministries”.
I have a new goal for the ministry and use of this blog. I plan to post “A Word Of Hope” about a variety of topics pertaining to life’s struggles. I will post as I write them (bear with me as I develop a new routine of posting more often, Lord willing!). This first post is to kick it off, and I hope you will check back often for future posts on a variety of topics such as “A Word Of Hope about…..depression, anxiety, fear, worry, eating disorders, anger, forgiveness, marriage struggles, relationships, parenting, mental illness, spiritual growth, understanding God’s Word, and many many others!
To get this new series started, here are just a few ‘reasons for the hope that I have’!!!!..........
*He is MIGHTY TO SAVE. (Zeph. 3:17)
*He expressed His love for me in that while I was still a sinner, He died for me. He died for you, too. (Rom. 5:8)
*God will never change. I can fully trust Him because He will not act contrary to His character or Word. (Heb. 13:8)
*He always keeps His promises. ALL of them – some in principle and others specifically designed for us in our times. (Deut. 7:9)
*He is faithful to finish what He starts. Including in me. (Phil. 1:6)
*He will only allow what He knows I need and can handle with His help. (1 Cor. 10:13)
*My eternity is secure, so what have I to fear? (Deut. 31:8)
*He sets up kings and kingdoms, and also dethrones them as He sees fit. (Daniel)
*He is always sovereign. Always. SOVEREIGN. (the entire Bible!)
*He knows my heart is deceitful and desperately wicked, and yet He still loves me. (Jer. 17:9)
*His love for me never changes based on what I do or don’t do. (Ps. 107:31)
*He lifts me up – when I am weak, He is strong. (2 Cor. 12:10)
*I have the Holy Spirit in me. I can rely on Him, and not myself, because I am so unreliable on my own! (Luke 3:16)
*He can move mountains. (Matt. 17:20)
*No one can snatch me out of God’s hands. I am perfectly safe, always. (Heb. 13:5)
*It is for freedom that He set me free. My chains are gone! (Gal. 5:1)
*He is preparing a place for me. (John 14:3)
*All prophecy either has come true or will come true. (Rev. 22:7)
*God’s Word is alive in me. It pierces me just when I need it. (Heb. 4:12)
*God’s Word works. (the entire Bible!)
*With God on my side, who can be against me? (Rom. 8:31)
*Victory has already been won. (1 John 5:4)
*I can do all things through Christ Who gives me strength. (Phil 4:13)
*He gives and takes away, and either way, I can say ‘blessed be the name of the Lord’. (Job)
What would YOU add to this list???? It’s a great attitude adjuster to focus on our hope. Take a little time to consider the reason for YOUR hope today!
Feel free to leave comments – I’d love to read them!!
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
A Sermon Well Worth Watching
I so enjoyed this sermon when it was streamed live recently. It will be worth your time! Enjoy.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Why I Do What I Do
please copy/paste this link to read a great article defending Biblical Counseling! (or click on the title of this post which will take you there!
http://www.rpmministries.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Affirmation_Powlison.pdf
http://www.rpmministries.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Affirmation_Powlison.pdf
Help Haiti Benefit Concert, watch live online tonight
Help Haiti February 27th - HelpHaitiLive.com from Compassion International on Vimeo.
Help Haiti February 27th - HelpHaitiLive.com from Compassion International on Vimeo.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Will You Stand Alone???
We, as believers, are called to proclaim and stand for truth in our generation, in our communities, and in our churches. 1 Tim 3:15 refers to the church as the ‘pillar and foundation of truth’: “….the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” We are also to call others to join us in building their lives on the foundation of truth….everything is to be built upon the truth of God! Not on the wisdom of the world, but on Truth.
Matthew 7:24: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
This requires upholding and proclaiming changeless truth that God has revealed to us in His Word.
We must be alert to the teachings out there (even and especially in Christian circles) that contradict truth. Humanistic teachings abound, and we must use discernment, filtering everything we hear through Scripture. Many teachings have the appearance of godliness, using tricky terminology or catch-phrases and common titles that gain our trust, before we dig deeper to find out where they are rooted. For example, a person can call themselves a “counselor”, and answer “yes” if asked “do you believe in the sufficiency of Scripture”….but if you dig a little deeper to see what their education and approach is, you might be shocked to discover they are not coming from a Biblical standpoint at all. Perhaps they engage in unbiblical practices such as guided imagery, hypnosis, contemplative prayer, and mysticism. These things are often a part of what a person might title ‘Christian counseling’,‘spiritual formation’, ‘spiritual direction’, ‘biblical counseling’ and other titles these days, but cannot be supported by Scripture. We have to check further to discover what kind of teaching an individual might be bringing in to our churches, because we are the pillar and foundation of truth! We can’t let ourselves be fooled by titles or catch-phrases that only cover up what is actually unbiblical.
In 1 Tim 6:20, Paul admonishes Timothy to ‘guard what has been entrusted’ to his care. Believers must guard the truth, the Word of God, and be very wary of any of man’s philosophies and theories that are not rooted in the Word. Our job is to promote and protect the truth. There is a positive and negative side to looking after the truth of God. The positive side is that we do whatever it takes to promote it because we know it has the power to change lives. The negative side is that we must do whatever it takes to protect it, even if it means standing alone. Are we willing to stand alone for truth’s sake?
We have to remember that teaching of truth comes with a cost. Paul also tells Timothy that God-breathed Scripture corrects error, and it is useful for rebuking as well as encouraging. Do you suppose that often it’s when a person feels compelled to stand against error that the truth actually shines brightest?? I believe so.
We should be prepared to suffer for the truth. 2 Tim 1:8-11: “So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.”
When we take a stand for the truth we need to be prepared for and even expect to be misunderstood and rejected. We need to be ready to suffer for it and we should never be ashamed of it even when it costs us.
People WILL misunderstand us and even at times get annoyed if the truth is being promoted it all its fullness! However we must remain patient and loving towards those who oppose us. Yes, we should proclaim the truth with courage, confidence, clarity and certainty! But when doing that causes people to come back at us with hostile words or even actions, we should respond with patience, kindness and gentleness. We should respond lovingly! Here's how Paul advises young Timothy:
2 Timothy 2:23-26:” Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”
So then it's God's desire that everyone hears the truth and he has chosen the church to be the pillar and foundation of the truth! Therefore we - as the church - should make sure the truth is not contradicted and we should be willing to suffer for the truth.
Jesus said; "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free." John 8:32
Matthew 7:24: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
This requires upholding and proclaiming changeless truth that God has revealed to us in His Word.
We must be alert to the teachings out there (even and especially in Christian circles) that contradict truth. Humanistic teachings abound, and we must use discernment, filtering everything we hear through Scripture. Many teachings have the appearance of godliness, using tricky terminology or catch-phrases and common titles that gain our trust, before we dig deeper to find out where they are rooted. For example, a person can call themselves a “counselor”, and answer “yes” if asked “do you believe in the sufficiency of Scripture”….but if you dig a little deeper to see what their education and approach is, you might be shocked to discover they are not coming from a Biblical standpoint at all. Perhaps they engage in unbiblical practices such as guided imagery, hypnosis, contemplative prayer, and mysticism. These things are often a part of what a person might title ‘Christian counseling’,‘spiritual formation’, ‘spiritual direction’, ‘biblical counseling’ and other titles these days, but cannot be supported by Scripture. We have to check further to discover what kind of teaching an individual might be bringing in to our churches, because we are the pillar and foundation of truth! We can’t let ourselves be fooled by titles or catch-phrases that only cover up what is actually unbiblical.
In 1 Tim 6:20, Paul admonishes Timothy to ‘guard what has been entrusted’ to his care. Believers must guard the truth, the Word of God, and be very wary of any of man’s philosophies and theories that are not rooted in the Word. Our job is to promote and protect the truth. There is a positive and negative side to looking after the truth of God. The positive side is that we do whatever it takes to promote it because we know it has the power to change lives. The negative side is that we must do whatever it takes to protect it, even if it means standing alone. Are we willing to stand alone for truth’s sake?
We have to remember that teaching of truth comes with a cost. Paul also tells Timothy that God-breathed Scripture corrects error, and it is useful for rebuking as well as encouraging. Do you suppose that often it’s when a person feels compelled to stand against error that the truth actually shines brightest?? I believe so.
We should be prepared to suffer for the truth. 2 Tim 1:8-11: “So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.”
When we take a stand for the truth we need to be prepared for and even expect to be misunderstood and rejected. We need to be ready to suffer for it and we should never be ashamed of it even when it costs us.
People WILL misunderstand us and even at times get annoyed if the truth is being promoted it all its fullness! However we must remain patient and loving towards those who oppose us. Yes, we should proclaim the truth with courage, confidence, clarity and certainty! But when doing that causes people to come back at us with hostile words or even actions, we should respond with patience, kindness and gentleness. We should respond lovingly! Here's how Paul advises young Timothy:
2 Timothy 2:23-26:” Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”
So then it's God's desire that everyone hears the truth and he has chosen the church to be the pillar and foundation of the truth! Therefore we - as the church - should make sure the truth is not contradicted and we should be willing to suffer for the truth.
Jesus said; "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free." John 8:32
Monday, February 8, 2010
Grab on!!
Touching the Hem of His Garment:
As I did my homework in a new Bible Study I am leading right now (Breaking Free, The Journey, The Stories, by Beth Moore…the updated version of the original Breaking Free)…..I was so struck by something she said in the week 2 video.
Beth was talking about the woman in Luke 8:40-48; Matthew 9:18-26; and Mark 5:21-43. She gave us a visual about Jesus walking through the crowd of people and how He would have been walking and weaving through the crowd. She teaches that in Luke, the word for ‘edge’ translates as ‘tassels’, the kind the Israelites wore on the 4 corners of their garments.
When I envisioned this verse in the past, I pictured the woman having to get down to the ground in the midst of a thick crowd to touch the hem, meaning the bottom of his tunic that would be at ground level. I don’t know why I conjured it up that way, other than artwork I have seen so many times that pictures this woman nearly laying on the ground and striving to reach forward from behind Him as he nearly got away from her grasp. This is an inaccurate picture!! This is huge for me, and here’s why:
In picturing it the way I just described, it seems to indicate a need to strive and work hard to reach out for help from Jesus. That He may be just brushing by, and I’d better try to grab on while I have the chance, before He passes me by. He said her faith had healed her…but picturing her working hard at grabbing his tassels would then also mean she was working hard at having faith to believe she could be healed just by touching His garment.
There’s a problem here – do you see it??
Picture it this way instead. This woman believed that Jesus had divine power to heal her. She was right there in that crowd, where He was completely accessible to her! She did not have to strive and crawl on the ground to touch Him ….. He was right there within her reach and all she had to do was reach forward and grab that tassel. No striving, no mustering up the faith to believe. He was right there, and she grabbed on!
Isn’t that the way it is for us, too?? We do not have to work hard to find Him. He is right here. He is completely accessible for our healing. Even in a crowd, we do not have to compete for His healing. He avails Himself to all of us. No amount of mustering it up will give us ‘more faith’. We choose to believe even if we don’t feel it. The woman was not healed because of something SHE did. She was healed because Jesus is our healer, and she had put her faith and trust in Him. That is where our healing is, too. Grab on!
As I did my homework in a new Bible Study I am leading right now (Breaking Free, The Journey, The Stories, by Beth Moore…the updated version of the original Breaking Free)…..I was so struck by something she said in the week 2 video.
Beth was talking about the woman in Luke 8:40-48; Matthew 9:18-26; and Mark 5:21-43. She gave us a visual about Jesus walking through the crowd of people and how He would have been walking and weaving through the crowd. She teaches that in Luke, the word for ‘edge’ translates as ‘tassels’, the kind the Israelites wore on the 4 corners of their garments.
When I envisioned this verse in the past, I pictured the woman having to get down to the ground in the midst of a thick crowd to touch the hem, meaning the bottom of his tunic that would be at ground level. I don’t know why I conjured it up that way, other than artwork I have seen so many times that pictures this woman nearly laying on the ground and striving to reach forward from behind Him as he nearly got away from her grasp. This is an inaccurate picture!! This is huge for me, and here’s why:
In picturing it the way I just described, it seems to indicate a need to strive and work hard to reach out for help from Jesus. That He may be just brushing by, and I’d better try to grab on while I have the chance, before He passes me by. He said her faith had healed her…but picturing her working hard at grabbing his tassels would then also mean she was working hard at having faith to believe she could be healed just by touching His garment.
There’s a problem here – do you see it??
Picture it this way instead. This woman believed that Jesus had divine power to heal her. She was right there in that crowd, where He was completely accessible to her! She did not have to strive and crawl on the ground to touch Him ….. He was right there within her reach and all she had to do was reach forward and grab that tassel. No striving, no mustering up the faith to believe. He was right there, and she grabbed on!
Isn’t that the way it is for us, too?? We do not have to work hard to find Him. He is right here. He is completely accessible for our healing. Even in a crowd, we do not have to compete for His healing. He avails Himself to all of us. No amount of mustering it up will give us ‘more faith’. We choose to believe even if we don’t feel it. The woman was not healed because of something SHE did. She was healed because Jesus is our healer, and she had put her faith and trust in Him. That is where our healing is, too. Grab on!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
David Powlison on Bob Newhart
Way back at the beginning of this blog, I posted the Bob Newhart youtube sketch that pokes fun at counseling, and I titled it "How NOT to Counsel". I love the sketch, it is so funny!! But this is the first response to it by a Biblical Counselor that I have come across that is so well stated. Take a look at the sketch (and be prepared to chuckle!), then read this excellent blog post by David Powlison, a counselor I highly respect and appreciate.
David Powlison on Bob Newhart’s "Stop It!" Sketch
Posted using ShareThis
David Powlison on Bob Newhart’s "Stop It!" Sketch
Posted using ShareThis
Thursday, January 14, 2010
God is GOOD
In response to the tragedy in Haiti:
My family, like yours, is unable to express or put in to words how we are reacting to the tragic earthquake in Haiti this week. But one thing we do know for certain: God is good. He always was, always is, and always will be GOOD.
God is our Healer, Comforter, Provider, and Protector. The Haitian people need to know this. Pray for them continually, for their spiritual wellbeing, physical wellbeing, and emotional wellbeing.
Do not despair. Instead, SERVE. Help the people of Haiti. Here are some reliable organizations to donate to:
Compassion International’s Disaster Relief Fund
Samaritan’s Purse Haiti Relief
American Red Cross
Sacrifice. Your money, your time, your abilities. We are so spoiled in America and we have so much. The people suffering in Haiti have so little. Let’s get a proper perspective and sacrifice for Christ’s sake and so that He may reveal Himself to the Haitian people.
You can donate, pray fervently and often, and get creative about helping in other ways. These needs will be present for a very long time to come. Let’s not forget Haiti.
Be grateful. Not in a selfish sense that says “Lord thank you that I was not there”, or “Lord thank you that I do not have to suffer a terrible tragedy like that”. No, instead be grateful that God is sovereign!! And be grateful that He keeps His promises to us. And that His love is pure, and that He purely loves the people of Haiti.
Yes, the suffering is too much to get our heads around. There are no words, really. But…….GOD IS GOOD. Lord, come swiftly.
Psalm 3:3 “But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.”
My family, like yours, is unable to express or put in to words how we are reacting to the tragic earthquake in Haiti this week. But one thing we do know for certain: God is good. He always was, always is, and always will be GOOD.
God is our Healer, Comforter, Provider, and Protector. The Haitian people need to know this. Pray for them continually, for their spiritual wellbeing, physical wellbeing, and emotional wellbeing.
Do not despair. Instead, SERVE. Help the people of Haiti. Here are some reliable organizations to donate to:
Compassion International’s Disaster Relief Fund
Samaritan’s Purse Haiti Relief
American Red Cross
Sacrifice. Your money, your time, your abilities. We are so spoiled in America and we have so much. The people suffering in Haiti have so little. Let’s get a proper perspective and sacrifice for Christ’s sake and so that He may reveal Himself to the Haitian people.
You can donate, pray fervently and often, and get creative about helping in other ways. These needs will be present for a very long time to come. Let’s not forget Haiti.
Be grateful. Not in a selfish sense that says “Lord thank you that I was not there”, or “Lord thank you that I do not have to suffer a terrible tragedy like that”. No, instead be grateful that God is sovereign!! And be grateful that He keeps His promises to us. And that His love is pure, and that He purely loves the people of Haiti.
Yes, the suffering is too much to get our heads around. There are no words, really. But…….GOD IS GOOD. Lord, come swiftly.
Psalm 3:3 “But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.”
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Happy New Year of Bible Reading! 2 Timothy 3:16!!!!!
I've been collecting these notes from other blogs I read, and here and there. Thought I'd compile them and share with you --consider it a challenge to make 2010 a year of Bible reading for you!!!
Reasons for reading large portions of Scripture often:
1. If God made sure his words were recorded for us, why wouldn’t you want to read all of them numerous times?
2. Reading large portions of Scripture regularly slows you down so you can think about life from an eternal perspective.
3. In daily life, we are constantly bombarded with images, philosophies, thoughts, reasonings, and attractions from the world, our flesh, and the devil. We need large quantities of God’s thoughts, empowered by his Spirit, to resist them.
4. We trust our own thoughts too much.
5. Each time you read through the Bible, you are humbled as you realize how little you actually know and understand God’s Word.
6. Reading a lot of the Bible helps you more easily see how it all fits together.
Some facts about the Bible:
This is my Bible.
I am who it says I am. Matthew 5:16
I can do what it says I can do. Philippians 4:13
I am going where it says I will go. John 14:3
God’s Word is milk for my soul. 1 Peter 2:2
God’s Word is seed for my faith. Luke 8:11
God’s Word is light for my path. Psalm 119:105
God’s Word is power for my victory. Hebrews 4:12
God’s Word is freedom for my life. John 8:32
When I read God’s Word it brings me joy. Jeremiah 15:16
When I study God’s Word, it keeps me from shame. 2 Timothy 2:15
When I memorize God’s Word, it purifies my heart. Psalm 119:11
When I quote God’s Word, it defeats my enemies. Ephesians 6:10, 17
When I meditate on God’s Word, it brings me success. Joshua 1:8
When I abide in God’s Word, it gives me confidence. John 15:7
If you would like to read the Bible in chronological order, look at this website:
http://www.bibleinayear.org/chrono_Sched.asp
An idea for starting a journal:
Write down the things that you are anticipating that God might do in your life over the next year or so. Consider what your hearts desires are and what you think God is challenging you with, and come up with a list of expectations. Don’t write them down as a request but rather as an affirmation statement - as if there are already done.
Then write a prayer something like this “Please do these things Lord…..or do something better!”
When you reflect back on this journal in a year or later, you will see that God has done these things….or something better!!
God's Word is LIFE to us. Join me this year in reading it OFTEN!!!
Happy New Year!
Reasons for reading large portions of Scripture often:
1. If God made sure his words were recorded for us, why wouldn’t you want to read all of them numerous times?
2. Reading large portions of Scripture regularly slows you down so you can think about life from an eternal perspective.
3. In daily life, we are constantly bombarded with images, philosophies, thoughts, reasonings, and attractions from the world, our flesh, and the devil. We need large quantities of God’s thoughts, empowered by his Spirit, to resist them.
4. We trust our own thoughts too much.
5. Each time you read through the Bible, you are humbled as you realize how little you actually know and understand God’s Word.
6. Reading a lot of the Bible helps you more easily see how it all fits together.
Some facts about the Bible:
This is my Bible.
I am who it says I am. Matthew 5:16
I can do what it says I can do. Philippians 4:13
I am going where it says I will go. John 14:3
God’s Word is milk for my soul. 1 Peter 2:2
God’s Word is seed for my faith. Luke 8:11
God’s Word is light for my path. Psalm 119:105
God’s Word is power for my victory. Hebrews 4:12
God’s Word is freedom for my life. John 8:32
When I read God’s Word it brings me joy. Jeremiah 15:16
When I study God’s Word, it keeps me from shame. 2 Timothy 2:15
When I memorize God’s Word, it purifies my heart. Psalm 119:11
When I quote God’s Word, it defeats my enemies. Ephesians 6:10, 17
When I meditate on God’s Word, it brings me success. Joshua 1:8
When I abide in God’s Word, it gives me confidence. John 15:7
If you would like to read the Bible in chronological order, look at this website:
http://www.bibleinayear.org/chrono_Sched.asp
An idea for starting a journal:
Write down the things that you are anticipating that God might do in your life over the next year or so. Consider what your hearts desires are and what you think God is challenging you with, and come up with a list of expectations. Don’t write them down as a request but rather as an affirmation statement - as if there are already done.
Then write a prayer something like this “Please do these things Lord…..or do something better!”
When you reflect back on this journal in a year or later, you will see that God has done these things….or something better!!
God's Word is LIFE to us. Join me this year in reading it OFTEN!!!
Happy New Year!
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