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!!

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!!

Happy Mother's Day, some encouragement for you!

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