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".
Sunday, May 27, 2012
We've moved......
Word Of Hope Ministries (Ellen Castillo) is now blogging at a new site. Please come visit the new blog and subscribe! This blog will remain live but you are not likely to find new posts here after this date. Thanks for checking in!
Here's the new blog's link:
www.biblicalmentor.com
Ellen
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Applying the Gospel, explained so well!
This is the heartbeat of Word Of Hope Ministries, so eloquently expressed by a fellow Biblical Counselor. The message she inspires is the entire reason my ministry exists. Elyse's ministry has changed the way I approach counseling and mentoring, and if you listen, it will change the way you do your work as well!
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
What is "Biblical Mentor Training" all about?
Our Mentoring Training Vision:
Our ministry purpose is to train and equip women to do one-on-one mentoring within their own local church family in the spirit of Titus 2:3-5. Biblical Mentoring is not a 'church program', but rather a culture of soulcare that dovetails with and serves the already established church ministries (particularly Women's Ministries, Student Ministries, Small Groups, and Counseling Ministries). We feel that intentional One-Another ministry is best done in the context of the local church. For that reason, we are offering "Biblical Mentor" training so that women can gain knowledge and skills useful for biblically mentoring women and girls. We believe that all believers are called to engage in some form One-Another ministry, whether it is called soulcare, counseling, mentoring, spiritual friendship, or discipling.
If you are interested in learning more about this training, please visit our website HERE.
We would be privileged to serve you!
Our ministry purpose is to train and equip women to do one-on-one mentoring within their own local church family in the spirit of Titus 2:3-5. Biblical Mentoring is not a 'church program', but rather a culture of soulcare that dovetails with and serves the already established church ministries (particularly Women's Ministries, Student Ministries, Small Groups, and Counseling Ministries). We feel that intentional One-Another ministry is best done in the context of the local church. For that reason, we are offering "Biblical Mentor" training so that women can gain knowledge and skills useful for biblically mentoring women and girls. We believe that all believers are called to engage in some form One-Another ministry, whether it is called soulcare, counseling, mentoring, spiritual friendship, or discipling.
If you are interested in learning more about this training, please visit our website HERE.
We would be privileged to serve you!
Sunday, March 11, 2012
One-Another ministry, a fresh vision
This short video with Garrett Higbee so closely articulates the passion/vision for one another ministry that is taught in "Life On Life, Applying the One-Anothers of Scripture." It IS an exciting time to be involved with Biblical Counseling as it has evolved and improved in the 7 or so years I have been blessed to minister as a Biblical Counselor. What a privilege to be involved in the lives of one another!
Click HERE to view the video.
Click HERE to view the video.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Our Passion for the Local Church
Here is an excerpt from "Life On Life, Applying the One-Anothers of Scripture". This one is about doing One-Another ministry in the context of the local church:
"A church with a culture of soulcare will bear much fruit. Whatever form the church’s One- Another ministry takes, it must be rooted in God’s Word, exalt Jesus Christ, be empowered by the Holy Spirit, and be loving. Soulcare ministry aims to produce salvation, sanctification, and Spiritual fruit. This is achieved through admonishment, teaching, exhortation, encouragement, comfort, and forbearance.
All believers need soulcare, not just those who are struggling. We all need One-Another ministry in various forms. We do have a tendency in our churches today to neglect the hurting believer. Hurting individuals should be taken care of primarily by the local church, but are often referred out to secular sources of help that will not provide true soulcare. Those sources can have some benefit for learning some behavior management that brings some relief, but they will not provide what we see in our definition of soulcare — “speaking the Truth in love anchored in the Word of God, depending on the Holy Spirit.”
For a believer to have lasting change and hope, she must be helped with some form of soulcare, preferably within her local church. The next best choice would be help from a local Biblically-based counseling ministry. Biblical Counselors are glad to provide counseling to those who come to them from other churches, but all of them would agree that the best scenario would be that local churches become well equipped to counsel, disciple, mentor, teach, and befriend their own church family."
"A church with a culture of soulcare will bear much fruit. Whatever form the church’s One- Another ministry takes, it must be rooted in God’s Word, exalt Jesus Christ, be empowered by the Holy Spirit, and be loving. Soulcare ministry aims to produce salvation, sanctification, and Spiritual fruit. This is achieved through admonishment, teaching, exhortation, encouragement, comfort, and forbearance.
All believers need soulcare, not just those who are struggling. We all need One-Another ministry in various forms. We do have a tendency in our churches today to neglect the hurting believer. Hurting individuals should be taken care of primarily by the local church, but are often referred out to secular sources of help that will not provide true soulcare. Those sources can have some benefit for learning some behavior management that brings some relief, but they will not provide what we see in our definition of soulcare — “speaking the Truth in love anchored in the Word of God, depending on the Holy Spirit.”
For a believer to have lasting change and hope, she must be helped with some form of soulcare, preferably within her local church. The next best choice would be help from a local Biblically-based counseling ministry. Biblical Counselors are glad to provide counseling to those who come to them from other churches, but all of them would agree that the best scenario would be that local churches become well equipped to counsel, disciple, mentor, teach, and befriend their own church family."
Friday, March 2, 2012
An Excerpt about The Heart, from "Life On Life, Applying the One-Anothers of Scripture", a Mentor Training Course from Word Of Hope Ministries
So, you can see above that all change must begin in the core of the heart. Everything else pours out of our thoughts, beliefs, and desires. If our thoughts, beliefs, and desires are not Gospel-centered, our attitudes, motives, emotions, and behaviors will not be godly.
God’s Word says that we cannot trust our own hearts. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” This is why we cannot help someone by simply offering a new behavior modification idea, or telling them how they should or shouldn’t be feeling, or what their motives should be or that they need to change their attitude. Those things can be changed in our own strength for a short period of time, but there will be no lasting change until we get to the core — our thoughts, beliefs, and desires.
Our thoughts are how we spend our thought life. Are our thoughts centered on this “checklist” of sorts found in Philippians 4:8?
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)
Or are we thinking thoughts that deny God’s sovereignty, or deny the Truths of the Gospel and are full of the fleshly worries, fears, and anxieties?
Our beliefs are what we believe about God and His Word. Our theology and doctrine matter. If we are in error, our beliefs will eventually pour in to our attitudes or behaviors, emotions and motives. Again, we must be rooted in the Gospel and we must think Biblically.
Our desires are simply what we want. Do we want God’s will or our own? Do we want self-centered things in life, or do we want to be others-centered? Is there idolatry in our lives, or are we applying Ephesians 4:22-24?
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
To learn more about this Mentoring Course, please go to our website here.
God’s Word says that we cannot trust our own hearts. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” This is why we cannot help someone by simply offering a new behavior modification idea, or telling them how they should or shouldn’t be feeling, or what their motives should be or that they need to change their attitude. Those things can be changed in our own strength for a short period of time, but there will be no lasting change until we get to the core — our thoughts, beliefs, and desires.
Our thoughts are how we spend our thought life. Are our thoughts centered on this “checklist” of sorts found in Philippians 4:8?
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)
Or are we thinking thoughts that deny God’s sovereignty, or deny the Truths of the Gospel and are full of the fleshly worries, fears, and anxieties?
Our beliefs are what we believe about God and His Word. Our theology and doctrine matter. If we are in error, our beliefs will eventually pour in to our attitudes or behaviors, emotions and motives. Again, we must be rooted in the Gospel and we must think Biblically.
Our desires are simply what we want. Do we want God’s will or our own? Do we want self-centered things in life, or do we want to be others-centered? Is there idolatry in our lives, or are we applying Ephesians 4:22-24?
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
To learn more about this Mentoring Course, please go to our website here.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
another excerpt about One-Another ministry
Please visit www.biblicalmentor.com to learn more about the full content of the Biblical Mentor training course we offer.
Here is another brief excerpt:
As you do Life On Life with someone applying the One-Anothers of Scripture with her, you will find that there will be many opportunities to share hope. Women and girls struggle in all kinds of areas. You are likely to bump into some of these struggles if you have any kind of ministry, family life, or social life. Once you are fairly certain that someone has grasped the Gospel for salvation, the help you give her from there is to help her to see the need for and ability to APPLY the Gospel to her life. You want to always be sure that you are not giving her the idea that she needs to change her behavior or mindset in order to earn approval, acceptance, or even worse, salvation. Always emphasize her eternal security; struggling people often struggle to believe this Truth. Remind her of her identity in Christ and how He views her. It is not because she earned it, but because of the Gospel — His finished work on her behalf.
Future lessons will help you to know how to share hope with others; you will want to recall the phrase “APPLY THE GOSPEL.” It will direct you in your help towards others, assuring you are always Christ-focused and sticking to Biblical principles.
Don’t worry if this concept is not clear or foreign to you. As you study more week by week about doing Life On Life, sharing hope with others, and applying the One-Anothers, it will become your most common “tool” in your conversations.
Here is another brief excerpt:
As you do Life On Life with someone applying the One-Anothers of Scripture with her, you will find that there will be many opportunities to share hope. Women and girls struggle in all kinds of areas. You are likely to bump into some of these struggles if you have any kind of ministry, family life, or social life. Once you are fairly certain that someone has grasped the Gospel for salvation, the help you give her from there is to help her to see the need for and ability to APPLY the Gospel to her life. You want to always be sure that you are not giving her the idea that she needs to change her behavior or mindset in order to earn approval, acceptance, or even worse, salvation. Always emphasize her eternal security; struggling people often struggle to believe this Truth. Remind her of her identity in Christ and how He views her. It is not because she earned it, but because of the Gospel — His finished work on her behalf.
Future lessons will help you to know how to share hope with others; you will want to recall the phrase “APPLY THE GOSPEL.” It will direct you in your help towards others, assuring you are always Christ-focused and sticking to Biblical principles.
Don’t worry if this concept is not clear or foreign to you. As you study more week by week about doing Life On Life, sharing hope with others, and applying the One-Anothers, it will become your most common “tool” in your conversations.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Excerpt from Life On Life, Applying the One-Anothers of Scripture
The following is a brief excerpt from a lesson regarding One-Another ministry in the context of the local church. To learn more about this course, please visit www.biblicalmentor.com.
The care that believers had for one another in Acts 2 has continued in various forms through the years. It can be defined as “believers speaking the Truth in love anchored in the Word of God, depending on the Holy Spirit.” In our culture, it is called by many names such as:
*Discipling
*Mentoring
*Teaching
*Biblical Counseling
*Pastoral Counseling
*Spiritual Guidance
*Spiritual Formation
*Friendship
*Spiritual Friendship
A church with a culture of soulcare will bear much fruit. Whatever form the church’s One- Another ministry takes, it must be rooted in God’s Word, exalt Jesus Christ, be empowered by the Holy Spirit, and be loving. Soulcare ministry aims to produce salvation, sanctification, and Spiritual fruit. This is achieved through admonishment, teaching, exhortation, encouragement, comfort, and forbearance.
All believers need soulcare, not just those who are struggling. We all need One-Another ministry in various forms. We do have a tendency in our churches today to neglect the hurting believer. Hurting individuals should be taken care of primarily by the local church, but are often referred out to secular sources of help that will not provide true soulcare. Those sources can have some benefit for learning some behavior management that brings some relief, but they will not provide what we see in our definition of soulcare — “speaking the Truth in love anchored in the Word of God, depending on the Holy Spirit.”
The care that believers had for one another in Acts 2 has continued in various forms through the years. It can be defined as “believers speaking the Truth in love anchored in the Word of God, depending on the Holy Spirit.” In our culture, it is called by many names such as:
*Discipling
*Mentoring
*Teaching
*Biblical Counseling
*Pastoral Counseling
*Spiritual Guidance
*Spiritual Formation
*Friendship
*Spiritual Friendship
A church with a culture of soulcare will bear much fruit. Whatever form the church’s One- Another ministry takes, it must be rooted in God’s Word, exalt Jesus Christ, be empowered by the Holy Spirit, and be loving. Soulcare ministry aims to produce salvation, sanctification, and Spiritual fruit. This is achieved through admonishment, teaching, exhortation, encouragement, comfort, and forbearance.
All believers need soulcare, not just those who are struggling. We all need One-Another ministry in various forms. We do have a tendency in our churches today to neglect the hurting believer. Hurting individuals should be taken care of primarily by the local church, but are often referred out to secular sources of help that will not provide true soulcare. Those sources can have some benefit for learning some behavior management that brings some relief, but they will not provide what we see in our definition of soulcare — “speaking the Truth in love anchored in the Word of God, depending on the Holy Spirit.”
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Excerpt from Life On Life, Applying the One-Anothers of Scripture
The following is a brief excerpt from a lesson on anger and forgiveness. For the entire lesson and to participate in this Biblical Mentor training course, please visit www.biblicalmentor.com
You may wonder why we have both anger and forgiveness in the same lesson. More often than not, they go hand in hand. A woman who is unforgiving is an angry woman. An angry woman is unforgiving. The only antidote for anger is forgiveness. The world offers many so- called “solutions” to anger problems. There are anger management courses, medications to calm anger, psychological methods for unleashing your anger, and any number of self-help remedies.
Anger does not always look “angry.” It can be expressed outwardly, which is what we most commonly think of when we think about anger. It can also be turned inward, which eventually causes feelings of depression. A depressed woman may not look angry to you, but often when you dig deeper with her and take a look at her heart (her thoughts, beliefs, and desires), you will find an angry woman who has allowed her anger to go unresolved. There is very likely unforgiveness in her heart.
When you are sharing hope with someone with an angry and unforgiving heart, it is critical to review the Gospel with her. Be as certain as you can that she understands it clearly and that she believes it. Then begin to teach her to apply it to her anger and unforgiveness. If after a time you are not seeing any evidence that she is growing in her ability to forgive, you need to consider encouraging her to seek help from a Biblical Counselor.
It is helpful to understand anger and forgiveness accurately before you can offer hope to others.
You may wonder why we have both anger and forgiveness in the same lesson. More often than not, they go hand in hand. A woman who is unforgiving is an angry woman. An angry woman is unforgiving. The only antidote for anger is forgiveness. The world offers many so- called “solutions” to anger problems. There are anger management courses, medications to calm anger, psychological methods for unleashing your anger, and any number of self-help remedies.
Anger does not always look “angry.” It can be expressed outwardly, which is what we most commonly think of when we think about anger. It can also be turned inward, which eventually causes feelings of depression. A depressed woman may not look angry to you, but often when you dig deeper with her and take a look at her heart (her thoughts, beliefs, and desires), you will find an angry woman who has allowed her anger to go unresolved. There is very likely unforgiveness in her heart.
When you are sharing hope with someone with an angry and unforgiving heart, it is critical to review the Gospel with her. Be as certain as you can that she understands it clearly and that she believes it. Then begin to teach her to apply it to her anger and unforgiveness. If after a time you are not seeing any evidence that she is growing in her ability to forgive, you need to consider encouraging her to seek help from a Biblical Counselor.
It is helpful to understand anger and forgiveness accurately before you can offer hope to others.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
"Life On Life, Applying the One-Anothers of Scripture" Excerpt
The following is an excerpt from a chapter about anxiety, worry, fear, and stress. For more information about this excerpt from my Mentor Training Course, Level One, please click here.
Anxiety takes on various forms, and people’s responses to it take on various forms. Anxiety is the prolonged sensation of fear in response to a perceived threat against oneself. Fear, by definition, is a self-protective tool to help a person sense and respond to a perceived danger. We see this in Psalm 55:3-6.
3 My enemies shout at me,
making loud and wicked threats.
They bring trouble on me and angrily hunt me down.
4 My heart pounds in my chest. The terror of death assaults me.
5 Fear and trembling overwhelm me, and I can’t stop shaking.
6 Oh, that I had wings like a dove;
then I would fly away and rest! Psalm 55:3-6 NLT
From the Psalmist’s viewpoint, he is anxious due to threats from the enemy. He is terrified of death and danger, and he perceives escape to be the best solution. This passage is a vivid example of what some might call an “anxiety attack” or “panic attack.”
While it is a common human experience to be anxious, it can be debilitating. We must think Biblically about anxiety so that it will not interfere in our relationships, damage our ability to engage in daily activities, or consume our thought life. It is natural to feel worried or troubled about things in life that are indeed worrisome or troubling! It is not God’s will or plan for you, however, to be so consumed with it that it overtakes your trust in the Lord.
Anxiety takes on various forms, and people’s responses to it take on various forms. Anxiety is the prolonged sensation of fear in response to a perceived threat against oneself. Fear, by definition, is a self-protective tool to help a person sense and respond to a perceived danger. We see this in Psalm 55:3-6.
3 My enemies shout at me,
making loud and wicked threats.
They bring trouble on me and angrily hunt me down.
4 My heart pounds in my chest. The terror of death assaults me.
5 Fear and trembling overwhelm me, and I can’t stop shaking.
6 Oh, that I had wings like a dove;
then I would fly away and rest! Psalm 55:3-6 NLT
From the Psalmist’s viewpoint, he is anxious due to threats from the enemy. He is terrified of death and danger, and he perceives escape to be the best solution. This passage is a vivid example of what some might call an “anxiety attack” or “panic attack.”
While it is a common human experience to be anxious, it can be debilitating. We must think Biblically about anxiety so that it will not interfere in our relationships, damage our ability to engage in daily activities, or consume our thought life. It is natural to feel worried or troubled about things in life that are indeed worrisome or troubling! It is not God’s will or plan for you, however, to be so consumed with it that it overtakes your trust in the Lord.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Excerpt from "Life On Life, Applying the One-Anothers of Scripture"
Life On Life, Rooted in God's Word, an excerpt:
God’s Word and our hearts are entirely connected. The Bible is very realistic about human suffering of all kinds. It is also descriptive about what motivates us and drives us in our relationships. Woven through stories, we find God’s promises to redeem our suffering and transform our hearts. We are exposed as victims and victimizers, sufferers and sinners. With a Biblical view of God, self, and suffering, we are empowered by His Spirit to own up to our faults, forgive those who sin against us, and trust God while we move forward with renewed thoughts, beliefs, and desires.
Without this core belief about Scripture as our basis for relationships, we cannot possibly engage in a healthy, fruitful One-Another lifestyles. Apart from God’s Word, we have no basis for helping others, caring for others, or relating to others. All that would be left is our flesh; whenever flesh rules in a relationship, there is struggle.
We live in a day and age where even believers have not trusted in the sufficiency of God’s Word to have the answers they need to life’s dilemmas, struggles, problems, and worries. We are too often prone to refer someone to a secular source of help than we are to point them to what God’s Word has to offer.
To find out more about this course written by Ellen, please go to www.biblicalmentor.com
God’s Word and our hearts are entirely connected. The Bible is very realistic about human suffering of all kinds. It is also descriptive about what motivates us and drives us in our relationships. Woven through stories, we find God’s promises to redeem our suffering and transform our hearts. We are exposed as victims and victimizers, sufferers and sinners. With a Biblical view of God, self, and suffering, we are empowered by His Spirit to own up to our faults, forgive those who sin against us, and trust God while we move forward with renewed thoughts, beliefs, and desires.
Without this core belief about Scripture as our basis for relationships, we cannot possibly engage in a healthy, fruitful One-Another lifestyles. Apart from God’s Word, we have no basis for helping others, caring for others, or relating to others. All that would be left is our flesh; whenever flesh rules in a relationship, there is struggle.
We live in a day and age where even believers have not trusted in the sufficiency of God’s Word to have the answers they need to life’s dilemmas, struggles, problems, and worries. We are too often prone to refer someone to a secular source of help than we are to point them to what God’s Word has to offer.
To find out more about this course written by Ellen, please go to www.biblicalmentor.com
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Saturday, December 17, 2011
The Heart
The following is an excerpt from "Life On Life, Applying the One-Anothers of Scripture", which can be found by clicking here.
"All Biblical help, regardless what you call it, must begin with the Gospel and how it applies to the heart. Defining the heart is critical.
All change must begin in the core of the heart. Everything else pours out of our thoughts, beliefs, and desires. If our thoughts, beliefs, and desires are not Gospel-centered, our attitudes, motives, emotions, and behaviors will not be godly.
God’s Word says that we cannot trust our own hearts. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”
This is why we cannot help someone by simply offering a new behavior modification idea, or telling them how they should or shouldn’t be feeling, or what their motives should be or that they need to change their attitude. Those things can be changed in our own strength for a short period of time, but there will be no lasting change until we get to the core — our thoughts, beliefs, and desires.
Our thoughts are how we spend our thought life. Are our thoughts centered on this “checklist” of sorts found in Philippians 4:8?
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Or are we thinking thoughts that deny God’s sovereignty, or deny the Truths of the Gospel and are full of the fleshly worries, fears, and anxieties?
Our beliefs are what we believe about God and His Word. Our theology and doctrine matter. If we are in error, our beliefs will eventually pour in to our attitudes or behaviors, emotions and motives. Again, we must be rooted in the Gospel and we must think Biblically.
Our desires are simply what we want. Do we want God’s will or our own? Do we want self-centered things in life, or do we want to be others-centered? Is there idolatry in our lives, or are we applying Ephesians 4:22-24?
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
As you engage in Life On Life relationships, keep in mind to always encourage others that it is God Who does a work in their hearts, and it is not just about changing their external lifestyles. God is a relational God, and Jesus is our perfect example of how to care for others. His work in your life was and is a work at the heart level. He never says to “clean up your act” and then come to Him. Instead, He gave and continues to give you grace, patiently working in your heart as you grow in love, knowledge, and application of His Word in your life. You must now do the same as you relate to others — focus on the heart need, helping them to apply the Gospel and to think Biblically, and don’t focus primarily on the externals. Be patient, and practice the One-Anothers of Scripture in your relationships. Remember that it is God Who will work in their hearts."
"All Biblical help, regardless what you call it, must begin with the Gospel and how it applies to the heart. Defining the heart is critical.
All change must begin in the core of the heart. Everything else pours out of our thoughts, beliefs, and desires. If our thoughts, beliefs, and desires are not Gospel-centered, our attitudes, motives, emotions, and behaviors will not be godly.
God’s Word says that we cannot trust our own hearts. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”
This is why we cannot help someone by simply offering a new behavior modification idea, or telling them how they should or shouldn’t be feeling, or what their motives should be or that they need to change their attitude. Those things can be changed in our own strength for a short period of time, but there will be no lasting change until we get to the core — our thoughts, beliefs, and desires.
Our thoughts are how we spend our thought life. Are our thoughts centered on this “checklist” of sorts found in Philippians 4:8?
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Or are we thinking thoughts that deny God’s sovereignty, or deny the Truths of the Gospel and are full of the fleshly worries, fears, and anxieties?
Our beliefs are what we believe about God and His Word. Our theology and doctrine matter. If we are in error, our beliefs will eventually pour in to our attitudes or behaviors, emotions and motives. Again, we must be rooted in the Gospel and we must think Biblically.
Our desires are simply what we want. Do we want God’s will or our own? Do we want self-centered things in life, or do we want to be others-centered? Is there idolatry in our lives, or are we applying Ephesians 4:22-24?
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
As you engage in Life On Life relationships, keep in mind to always encourage others that it is God Who does a work in their hearts, and it is not just about changing their external lifestyles. God is a relational God, and Jesus is our perfect example of how to care for others. His work in your life was and is a work at the heart level. He never says to “clean up your act” and then come to Him. Instead, He gave and continues to give you grace, patiently working in your heart as you grow in love, knowledge, and application of His Word in your life. You must now do the same as you relate to others — focus on the heart need, helping them to apply the Gospel and to think Biblically, and don’t focus primarily on the externals. Be patient, and practice the One-Anothers of Scripture in your relationships. Remember that it is God Who will work in their hearts."
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Excerpt from Life On Life, Applying the One-Anothers of Scripture
The following is an excerpt from the introduction to “Life On Life, Applying the One-Anothers of Scripture,” a Biblical Mentor Training Course written by me, Ellen Castillo. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Biblical Mentor, click on the links on this blog to my websites and contact me!
The Gospel has to be our starting point for all One-Another ministry. The implication in the One-Anothers is that we are to do life with other believers, Life On Life. Of course, we also do life with nonbelievers, but the One-Anothers emphasize the role we play in each other’s lives, believer to believer.
If you are in a relationship with a woman or girl that God has placed in your life and she has understood a clear Gospel and is a Christian, you have a very good starting point for One-Another life together. If you are not sure she understands a clear Gospel, you have an opportunity to share it! How often have you asked a new friend (or old one for that matter) what they think the Gospel is and how it applies to their life? We can’t miss this! It’s not only our starting point for Life On Life, but it is the ending point and everything in the middle, too.
The Gospel is for salvation. It is also to be applied to our lives from that point on. It is not to be applied in the sense that your salvation depends on performing a certain way or upholding a certain standard of perfection. It is to be applied in the sense that you know it, understand it, can explain it, and BELIEVE it. In the process of living life, the Gospel applied has the potential to either gradually or immediately change how you behave, how you relate to people, how you make decisions, how you view people, how you view yourself, and everything else about how you live.
There is an account in the Bible about a woman that you are probably familiar with and how Jesus shared the Gospel message with her. The story of the woman at the well is found in John 4:7-26. Please read it in your Bible, then come back here to see what we can glean from this account.
Jesus did not use a “formula” to share the Gospel with the woman. In this passage, we can take note of some ways to share a clear Gospel and to be sure it is understood:
* Jesus met the woman when she was alone. Often, people will be more honest if nobody else is listening.
* Jesus began with her immediate need — not spiritual, but tangible (v. 7). Because she was not a believer, she could not discern spiritual things (1 Cor. 2:14). Therefore, He spoke about something she could relate to — water. We can approach people in the same manner of developing conversation. If we are not certain they are a believer, we can make them more comfortable by starting with tangible conversations.
* Jesus, after establishing tangible conversation, turned to the spiritual (v. 10). He simply talked of the things of God. The questions we ask could help us to see if the person understands what being a Christian means. We could ask “Are you involved in church?” or even “Do you love God?” We could then move on to asking about her salvation testimony and asking what her walk with The Lord is currently like. For us, this can take courage.
* If this conversation reveals that the person does not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, then you can follow Jesus’ example from this passage before you go any further in relating with her. Verses 16-18 show how Jesus brought conviction, using the Law and gently pointing out her transgression. Gently speak with her and let The Holy Spirit do the convicting; let Him direct you as to what to say. Once she comes to an admission of her guilt, she is ready for hope.
* Jesus then revealed Himself to the woman at the well (v. 26). She was ready for grace. If the person you are talking to is ready for grace, be sure to present the work of the cross — that God sent His Son to suffer and die in our place. Tell her of the love of God in Christ, Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, and the defeat of death. You can say something like “It’s as simple as this. We broke God’s Law, and Jesus paid our fine. If you repent and trust in the Savior, God forgives your sins and dismisses your case.” Be sure to include the essentials we talked about at the beginning of this lesson. If a person is truly broken over her sins and grateful to God, then her confession will flow without prompting, either silently or verbally to you. Be sure to pray with her. Make sure she has a Bible. Encourage her to go to a Bible-believing church. Start a One-Another relationship with her, Life On Life!
Any kind of mentoring, discipling, friendship, and all One-Another ministry should continue to be rooted in the Gospel. One of the best tools for One-Another relationships is this phrase: APPLY THE GOSPEL.
....more excerpts coming soon, please check back in often OR subscribe
The Gospel has to be our starting point for all One-Another ministry. The implication in the One-Anothers is that we are to do life with other believers, Life On Life. Of course, we also do life with nonbelievers, but the One-Anothers emphasize the role we play in each other’s lives, believer to believer.
If you are in a relationship with a woman or girl that God has placed in your life and she has understood a clear Gospel and is a Christian, you have a very good starting point for One-Another life together. If you are not sure she understands a clear Gospel, you have an opportunity to share it! How often have you asked a new friend (or old one for that matter) what they think the Gospel is and how it applies to their life? We can’t miss this! It’s not only our starting point for Life On Life, but it is the ending point and everything in the middle, too.
The Gospel is for salvation. It is also to be applied to our lives from that point on. It is not to be applied in the sense that your salvation depends on performing a certain way or upholding a certain standard of perfection. It is to be applied in the sense that you know it, understand it, can explain it, and BELIEVE it. In the process of living life, the Gospel applied has the potential to either gradually or immediately change how you behave, how you relate to people, how you make decisions, how you view people, how you view yourself, and everything else about how you live.
There is an account in the Bible about a woman that you are probably familiar with and how Jesus shared the Gospel message with her. The story of the woman at the well is found in John 4:7-26. Please read it in your Bible, then come back here to see what we can glean from this account.
Jesus did not use a “formula” to share the Gospel with the woman. In this passage, we can take note of some ways to share a clear Gospel and to be sure it is understood:
* Jesus met the woman when she was alone. Often, people will be more honest if nobody else is listening.
* Jesus began with her immediate need — not spiritual, but tangible (v. 7). Because she was not a believer, she could not discern spiritual things (1 Cor. 2:14). Therefore, He spoke about something she could relate to — water. We can approach people in the same manner of developing conversation. If we are not certain they are a believer, we can make them more comfortable by starting with tangible conversations.
* Jesus, after establishing tangible conversation, turned to the spiritual (v. 10). He simply talked of the things of God. The questions we ask could help us to see if the person understands what being a Christian means. We could ask “Are you involved in church?” or even “Do you love God?” We could then move on to asking about her salvation testimony and asking what her walk with The Lord is currently like. For us, this can take courage.
* If this conversation reveals that the person does not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, then you can follow Jesus’ example from this passage before you go any further in relating with her. Verses 16-18 show how Jesus brought conviction, using the Law and gently pointing out her transgression. Gently speak with her and let The Holy Spirit do the convicting; let Him direct you as to what to say. Once she comes to an admission of her guilt, she is ready for hope.
* Jesus then revealed Himself to the woman at the well (v. 26). She was ready for grace. If the person you are talking to is ready for grace, be sure to present the work of the cross — that God sent His Son to suffer and die in our place. Tell her of the love of God in Christ, Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, and the defeat of death. You can say something like “It’s as simple as this. We broke God’s Law, and Jesus paid our fine. If you repent and trust in the Savior, God forgives your sins and dismisses your case.” Be sure to include the essentials we talked about at the beginning of this lesson. If a person is truly broken over her sins and grateful to God, then her confession will flow without prompting, either silently or verbally to you. Be sure to pray with her. Make sure she has a Bible. Encourage her to go to a Bible-believing church. Start a One-Another relationship with her, Life On Life!
Any kind of mentoring, discipling, friendship, and all One-Another ministry should continue to be rooted in the Gospel. One of the best tools for One-Another relationships is this phrase: APPLY THE GOSPEL.
....more excerpts coming soon, please check back in often OR subscribe
Monday, September 5, 2011
What's On Your Kindle?
I need to stop ‘promising’ I am going to blog more! I tend to not keep that promise very well. My heart’s in it, but a computer crash messed up my momentum, and then I just set it on the back burner again. But, here I am now, giving it a ‘go’ .....
What’s on your Kindle lately?? (or bookshelf, or smartphone, or nook, or ipad, or whatever!). In other words, what are your reading that is God-honoring, edifying, thought-provoking, encouraging, and life-changing??
I will be sharing, from time to time, the books I am currently enjoying on my Kindle. I love to read all kinds of books (but who has time to read alot these days?? I try to find time!). On my Kindle you will find categories - things like ‘encouragement’, or ‘counseling helps’, or ‘mentoring’, or ‘just for fun’. In the ‘encouragement’ category is a book I downloaded by Elyse Fitzpatrick called “Comforts From The Cross, Celebrating The Gospel One Day At A Time”. It is a devotional book, but really it is much deeper than that, and I found myself just reading through it instead of doing it one day at a time!
I appreciate Elyse’s work, not just because she is a renowned author and Biblical Counselor, but because she is so gospel-centered in her writing. It has challenged me to think biblically as a counselor for the past few years, and I can honestly say that her work has changed how I counsel.
Along with that, it has changed ME to focus my thinking on the gospel and how it applies to not just salvation, but all of life. It is my core belief as a Biblical Counselor, that the gospel is meant to be celebrated, appreciated, and APPLIED. In fact, in my new training program for “Biblical Mentors”, I am writing a Bible Study as Level One of the training, and in it we begin with Lesson One by looking at ‘how to apply the gospel’ to life’s struggles as we purpose to share a word of hope with others in our sphere of influence, in particular, other believers (the study is called “Life on Life, Applying the One Anothers of Scripture” (if you want to know more, check out my website by clicking on the link to the Word Of Hope Ministries website below these posts (you will see on that site a link to the mentoring program site).
Elyse has a way of writing that is relatable, and profound. She eloquently explains the gospel in detail throughout the daily readings, and applies it to areas of struggle that we all can relate to. She is not afraid of the tough questions or hard topics (today I read about how to apply the gospel when we are feeling angry with God, for example).
If you are a Christian woman (or man, really!), I’d encourage you to read this devotional book. As much as I like some of the other popular devotionals on the market today (such as Jesus Calling), this one far exceeds them all in depth of content, in my opinion.
Fill up your Kindle, and leave me a comment about what you are reading, too!!
Happy Reading!
Ellen
What’s on your Kindle lately?? (or bookshelf, or smartphone, or nook, or ipad, or whatever!). In other words, what are your reading that is God-honoring, edifying, thought-provoking, encouraging, and life-changing??
I will be sharing, from time to time, the books I am currently enjoying on my Kindle. I love to read all kinds of books (but who has time to read alot these days?? I try to find time!). On my Kindle you will find categories - things like ‘encouragement’, or ‘counseling helps’, or ‘mentoring’, or ‘just for fun’. In the ‘encouragement’ category is a book I downloaded by Elyse Fitzpatrick called “Comforts From The Cross, Celebrating The Gospel One Day At A Time”. It is a devotional book, but really it is much deeper than that, and I found myself just reading through it instead of doing it one day at a time!
I appreciate Elyse’s work, not just because she is a renowned author and Biblical Counselor, but because she is so gospel-centered in her writing. It has challenged me to think biblically as a counselor for the past few years, and I can honestly say that her work has changed how I counsel.
Along with that, it has changed ME to focus my thinking on the gospel and how it applies to not just salvation, but all of life. It is my core belief as a Biblical Counselor, that the gospel is meant to be celebrated, appreciated, and APPLIED. In fact, in my new training program for “Biblical Mentors”, I am writing a Bible Study as Level One of the training, and in it we begin with Lesson One by looking at ‘how to apply the gospel’ to life’s struggles as we purpose to share a word of hope with others in our sphere of influence, in particular, other believers (the study is called “Life on Life, Applying the One Anothers of Scripture” (if you want to know more, check out my website by clicking on the link to the Word Of Hope Ministries website below these posts (you will see on that site a link to the mentoring program site).
Elyse has a way of writing that is relatable, and profound. She eloquently explains the gospel in detail throughout the daily readings, and applies it to areas of struggle that we all can relate to. She is not afraid of the tough questions or hard topics (today I read about how to apply the gospel when we are feeling angry with God, for example).
If you are a Christian woman (or man, really!), I’d encourage you to read this devotional book. As much as I like some of the other popular devotionals on the market today (such as Jesus Calling), this one far exceeds them all in depth of content, in my opinion.
Fill up your Kindle, and leave me a comment about what you are reading, too!!
Happy Reading!
Ellen
Sunday, June 26, 2011
The Resurrection of this blog.....
It's time for me to start blogging again! So bear with me as I type up a test-post, to see if all my networked blog settings are in order. No promises - but I do hope to start posting more often, things related to Biblical Counseling and Mentoring and ministry to women and girls in general. Stay tuned!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
You can now find me at the following websites.....
feel free to enjoy the archives here or on the prior "Reason For The Hope" blog....
Please come take a look at what's going on with Word of Hope Ministries here:
www.word-of-hope-ministries.com
and here:
http://wordofhopementor.weebly.com/
feel free to enjoy the archives here or on the prior "Reason For The Hope" blog....
Please come take a look at what's going on with Word of Hope Ministries here:
www.word-of-hope-ministries.com
and here:
http://wordofhopementor.weebly.com/
Friday, December 24, 2010
Peace On Earth
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.....
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