Visiting the Sick
A seminary student of mine, who is also a pastor, called this week to ask how to begin a visiting the sick ministry team in his church. Here’s the counsel I gave to him: Do the following simultaneously. Teach your
Continue reading
Category: Suffering
The Lord Is My Helper
Do the troubles of life ever leave you so wiped out physically, mentally, and emotionally that all you can do is squeak out “God, help me!”? Then Psalm 121 is for you. Yesterday, our congregation spent its morning worship time
Continue readingThe Unsearchable Ways of God
Sometimes God’s ways are hard to understand, We want to ask “Why?”—to follow His hand. Sometimes when tragedy comes from above, It tempts us to waver, to doubt His love. But God is infinitely wise and good, He is too
Continue readingPurified Faith Is More Valuable than Riches
According to 1 Peter 1:7, God’s purpose in our suffering is “that the genuineness of [our] faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at
Continue readingHope for Women with Breast Cancer
One of the beauties of God’s wisdom is the way he uses our trials to equip us to counsel one another—just as it says in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. As a result, many times the best counselors are those who’ve “been
Continue readingGrace in Trials
This old Puritan prayer ministered to my heart today as well as to my congregation. It was very fitting. This morning, I preached from 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 as part of a sermon series Disability and the Glory of God. In
Continue reading4 Reasons to Counsel One Another from Lamentations (#4)
In the first, second, and third of this 4-part series we noted three reasons God gave us the book of Lamentations. First, to show us the awful reality of sin so that our hearts will long for reconciliation with God.
Continue reading4 Reasons to Counsel One Another from Lamentations (#3)
In the first and second post in this mini-series on the book of Lamentations, we noted two reasons God gave us this very sad book. First, to show us the awful reality of sin and its devastating consequences so that
Continue reading4 Reasons to Counsel One Another from Lamentations (#2)
In yesterday’s post, we thought about the fact that sin never ultimately delivers its promises. Rather, it brings only pain and misery into our lives. For sure, sin does bring some of its promised pleasure, but that is only for
Continue reading4 Reasons to Counsel One Another from Lamentations (#1)
In truth, all suffering is ultimately caused by sin. Before sin entered the world there was no suffering. However, this does not mean that all personal suffering is the result of personal sin (John 9:3). But let’s face it. If
Continue readingHis Powerful and Sovereign Hands
So (and here’s the big question): Who caused my diving accident? I could ask, “Was it God’s fault?” and be assured that although He is sovereign, no it was not His fault. I might wonder…Was my accident a direct attack
Continue readingWe are Not Called to Feel, but to Believe
I confess, I’ve had an ongoing love affair with Banner of Truth books for the past 20 years. So, when I found this 30-page booklet on a subject dear to my heart–suffering–and God’s providential hand in, through, above, and around
Continue readingCounseling Resource: help for grief care
It’s uncommon to find a grief ministry resource that is also theologically rich, but here is one. Sunsets: Reflections for Life’s Final Journey is written by a hospice nurse who is also a faithful biblical counselor, Deborah Howard. This book
Continue reading
