Helping you grow in God's all-sufficient grace and truth
“Your testimonies also are my delight; they are my counselors.” – Psalm 119:24
Legalism Is Easier, the Gospel Is Better – ” Legalism allows us many of the benefits of Christianity like community, acceptance, and even grace, but it stops short of true salvation. It doesn’t truly penetrate your heart and change your
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“The source of harsh speech is a harsh heart.” So writes John Crotts in his very helpful book, Graciousness: Tempering Truth with Love. Biblically speaking, all of our speech originates in our heart (Prov. 4:23; Matt. 12:34). Therefore, we must
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The past three Sundays, we’ve been in the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke learning from God’s gracious plan for Zacharias and Elizabeth, and their promised son, John. Perhaps you may find a use for these messages, as you
Continue readingHard Times at Harvest – This is a long, sad article. Let it be a warning to all pastors and elders as to the destructive power of bullying and financial mismanagement. The Power of Christ-Centered Joy – a recent preaching
Continue readingThe 50% Lie – “You’ve heard it repeatedly on radio, podcasts, and TV. You’ve read it in various books and articles. You’ve even heard it in your pastor’s sermon. The problem: it’s a lie.” A Hidden Epidemic God Hates –
Continue readingPsalm 1 testifies of the immeasurable value of mediating on Scripture. The person who habitually ponders the truths of God will be like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf
Continue readingThe last book of the Bible reveals what it will be like when Jesus returns (Rev. 19:11-16). Though containing details not previously revealed, this vision of the future, which John received from the Spirit of Jesus, is not new. Moses
Continue readingHow Do Pastor’s Pick Their Fights? – “We need pastors and elders who have enough self-control to avoid needless controversy, and enough courage to move gently and steadily toward conflict.” 5 Discipleship Dont’s – “In the church, discipleship is key
Continue readingJust thought I’d pass on some good news. Shepherd Press, publisher of the LifeLine mini-books and several of my books, just announced a Black Friday WEEK of savings: 25% off everything. Print this entry
Continue readingThis past May, at the Basics Conference at Parkside Church, I picked up a copy of a new book from Reformation Heritage Books. The book’s simple, one-word title caught my eye. Nothing in my memory indicated that I’d ever seen
Continue readingIn Nehemiah 8, we see the beginnings of spiritual revival, which comes as the people return to the Word of God. At this point, the Jewish people have been in exile for many years, but they have begun to return
Continue readingOne of the lesser known Jewish holidays reminds us of the big picture of God’s redemption plan. It’s called the Feast of Purim, and is inaugurated at the end of the book of Esther. Purim literally means “lots” and gets
Continue readingThis morning, I met with an engaged couple for the fourth of our eight sessions of premarital counseling. Again, I was reminded of why I switched to Rob Green’s guide, Tying the Knot: A Premarital Guide to a Strong &
Continue readingOn September 30th, my wife and I had the opportunity to be part of Disability Sunday at Kindred Community Church in Anaheim Hills, CA. Perhaps you may have use for this video in your one-another ministry to others, or in
Continue reading“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. (Ps. 46:10-11) Replacing anxiety
Continue readingAnd the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:7) God wants us to bring everything to Him in prayer because we need the humility and dependence that prayer
Continue readingIt’s hard for me to imagine something more horrific than the sexual abuse of children. Yet every one of our churches contains precious men and women who have experienced this abuse and, therefore, are in need of our compassionate ministry
Continue reading*This is the fourth, and final, post from Counsel with Confidence by Joel James. In family counseling, you will encounter many unbiblical approaches to parenting. Some common ones to keep your eyes open for are listed below. Permissiveness. Parents who
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By God’s grace, I’m a husband, dad, grandpa, and pastor at Cornerstone Community Church in Mayfield Hts, OH. I love Christ because He first loved me.
