NUGGETS
Practical Advice for Family Devotions – “So, do it, keep it simple, at least initially. You can add later, but keep it simple initially and just keep doing it for 18 or 20 years and see the Lord work through
Continue reading“Your testimonies also are my delight; they are my counselors.” – Psalm 119:24
Smelling Salts for Weary Pastors
Yesterday, I was blessed to attend a pastor’s appreciation event hosted by the Salem Radio Network, and two of their local Cleveland stations (1220AM and 95.5FM). The keynote speaker was Philip DeCourcy, pastor of Kindred Community Church and preacher on
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A Ten Commandments Prayer
Lord, please counsel us by revealing the subtle deceptions of our heart. We pray: . . . that we will have no other gods before You. That we will not dishonor Your uniqueness. That we will not put anything or
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Is God Mad at Me? – “Do your kids think that God is only pleased with them if they obey? Do your kids think that the gospel means that they must be good so God will love them? Do your
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Who is the Factious Man of Titus 3:10?
Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned (Titus 3:10-11). If believers, specifically church leaders (as was Titus, the original recipient), are to obey this Scripture
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What Happens to Your Body on No Sleep – “Details aside, one thing’s for sure: When you don’t sleep, your body revolts.” The Power of Our Criticism – “When we criticize our brothers and sisters in Christ under the guise
Continue readingAfter an Affair: Rebuilding Trust
After an Affair is a new book about rebuilding trust, then rebuilding and maintaining a marriage devastated by adultery. Cheating on a spouse and lying to cover it up naturally breeds distrust and suspicion. A couple can, however, rebuild trust.
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The Heartbeat of My Social Media Addiction – “I sat down for my morning devotions with the Lord, opened my Bible, and immediately heard a ding on my phone alerting me that I had received an email. My mind began
Continue readingJoel Beeke: Take Hold of Yourself and God in Prayer
Yesterday, I was blessed and convicted by a message Joel Beeke preached at the Desiring God 2011 Conference for Pastors. As Beeke reflected upon the prayer lives of the Puritans, he expounded on seven principles for private prayer. TAKE HOLD
Continue reading3 Disastrous Dating Mistakes: Learning from Samson’s Bad Example
One way of learning how to do something is by watching someone else do it poorly. When I swam in triathlons, I had a friend who worked out in the same pool. In his freestyle stroke, he had a habit
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Racism, Sin & Scripture: A Response to Thabiti Anyabwile – “Any teaching or encouragement to look on any human as less than an image-bearer of God who has dignity and is worthy of respect is guilty of bearing false witness
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40 Questions to Help Discern Factors Contributing to Depression
Last week, I was blessed to teach a two-hour seminar in our church’s discipleship counseling training center on the subject of depression. First, I shared my own personal experience with depression and anxiety, and then drew attention to the experiences
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Leaders Are Readers – reading is a pipeline for ideas Strength for Today, Hope for Tomorrow – encouraging thoughts on holding on to God You Were Born to Fight – “It is time to stop being surprised that you and
Continue readingEvery Member Ministry
One of the unique qualities of a biblical church is the understanding and application of what we may call every member ministry. Let me briefly explain what I mean. According to Scripture, every person is uniquely created by God, and every believer
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Does Your Heart Run on Hype? – “In corporate worship we find something far better than a typical rush of feeling.” Jonathan Edwards and Why I’m a Cessasionist – “Scripture demands we test the spirits to discern if they originate
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The Holy Spirit Is Praying for You
We need God’s grace in our times of weakness. But we also need the Spirit to pray for us because our knowledge is not complete—we are ignorant of some things. Matthew Henry writes, “We are not competent judges of our
Continue readingPondering the Horrors of Hell
“A lot of Christians today want to say, ‘Surely it is better to think of hell as a place where there will be some temporary punishments until eventually people simply lose all consciousness: annihilation.’ Others think that it is manipulative
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3 Attributes of the Truly Victorious Christian Life – “Victory in Jesus is not equivalent to an exemption from trouble.” If They Fell, So Can You – “Our sinful weaknesses need not lead us to despair. Instead, they can lead
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