The Sluggard’s Squeaky Bed
The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! A lion is in the open square!” As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed. The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he
Continue reading“Your testimonies also are my delight; they are my counselors.” – Psalm 119:24
Prayer from a Changed Heart
The context of the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:5-15) reveals that when Jesus taught His disciples to pray He was infinitely more concerned about the true state of their heart than He was in giving them a formula prayer. Verse 7
Continue readingRequired Reading for Family Counseling & Parenting
“Family Counseling & Parenting” is one of the courses I regularly teach as an adjunct professor in several seminaries. Someone recently asked what books I require my students to read. Here they are with a brief description. You’ll quickly see
Continue readingCounsel the Psalms
Charles Spurgeon referred to the book of Psalms as The Treasury of David. Though David was not the only author, he did write more than any other contributor. He wrote exactly half of the 150 songs compiled for God’s people
Continue readingFamily Money Matters
A couple months ago, our church had the privilege of hosting a financial stewardship seminar with Dr. John Temple, author and financial teacher. Some of you have inquired as to whether or not the audio files from the conference are
Continue readingJoy Is Coming
Joy is supernatural, it comes from God. Joy is dispensed from above before it ever becomes a reservoir within. It was “the joy of the Lord,” Ezra assured the disobedient and discouraged people of God, that would be their strength
Continue readingDay by Day
One of the ways the Spirit of God ministers grace to us in times of trial is through music that is rich with biblical language and imagery. This does not necessitate the lyrics be direct quotations from Scripture, but many
Continue readingPro-Homosexual Re-Interpretations
“In order for churches to accept those who practice homosexual behavior,” writes counseling pastor Ben Marshall, “pastors began to reinterpret those Bible passages related to homosexuality: Genesis 19:1–11, Leviticus 18:22, Romans 1:18–32, 1 Corinthians 6:9–10, and 1 Timothy 1:10. These
Continue readingA Wife’s Submission is Not…
The Bible’s call to the wife to submit to her husband is one of the most misunderstood and confused areas of the Christian life. Therefore, sometimes, when defining what something is, it is helpful to consider what it is not.
Continue readingNuggets for the Anxious and Discouraged [5/2/12]
The Underestimated God – If you are discouraged, disappointed, or close to throwing in the towel once and for all then you must listen to this sermon from the life of Elijah by Ligon Duncan. I have already listened twice.
Continue readingThe Road to Happiness – Pt. 2
Continuing our study of the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12, which we began yesterday, we need to consider five more markers on the road to true happiness. Happiness comes to those who have integrity of heart (v.8) – Jesus said, “Blessed
Continue readingThe Road to Happiness – Pt. 1
One of the most famous portions of the Bible is Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount, which begins with what have become known as The Beatitudes. Each of these snippets of divine wisdom begins with the word, “Blessed,” which actually means
Continue readingSuffering for the Salvation and Sanctification of Others
Are you willing to suffer on behalf of the spiritual progress of others? Do you believe in the power of the Word of God to change human hearts? If not, your effectiveness in biblical ministry will be less effective than
Continue readingBlowin’ in the Wind
Immature Christians are fickle; unstable in all they do. One of the most obvious evidences of this immaturity is the shortage of discernment today. Too many believers are doctrinally unstable. They flounder, some willingly blown around by every wind of
Continue readingCommon Fears that Work against Forgiveness
Fear is a crippling form of unbelief that usually leads to many other sins, one of which is the unforgiving spirit that leads to resentment and deep-seated bitterness. How does sinful fear hinder the experience of true forgiveness? Answering this
Continue readingO Refuge Near
O refuge near, our strength in weakness, forever in His hands secure; Emmanuel, God always with us, Almighty One within my soul. I’ll never fear the roaring waters; the tempests know the One in me. The hands that hold the
Continue readingTo Die is Gain
At a funeral service this week, a young woman from our church read the poem she had written in memory of her father-in-law who came to repentant faith in Jesus during the final month of his life. Sometimes the storms
Continue readingChoosing Love above Liberty – Part 4 of 4
Today, I wrap up this 4-part series on Christian liberty. I trust this examination of 8 reasons to choose love above liberty, from 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, has been edifying to your spiritual growth. Here are the apostle’s final two points
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