This past week while leading a bible study I asked a group of young couples' the question: What particular characteristic of Jesus Christ is most absent from the marriages of your friends? Lots of ideas were suggested. Right out of the gate one person mentioned humility. Pride truly is spiritual cancer that eats up the … Continue reading What particular characteristic of Jesus is most absent from the marriages of your friends?
If Your Marriage is Struggling…
If your marriage is struggling, I would encourage you to reflect on the three Scriptures below and pray mainly for the Lord to change you so that your life reflects their message. Rather than nagging your spouse, why not use these as a grid to pray for them and ask the Lord to work in … Continue reading If Your Marriage is Struggling…
Healthy Church Leaders
Not long ago I had a young elder ask me to mentor him. This coincided with a devotional given to our staff by our pastor at Second Presbyterian Church, Sandy Willson. Thus, below are portions of a letter I wrote using Sandy's outline for healthy church leaders.First of all, thank you for wanting input, friendship, … Continue reading Healthy Church Leaders
Evangelicalism’s Narcissism Epidemic
The below is a link to Anthony Bradley's short article on Evangelicalism's Narcissism Epidemic. I would encourage you to read it and ask the Lord to show you one thing that you resolve to do to bring about changes in your sphere of influence... whether it be your home and kids, your church, your youth … Continue reading Evangelicalism’s Narcissism Epidemic
Praying for A Big-hearted Pastor with Thick Skin
What are the three things that every pastor needs? A mind of a scholar, a heart of a pastor, and a hide of a rhinoceros. Here's a wonderful prayer written by Scotty Smith that you can pray and meditate on for yourself as well as using it to intercede for your pastor. http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/scottysmith/2013/05/01/a-prayer-for-thick-skin-and-a-big-heart/
How Does the Lord Fulfill His Purpose for Us?
In Psalm 57:2, David declares who He worship and why he worships amidst great affliction and difficulty: "I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me." It is most assuring to know that God has a plan and will fulfill it. David is on the run from a … Continue reading How Does the Lord Fulfill His Purpose for Us?
Accountability in Marriage
If a man has no accountability, should his wife hold him accountable? In my opinion, it depends on what area he needs the accountability. My general counsel is that a wife should NOT serve as her husband's accountability partner to monitor internet usage. I would encourage the husband to have a couple of other men … Continue reading Accountability in Marriage
A Primer on Family Worship
I. What is family worship?A. What is worship?A Working Definition:“To worship the triune God is … to quicken the conscience by His holiness to feed the mind with His truth to purge the imagination by His beauty to open the heart to His love and to devote the will to His purpose.B. What then is … Continue reading A Primer on Family Worship
A Short Appeal for Catechizing as a Method for Family Discipleship
This morning our men's group studied what the Bible has to say about catechizing our children. This is a method of family discipleship that has come upon hard times in the church in the West because we have entrusted the spiritual nurture of our children to ministry professionals. We also are plagued with a sense … Continue reading A Short Appeal for Catechizing as a Method for Family Discipleship
The God Who Walks with His People – A Prayer
Lord, You walk on the vault of heaven (Job 22:14) and on the wings of the wind (Psalm 104:3). Yet, You say that you will also walk among your people… be their God and take them to be your people (Leviticus 26:12). You walked in the Garden of Eden in the cool of the day, … Continue reading The God Who Walks with His People – A Prayer
