Category Archives: Discernment

Three categories for Christian standards

Posted on January 14, 2023 by Wisdomforlife

When we treat our personal convictions as absolutes from God, we threaten the unity of the church. When we reduce God’s clearly stated absolutes to matters of personal preference, we threaten the purity of the church. Continue reading →

Posted in Debatable Matters, Discernment, Ethics, Family life, Morality, Sin | Tagged Debatable matters, decisions, Ethics, morals, right from wrong? | Leave a comment

Are you a wise and discerning person?

Posted on February 21, 2018 by Wisdomforlife

When I began ministry many years ago, a scene out of the life of Solomon greatly influenced me and became my prayer. Continue reading →

Posted in Church Leadership, Discernment, Elders, elders in the Church, Emerging Leaders, Leadership, Life of a pastor, Pastors, Qualifications for leadership, Suffering, Trials, Wisdom | Tagged Discernment, Leadership lessons, Wisdom | 1 Comment

Three approaches to communication and leadership

Posted on February 20, 2017 by Wisdomforlife

Sometimes we’re not seeing the results we desire in relationships because we fail to recognize that different situations call for different approaches to communication and leadership. Continue reading →

Posted in Church Leadership, Coach, Coaching, Communication, Community, Conflict, Counseling, Difficult people, Discernment, Disciple-making, Elders, elders in the Church, Family life, Fellowship, Leadership, Marriage, Relationships, Small Group leaders, Speech, Teenagers, Wisdom | Tagged advice for employers, CEO, coaching others, Counseling, effective communication, how to be an effective boss, how to be an effective leader, how to lead a team, HR department, leadership guidelines, management, mentoring, styles of leadership | 2 Comments

Do positives conceal negatives?

Posted on April 22, 2015 by Wisdomforlife

The laid-back person turns out to be lazy. The playful person proves to be immature. The confident one turns out to be arrogant. Continue reading →

Posted in 18 Year factor, Choosing a mate, Dating, Discernment, Engagement, Marriage, Parenting, Parenting Groups, Parenting teens | 3 Comments

Don’t waste your ministry

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Wisdomforlife

“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces” (Matthew 7:6). These are strong and difficult words … Continue reading →

Posted in Antagonists, D. A. Carson, Difficult people, Discernment, Disciple-making, Discrimination, Evangelism, John R. W. Stott, John Stott | Tagged Antagonistic people, divisive people, trouble makers | 3 Comments

Resolving conflicts among Christians

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Wisdomforlife

Jesus anticipated fractures in Christian fellowship. We should not be surprised by them but ready to seek reconciliation. Continue reading →

Posted in Antagonists, Broken Relationships, Christian Counselor, Church, Church Leadership, Church membership, Community, Conflict, Confrontation, Difficult people, Discernment, Disciple-making, Discipline, Elders, False accusation, Fellowship, Forgiveness, Grace, Jesus Christ, Life of a pastor, Pastors, Reconciliation, Relationships, Slandered, Small Group leaders, Unity | Tagged church discipline, Forgiveness, leadership in a church, Reconciling, unity in a church | 2 Comments

Responding to false accusations

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Wisdomforlife

Helpful advice for those facing false accusations. Continue reading →

Posted in Broken Relationships, Conflict, Confrontation, Criticism, Cross of Christ, Death of Christ, Difficult people, Discernment, False accusation, Forgiveness, Slandered, Wisdom | Tagged False accusations, slander | Leave a comment

Playing the divine lottery?

Posted on January 2, 2014 by Wisdomforlife

As a young boy, I struggled with why God allowed these things to happen to my mom and dad. As the oldest son, I was more aware of the difficulties but did not have the maturity to handle it. Throughout those years, I often prayed for God to intervene with a “BIG” solutions. Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety, Blessed by God, Depression, Despair, Discernment, Discouragement, Doubt, Emotions, Encouragement, Faith, Joy, Pain, Personal devotions, Praise, Prayer, Questioning God, Sadness, Spiritual growth, Spiritual inventory, Spiritual transformation, Suffering, Trials, Wisdom | Tagged dealing with set backs, Discouraged, Feeling despair, feeling sad, help for depression, Trials of life | 4 Comments

Top 5 Arguments against eternal punishment

Posted on December 27, 2013 by Wisdomforlife

Most people know that the Bible doesn’t describe a pleasant end for those who reject God’s offer of salvation through Jesus Christ. But what type of judgment falls on them? Continue reading →

Posted in Accountability, Afraid to die, Bible, Christian worldview, Death, Discernment, Doctrine, End Times, Eschatology, Eternal life, Eternal security, Fear, Fear of death, Fear of God, Future events, God's control, God's Love, God's power, God's Will, Hell, Hope?, Jesus Christ, Love Wins, Problem of evil, Punishment, Questioning God, Rob Bell, Salvation, Second coming, Security of salvation, Theodicy, Truth | Tagged Death, Do people suffer in hell forever, Eternal suffering, Is hell a place?, Is hell real?, life after death, Resurrection | 2 Comments

5 links to see (and a fun video)

Posted on December 6, 2013 by Wisdomforlife

4 thought-provoking articles. Continue reading →

Posted in Depression, Despair, Discernment, Discouragement, Drug addiction, Gossip, Human depravity, Human dignity, Sadness, Slandered, Suicide, Unity | 1 Comment