Category Archives: Guidelines for living

Freedom from a cynical and sarcastic life

A powerful forgiveness story. Continue reading

Posted in Anger, Bitterness, Comfort, Forgiveness, Guidelines for living, Resentment | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Is grace transforming? 

Mercy is not effectively received unless it is shown, for God’s mercy transforms. If God’s mercy does not take root in the heart, it is not experienced. Forgiveness not shown is forgiveness not known. Continue reading

Posted in 18 Year factor, Bitterness, Comfort, Eye for Eye, Forgiveness, God's Love, Guidelines for living, Radical love, Reconciliation, Spiritual transformation | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

What does Scripture say about wisdom?

Wisdom based in the fear of God keeps the shrewdness of proverbs from slipping into mere self-interest, the perplexity of Job from mutiny, and the disillusion of Ecclesiastes from final despair. Continue reading

Posted in 18 Year factor, Deception, Decision making, Fear of God, God's Will, Guidelines for living, Self-deception, Walking with God, Will of God, Wisdom | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Forgiving those who hurt you

Extending forgiveness is far more difficult for those who do not often celebrate their own forgiveness and for those who cannot confess that God is Lord of their circumstances Continue reading

Posted in Bitterness, Disciple-making, Discipleship, Forgiveness, Guidelines for living, Guilt, Revenge, Spiritual disciplines, Spiritual transformation, Suffering, Teaching of Jesus, Trials | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Get off the guilt trip

It’s possible to hurt ourselves and others when we don’t deal constructively with guilt in a grace-based, future-oriented way. Continue reading

Posted in 18 Year factor, Abortion, Comfort, Disciple-making, Discipleship, Forgiveness, Guidelines for living, Guilt, Spiritual transformation | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How does God lead us?

Does God speak directly to us?
Does God use inner promptings?
How do circumstances relate to God’s leading? Continue reading

Posted in Debatable Matters, God's Will, Guidelines for living, Guidelines for marriage decision, Leadership, Small Group leaders, Will of God, Wisdom | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

12 Essentials for God’s will

Too often we focus on what God wants us to do when He is much more concerned about who we are… Continue reading

Posted in God's Will, Guidelines for living, Guidelines for marriage decision, Will of God | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The human need for change

Politics, culture, and the role of law are agents of change but these means offer limited solutions to our problems. We have a deeper need that cannot be addressed through these agents of change.
Continue reading

Posted in Addiction, Anthropology, Atheism, Behavior, Change, Character, Christian life, Christian worldview, Church and State, Common grace, Counseling, Earth, Evil in the world, God's Love, God's power, Gospel, Government, Guidelines for living, Hope?, Human depravity, Human dignity, Main problem, Politics, Regeneration, Salvation, Sin, Spiritual growth, Spiritual transformation, Worldview | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Our forgiving God

Remind yourself often of these truths “If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness.” (Psalm 131:3-4) “The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have … Continue reading

Posted in Forgiveness, God, God of Old Testament, God's Heart, God's Love, God's Protection, God's Will, Guidelines for living, Questioning God, Seeking God, Walking with God, Will of God, Wisdom | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Why do I feel so torn?

If you are a teacher in the Church or one who influences other followers of Christ, please make sure they understand the painful reality of the tension they will experience and how torn they will feel because of God’s Spirit living in them. The Christian life is one of tension between the already and the not yet. Continue reading

Posted in Blessed by God, Christian life, Christian worldview, Christianity, Church Leadership, Conflict, Contentment, Depravity, Depression, Despair, Discouragement, Doubt, Encouragement, Eternal life, Eternal security, Faith, God's Patience, God's Heart, God's Love, Gospel, Gospel-centered, Guidelines for living, Holy Spirit, Hope?, Meaning of life, Pastors, Salvation, Sanctification, Spirit filled, Spiritual growth, Spiritual inventory, Spiritual transformation, Suffering, Temptation, Trials | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments