Hi George, The Bible tells us to take every thought captive (2 Cor. 10:5) and “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Phil. 4:8). This acknowledges that this […]
shame separates—sorrow connects
Satan seeks to fill our souls with shame that separates. Paul labels it “worldly sorrow [that] brings death” (2 Corinthians 7:10). Satanic shame involves self-contempt and self-disgust that causes me to despair of all hope that God could love a sinner like me. Condemning shame convinces me that God has forever justly rejected me. Godly […]
God’s emotionality is constructive
Though God experiences responsively and feels deeply, we should not think He is controlled by His emotions, or that He “flies off the handle,” or is “shocked and rocked” by our actions. God controls His own emotions; He manages His moods. In the perfect harmony of His pure being, His longing, thinking, choosing, and feeling […]
Welcome to the world
When accidents happen, it’s okay to call them accidents—even the Bible does. When babies die and whole populations starve and cocaine junkies blow away frightened convenience-store clerks, God weeps for his world. All these things are true. But the Bible insists on another truth simultaneously. All during these sins, typhoons, illnesses, mishaps, snake bites, crib […]
God is Riveted
The two are so close that the Son is “in the bosom of the Father”—that is, resting his head on his chest, as close friends did while reclining on carpets around a low dinner table in the Middle East (John 1:18 Kjv). Furthermore, God has taken the universe and turned the shop over to the […]
Why choose mere survival?
I guess I’m odd. When I can’t watch the big game live, I tape it, but I watch the end first! Especially if the big game involves one of my beloved teams. I’m a major fan of the Chicago Bulls. Back when Michael Jordan was leading them to six NBA titles, I taped one of […]
I Know Lord, But…
This article came from: Dr. Rick Thomas Founder & Director Mt. Carmel Ministries & Biblical Counseling Education 816-437-8410 www.mtcarmelmin.org Lamentations Author: Probably Jeremiah although others have been suggested. Date: Sometime around the final fall of Jerusalem in 587 BC Purpose: Lamentations means “lamenting,” “sorrow.” The author is greatly saddened, grieved, and in painful anguish over […]
Remorse is not repentance
“Repent,” he says early one Sunday morning. “Repent.” “The word itself means ‘to turn around.’ There can be no forgiveness without repentance, without a turning around. Remorse is not enough. Judas had remorse. But did he repent? Did he ask Jesus Christ for forgiveness and vow to change his ways? No, he went off and […]
Who We are Vs. What We Do
In taking the time to describe the life of a disciple, we must be careful not to build our identity on doing these things, but rather understand these expressions as who we are. We have been conditioned to find our identity in what we do. However, Scripture tells us that we are children of God […]