Reaction: Good or Bad Reactions to correction are obvious–good or bad, the reaction will come when corrected. What is your reaction when a person says, to you, “I’m going to be very frank with you.” You probably don’t say, “Let me pull up a chair. I can’t wait to hear this!” Most likely, we shout…
Basic obedience is at the heartbeat of basic Christianity. Matthew 7:21 (Skinner paraphrase) “Not everyone that calls Jesus Lord really means it. Only those who do what Jesus says really mean it.” Did you know that God created you spiritually, as a Christian, to obey? God created you to obey–not command. What is your human…
Developing Discretion Right choices begin with right thinking! It is not enough to hope that you are making the right choice, you must base your decisions on right information. And most of all, your timing must be right! When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; Understanding will…
God’s amazing work happens in many unnoticed ways–at least unnoticed in the beginning of a story. Measure Your Life by Wesley Duewel tells an amazing testimony. Duewel tells the story of a man named Stephen Grellat who walked very closely with God and obeyed the Lord even when he did not understand all of the details…
Worldly sorrow is unmistakably different than godly sorrow. Is it possible for you to say, “I am sorry,” but not mean it? Yes. What kind of sorrow is that? It is worldly sorrow, not godly sorrow. This type of sorrow has no intention of producing change. It is simply sorry that a situation exists or…
Most people wonder how there could really be a joy of repentance. I think that is why confession of sin seems to be common in our day, but repentance of sin is rare. In many ways, the Body of Christ has forsaken the biblical mandate to repent, defining the process as negative and burdensome. The…
Though right living enhances joy, no person can attain perfect behavior all the time. We must find joy in a source other than our behavior. When would you be able to rejoice and have great joy if it depended on perfect behavior? Striving toward perfectionism you cannot attain, keep, control, or manage may push you…
Pouting and sulking are people’s attempt to get their own way. Pouting is selfishness. Have you ever been around people who sulk or pout? Most of the people I counsel are adults and many are experts at pouting. If I say something in a counseling situation that they do not like, they show their displeasure…
God’s strength needs to become our strength. But, when do you need that to happen? One of the most common times of seeing your weakness is when you try to love somebody you do not like! It is hard to do. You can try. You can do good things for people you do not like. By…
To be in love with somebody is a wonderful experience. I remember dating Elaine. I dreamed about that girl! I used to talk about her all the time and carry her picture in my wallet, and at odd moments, I’d take it out and look at that simple image of her. I had a picture…