“The Creator himself has given us a handbook for a healthy soul: the Bible.”- Judah Smith “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God.”- 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV) In Chapter 2 (“Original Home”) of How’s Your Soul?, Pastor Judah Smith opines that […]
“If we look to people to give us the joy only God can give, we will see ourselves as victims.”- Dr. Wayne Stiles Thus says the Lord, “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.”- Jeremiah 17:5 In Chapter 8 (“When Forgiving Someone […]
Anger: Taming a Powerful Emotion( Moody Publishers, 2015) Anger: Taming a Powerful Emotion by Dr. Gary Chapman is a revised edition of The Other Side of Love, originally published in 1999. To effectively and positively process anger, we must understand both the origin and purpose of anger. Bringing anger under the lordship of Jesus helps heal […]
“Be at peace with yourself and then you will be able to bring peace to others.”- Thomas A Kempis In Chapter 12 (“I’m Angry at Myself”) of Anger, Dr. Gary Chapman begins by listing reason you may not be at peace with yourself. When we experience anger at ourselves, it is because we: perceive ourselves […]
“Christians with the aid of the Holy Spirit must always stand ready to forgive, willing and desirous of forgiving, extending forgiveness . . .”- Dr. Gary Chapman “He [Christ] did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.”- […]
Mark Batterson concludes Chapter 4 of If by discussing condemnation versus conviction. Pastor Batterson finds it ironic that Satan leaves our unconfessed sins alone. Satan would rather that you don’t deal with unconfessed sin at all. His accusations pinpoint confessed sins. Because confessed sins have been forgiven, Satan’s accusations are false. Mark goes on to […]
“You are a new creation, but sometimes it takes time for your new nature to become second nature.”- Mark Batterson As Mark Batterson concludes Chapter 3 of If, he offers encouragement that it is never too late for you to be what you might have been. God still can roll away your if only regrets. […]
How to Forgive (Harvest House, 2007) June Hunt, founder and CEO of Hope For The Heart- a worldwide biblical counseling ministry- wrote How to Forgive . . . When You Don’t Feel Like It in 2007. When June first became a Christian while in her teens, she discovered God had one standard or commandment: love […]
“But by forgiving . . . I had a change of heart- I got myself back.”- Raul June Hunt discusses the lasts four benefits experienced when we forgive as she concludes Chapter 13 of How to Forgive. 2. Forgiveness brings improved potential. Ms. Hunt states forgiveness has the power to set you free from the […]
“If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”- Old adage June Hunt continues her discussion of the acrostic F-O-R-G-I-V-E-N in Chapter 12 of How to Forgive. Realize that God means what He says. Ms. Hunt states that “God’s grace is free- and enough.” But, she adds, that doesn’t mean God’s forgiveness is […]
June Hunt concludes Chapter 9 of How to Forgive by focusing on three points illustrating that forgiveness is not enablement. Ms. Hunt stresses that there isn’t anything noble or godly about giving irresponsible people additional opportunities to take advantage of you. Furthermore, God assuredly doesn’t want you to facilitate others’ irresponsible behaviors. 1. Enablement means […]
In Chapter 9 (“Steering Clear of Stone-Throwers: Forgiveness Is One Thing, Reconciliation Is Another”) of How to Forgive, June Hunt explores the topic of forgiveness vs. reconciliation. Ms. Hunt states that reconciliation after an offense is the ideal goal to strive for. However, the differences between forgiveness and reconciliation are numerous. Of the seven differences […]