In the church at Philippi there was a division. This was headed up by two women—the worst sort of split any church can have! There’s always the possibility that it can become a real shin-kicker and hair puller! Their names might easily have been Odious and Soon-touchy, if they were anything like what we find …
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That’s the attitude of many (even believing Christian) persons today. The answer is simple: God says “no.” But that’s exactly the point—the answer (and that one in particular) IS too simple to suit the thinking of many. They want something more intricate: perhaps a complex logical rationale spelled out in $1500 terms. Or a psychological …
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Here are a fist full of facts about habit, which is one of the problems Christians have to deal with. Before becoming believers many habits were acquired which, after conversion, are carried over into the new life. We must learn to replace these with their biblical alternatives (see my book, Winning the War Within). In …
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Compromise is one of the largest problems of the modern “evangelical” church. It isn’t entertainment carried on to attract numbers. It isn’t marketing tactics taking over instead of evangelism. As serious as these and other problems are—and they are—the spirit of compromise is an even more basic one. Indeed, why does one depend upon entertainment …
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Most counseling cases involve more than one person. There are exceptions, of course. But they are few and far between. Even when it appears that but one individual is involved, upon further investigation, you will frequently discover that there is a mother or father, a relative or friend—or someone else—who plays an important role in …
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Sometimes it may seem that we spend too much time refuting falsehood. All of us are chagrined at the preponderance of error both within and without the Church. We may write off those who attempt to combat it and set forth the truth in clarity over against it as “heresy hunters.” The term is used …
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There are ministers all over the country suffering from a lack of financial support from their congregations. Whose fault is it? “Congregations,” you answer! Well, often that is the reason for the inadequate compensation given to those who preach the Word. A significant share of the blame lies at the feet of miserly board members …
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The Lord’s Prayer is confusing. I have understood that once forgiven by Christ, you don’t need to be forgiven again. But in that prayer, we are to pray for forgiveness of our trespasses. And in the footnote to it, we are told that if we don’t forgive, we won’t be forgiven. How come? That the …
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There are those who claim that they are believers because they pray. But all sorts of people pray—to all sorts of gods. I want, therefore, to make it clear that prayer—alone—doesn’t cut it. “How do you know that?” The Book of Proverbs is explicit on the subject (28:9): Anyone who turns his ear away from …
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Paul did not labor that he might receive grace, but he received grace in order that he might labor. Augustine, De gestis Pelagii xiv, 36 No distinction could be more important to our salvation. Augustine knew what many over the years have not known—salvation is not of works; it produces good works. He speaks of …
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You guide me with Your counsel, And afterwards, you will take me up in glory. Psalm 72:10 What a way to live life! Here and hereafter to live with God’s counsel and His Person. Do you know Christ as your Savior? If not, whose counsel do you follow here; where will you go hereafter? …
The post Here and There appeared first on Institute for Nouthetic Studies | Biblical Counseling.
“When will what stop?” People complaining about things rather than solving problems. “Never. Not until the Lord comes.” I suppose you’re right. But it’s a serious matter, you know? “Is it? I just thought it was the way sinful human beings act.” Well, it is that, but why not remove the word “just” from the …
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