(Excerpt from teaching/training classes, used also in pastoral counseling and prison ministry) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship (masterpiece, handiwork), created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared …
Joy in Jesus’ Great Promises
(Excerpt from teaching/training classes, used also in pastoral counseling and prison ministry) Used in “Joy and Peace in Christ” taught at Christ E.P.C. and Jester #3 prison. Jesus’ promises are powerful medicine for our souls and awesome to grasp. Ask God the Holy Spirit to implant these truths deep in your heart and give you righteousness, joy, and peace in …
Joy in Jesus: The God Who Hung on the Cross
(Excerpt from teaching/training classes, used also in pastoral counseling and prison ministry) The term advent means “coming” and during this season Christians celebrate Christ’s First Coming to Bethlehem and we expectantly wait and prepare for His Second Coming in glory. The Lord came the first time to live the life we failed to live, to die the death we deserved …
Thank God: Life is Not Puzzling When We Know Our Purpose
From “Christ is Everything to His Followers.” Used also in counseling and prison ministry. Imagine trying to put together a puzzle without a picture to visualize what it should look like. It’s almost impossible to complete. Thankfully, the Bible teaches: Our primary purpose as human beings is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. That single sentence summarizes many …
Thanksgiving: Give Me That Book!
(Excerpt from teaching and training classes, used also in pastoral counseling and prison ministry. I used this first at Windsor Village Methodist Campus, then at other places. It is adapted and expanded from Wesley’s Preface to Standard Sermons.) Christ said: The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, …
The Power of Prayer and Reality of Revival
(Excerpt from teaching/training classes, used also in pastoral counseling and prison ministry) If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14) Beginning in 1857, a revival …
Being a “Deacon” to People Who Have None
The Book of Order (Evangelical Presbyterian Church) says: The office of Deacon set forth in Scripture is one of compassion, concern for needs, sympathy, and serving others. Christ Himself is our ultimate model of unselfish servanthood and said, “Even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve (diakoneo), and to give His life a ransom …
Boundaries: Building and Preserving Them
Adapted + expanded from Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S. 1 “God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7) Christ-glorifying boundaries are essential to healthy relationships and a healthy life. For some people this is new and challenging concept. Margarita Tartakovsky draws on the work of Dana Gionta (psychologist …
Manhood: Bringing Strength into Balance
Our prison class on Authentic Manhood draws on Stu Weber’s book, Four Pillars of a Man’s Heart: Bringing Strength into Balance. Biblical masculinity includes a delicate mix of being a king, warrior, lover, and friend. All Christians (male and female) need to grow in these Christ-like qualities in Christ-like ways and balance these roles as each situation requires. These character …
Christian Living Lessons from Golf
(Excerpt from teaching/training classes, used also in pastoral counseling and prison ministry) It is sunny and 85 degrees in Houston today. I drove passed people playing golf and remembered Jim Sheard. Jim is co-author of eight highly acclaimed books and posts encouraging thoughts on his website (beyondthescore.net). I haven’t played golf for many years and was a duffer at best, …