Adapted from John Piper and used at Belhaven University, Jester III Prison, other teaching, and pastoral counseling. I use this article to remind us to look for key sentences that impact us in the Bible, or in reading and listening to lectures or sermons. Use Piper’s ideas to help you with my articles and class lessons. I never pretend that …
Safe in Christ (Part 2)
From “Christ is Everything to His Followers.” Used also in counseling and prison ministry. Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him. (Psalm 91:1-2 NLT) In …
Safe in Christ (Part 1)
Excerpt from “Christ is Everything to His Followers.” Used also in counseling and prison ministry. If you make the LORD your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For He will order His angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with …
One Day At A Time
Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld His love from me!…Praise be to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens….You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. (Psalm 66:20; 68:19.35) A Bumper Sticker Today I saw the “One Day At A Time” slogan again …
Rule #6
Used at two prisons, Belhaven University, Christ E. P. Church, and in counseling. It may be helpful to you personally or in ministry to others. Ben Zander (in The Art of Possibility) tells of two prime ministers discussing political business. Suddenly a staff member bursts into the room, shouting and stomping. The host prime minister cautions: “Peter, remember Rule #6.” …
A Baseball Card and Our Value in Jesus
Excerpt from the class “Christ is Everything to His Followers.” Also used in pastoral care, counseling, and prison ministry. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings. (Psalm 17:8) A baseball card from 1982 was called “Baltimore Orioles Future Stars.” It originally cost a penny and it’s now worth $100. Three rookie …
Christ our Treasure
Excerpt from the class “Christ is Everything to His Followers.” Also used in pastoral care, counseling, and prison ministry. In Christ all the treasures are stored (Colossians 2:3). Texas Tom was a billionaire who’s easily depressed. When he’s down, he doesn’t go to his pastor or a counselor. He goes to his banker and complains: “Nothing’s any good.” And the …
My Brother and Sister’s Keeper (Part 2)
Last time, we introduced the topic of caring for one another in Jesus’ family. Here are some practical helps on how to do it. If you wish, go back and read My Brother and Sister’s Keeper (Part 1). Two are better than one….If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and …
My Brother and Sister’s Keeper (Part 1)
Used in “Helping Those Who Hurt” class at River Pointe Church in Richmond, TX. Also used in other teaching/training classes, pastoral counseling, and prison ministry. Also helpful for building family unity. The LORD is your keeper who neither slumbers nor sleeps. The LORD will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. The LORD will keep your going …
Following Christ in a World That Doesn’t (Part 2)
I am grateful for your feedback that our last blog was helpful. Being a Christian means being a Christ-follower. We don’t follow the Lord to earn His salvation and favor. We follow Jesus because He has first saved us by His doing and dying and rising. Because we belong to Him, Christ, by His Holy Spirit, assures us of eternal …