Decisions/Guidance
Article: Choose Friends Wisely
Photo courtesy of CreationSwap/ClintDoggett Friendships (and associations) are important to our lives as social beings. They give up opportunities to express ourselves, share our best and worst moments, do things together, etc. Who we choose to be considered a friend (or even an associate) is very important to the success of our own lives. However, you must be very careful about who you choose to associate with. If you do not, you may find yourself in compromising situations that may change the course of your life forever. You should be cautious in your associations if: They are...
Article: Compromise is a Pathway to Sin
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/JoeKrow Most people understand compromise to be a settlement of differences by mutual concessions; an agreement reached by adjustment of conflicting or opposing claims, principles. Compromise is also known as an endangering, especially of reputation; exposure to danger, suspicion (Dictionary.com). Each day we face numerous decisions that can affect our lives before the Lord. One choice decision can change the course of our lives on earth and beyond. There comes sometimes when you would want to please your spouse...
Article: Good Decision Making
Photo courtesy of Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/Ydiot There are many reasons why we make the decisions we do. When we look back at the outcome of some of the decisions we made, sometimes we can't understand how we got into such predicaments, how to get out of them, or what we can do to live as God desires. Listed below is an outline of why we make the decisions we do; the consequences behind them; and how we can make good (and godly) decisions.
Article: Holding Pattern of Worry
Photo courtesy of Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/ColinBroug Philippians 4:6-7 (KJV) - Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 1. Be careful for nothing. This would be a call not to worry about anything, NOTHING. As Jesus said, each day is filled with enough trouble on its own (Matthew 6:34) and we should not worry. One of the reasons why we should not worry...
Article: How Do I Live Out of Lust?
In 2004 we wrote Living Out of Lust, a beautiful book that engaged the very issue of sexual addictions, its devastating effects, and how we can live without the stains of sexual sins. Over the years, we’ve learned that there is a larger encompassing scope beyond the principles of Living Out of Lust. The key message for us that struggle with sexual sin (or any sin for that matter) is the closer we draw to the Lord, the further we draw from sin and the world.
Article: Motivating Motives
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/lauralucia Why we do something is just as important (if not more important) than what we do for someone. We may do great works for others, but the true intent may not be to bless them, but to be seen; receive special recognition or favors; money; or something of personal gain (Proverbs 16:2, 21:27). Though our motives may not be recognizable from the outside, they are never hidden from God – whom we must give an account on the Day of Judgment (Ecclesiastes 12:14; 2 Corinthians 5:10). In our daily living, we must ensure our motives are pure and righteous before man and the L...
Article: Relationship Standards
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/melodi2 1. Know yourself. You will be tested and/or tempted based on WHO you are and what Satan can find in you. You are in a war and the enemy will use your weaknesses to destroy you. 2. QUICKLY establish the relationship as being NOTHING more than professional.
Article: Right Thing vs. Good Part
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/valerio Luke 10:38-42 (KJV) - Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and...
Article: Taste Tests
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/zasvedogov Psalm 34:8 (KJV) - O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. There are times when we are offered sample foods or want to try (or taste) what someone else has. When we try (or taste) the particular item, we make a determination on whether we want more for ourselves. The same occurrence happens for those in the Lord. Taste and See When a person is first introduced to the Lord, they enter into a ‘trial period.’ They may wonder what Christianity is about and desire to learn mor...
Article: The Fruit of Desire
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/mmilidoni Genesis 3:1-7 (KJV) - Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then...
Article: The House of Mourning
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/kendoll007 Ecclesiastes 7:2 (KJV) - It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. When death comes to a family or friends, even those we hear about but didn't know, thoughts of the condition of our own lives come into thought. We think about how short life may be and how we are living it. Though many of us want to be in a house of great joy and look for ways to please ourselves, death brings things into perspective. Solomon states that...
Article: Warning Signs
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/barada35 The Holy Spirit will teach us all things (John 14:26). The word 'teach' in Greek (for John 14:26) is translated as to teach; hold discourse with others in order to instruct them; explain or expound a thing, etc.1 In teaching us all things, the boundaries extend beyond the commands of God into our daily lives. ALL TRUTH.
Article: When Temptation Attacks
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/Custom0305 Have you ever had a beautiful day where the sun is shining; the birds are chirping; the trees are swaying; when...BAM, temptation comes out of nowhere?! Here you are trying to mind your own business, not bothering anyone, when temptation wants to pay you a visit. A part of you is mad because once again, you have to deal with this again, but you know if you don't deal with it quickly and properly, you may give into its call to sin. 2 Timothy 2:22 (KJV) - Flee also youthful lusts: but follow...
Article: You Got a Little More Fight in You!
Photo courtesy of CreationSwap/courtneycroxdale Job issues. Money problems. Bad situations with family and friends. Kids. Car Problems. Home at risk. There's so many things going on in our lives each day that seem to pull us in several directions at once. At times we just want a little peace and quiet to get away from the day, but we're welcomed with another issue. Then, on top of all this, we have to live right before God...then temptation shows up. Many times temptation seems like the straw that breaks our back and we want to give up and give in. It may seem that giving into our...
