We are transformed to be more like Christ through the renewing of our minds in God’s Word (Romans 12:1-2). Scripture memory is an indispensable aid for the the Christian. Consider the example of Jesus and how he interacted with Scripture: “As often as possible Jesus withdrew to out-of-the-way places for prayer” (Luke 5:16, MSG). And…
Stability is the discipline of staying or sticking with people. It means not leaving your group, not backing out on a commitment, not giving up when the going gets tough. It’s a virtue that’s increasing hard to find in our culture. Jesus’ Stability Jesus chose to come into our flesh and world as our Messiah…
Have you ever practiced the discipline of secrecy? You may not have thought of this as a discipline. The discipline of secrecy, as Jesus taught and modeled it, is intentionally hiding your prayers or good deeds to please only your Father in heaven, “who is in secret”; it’s the practice of denying ourselves the attention…
Perhaps the most astonishing aspect of Jesus’ life on earth is that as the Son of God, and our Lord and Savior, he lived his life on earth by the discipline of submission. The King came to serve! How could we do anything less? But “submission” feels like a degrading word to many people. It’s much…
I believe that the primary purpose of Christian parenting is discipleship, inviting my children into my walk with Jesus, investing in them the life of God that I’ve come to experience so that they grow into being “new creatures” in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). This is how it worked for Timothy: the Apostle Paul affirmed him and…
What do you say to yourself about yourself? Do you feel about yourself as our God of grace does? As a psychologist everyday I get inside the heads of people who are struggling. Here’s what I hear: I blew it. I’m a failure…. I’ve been abused. I’m a victim… I gave in again. I’m an addict….…
Recently Gallup reported that 80% of American adults over age 25 are overweight and most of them are trying unsuccessfully to lose weight. Ladies Home Journal found that 71% of the women they surveyed think about their weight at least once per day and 40% have failed at a diet in the past year. And…
“How are you?” my friend asked me on the phone. “Busy,” I replied. “What else is new?” he laughed. “Ever since we roomed together in college I’ve admired how disciplined and productive you are.” Years later, I still think about that exchange. Although it was opposite of my friend’s intention, I realized then that I…
“Don’t worry. Be happy!” It’s not that easy! I know. I used to be plagued with anxiety and I’ve been helping anxious people since 1987. Perhaps you struggle with anxiety or worry. If so then even at night maybe you can’t seem to slow down and relax. Your mind just won’t let you rest. Why did…
God is love. Jesus shows us this. The Bible spells this out. And everyday God shares His love with us in so many ways. Tragically, there are many people, who can’t seem to grasp God’s love because, as the pop song says, “They’re looking for love in all the wrong places.” They’re in the grip…