Christian Living
What Is the Hardest Thing to Deal With In Our Lives?
24/09/22
Proverbs 16:17-25, The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord happy is he. The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly. The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. There is a way that seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Thank you for reading today. Our greatest desire is that you would be encouraged in the Lord! In my daily time with God in His Word today, the Holy Spirit reminded me about the difficulties of pride in our lives. We desire to be an encouragement and help to those who need help. The number one thing that I do as a Biblical Counsellor and marriage speaker is to try to help people to move out of a feelings-dominated, emotion-controlled life and into a controlled by the Holy Spirit, Biblical principled driven life.
Kim and I have just returned from preaching and teaching in churches in Ireland and holding a Biblical Counselling Seminar for the missionaries there. Several missionaries were in attendance. We also had a missionary family and co-worker from Hungary in attendance. We were encouraged, and we are thankful for God working in our hearts and lives. We are sorry that we were not able to send out articles while we were away. Thank you to all that prayed for the meetings!
In working with people in our Biblical counselling/discipleship program, I find that the area of pride is one of the most difficult things we as Christians deal with. The most difficult sin to conquer in our life is pride. It hides very well in our lives. It is a deceitful and elusive sin. It is also a root sin. By that, I mean, it produces a lot of other sins. Any time you see a person with an anger issue in their life it comes from pride, Proverbs 21:24, Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath. Many people have seen their home destroyed because they were too proud to admit they need counsel and to seek help. Because pride steals glory that is due to God alone, there are few sins that bring the level of destruction that pride brings.
The Christian life is a spiritual warfare
The devil seeks to put outside pressure on our lives to control our soul and thus control what we do. The devil always works from the outside in. God works from the inside out by speaking to our spirit by the Holy Spirit. The biggest tool for the devil to use in our lives is pride. Pride is a hindrance and a destroyer in every area of the Christian life. When we go back to the beginning of the Bible in Genesis, we see that Satan used pride with Eve. He told her, she would be like God and God did not want that to happen. This is the same method the devil has always used. All around us today there are people being destroyed in our local churches because of the pride issue that the devil uses in our lives. Many of the people who contact us through Hope Biblical Counselling Center are in the difficulties they are in because of pride and its off-shoot sins. The Bible speaks much about pride. It is the key to either being a servant used by God or a person not being used as a servant and being destroyed.
Who is the author of pride?
I Timothy 3:6, Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
So, we see the devil is the author of pride. Isn't it interesting here that Paul is talking about a person being a preacher who has not learned how to deal with his pride? We all have it to deal with. The understanding of this is extremely important. Are we unwilling or do not understand that the power of God in our life is not by how much we think we know or even what we know, but by our submission to God.
Folks, there is a premise here that is especially important for the life of a church. There are those in the church today, who will pray and read their Bible in self-righteousness but never do anything. Then there are those who are motivated by doing and give little attention to their Bible. A proper relationship with God means I spend time with the Lord in submission to Him, but it also motivates my doing, Matthew 7:24-27. Jesus said, “that a wise man is a hearer and a doer.”
People who do without hearing are motivated by pride. People who hear and never do are motivated by pride. There must be a balance in the relationship
The devil's desire, of course, is for a lost person to not get saved. He will appeal to your pride and make you think you know more about it, and you can work it out your own way.
Psalm 10:4, The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
The devil uses pride on lost people and saved people.
Many people because of their pride die and go to hell. Folks, quite frankly, the reason I got saved was flat out because I did not want to die and go to hell. There is no future in it! Maybe you have had it bad in your life. Things have not gone well. Let me put it to you this way. Hell is eternal! It is not a place you can go for a weekend visit to see if you like it. There are no exits! You do not get out. Do not make a prideful, ignorant, eternal mistake and die and go to hell. You think life has been bad up till now? Hell will be nothing like anything you have ever known in bad! Do not let the devil use your pride to send you to hell. If you are reading this and are unsaved, right now is the time to tell the Lord you are a sinner and repent of your sins and ask Jesus to come into your heart and be your Saviour.
There are three ways the Christian can live his or her life
They can live their life in unrighteousness, self-righteousness, or righteousness. Unrighteousness and self-righteousness are pride issues. The whole deal of self-righteousness is a pride issue.
Luke 18:11-12, The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. Pretty self-righteous statements.
How many times have I heard some prideful statement like this, I grew up in a Christian home, and I will always serve God. Eighty percent of all children who grow up in an Independent Baptist church do not serve God. Many who grow up in Christian homes do not serve God. Why? Pride. It is their desire to go their own way and be independent of God.
The Apostle Peter was an example of someone who made prideful statements. He told the Lord that he would not deny Him. Of course, we know the Lord told him, He would deny him thrice before the cock crew. Peter denied him three times in his self-righteousness. You see folks, a self-righteous person will be destroyed, because he has never learned that he or she is nothing apart from their submission to God.
One of the things that has been a great encouragement to me is how Peter turned his life around. There was great humility, wisdom and seeking to be an encouragement to the hurting Jewish Christians in I and II Peter by the Apostle Peter. Here he was a changed man!
Proverbs 16:18-19, Pride goeth before destruction and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Did you notice the humble spirit? Does that mean you just go around saying you are humble? You know, I am worse than dirt? No, it deals with a larger spiritual principle. You see there are those who have false humility. They hide their pride by talking about humility.
Proverbs 16:25, There is a way that seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death (destruction).
A person who is prideful thinks his way is right, not God's way. Did you notice it will end in destruction? The word haughty here is an interesting word. Pride means I think more of myself than I should. Haughty means I think lower of others than I should.
A prideful person always brings strife and contention
Proverbs 13:10, Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
The prideful person is always angry and fighting with someone. Every hurt or perceived hurt is magnified in their life. They are always upset with someone. They do not turn their hurts to God. They are grudge keepers. They are a hindrance to those who really want to serve God.
A prideful person grieves the Spirit of God, and they lead others into sin. A prideful person is a hindrance to their children growing up to serve God.
Ephesians 6:4-7, And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (5) Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; (6) Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; (7) With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
A prideful person is stubborn and non-teachable. A non-teachable prideful person is miserable in their life, and they are miserable to be around. They think they know more about living for God than anyone else but fail to understand the spiritual point. They always have a critical spirit!
Folks, every Christian must be willing to submit themselves to the teaching of God's word. Do you believe the Bible today?
Then watch carefully what it says, Proverbs 13:13, Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed; but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
If we do not submit ourselves to the teaching of God's word, our arrogance and pride will lead us to destruction and shame.
Proverbs 11:2-3, When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
A prideful person is deceived about themselves and about their spiritual condition.
Galatians 6:7-8, Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (8) For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Proverbs 29:23, A man’s pride shall bring him low; but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. Proverbs 26:16, The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
Proverbs 26:12, Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
God takes a dim view of a self-righteous, prideful person. I have the opportunity to counsel with many people. When folks come in with a life in destruction, the first thing we want to find out is what area of pride they are holding onto as an idol of the heart. When we talk with them about this, pride raises its ugly head quickly. The great hindrance to the church today, the cause of the gospel, and living for God, is the pride of the Christian. The answer to our pride is to submit ourselves to God.
James 4:6-7, But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Psalm 25:9, The meek (humble) will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
Let me ask you friend are you going around unhappy in your life? Are you always fighting, angry, upset with others? Are you always bucking authority, telling people your opinion, and what you are not going to do? Are you always trying to manipulate circumstances to the way you want it? God is going to resist you. Your work in self-righteousness will destroy you and others around you. It will destroy your home, your husband, your wife, your children, and you. Ultimately, the pain of your life will be huge. You will make poor decisions and wonder why God is not changing the circumstances of your life. So, you will try to manipulate the circumstances and get frustrated when it does not work out. You will be defeated, discouraged, and depressed. You will be a people responder and not a God responder. God wants us to be a God responder and not a people responder.
II Corinthians 3:5, Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.
The only answer is to quit seeking to live the Christian life in self-righteousness in your own power and submit to God. Today would be a good day to start the change by submitting yourself to God.
James 4:7-10, Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (8) Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. (9) Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. (10) Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Maybe you need to tell God today, Lord, I have been trying to live the Christian life in my own power, my own way. Please forgive me. I want to submit myself to you. Forgive me for the sin of pride in my life.
Submission to God is the answer to a prideful life. Submission to God is true humility.
The Christian who understands this will have a fruitful, powerful life. True submission however is a daily moment-by-moment thing. As you spend time with God each day, ask God these questions: Lord, is there any sin that stands between you and me today? When He shows you the sin, confess it and turn from it, I John 1:9. Lord, who and what do you want me to pray for today? Folks, submission is a matter of learning to listen to God not telling God what He is going to do. Lord, who do you want me to witness to today? Lord, who do you want me to encourage today? Lord, what do you want me to praise you for today? Consistently, you need to be turning issues of the day over to God. There will be issues every day in your life.
Do not be deceived, dear Christian friend. The answer of the Bible on this subject is crucial to your life, your family, and your home. Many divorces are happening in Christian homes because one or both parties do not have a real relationship with God because of their pride.
Proverbs 16:18, Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. God does not want it to be that way. He desires you have His power today by submitting yourself to Him.
Be all you can be for Him today and have a powerful testimony of living a Spirit-controlled yielded godly life that is serving and living with humility, joy, and peace! We encourage you today to make Jesus Christ real in your life by humbly yielding to Him at the point of impact and living for Him, not the life of prideful, selfish, carnal thinking and speaking. It is an important choice! Tell God you want to yield yourself to Him today and be a trusting, useful, and rewarded servant! Be the person who wants to change! Be the person who can help others change! Do not be the person who always needs to be helped, but the person who can help!
May we all humble ourselves before God and focus on having compassion on others! Let’s seek real Biblical change. May we all have the desire to make real Biblical long-term change to the honour and glory of God!
With a heart to glorify God and serving the God of answers,
Dr. Terry L. Coomer
Director, Hope Biblical Counselling and Training Read the rest of the article…
Thank you for reading today. Our greatest desire is that you would be encouraged in the Lord! In my daily time with God in His Word today, the Holy Spirit reminded me about the difficulties of pride in our lives. We desire to be an encouragement and help to those who need help. The number one thing that I do as a Biblical Counsellor and marriage speaker is to try to help people to move out of a feelings-dominated, emotion-controlled life and into a controlled by the Holy Spirit, Biblical principled driven life.
Kim and I have just returned from preaching and teaching in churches in Ireland and holding a Biblical Counselling Seminar for the missionaries there. Several missionaries were in attendance. We also had a missionary family and co-worker from Hungary in attendance. We were encouraged, and we are thankful for God working in our hearts and lives. We are sorry that we were not able to send out articles while we were away. Thank you to all that prayed for the meetings!
In working with people in our Biblical counselling/discipleship program, I find that the area of pride is one of the most difficult things we as Christians deal with. The most difficult sin to conquer in our life is pride. It hides very well in our lives. It is a deceitful and elusive sin. It is also a root sin. By that, I mean, it produces a lot of other sins. Any time you see a person with an anger issue in their life it comes from pride, Proverbs 21:24, Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath. Many people have seen their home destroyed because they were too proud to admit they need counsel and to seek help. Because pride steals glory that is due to God alone, there are few sins that bring the level of destruction that pride brings.
The Christian life is a spiritual warfare
The devil seeks to put outside pressure on our lives to control our soul and thus control what we do. The devil always works from the outside in. God works from the inside out by speaking to our spirit by the Holy Spirit. The biggest tool for the devil to use in our lives is pride. Pride is a hindrance and a destroyer in every area of the Christian life. When we go back to the beginning of the Bible in Genesis, we see that Satan used pride with Eve. He told her, she would be like God and God did not want that to happen. This is the same method the devil has always used. All around us today there are people being destroyed in our local churches because of the pride issue that the devil uses in our lives. Many of the people who contact us through Hope Biblical Counselling Center are in the difficulties they are in because of pride and its off-shoot sins. The Bible speaks much about pride. It is the key to either being a servant used by God or a person not being used as a servant and being destroyed.
Who is the author of pride?
I Timothy 3:6, Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
So, we see the devil is the author of pride. Isn't it interesting here that Paul is talking about a person being a preacher who has not learned how to deal with his pride? We all have it to deal with. The understanding of this is extremely important. Are we unwilling or do not understand that the power of God in our life is not by how much we think we know or even what we know, but by our submission to God.
Folks, there is a premise here that is especially important for the life of a church. There are those in the church today, who will pray and read their Bible in self-righteousness but never do anything. Then there are those who are motivated by doing and give little attention to their Bible. A proper relationship with God means I spend time with the Lord in submission to Him, but it also motivates my doing, Matthew 7:24-27. Jesus said, “that a wise man is a hearer and a doer.”
People who do without hearing are motivated by pride. People who hear and never do are motivated by pride. There must be a balance in the relationship
The devil's desire, of course, is for a lost person to not get saved. He will appeal to your pride and make you think you know more about it, and you can work it out your own way.
Psalm 10:4, The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
The devil uses pride on lost people and saved people.
Many people because of their pride die and go to hell. Folks, quite frankly, the reason I got saved was flat out because I did not want to die and go to hell. There is no future in it! Maybe you have had it bad in your life. Things have not gone well. Let me put it to you this way. Hell is eternal! It is not a place you can go for a weekend visit to see if you like it. There are no exits! You do not get out. Do not make a prideful, ignorant, eternal mistake and die and go to hell. You think life has been bad up till now? Hell will be nothing like anything you have ever known in bad! Do not let the devil use your pride to send you to hell. If you are reading this and are unsaved, right now is the time to tell the Lord you are a sinner and repent of your sins and ask Jesus to come into your heart and be your Saviour.
There are three ways the Christian can live his or her life
They can live their life in unrighteousness, self-righteousness, or righteousness. Unrighteousness and self-righteousness are pride issues. The whole deal of self-righteousness is a pride issue.
Luke 18:11-12, The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. Pretty self-righteous statements.
How many times have I heard some prideful statement like this, I grew up in a Christian home, and I will always serve God. Eighty percent of all children who grow up in an Independent Baptist church do not serve God. Many who grow up in Christian homes do not serve God. Why? Pride. It is their desire to go their own way and be independent of God.
The Apostle Peter was an example of someone who made prideful statements. He told the Lord that he would not deny Him. Of course, we know the Lord told him, He would deny him thrice before the cock crew. Peter denied him three times in his self-righteousness. You see folks, a self-righteous person will be destroyed, because he has never learned that he or she is nothing apart from their submission to God.
One of the things that has been a great encouragement to me is how Peter turned his life around. There was great humility, wisdom and seeking to be an encouragement to the hurting Jewish Christians in I and II Peter by the Apostle Peter. Here he was a changed man!
Proverbs 16:18-19, Pride goeth before destruction and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Did you notice the humble spirit? Does that mean you just go around saying you are humble? You know, I am worse than dirt? No, it deals with a larger spiritual principle. You see there are those who have false humility. They hide their pride by talking about humility.
Proverbs 16:25, There is a way that seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death (destruction).
A person who is prideful thinks his way is right, not God's way. Did you notice it will end in destruction? The word haughty here is an interesting word. Pride means I think more of myself than I should. Haughty means I think lower of others than I should.
A prideful person always brings strife and contention
Proverbs 13:10, Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
The prideful person is always angry and fighting with someone. Every hurt or perceived hurt is magnified in their life. They are always upset with someone. They do not turn their hurts to God. They are grudge keepers. They are a hindrance to those who really want to serve God.
A prideful person grieves the Spirit of God, and they lead others into sin. A prideful person is a hindrance to their children growing up to serve God.
Ephesians 6:4-7, And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (5) Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; (6) Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; (7) With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
A prideful person is stubborn and non-teachable. A non-teachable prideful person is miserable in their life, and they are miserable to be around. They think they know more about living for God than anyone else but fail to understand the spiritual point. They always have a critical spirit!
Folks, every Christian must be willing to submit themselves to the teaching of God's word. Do you believe the Bible today?
Then watch carefully what it says, Proverbs 13:13, Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed; but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
If we do not submit ourselves to the teaching of God's word, our arrogance and pride will lead us to destruction and shame.
Proverbs 11:2-3, When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
A prideful person is deceived about themselves and about their spiritual condition.
Galatians 6:7-8, Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (8) For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Proverbs 29:23, A man’s pride shall bring him low; but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. Proverbs 26:16, The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
Proverbs 26:12, Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
God takes a dim view of a self-righteous, prideful person. I have the opportunity to counsel with many people. When folks come in with a life in destruction, the first thing we want to find out is what area of pride they are holding onto as an idol of the heart. When we talk with them about this, pride raises its ugly head quickly. The great hindrance to the church today, the cause of the gospel, and living for God, is the pride of the Christian. The answer to our pride is to submit ourselves to God.
James 4:6-7, But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Psalm 25:9, The meek (humble) will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
Let me ask you friend are you going around unhappy in your life? Are you always fighting, angry, upset with others? Are you always bucking authority, telling people your opinion, and what you are not going to do? Are you always trying to manipulate circumstances to the way you want it? God is going to resist you. Your work in self-righteousness will destroy you and others around you. It will destroy your home, your husband, your wife, your children, and you. Ultimately, the pain of your life will be huge. You will make poor decisions and wonder why God is not changing the circumstances of your life. So, you will try to manipulate the circumstances and get frustrated when it does not work out. You will be defeated, discouraged, and depressed. You will be a people responder and not a God responder. God wants us to be a God responder and not a people responder.
II Corinthians 3:5, Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.
The only answer is to quit seeking to live the Christian life in self-righteousness in your own power and submit to God. Today would be a good day to start the change by submitting yourself to God.
James 4:7-10, Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (8) Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. (9) Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. (10) Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Maybe you need to tell God today, Lord, I have been trying to live the Christian life in my own power, my own way. Please forgive me. I want to submit myself to you. Forgive me for the sin of pride in my life.
Submission to God is the answer to a prideful life. Submission to God is true humility.
The Christian who understands this will have a fruitful, powerful life. True submission however is a daily moment-by-moment thing. As you spend time with God each day, ask God these questions: Lord, is there any sin that stands between you and me today? When He shows you the sin, confess it and turn from it, I John 1:9. Lord, who and what do you want me to pray for today? Folks, submission is a matter of learning to listen to God not telling God what He is going to do. Lord, who do you want me to witness to today? Lord, who do you want me to encourage today? Lord, what do you want me to praise you for today? Consistently, you need to be turning issues of the day over to God. There will be issues every day in your life.
Do not be deceived, dear Christian friend. The answer of the Bible on this subject is crucial to your life, your family, and your home. Many divorces are happening in Christian homes because one or both parties do not have a real relationship with God because of their pride.
Proverbs 16:18, Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. God does not want it to be that way. He desires you have His power today by submitting yourself to Him.
Be all you can be for Him today and have a powerful testimony of living a Spirit-controlled yielded godly life that is serving and living with humility, joy, and peace! We encourage you today to make Jesus Christ real in your life by humbly yielding to Him at the point of impact and living for Him, not the life of prideful, selfish, carnal thinking and speaking. It is an important choice! Tell God you want to yield yourself to Him today and be a trusting, useful, and rewarded servant! Be the person who wants to change! Be the person who can help others change! Do not be the person who always needs to be helped, but the person who can help!
May we all humble ourselves before God and focus on having compassion on others! Let’s seek real Biblical change. May we all have the desire to make real Biblical long-term change to the honour and glory of God!
With a heart to glorify God and serving the God of answers,
Dr. Terry L. Coomer
Director, Hope Biblical Counselling and Training Read the rest of the article…
More Important than Church.
22/02/22
This post originated, and has been adapted from a text I recently sent to someone and I thought that the content would benefit others as well.
(For verse links, please click and read online)
Did you know that there are things that are more important than going church?
There is salvation, telling others the gospel, but what I am referring to in this post is walking with God. Personally walking with God is more important than going to church.
In Genesis 6:9, the Bible tells us that Noah walked with God, but…
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." -2 Timothy 2:15
I love my time with God every day and I learn so much. He teaches me so many things, beyond what I could ever teach or preach in a hundred years of sermons. The word of God has changed my life.
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” -2 Timothy 3:16-17
For the last two years, I have taught on "How to Study the Bible" in our Sunday Bible Class, sharing tools and the importance of properly interpreting the Bible. These studies were posted online to download. In 2019, I single-handedly printed, laminated, cut, and handed out copies of the Professor Horner Bible reading schedule for all of our church people. I did these things because if there is one lesson a Christian must learn, it is to have a personal walk with God. If we miss that, we miss out on the blessings of the Christian life entirely. If someone is truly born again, the Holy Spirit will open the Bible to them, speak to them through God's Word, and give them understanding.
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." -John 14:26
For those who are not saved, it will be hidden to them. Like gibberish. Do you have trouble understanding the Bible?
"In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." -2 Corinthians 4:4
Please don't misunderstand me, I am in no way diminishing the utmost importance of joining a sound, Bible centred church.
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." -Hebrews 10:25
But even joining a doctrinally sound church cannot replace a personal walk with God. We each need to learn how to study the Bible and pray on our own, because no one can walk with God for us. We must learn to feed ourselves on the truth of the scriptures (Matthew 4:4) and learn the voice of the Shepherd, so we can discern truth. God cannot truly lead and guide us if we do not have a real walk with Him. If we are not studying and following the word of God than we are going to follow our flesh emotions and feelings.
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" -Jeremiah 17:9
I will pray that God’s word will become the foundation of your life.
"And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;" -Ephesians 2:20 Read the rest of the article…
(For verse links, please click and read online)
Did you know that there are things that are more important than going church?
There is salvation, telling others the gospel, but what I am referring to in this post is walking with God. Personally walking with God is more important than going to church.
In Genesis 6:9, the Bible tells us that Noah walked with God, but…
Have YOU learned to have a personal walk with God?
There is nothing in this world that can replace focused study in the word of God yourself, with an open Bible and a notebook, asking God to teach you from His word, then writing down what He teaches you. No amount of church attendance, spiritual books, youtube preachers, Bible college classes, praise and worship, or some kind of experience can replace a personal walk with God. This is a time when God speaks directly to you through His word.
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." -2 Timothy 2:15
I love my time with God every day and I learn so much. He teaches me so many things, beyond what I could ever teach or preach in a hundred years of sermons. The word of God has changed my life.
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” -2 Timothy 3:16-17
For the last two years, I have taught on "How to Study the Bible" in our Sunday Bible Class, sharing tools and the importance of properly interpreting the Bible. These studies were posted online to download. In 2019, I single-handedly printed, laminated, cut, and handed out copies of the Professor Horner Bible reading schedule for all of our church people. I did these things because if there is one lesson a Christian must learn, it is to have a personal walk with God. If we miss that, we miss out on the blessings of the Christian life entirely. If someone is truly born again, the Holy Spirit will open the Bible to them, speak to them through God's Word, and give them understanding.
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." -John 14:26
For those who are not saved, it will be hidden to them. Like gibberish. Do you have trouble understanding the Bible?
"In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." -2 Corinthians 4:4
Please don't misunderstand me, I am in no way diminishing the utmost importance of joining a sound, Bible centred church.
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." -Hebrews 10:25
But even joining a doctrinally sound church cannot replace a personal walk with God. We each need to learn how to study the Bible and pray on our own, because no one can walk with God for us. We must learn to feed ourselves on the truth of the scriptures (Matthew 4:4) and learn the voice of the Shepherd, so we can discern truth. God cannot truly lead and guide us if we do not have a real walk with Him. If we are not studying and following the word of God than we are going to follow our flesh emotions and feelings.
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" -Jeremiah 17:9
I will pray that God’s word will become the foundation of your life.
"And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;" -Ephesians 2:20 Read the rest of the article…
Why, As a Pastor, I Can’t Counsel Christians
03/08/21
I have found over the years that there are many Christians who desperately need counselling. 
They are facing depression, drug abuse (including Alcohol), marriage problems, anger problems and all sorts of issues. These are all serious problems and if left to them selves, they can result in devastating consequences.
Unfortunately, I can’t counsel many of these people and there are four main reasons why this is the case. Read the rest of the article…
Unfortunately, I can’t counsel many of these people and there are four main reasons why this is the case. Read the rest of the article…
Why I Overreact All the Time and What to Do About It
27/07/21
Thank you for spending time reading this article. It is our prayer that it will be helpful in your Christian life and help you learn how to deal with overreacting. Our greatest desire is that you would be encouraged in the Lord today!
Dear Friend-Overreacting is the Mark of Spiritual Immaturity
Do you think you are an over-reactor? After a situation comes up, do you wish you had responded differently? In the church and home today many serious problems happen because of people overreacting. It is epidemic today! When we Biblically counsel people for marriage issues they are well down the road of the super over-reactor! Let’s face it, we are all prone to overreacting at times. However, that is not the way God wants us to live. Sadly, the church today is filled with people who overreact and the Holy Spirit is grieved by this behaviour.
Overreacting can lead to anger, bittiness, and clamouring (public quarrelling)
Ephesians 4:29-31, Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. (30) And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (31) Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
When “let” is used at the start of a verse it means someone has to make a decision. One of the signs you can tell if a person is overreacting is how much and the way they talk. They will talk about a situation, person, or event incessantly. The more they talk the more they are going to overreact! They blow it up and way out of proportion. When you find yourself talking too much or excessively negatively, remember who is controlling you-Satan, not the Holy Spirit.
Many couples work each other up because they… Read the rest of the article…
Dear Friend-Overreacting is the Mark of Spiritual Immaturity
Do you think you are an over-reactor? After a situation comes up, do you wish you had responded differently? In the church and home today many serious problems happen because of people overreacting. It is epidemic today! When we Biblically counsel people for marriage issues they are well down the road of the super over-reactor! Let’s face it, we are all prone to overreacting at times. However, that is not the way God wants us to live. Sadly, the church today is filled with people who overreact and the Holy Spirit is grieved by this behaviour.
Overreacting can lead to anger, bittiness, and clamouring (public quarrelling)
Ephesians 4:29-31, Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. (30) And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (31) Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
When “let” is used at the start of a verse it means someone has to make a decision. One of the signs you can tell if a person is overreacting is how much and the way they talk. They will talk about a situation, person, or event incessantly. The more they talk the more they are going to overreact! They blow it up and way out of proportion. When you find yourself talking too much or excessively negatively, remember who is controlling you-Satan, not the Holy Spirit.
Many couples work each other up because they… Read the rest of the article…
Is a “Little Anger” OK?
01/04/19
(Below is an excerpt of an email from Dr. S. M. Davis who has brilliant, helpful sermon counselling videos)
I had given my message on “ANGER THE DESTROYER” at a church and was standi
ng at my table in the church’s foyer. A man came walking up to me and with an Angry Spirit (that he didn’t know he had) said, “Well, I heard everything you just said and I still think a little anger is alright! The difference in you and me is that you raised all girls and I had a houseful of boys and if you don’t get angry with boys sometime they won’t do what you want them to do! You have to have anger if you’re going to raise boys!”
Wow! Where do I start in answering that?!
I assured him that I knew what it was like to use anger when… Read the rest of the article…
I had given my message on “ANGER THE DESTROYER” at a church and was standi
Wow! Where do I start in answering that?!
I assured him that I knew what it was like to use anger when… Read the rest of the article…
Jesus Did, or Didn't, Do Enough On The Cross?
08/02/19
Recently I received a question about a verse in Colossians 1. If the verse is read alone, one would perceive it to say that the Apostle Paul had to sacrifice to add to Jesus’ work on the cross. 
This fact would mean that His sacrifice for our sins was not enough. The verse to which I am referring to in Colossians 1:24 in which the Apostle Paul states "Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:”
When approaching a verse like this, one must first realise that there are difficult verses in the Bible. The Apostle Peter stated in 2 Peter 3:16, "As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” So there are going to be… Read the rest of the article…
When approaching a verse like this, one must first realise that there are difficult verses in the Bible. The Apostle Peter stated in 2 Peter 3:16, "As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” So there are going to be… Read the rest of the article…
Brilliant Bible Reading System
22/01/19
Recently I came across a brilliant, life changing,
Bible reading system. I have been so impressed with it that I wanted to write about it and tell others on the church blog. It is probably one of the best systems to get to know your Bible from front to back, inside and out. It is called...
Read the rest of the article…
Read the rest of the article…
Only One Life...
05/01/19
In 1860 a child was born to a wealthy English family and his name was C.T. Studd (Charles Thomas Studd). 
C.T.Studd was saved during a revival meeting in England and known as a cricketer, but he was most noted for his missionary work in China. Following is an inspirational and convicting poem that he wrote during his lifetime.
Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before…
Modern Day Pharisees
29/12/18
With even a casual read through the Gospels, you will find a group of individuals called the Pharisees. They continually pop up
here and there and most of the time challenging Jesus’ teachings. It is a common belief that the Pharisees were the ones who strictly followed the Bible and the Biblical laws. I would dare say that many of the Jews at the time of Christ also believed this to be the case. According to the Bible, what the Pharisees did was twist......
Read the rest of the article…
Read the rest of the article…
Depressed Christians
18/12/18
Depression is a genuine thing that many people face, even Christians. Several different things can cause a person to suffer depression in their life. Throughout the Bible, you will find great men and women, from King David to the Apostle Paul, who faced times of depression in their lives, as did Charles Hadden Spurgeon.
The following quote by Charles Haddon Spurgeon is from the Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, 1881, vol. 27, p. 1595:
"I know that wise brethren say, 'You should not give way to feelings of depression.'...
If those who blame quite so furiously could once know what depression is, they would think it cruel to scatter blame where comfort is needed. There are experiences of the children of God which are full of spiritual darkness; and I am almost persuaded that those of God's servants who have been most highly favoured have, nevertheless, suffered more times of darkness than others. Read the rest of the article…
The following quote by Charles Haddon Spurgeon is from the Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, 1881, vol. 27, p. 1595:
"I know that wise brethren say, 'You should not give way to feelings of depression.'...
Should we go to church on Sunday?
21/08/18
Should we go to church on Sunday? What is the answer?
The answer for most people is that everyone goes to church on Sundays, people throughout history have gone to church on Sundays (Catholic and Protestant), it is a Christian tradition to attend church on Sundays. Others might say, that we should worship the Lord every day and that we do not need to meet on Sundays. There are others who say that we should meet on Saturdays since that is when Jesus went to the synagog. There are yet others who believe that Sundays are the new Sabbath and that we ought to observe Sundays as the Jews observed Saturdays. What is the answer?
Read the rest of the article…
The answer for most people is that everyone goes to church on Sundays, people throughout history have gone to church on Sundays (Catholic and Protestant), it is a Christian tradition to attend church on Sundays. Others might say, that we should worship the Lord every day and that we do not need to meet on Sundays. There are others who say that we should meet on Saturdays since that is when Jesus went to the synagog. There are yet others who believe that Sundays are the new Sabbath and that we ought to observe Sundays as the Jews observed Saturdays. What is the answer?
Read the rest of the article…
Scientists say health benefits from alcohol may be greatly exaggerated
16/01/17
The Bible tells us;
Proverbs 20:1 "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise."
Isaiah 5:11 "Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!"
Ephesians 5:18 "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;"
These verses go contrary to popular opinion, as well as many "scientific studies" that tout the benefits of drink, until now. Read the rest of the article…
Proverbs 20:1 "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise."
Isaiah 5:11 "Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!"
These verses go contrary to popular opinion, as well as many "scientific studies" that tout the benefits of drink, until now. Read the rest of the article…
Top Ten Quotes of Jesus Christ
16/11/16
And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. —Luke 4:22
The Pharisees and chief priest sent officers to take Jesus (John 7:32). When the officers returned empty handed, they were asked, “Why have ye not brought him?” The officers could only say, “Never man spake like this man” (John 7:45-46).
So true. No one ever spoke or said things that Jesus said. Many of His statements go completely contrary to the philosophies of this world. Consider these ten amazing statements made by the Lord Jesus Christ.
1. Matthew 19:26 "With men this is impossible but with God all things are possible."
2. Matthew 5:44 Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, Read the rest of the article…
The Pharisees and chief priest sent officers to take Jesus (John 7:32). When the officers returned empty handed, they were asked, “Why have ye not brought him?” The officers could only say, “Never man spake like this man” (John 7:45-46).
So true. No one ever spoke or said things that Jesus said. Many of His statements go completely contrary to the philosophies of this world. Consider these ten amazing statements made by the Lord Jesus Christ.
1. Matthew 19:26 "With men this is impossible but with God all things are possible."
2. Matthew 5:44 Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, Read the rest of the article…
