Paul says there are only two ways of living or thinking. One way is to follow the natural path of darkness that all men were born with (Ephesians 2:1-3). The other way is to learn Christ (Ephesians 4:20). This is point must not be missed. Paul wants the Ephesians to put off the dark ways of their birth and to put on the way of light, that is, the person of Christ. Avoiding evil is not the same as learning Christ. This will only encourage sensuality to take deep root in their hearts. Your goals may seem noble. You may earnestly desire that your children will avoid the pitfalls of this world. You can structure your lifestyle to keep […]
Sanctification
159 posts
Your children, like you, have a problem with sin. Sin has an immediate negative impact, but even more destructive is sin’s aftermath. Like radiation fallout after a nuclear blast, sin’s fallout can spread and last for years. Condemnation follows sin: First, and most importantly, sin brings the condemnation of God. Then, as others become aware of our sins human condemnation occurs. Finally, a heart burdened by sin begins the ritual of self-condemnation. There is no person on the planet that can escape the consequences of defying God. No one can escape condemnation and the toll it extracts. Its impact may be felt in minutes or it may take years to play out. Condemnation is […]
Shepherd Press is pleased to announce the publication of the Lifeline Mini-book series. These unique books, larger and more robust than the typical counseling book, are still pocket-sized resources. Lifeline mini-books are a gospel-centered series written by people who are in the trenches of ministry. Each mini-book is practical and accessible, written for the person in the pew as well as for pastors and counselors. The mini-books address a broad range of Christian life and counseling issues, such as abuse, addiction, anger, finances, grief, qualities of a good church, military deployment, marital unfaithfulness, suicide, single parenting to name only a few. These books demonstrate that biblical counsel can be made simple without becoming shallow. There is real meat here: […]
The desire for instant gratification comes with a set of blinders at no extra charge. If what I want is what I want and I must have it now then there is little or no thought given to what happens when I get what I want. Blinders result in being blindsided. David gave no thought to what would happen after he had Bathsheba. Amnon could focus only on Tamar and never stopped to think that his lust would cost him his life. Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, thought only of the acclamation they would receive from people and thought nothing of lying to the Holy Spirit. These individuals thought only of their immediate cravings. This is exactly what the enemy […]
This is the third and final portion of our interview with Brian Hedges. Click here for part one. Click here for part two. Many Christians struggle with the balance between faith and works or grace and effort. When we recognize our continuing sins is the answer to just try harder or to believe more? Pastor Brian Hedges new book, Active Spirituality, helps to bring some clarity to these concerns. Brian has graciously consented to answer questions about this important topics. SP: We read Pilgrim’s Progress to our children as they grew up. Would you recommend that Christians do the same? How does Bunyan’s work help address the balance between grace and effort? Brian: Absolutely! The Pilgrim’s Progress is a great […]
This is the second part of this series of posts. Click here for part one. Click here for part three. Many Christians struggle with the balance between faith and works or grace and effort. When we recognize our continuing sins is the answer to just try harder or to believe more? Pastor Brian Hedges new book, Active Spirituality, helps to bring some clarity to these concerns. Brian has graciously consented to answer questions about this important topics. Brian, thanks for you time and insight in responding to these questions. SP: What does it mean to depend on the Spirit as comported to depending on my own effort? Brian: That’s a great (and difficult!) question. Let me try a short answer and […]
Interview with Brian Hedges, author of Active Spirituality and Christ Formed In You. This is the first in a series of posts. Click here for part two. Click here for part three. Many Christians struggle with the balance between faith and works or grace and effort. When we recognize our continuing sins is the answer to just try harder or to believe more? Pastor Brian Hedges’ new book, Active Spirituality, helps to bring some clarity to these concerns. Brian has graciously consented to answer questions about this important topics. Brian, thanks for you time and insight in responding to these questions. There will be three posts for these answers. Here is the first question and answer. Shepherd Press: What is […]
Active Spirituality is a book that will help make your faith real to you. Pastor and theologian, Brian Hedges, succeeds in making theology practical. In Active Spirituality, Brian Hedges allows us to read someone else’s mail — a series of warm pastoral letters, written to a young Christian, about the paradox of grace and effort in the life of faith. This book will ship in early June. Between now and then you can purchase the book at 50% discount at Shepherd Press. AND when you purchase the book you will receive a free copy of the ebook so you can being to benefit right away! Active Spirituality is $13.95 but you can purchase it now for 50% off and receive […]
Perhaps you are one of the millions of Christians who has been horrified at a thought like this: I don’t have a conversion story, I must not be saved. I sin too much so I can’t be saved. I don’t pray or read the Bible enough, I couldn’t possibly be saved. I think God is mad at me. I just don’t think God can forgive me. I am mad that I keep sinning. I am depressed. I have failed too many times as a parent. I have a nagging sense of guilt. If you fear that you might not actually be a Christian, join Todd Friel and Pastors RW Glenn and Brian G. Hedges as they gently lead you through […]
Biblically, self-control is not a behavior issue, as in “get control of yourself.” Rather, it is an issue of the gospel. Self-control is actively following what God wants via the instruction of the Spirit in his word. This makes self-control an issue of walking by the Spirit. (Galatians 5:13-23) Therefore, self-control is not about changing behavior. Self-control is the good yield of the Holy Spirit’s work producing his fruit. It is helpful to describe self-control this way: Self-control is the ability to say no to my wrong desires and yes to what God wants me to do. Prayer for Self-Control: Father, please help me to say no to sin and yes to obedience and pleasing you. I really want to […]