Waiting on God can be a refreshing or a frustrating time--according to how you face the moment! “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength…” Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV) Do you enjoy waiting in a long line to make a purchase? Of course not, you want to pay for your product and move on to the next task awaiting you. Spiritually, we sometimes have to stand in a long line, waiting our turn to receive our next assignment, virtue, correction, or instruction. But, waiting requires patience and patience requires perseverance and perseverance requires godliness. According to Scripture, when you wait on the Lord, you get stronger. The person who walks in a love relationship with God finds strength in waiting with Him. So much is learned about life during this meditative time. God … [Read more...]
Amazing Testimony of A Gentle Spirit!
This amazing testimony gives evidence of a truly gentle spirit. May this warm your heart as you read! Dr. Henry Brandt and I were asked to be consultants for an organization that Chuck Colson began called Prison Fellowship. One of the prisons that we consulted was in Houston, Texas. The leaders asked us to train their counselors and staff in biblical counseling and put together a program of discipleship for the inmates in the program. One of the requirements for entering the program was that a participant could possibly be paroled in eighteen to twenty-four months. After all, if they were going to be released, then releasing a person empowered by Christ instead of empowered by their flesh would be much preferred. One of the men in the group was there for committing murder. He had … [Read more...]
Feelings Can Really Hurt!
Feelings can really hurt! I hear that statement often. But just what does that really mean? Autonomic Nervous System There are certain emotional centers in the brain that are linked to the entire body through the autonomic nervous system. This system can be compared to the wires that carry electricity from a main power source to all the outlets in your house. Charges of emotions are relayed from the brain, down the spinal cord, and through the autonomic nerves to the blood vessels, muscle tissues, mucous membranes, and skin. So when you are under emotional stress, all parts of your body can be subject to physical discomfort because of a change in blood nourishment, glandular function, or muscle tone. For example, a speaker who is about to be introduced before a crowd oftentimes is … [Read more...]
Two Kinds of Patience
There are two basic kinds of patience, active and inactive patience. Inactive patience simply waits on things to happen. Inactive patience thinks, “Well I hope it all works out.” It is like a prisoner waiting out time in a jail cell. “I’m not going to try to escape. I’m not going to try to redeem myself. I’m not going to try to talk to an attorney, even though I may have been put in here unjustly, I’m just going to wait it out.” Active patience is like a soldier whose focus is victory. He is systematically working toward victory. This person endures all the difficulties that are required to capture the situation. Whatever it takes to accomplish the task, active patience will pursue. This active patience gets the job done. Have you ever heard this statement: “Well I’m just waiting on … [Read more...]
What is My Problem?
What is my problem? I hear this question asked over and over by sincere people looking for solutions to difficulties in life. Most often the issue is about overcoming anxiety, stress, and frustration. Let’s first set the context by considering this passage from Proverbs: Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones. (Prov. 3:7-8). One of our responsibilities as Christians is to be witnesses to weary travelers who are trying to use human resources to deal with sin. The collapse of family life and the escalation of dishonesty, stealing, violence, crime, physical and sexual abuse speaks for itself. Our world needs a good dose of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, … [Read more...]
Hesitation Delays Growth
Hesitation delays growth, immediate obedience promotes growth. Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him (Matthew 4:19-20). Spiritually you are built to obey–not disobey. When you walk in the Spirit, everything within you desires to follow your Lord. When you hesitate to obey, you miss out on the great adventures of a growing relationship with God. Delayed obedience delays our spiritual growth and weakens the foundation that God wants to build in your life for future obedience and growth. Christ called out followers in His day and He is still looking for immediate obedience from followers in our day. Followers of Christ are recognized by their practice of immediate obedience. When walking in the Spirit, … [Read more...]
Careful on Making that Decision!
Careful on making that decision! Maybe you need to think that through a little more! Are you really sure that is right? Ever heard this from a friend or family member? They probably had your best interest at heart and just wanted you to make sure of your decision. Simple Choices? There was a time when purchasing a new appliance was a reasonably simple decision. Why? The choice was only between a few models. Today, we research for days to find what color, features, size, and how good the warranty is before making a purchase. There are so many choices. This mind-set attempts to analyze every facet of a decision from a human perspective. Yet, when it comes to our spiritual life, we may not spend the time necessary in the study of God’s Word and prayer to make a godly decision. Take time to … [Read more...]
A Gentle Spirit
A gentile spirit is not often observed in our day. Many have harsh spirits displayed openly to all. Do you have a long or a short fuse? It is rare that a person remains gentle every hour of every day. When a believer is harsh and disgruntled it is not because the fruit of the Spirit is not available–it is because he/she is walking in the flesh. You can either walk in the Spirit or walk in the flesh, but you cannot do both at the same time. Have you ever been to Disney World? It is proclaimed as the happiest place on earth! My wife and I were visiting there and observed many families. They were supposed to be happy in this happiest place on earth. While watching those families we discovered that not everyone was happy. Many of them had short fuses. Their wonderful environment did not … [Read more...]
Who Knows the Truth?
Who knows the truth anyway? How can one determine truth based on information that comes from many different sources? This is a valid question to ask, particularly in 2017! If sin is the problem then proper knowledge of it and how to deal with it is absolutely critical. In 1973, Dr. Carl Menninger wrote a book entitled Whatever Became of Sin? In it he noted that in 1953 (20 years before he wrote the book) President Eisenhower quoted Lincoln as part of his declaration of a day of prayer: It is the duty of nations, as well as of men to own their independence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions in humble, sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon. Dr. Menninger emphasizes that for the next 20 years … [Read more...]
The Heart of the Problem (Anger-part 5 of 5)
Dealing with anger is the single greatest issue that comes to the consulting room. Though many deny it to be their problem, many more realize that it is the problem. *This five-part series is an overview of The Heart of the Problem book/workbook. If you discover help in these articles, I encourage you to purchase the workbook at www.kerryskinner.com and go deeper in your discovery. If the article is helpful to you, please forward it to your friends, or post it on facebook, linked in, or twitter. God bless you in your studies! Anger is One Letter Away from Danger! Have you ever lost your keys? What was your response? Have you ever been cut off in traffic? What was your response? Is being a little bit angry like being a little bit pregnant? The one single problem that … [Read more...]
