It’s one of those weeks with interesting phone calls, facebook messages, meetings and emails. It’s not even just because I stepped in it (more below). There are other hard conversations and emails in completely other directions. Man, you’d think I was paid to be a pastor. Anyway, I really need to thank everyone for your encouragement. It makes me feel good to know I’ve encouraged you in some way and blesses me so much to find out you’ve been praying [...] Read more »
Annoucing: The Freedom of Forgiveness AudioBook
Unforgiveness is the greatest inhibitor of spiritual maturity in the body of Christ. Too many people don’t understand what forgiveness is or the freedom that it brings. Learn what the Bible says about forgiveness and how to apply it to your life. Listen Now: [Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download Immediately at Expectancy Press (subscribers to my newsletter get this as an unannounced bonus) Read more »
Blessing Boundaries Can Be For A Biblical Command
Scripture is that God won’t honor sin. David said about God: When you rebuke and discipline anyone for their sin, ? you consume their wealth like a moth— ? surely everyone is but a breath. Psalm 39:11 (New International Version, ©2010) Could your lack be because of sin in your life? The Good News is with God there is forgiveness and grace. There are all kinds of excuses Christians use to sin. Stop using those excuses and decide to do right. Now we [...] Read more »
Announcing: How Confession and Forgiveness Heals eBook
Many Christians struggle with condemnation. We desire change. We want to break bad habits and develop godly character but our attempts often end in frustration. We have incredible encounters with God that change us for a short time, but back we go to the same behaviour. We desire to walk in another direction, to repent, but we keep on repeating the same sinful patterns over and over again. This booklet provides a way out by reminding us that the real [...] Read more »
How To Respond to Criticism
This has been one of those kinds of weeks. I’m not discouraged, but more amazed at the emerging pattern. I have a muslim who calls himself a cleric who wants to debate me on Twitter. I have a reader who keeps emailing me arguments from 1800 years ago who I sense wants me to convert to gnosticism. I’ve told them both, “I wasn’t argued to the faith I have, I can’t be argued from it.” I’ve never really seen debates [...] Read more »
Does God Use Shame To Change Me?
This is another question from a reader. I’ve put my thoughts together for her. You can share yours in the comments below. You may have other thoughts I haven’t come up with. Question: Pastor, I have a question. Before I got saved I had a big ego thank God that is gone now that I am saved. My sister-in-law used to envy me and compete with me on looks. Then I got saved and a new person came out. [...] Read more »
How to Be Healed of the Inner Wounds
To live unoffended at God, it’s not simply a matter of willing our minds to think different thoughts. Wounds are where the strongholds in our thinking take root. We need to be healed of these wounds. If you don’t know why you’re offended, but you know you are because your admittedly standoff-ish with the Father, or you don’t like hearing other’s testimonies or you’re quick to take offense at others, ask Him to show you the root wound using these [...] Read more »
How Do I Forgive Myself?
I was being interviewed by someone on his internet radio show and we got on the topic of forgiveness. He mentioned his need to forgive himself. He saw it as a noble cross to bear. It help him realize how depraved he truly was. I interrupted him. He was justifying living under condemnation. I told him, “Listen, there is a way to get past those overwhelming thoughts.” For a long time my response to this question of “do I need [...] Read more »
How to Stop the Blame Game with God?
This question was asked in a comment on a blog post. I really needed more time to develop an answer. Thanks to everyone who has left comments and tweeted out my blog posts. We’ve got over 1600 on just over 500 posts! Awesome! Question: Rob Sharp riverleadershipschool.com I agree with your post (http://revtrev.com/forgiveness/forgiving-the-father/) that we don’t need to forgive God! spot on. But its being a little theologically correct in an emotional issue. It is like the ‘I don’t believe [...] Read more »
Do I Have to Forgive the Person Who Has Done Nothing to Deserve It?
We’re continuing the story of a friend who was seeing demons who asked us to come and help. We found out he wouldn’t forgive his wife who betrayed him or his father who was harsh with him. This was based on a lie that someone in authority told him. “If God doesn’t forgive us until we ask for it, we don’t forgive others until they deserve it.” That’s not what Matthew 18:21-35 says: Then Peter came and said to Him, [...] Read more »