The importance of a good self-concept, self-identity, and self-esteem are wide spread today. Many people bring out various theories on the above without understanding the Biblical way of Christ. Every where we turn today even in Christian circles, we hear the need for self- esteem and ‘ego strength’. Self-help books, groups, publishers and even self-help for depression have become the back bone for our present ‘self-help culture’. Healing of the memories, visualization techniques, 12- step and other recovery programs, and self-image has become the way of life for common man and has become the thought pattern even among Christian circle.
What does the Bible talk about the above? The self-esteem issues that people have in today’s society are connected to the unhealthy expectations of other people. It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you, but if you trust the Lord, you are safe. (Proverbs 29:25). Your worth, (self-esteem) is not connected to your gross worth, to your successes, or to what any person may think of you. You are not defined by other people’s opinions, you are not defined by your job, and your self-esteem is not associated to your trophies or your accomplishments. When you have some understanding in your heart of what God thinks of you, how much He loves you, how precious you are in His sight, your self-esteem issues will change and you will never worry about another person’s opinion of you again. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. (Ephesians 3:18-19).
By building self-esteem through God's Word one will come to know who you are with confidence. No one will be able to shatter or break you again. “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth;" 11 Timothy 2:15. "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind: And that ye put on the "new man" which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness;" Ephesians 4:23-24.
You grow in Christ by changing your thoughts (Ephesians 4:23) with God's Word. As you act upon those thoughts you will be following Christ to receive your victory. So the process is easy by reading, meditating, and hearing God’s Word and acting upon it. Life is in God's Word which is in total contrast to Pop Psychology.
A Christian living as a carnal man is still living for himself, and will still evaluate the world from a false perspective. He will still behave selfishly, disobediently, and without compassion and it will be very easy for that person to psychologize God’s Word in order to worship ‘self’. He thinks, acts, feels and behaves like a un-believer and it is a tragedy!
Healing of the memories, visualization techniques, 12- step and other recovery programs, and self-image are the way of the world and is fatal and no amount of funding or strategic planning will change the destructive end toward which it plunges. Any one who psychologizes the Scriptures invariably finds themselves getting nowhere. Bible says in the last days even the elect will be deceived. Let us not be content to be an immature Christian, as was the case with many Hebrew believers! Heb: 5:11- 6:4. Abundant life is with God the Father, through Lord Jesus Christ because He is the way the truth and the life. Only His Spirit will be able to guide and lead us in this path of Truth without getting deceived.
References:
1. Dr. Larry Crabb, “Effective Biblical Counseling” How Caring Christians can Become Capable Counselors, (Hammersmith: Marshall Pickering, 1985, p. 100-104).
2. John G. Kruis, Quick Scripture Reference for Counseling, ‘Progressive Sanctification’ ( Grand rapids: Baker Books, 1988, 1994, 2000 p. 140-145)
3..The Matthew Henry Study Bible, ‘King James version’ The best of Matthew Henry’s Notes in a Handy One Volume Reference Bible, World Bible Publishers, Inc; 1994, Iowa Falls, U.S.A.
4. David Seeking A Heart Like His, ‘Beth Moore’ Life Way Christian resources, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, pgs: 206-210.
5. Jay E. Adams, ‘Critical Stages of Biblical Counseling’ Finishing Well, Breaking Through, Getting Started, (New Jersey: Zondervan, 2002, p.6-7)
6. Jay E. Adams, ‘How to Help People Change’ The Four-step Biblical Process, (Grand rapids: Zondervan, 1986, p. 20-28)
7. John F. MacArthur, JR. Wayne A. Mack & The Master’s College Faculty, ‘Introduction To Biblical Counseling’, “A Basic Guide To The Principles And Practice Of Counseling”(Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers,1994, P. 76-77)
8. Jay E. Adams, ‘The Christian Counselor’s Manual, The Practice of Nouthetic Counseling’ (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1973, p. 15-16, 21-23; 92-97)
9. Jay E. Adams, ‘Lectures on Counseling’ (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1978, p.192-203)
10. The Holy Bible, New King James version, Women of Destiny Bible, “Women Mentoring women Through the Scriptures” A Spirit Filled Life Bible, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, Copyright 1982.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Forgiveness
What is forgiveness? Forgiveness means not to dwell on the sin that was forgiven to the offender. It is a promise not to raise the issue again to the offender, or to others or himself or herself. Even ‘brooding on the issue’ is a violation of the promise made in granting forgiveness to the offender.
A definition for forgiveness could be -- giving up my right to hurt you, for hurting me. It is impossible to live on this fallen planet without getting hurt, offended, misunderstood, lied to, and rejected. Learning how to respond properly is one of the basics of the Christian life.1
The word “forgive” means to wipe the slate clean, to pardon, to
cancel a debt. When we wrong someone, we seek his or her forgiveness in order
for the relationship to be restored. It is important to remember that
forgiveness is not granted because a person deserves to be forgiven. Instead,
it is an act of love, mercy, and grace.2
Reconciliation is a complete change of relationships between persons; God and man;
and man, and man and this involves three basic elements.
a.) Confessing our sins to God, and to any
other offended party;
b.) Forgiveness by God and by the offended
party;
c.) Establishing a new relationship
between God and the offender; and the offender and the offended party.
Confession, forgiveness, and
reconciliation are very much related and in reconciliation, the enmity and
alienation are replaced by peace and fellowship.
God’s Mercy: “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Jesus Christ taught His disciples the Lord’s Prayer for forgiveness, and we stand before God’s mercy and grace every day for the sins of commission and omission.
(Debt vs. Trespasses) Several Greek words are used to describe sin, and the Gospel of Matthew uses the word, ophelema, which is rendered ‘debt’ Matt 6:12; and paraptoma, which is rendered ‘trespass’ in Matt 6:14. God will forgive us only as much as we forgive those who have injured us, and in the Lord’s Prayer we ask God to be merciful and forgive our sins. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 Jn 1:9).
Praying for forgiveness requires listening quietly in God’s presence so that He may reveal to us our own acts of disobedience, our resentments, and our unresolved issues in our hearts and even with our neighbors. As Christians we inevitably continue to sin, but our lives need to be characterized by a reducing frequency of sin with an increasing sensitivity to sin.
When God forgives a sinner, He marks a new beginning, and the old has gone. He wanted that the matters which the repentance concerned must be cleared up, and bear fruit which is appropriate to true repentance. This leads to change in relationships, which leads to the abandonment of old ways (putting off) and the establishment of new ways (putting on).
In some difficult cases, for example if the offended party refuses to give forgiveness, then the Scriptures in Matthew 18, comes into effect. The first step is the repentant party approaches the person regarding the issue and if that fails, he takes one or two witnesses. Jesus Christ makes the forgiveness of the repentant brother very mandatory, (Lk. 17).
It is very
understandable that the offended person is somewhat wary for a period
especially when the offense is adultery, homosexuality, or incest. There may be
a fear that the same transgression may be committed again. Forgiveness is not a
shock treatment which instantly wipes away the hurtful memories of the recent
past. The Biblical concept of forgiving and reconciling is a process and
building a new relationship with the offender poses the following 2 questions.
a) Has there been genuine repentance?
b) Has real forgiveness actually been granted?
Very often the Biblical concept of forgiving and forgetting is misinterpreted; and the Scriptures speak of fruit appropriate to repentance. When one forgives the offender, forgetting is not possible immediately instead, the one, who forgives, remembers the offense, and looks for the fruit or the results that accompany the true repentance.
Let us look at
the following illustration;
P -------à F1
---------àF2 -------àF3
P is the problem
F1 is
forgiveness
F2 is
fruit
F3 is forgetting
When the fruit is fully discerned, then forgetting becomes possible slowly and it is a process, and the desire and the willingness of the forgiven offender to build a new relationship with the one who has forgiven becomes very evident.
While God in His providence, sometimes may wish to bring about the consequences of sin in the life of the offender, for His purposes; Ps. 99:8, the forgiver has no right to take the providence in to their hands. However, when the consequence of sin becomes evident in the life of the offender, God does not intend to make the forgiven sinner suffer. Christ suffered for the sinner, and neither man nor God may require further atonement.3
God reconciles us to Himself through Christ and counts our sins against us no more. “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation” (2 Cori 5:18-19).
Websites:
1. Definition
for Forgiveness 1,2
www.allaboutgod.com › Forgiving
Others - Learn More! - Cached
Definition for Forgiveness -
Read a definition of forgiveness and thoughts about when to ...
The Bible gives us much instruction when it comes to forgiveness. ...
►References:
1.The Matthew Henry Study Bible, ‘King
James version’ The best of Matthew Henry’s Notes in a Handy One Volume
Reference Bible, World Bible Publishers, Inc; 1994, Iowa Falls, U.S.A.
2. Beth Moore, David Seeking A Heart Like
His, Life Way Christian resources, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, pgs: 206-210.
3. Jay E. Adams, ‘Critical Stages of
Biblical Counseling’ Finishing Well, Breaking Through, Getting Started, (
4. Jay E. Adams, ‘How to Help People
Change’ The Four-step Biblical Process, (Grand rapids: Zondervan, 1986, p.
20-28)
5. John F. MacArthur, JR. Wayne A.
Mack & The Master’s College Faculty, ‘Introduction To Biblical Counseling’,
“A Basic Guide To The Principles And Practice Of Counseling”(Nashville: Thomas
Nelson Publishers,1994, P. 76-77).
6. Jay E. Adams, ‘The Christian Counselor’s
Manual, The Practice of Nouthetic Counseling’ (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1973,
p. 15-16, 21-23; 61-703; 92-97).
7. Jay E. Adams, ‘Lectures on Counseling’
(Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1978, p.192-203).
8.The Holy Bible, New King James version,
Women of Destiny Bible, “Women Mentoring women Through the Scriptures” A Spirit
Filled Life Bible, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, Copyright
1982.
9. H. Michael Brewer, ‘Lessons from the
Carpenter’ An Apprentice Learns from Jesus, Published by Water Brook Press,
10. Jesus’ Teaching on Prayer, the Lord’s
Prayer, ‘Know God’s Power and Forgiveness Through the Seven Petitions’ Rose
Publishing,
11. Charles Price, Living Truth,
Experiencing Christ in You, ‘Journey into the Heart of God’ Charles,
Toronto.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Into the Heart of God?
Prayer builds relationship with God and intensifies the communication with Him. Talking is the key ingredient in building any relationship and Jesus Christ while He was in the planet earth taught the Disciples how to talk to God. He taught them the Lord’s Prayer which is based on the attributes and characteristics of God.
Let us look at the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13;
“Our Father which art in Heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name,
Thy Kingdome come.
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power and the glory, for ever”: Amen.
The first part of the Lord’s Prayer centers on God, putting God in His rightful place, in our priorities. The second part focuses on our needs- body, soul and spirit and the needs of others. In the Lord’s Prayer Jesus targets all of human behavior and character and reminds us that we always need Him. God wants us to depend on Him moment by moment and experience the good things from Him which He wants to provide. It is an encouragement that we come to God, not as an unreconciled, avenging Judge, but as a loving gracious Father who understand and knows our needs.
God’s Fatherly love: “Our Father which art in heaven” God is compassionate, loving, and merciful, gives life, protects those who trust Him, and longs for a deep relationship with His children. Jesus Christ, God’s one and only Son, taught us the Lord’s Prayer and asked us to approach God as Father. “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” Jn 1:12-13.
God’s Holiness: “Hallowed be The Name” To hallow means to make holy, and “hallow” God’s Name means to honor and make it sacred. When we pray, we enter the presence of the ‘Living God’ with reverence, thanksgiving, worship and praise. Thanksgiving recognizes that everything we have belongs to God, our talents, gifts, possessions, jobs and our children. As children of our ‘Living God’ do we believe this? “Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His holy hill: for the Lord our God is holy.” Psa 99:9. “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” Psa 24:1.
God’s Sovereignty: “Thy Kingdom come” The Almighty God has supreme power and authority over all things in heaven and on earth, and when we acknowledge that we welcome His reign in our lives! The ministry of Jesus Christ in this earth was “to proclaim freedom for the prisoners, to recover sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” Luk 4:18-19. His kingdom comes, and when Jesus reigns supreme, there will be no pain, sorrow, suffering, or evil again. “And in the days of these king, shall be the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.” Dan 2:44.
God’s Authority: “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” On earth human free will results in selfishness, greed and all kinds of evil. When we pray this prayer, we are praying that all people submit to the will of God over their own desires, and faithfully love God and neighbors as themselves. “Teach me to do Thy will; for thou art my God: Thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.” Psa 143:10. “And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed saying” O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.” Matt 26:39.
God’s Providence: “Give us this day our daily bread.” The Greek word for ‘bread’ not only represents food, but also every physical thing we need. When we ask God for our daily bread, it means asking God to provide for our material, physical, emotional, spiritual, volitional, and relational needs for that day. This could also include our daily needs of ministries, people, communities, leaders, family, friends and other personal needs and God commits Himself to provide for His children when we depend on His mercy. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matt6:33. “And Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” Jn 6:35.
God’s Mercy: “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” (Debt vs. Trespasses) Several Greek words are used to describe sin, and the Gospel of Matthew uses the word, ophelema, which is rendered ‘debt’ Matt 6:12; and paraptoma, which is rendered ‘trespass’ in Matt 6:14. God will forgive us only as much as we forgive those who have injured us, and in the Lord’s Prayer we ask God to be merciful and forgive our sins. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 Jn 1:9.
God’s Protection: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” God provides us a good defense we need to protect ourselves against the weapons of Satan and that is by praying for protection, we prepare each day for battle against evil. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”1 Cori 10:13.
“When our Christian experience becomes dry, there’s very little praying going on.” – Charles Price.
Jesus Christ not only encourages that relationship of trust with the Father, but willingly died a horrible death to purchase the right of believers in Christ, to be called children of God. Jesus Christ made it clear that the church’s mission is to lead people to Himself, and he commissioned to all His disciples to proclaim that Jesus is King and Lord over all; Matt 28: 18-20. While we learn to trust in God’s Sovereignty, and His ability to do His good will for our lives, we learn to trust His commands to exercise the muscles of our wills in prayer. Because of God’s Providence, compared to rest of the people on earth we are wealthy Christians! It is very easy to forget that Jehovah Jireh is our Provider!
Praying for forgiveness requires listening quietly in God’s presence so that He may reveal to us our own acts of disobedience, our resentments, and our unresolved issues in our hearts and even with our neighbors. As Christians we inevitably continue to sin, but our lives need to be characterized by a reducing frequency of sin with an increasing sensitivity to sin. It is a great privilege for believers and we can trust our Father in heaven who has promised not to leave us unprotected from the enemy, but to protect, deliver and forgive. Jesus Christ taught us to use God’s Name in honorable ways and for purposes that deepen and endear our bonds to Him. The more we learn to talk with God, the more we learn to please Him and we touch His heart!
References:
1.The Matthew Henry Study Bible, ‘King James version’ The best of Matthew Henry’s Notes in a Handy One Volume Reference Bible, World Bible Publishers, Inc; 1994, Iowa Falls, U.S.A.
2. David Seeking A Heart Like His, ‘Beth Moore’ Life Way Christian resources, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, pgs: 206-210.
3. Jay E. Adams, ‘Critical Stages of Biblical Counseling’ Finishing Well, Breaking Through, Getting Started, (New Jersey: Zondervan, 2002, p.6-7)
4. Jay E. Adams, ‘How to Help People Change’ The Four-step Biblical Process, (Grand rapids: Zondervan, 1986, p. 20-28)
5. John F. MacArthur, JR. Wayne A. Mack & The Master’s College Faculty, ‘Introduction To Biblical Counseling’, “A Basic Guide To The Principles And Practice Of Counseling”(Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers,1994, P. 76-77)
6. Jay E. Adams, ‘The Christian Counselor’s Manual, The Practice of Nouthetic Counseling’ (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1973, p. 15-16, 21-23; 92-97)
7. Jay E. Adams, ‘Lectures on Counseling’ (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1978, p.192-203)
8.The Holy Bible, New King James version, Women of Destiny Bible, “Women Mentoring women Through the Scriptures” A Spirit Filled Life Bible, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, Copyright 1982.
9. H. Michael Brewer, ‘Lessons from the Carpenter’ An Apprentice Learns from Jesus, Published by Water Brook Press, Colorado, 2006; pgs 50-59.
10. Jesus’ Teaching on Prayer, the Lord’s Prayer, ‘Know God’s Power and Forgiveness Through the Seven Petitions’ Rose Publishing, California.
11. Living Truth, Experiencing Christ in You, ‘Journey into the Heart of God’ Charles Price, Toronto.
Let us look at the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13;
“Our Father which art in Heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name,
Thy Kingdome come.
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power and the glory, for ever”: Amen.
The first part of the Lord’s Prayer centers on God, putting God in His rightful place, in our priorities. The second part focuses on our needs- body, soul and spirit and the needs of others. In the Lord’s Prayer Jesus targets all of human behavior and character and reminds us that we always need Him. God wants us to depend on Him moment by moment and experience the good things from Him which He wants to provide. It is an encouragement that we come to God, not as an unreconciled, avenging Judge, but as a loving gracious Father who understand and knows our needs.
God’s Fatherly love: “Our Father which art in heaven” God is compassionate, loving, and merciful, gives life, protects those who trust Him, and longs for a deep relationship with His children. Jesus Christ, God’s one and only Son, taught us the Lord’s Prayer and asked us to approach God as Father. “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” Jn 1:12-13.
God’s Holiness: “Hallowed be The Name” To hallow means to make holy, and “hallow” God’s Name means to honor and make it sacred. When we pray, we enter the presence of the ‘Living God’ with reverence, thanksgiving, worship and praise. Thanksgiving recognizes that everything we have belongs to God, our talents, gifts, possessions, jobs and our children. As children of our ‘Living God’ do we believe this? “Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His holy hill: for the Lord our God is holy.” Psa 99:9. “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” Psa 24:1.
God’s Sovereignty: “Thy Kingdom come” The Almighty God has supreme power and authority over all things in heaven and on earth, and when we acknowledge that we welcome His reign in our lives! The ministry of Jesus Christ in this earth was “to proclaim freedom for the prisoners, to recover sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” Luk 4:18-19. His kingdom comes, and when Jesus reigns supreme, there will be no pain, sorrow, suffering, or evil again. “And in the days of these king, shall be the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.” Dan 2:44.
God’s Authority: “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” On earth human free will results in selfishness, greed and all kinds of evil. When we pray this prayer, we are praying that all people submit to the will of God over their own desires, and faithfully love God and neighbors as themselves. “Teach me to do Thy will; for thou art my God: Thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.” Psa 143:10. “And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed saying” O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.” Matt 26:39.
God’s Providence: “Give us this day our daily bread.” The Greek word for ‘bread’ not only represents food, but also every physical thing we need. When we ask God for our daily bread, it means asking God to provide for our material, physical, emotional, spiritual, volitional, and relational needs for that day. This could also include our daily needs of ministries, people, communities, leaders, family, friends and other personal needs and God commits Himself to provide for His children when we depend on His mercy. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matt6:33. “And Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” Jn 6:35.
God’s Mercy: “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” (Debt vs. Trespasses) Several Greek words are used to describe sin, and the Gospel of Matthew uses the word, ophelema, which is rendered ‘debt’ Matt 6:12; and paraptoma, which is rendered ‘trespass’ in Matt 6:14. God will forgive us only as much as we forgive those who have injured us, and in the Lord’s Prayer we ask God to be merciful and forgive our sins. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 Jn 1:9.
God’s Protection: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” God provides us a good defense we need to protect ourselves against the weapons of Satan and that is by praying for protection, we prepare each day for battle against evil. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”1 Cori 10:13.
“When our Christian experience becomes dry, there’s very little praying going on.” – Charles Price.
Jesus Christ not only encourages that relationship of trust with the Father, but willingly died a horrible death to purchase the right of believers in Christ, to be called children of God. Jesus Christ made it clear that the church’s mission is to lead people to Himself, and he commissioned to all His disciples to proclaim that Jesus is King and Lord over all; Matt 28: 18-20. While we learn to trust in God’s Sovereignty, and His ability to do His good will for our lives, we learn to trust His commands to exercise the muscles of our wills in prayer. Because of God’s Providence, compared to rest of the people on earth we are wealthy Christians! It is very easy to forget that Jehovah Jireh is our Provider!
Praying for forgiveness requires listening quietly in God’s presence so that He may reveal to us our own acts of disobedience, our resentments, and our unresolved issues in our hearts and even with our neighbors. As Christians we inevitably continue to sin, but our lives need to be characterized by a reducing frequency of sin with an increasing sensitivity to sin. It is a great privilege for believers and we can trust our Father in heaven who has promised not to leave us unprotected from the enemy, but to protect, deliver and forgive. Jesus Christ taught us to use God’s Name in honorable ways and for purposes that deepen and endear our bonds to Him. The more we learn to talk with God, the more we learn to please Him and we touch His heart!
References:
1.The Matthew Henry Study Bible, ‘King James version’ The best of Matthew Henry’s Notes in a Handy One Volume Reference Bible, World Bible Publishers, Inc; 1994, Iowa Falls, U.S.A.
2. David Seeking A Heart Like His, ‘Beth Moore’ Life Way Christian resources, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, pgs: 206-210.
3. Jay E. Adams, ‘Critical Stages of Biblical Counseling’ Finishing Well, Breaking Through, Getting Started, (New Jersey: Zondervan, 2002, p.6-7)
4. Jay E. Adams, ‘How to Help People Change’ The Four-step Biblical Process, (Grand rapids: Zondervan, 1986, p. 20-28)
5. John F. MacArthur, JR. Wayne A. Mack & The Master’s College Faculty, ‘Introduction To Biblical Counseling’, “A Basic Guide To The Principles And Practice Of Counseling”(Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers,1994, P. 76-77)
6. Jay E. Adams, ‘The Christian Counselor’s Manual, The Practice of Nouthetic Counseling’ (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1973, p. 15-16, 21-23; 92-97)
7. Jay E. Adams, ‘Lectures on Counseling’ (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1978, p.192-203)
8.The Holy Bible, New King James version, Women of Destiny Bible, “Women Mentoring women Through the Scriptures” A Spirit Filled Life Bible, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, Copyright 1982.
9. H. Michael Brewer, ‘Lessons from the Carpenter’ An Apprentice Learns from Jesus, Published by Water Brook Press, Colorado, 2006; pgs 50-59.
10. Jesus’ Teaching on Prayer, the Lord’s Prayer, ‘Know God’s Power and Forgiveness Through the Seven Petitions’ Rose Publishing, California.
11. Living Truth, Experiencing Christ in You, ‘Journey into the Heart of God’ Charles Price, Toronto.
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