Grasping Demand & Self Exaltation James 4:1 and 4:12 sound the two key themes that lie at the heart of conflict: grasping demand and self-exaltation. Each of us says, in effect, “My will be done, and damn you if you cross me.” To find God’s solution to conflicts, you must ask and answer the questions,…
Bondage of shame: Shame causes me to believe that God’s fundamental attitude towards me is rejection. Shame overpowers my will to keep fighting, filling me with despair. Shame is a deadly form of pride because it condemns me for failing to be my own savior. Shame drives me into isolation because I fear being found…
Recently, a small, privately owned plane was deemed to be too close to the location of President Barack Obama. The results: several F-16 fighter planes were scrambled and they “escorted” the civilian plane to a safe location at an airport some distance away. This has happened several times during Obama’s Presidency. Why is it done?…
Failure to Understand the Ministry of Parenting! You will turn moments of ministry into moments of anger. You will personalize what is not personal You will be adversarial in your response. Rather than “I am for you,” instead “You are against me!” You will settle for quick situational solutions that don’t get to the heart…
Consider how Jesus Himself replaces the following types of pride with His own humility: • Birth and rank? “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?” (Matt. 13:55). • Wealth? “The Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Matt. 8:20). • Respectability? “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” (John 1:46). • Personal appearance? “He had…
