Celebrating Jesus' Birth by Joyce Meyer

Behold, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel—which, when translated, means, God with us. –Matthew 1:23

Jesus came into the world so we could be redeemed from our sins, know God, and experience His very best in our lives. He wants to have close fellowship with us and to be invited into everything about us. This is why one of the names of God, Emmanuel, means, “God with us.” He wants to be with us, intimately involved in our lives. He wants us to know His voice and follow Him.

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JESUS RANSOMED US by David Wilkerson

By Adam's sin, we all were made sinners and by Jesus' sacrifice, we are made righteous. Jesus ransomed us, paid the price, so that the devil would have no claim on those who repent and trust in Christ and His completed work....

...When Jesus ascended to the Father, His perfect obedience had fulfilled all the demands of the law and His blood was presented in full payment for our sin. Here stood a Man in the presence of God whose righteousness was perfect and therefore acceptable to the Father.


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God's Word is the Best Counselor!

Godly Counsel: Scriptures For Today's World 

By Dr. Brian Campbell - Assisted by Rev. Jim Angelakos

The Bible is best mental health text book ever written! And God's Word is the best counselor. "Godly Counsel: Scriptures For Today's World" focuses on 33 topics relevant to psychological problems encountered by Christians. It is designed for people who are hurting and the counselors who help them.

Whatever your problem or concern may be, there is no greater authority for living than God's Holy Word. "Godly Counsel" contains over 1400 scriptures for counsel and guidance.

Topics: Abortion; Addictions; Adolescent Rebellion; Anger; Anxiety/Worry/Fear; Backsliding; Belief/Salvation; Christ, Who He Is; Citizenship; Communication; Death & Dying; Depression; Divorce; Forgive/Forgiveness; Grief; Judgmental; Love; Marriage; Money/Riches; Parenting; Persecution; Prayer; Pride; Self-Esteem, Low; Sexual Sin; Sin; Suffering; Temptation; Thinking, Healthy; Trouble/Hardship; Truth; Unemployment; Weak/Tired

From Fear to Forgiveness by Joyce Meyer

I was about 45 years old and still suffering from the painful abuse I experienced as a child when I felt an unquestionable urge to confront my dad. God was showing me that facing my abuser was the only way to break the cycle of fear in my life.

It was extremely hard for me to do because I knew I would experience his anger again, and I did. But I also accomplished what God was leading me to do. And it helped me break free.

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Christlike, Walking the Walk by Dr. Brian Campbell

Christlike, Walking the Walk

Authored by Dr. Brian Campbell, Assisted by Rev. Jim Angelakos, Forward by Rev. Dwight Bain

What does a mentally healthy Christian look like? How does s/he think, react emotionally, and behave? Christian psychologist, Dr. Brian Campbell, delves deeply into the scriptures to give you a unique insight into the mind of a mentally healthy Christian, while at the same time showing you how the truths contained in God's word can help set you free from the tyrrany of false beliefs and lies prevalent in our culture.

How to Study the Bible by Joyce Meyer

I've spent about 30 years studying God's Word, and it has totally changed my life. I thank God for what I know now, but it didn't come overnight. If you want to see areas of your life change, learn to truly study the Bible.

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Godly Counsel" 1400 Scriptures for Counsel and Guidance.

Godly Counsel: Scriptures For Today's World 

By Dr. Brian Campbell - Assisted by Rev. Jim Angelakos

The Bible is best mental health text book ever written! And God's Word is the best counselor. "Godly Counsel: Scriptures For Today's World" focuses on 33 topics relevant to psychological problems encountered by Christians. It is designed for people who are hurting and the counselors who help them.

Whatever your problem or concern may be, there is no greater authority for living than God's Holy Word. "Godly Counsel" contains over 1400 scriptures for counsel and guidance.

Topics: Abortion; Addictions; Adolescent Rebellion; Anger; Anxiety/Worry/Fear; Backsliding; Belief/Salvation; Christ, Who He Is; Citizenship; Communication; Death & Dying; Depression; Divorce; Forgive/Forgiveness; Grief; Judgmental; Love; Marriage; Money/Riches; Parenting; Persecution; Prayer; Pride; Self-Esteem, Low; Sexual Sin; Sin; Suffering; Temptation; Thinking, Healthy; Trouble/Hardship; Truth; Unemployment; Weak/Tired

CREDITED TO OUR ACCOUNT by David Wilkerson

We will never be justified or accepted as righteous before God unless we stand before Him with Christ's perfect righteousness as our own. That is the only righteousness God will ever recognize, so how can we receive Christ's perfect righteousness?

The heavenly Father imputes it to us through our faith. "Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works . . ." (Romans 4:6). Paul quotes David as saying, "The richest, most blessed, most peaceful man on earth is the one who understands he has a perfect righteousness imputed to him — without works!" 

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Christlike, Walking the Walk by Dr. Brian Campbell

Christlike, Walking the Walk

Authored by Dr. Brian Campbell, Assisted by Rev. Jim Angelakos, Forward by Rev. Dwight Bain

What does a mentally healthy Christian look like? How does s/he think, react emotionally, and behave? Christian psychologist, Dr. Brian Campbell, delves deeply into the scriptures to give you a unique insight into the mind of a mentally healthy Christian, while at the same time showing you how the truths contained in God's word can help set you free from the tyrrany of false beliefs and lies prevalent in our culture.

Loving God, Yourself & Others by Joyce Meyer

Love requires action. It's not a thing we try to get for ourselves, but instead is an action we express to others through sharing and serving.

Because love is an action, I believe there are three different forms of love God has instructed us to demonstrate, or "live out." Each one needs to be in balance so they can work together. As you read on, consider whether each one is well-balanced in your life or needs some adjustments.

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Overcoming Psychological Problems Resource!

Godly Counsel: Scriptures For Today's World 

By Dr. Brian Campbell - Assisted by Rev. Jim Angelakos

The Bible is best mental health text book ever written! And God's Word is the best counselor. "Godly Counsel: Scriptures For Today's World" focuses on 33 topics relevant to psychological problems encountered by Christians. It is designed for people who are hurting and the counselors who help them.

Whatever your problem or concern may be, there is no greater authority for living than God's Holy Word. "Godly Counsel" contains over 1400 scriptures for counsel and guidance.

Topics: Abortion; Addictions; Adolescent Rebellion; Anger; Anxiety/Worry/Fear; Backsliding; Belief/Salvation; Christ, Who He Is; Citizenship; Communication; Death & Dying; Depression; Divorce; Forgive/Forgiveness; Grief; Judgmental; Love; Marriage; Money/Riches; Parenting; Persecution; Prayer; Pride; Self-Esteem, Low; Sexual Sin; Sin; Suffering; Temptation; Thinking, Healthy; Trouble/Hardship; Truth; Unemployment; Weak/Tired

THE POWER OF FAITH by David Wilkerson

Oh, what a wonderful thing the power of faith is!

God's Word tells us that Christ paid for the sin of humankind with His own blood at the cross; that He fulfilled the law and removed the curse; that He ransomed us from the claims of hell and the devil; that He lived a sinless life, keeping the law at every point; and that He will present us before the Father with a perfect righteousness.

The Word goes on to tell us we can have Christ's perfect righteousness attributed to us — that God will consider us as perfectly righteous in Jesus — if only we will believe what He has accomplished for us. Please understand that I am speaking of those who have repented of their sins. 

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Christlike, Walking the Walk by Dr. Brian Campbell

Christlike, Walking the Walk

Authored by Dr. Brian Campbell, Assisted by Rev. Jim Angelakos, Forward by Rev. Dwight Bain

What does a mentally healthy Christian look like? How does s/he think, react emotionally, and behave? Christian psychologist, Dr. Brian Campbell, delves deeply into the scriptures to give you a unique insight into the mind of a mentally healthy Christian, while at the same time showing you how the truths contained in God's word can help set you free from the tyrrany of false beliefs and lies prevalent in our culture.

Create Great Relationships by Joyce Meyer

Do you get along well with people?

It's an important question because, let's face it, people are everywhere. People are in your family…on your job…in your neighborhood… You can't get away from them. And the people in your life are not always the way you would like them to be.

Your ability to get along with people greatly impacts the quality of your life. That's why it's important to know how to relate to all kinds of people—not just people who are like you.

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YOU BELONG TO HIM! by David Wilkerson

In Song of Solomon, the Lord says of his bride: "How fair and how pleasant art thou, O love, for delights!" (Song of Solomon 7:6). Three of the Hebrew words in this verse are synonymous: fair (meaning "precious"), pleasant (indicating "pleasure"), and delights.

These words describe Jesus' thoughts toward His bride as He beholds her. He looks at her and says, "How beautiful, sweet and delightful you are. You are precious to me, O love!" And in turn, the bride boasts, "I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me" (verse 10). The meaning here is, "He runs after me with delight. He chases me because I am so precious to him!"

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BUILDING ON THE ROCK by David Wilkerson

If you say you're a Christian — that you love Jesus and walk in obedience to Him — yet you neglect Him day after day by not praying, then you really don't know Him. Your house is not on the rock, it’s on sand and it's going to collapse completely in hard times.

You cannot get to know Jesus only by going to church. You must have a day-by-day, hour-by-hour conversation with the Lord. You must get to know Him, grow to love Him, and desire to know what pleases Him. 


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Spiritual Wellness and Health Resource!

Godly Counsel: Scriptures For Today's World 

By Dr. Brian Campbell - Assisted by Rev. Jim Angelakos

The Bible is best mental health text book ever written! And God's Word is the best counselor. "Godly Counsel: Scriptures For Today's World" focuses on 33 topics relevant to psychological problems encountered by Christians. It is designed for people who are hurting and the counselors who help them.

Whatever your problem or concern may be, there is no greater authority for living than God's Holy Word. "Godly Counsel" contains over 1400 scriptures for counsel and guidance.

Topics: Abortion; Addictions; Adolescent Rebellion; Anger; Anxiety/Worry/Fear; Backsliding; Belief/Salvation; Christ, Who He Is; Citizenship; Communication; Death & Dying; Depression; Divorce; Forgive/Forgiveness; Grief; Judgmental; Love; Marriage; Money/Riches; Parenting; Persecution; Prayer; Pride; Self-Esteem, Low; Sexual Sin; Sin; Suffering; Temptation; Thinking, Healthy; Trouble/Hardship; Truth; Unemployment; Weak/Tired

The Key to Overcoming Every Fear You Face by Joyce Meyer

Everyone experiences fear in their life. There are big fears we are very aware of and little ones we may not even realize we have.

I've learned that it's very important to understand what fear is and how it works against us because if we don't, it can keep us from becoming what God created us to be, which means we won't fulfill our purpose in life.

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Christlike, Walking the Walk by Dr. Brian Campbell

Christlike, Walking the Walk

Authored by Dr. Brian Campbell, Assisted by Rev. Jim Angelakos, Forward by Rev. Dwight Bain

What does a mentally healthy Christian look like? How does s/he think, react emotionally, and behave? Christian psychologist, Dr. Brian Campbell, delves deeply into the scriptures to give you a unique insight into the mind of a mentally healthy Christian, while at the same time showing you how the truths contained in God's word can help set you free from the tyrrany of false beliefs and lies prevalent in our culture.

THE BEST IS YET AHEAD! by David Wilkerson

Perhaps during times of affliction you have almost fainted. You may have been so weak and weary you thought you couldn't go another step. But now, from where you stand, you can say, "I never want to go through that again but God brought me out. He has been faithful. Praise the Lord!"

God is not satisfied with a heartfelt "thank you" from us. Rather, He says, "Wait just a moment, My child. I did not bring you through all those troubles and afflictions just to make you a grateful overcomer. I've spent years training you, putting you through all these things for a purpose, and I'm not going to let you waste them now. I fully intend for my investment to pay off. I tell you, your best work is ahead of you!" 

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Pastors Gift and Resource!

Godly Counsel: Scriptures For Today's World 

By Dr. Brian Campbell - Assisted by Rev. Jim Angelakos

The Bible is best mental health text book ever written! And God's Word is the best counselor. "Godly Counsel: Scriptures For Today's World" focuses on 33 topics relevant to psychological problems encountered by Christians. It is designed for people who are hurting and the counselors who help them.

Whatever your problem or concern may be, there is no greater authority for living than God's Holy Word. "Godly Counsel" contains over 1400 scriptures for counsel and guidance.

Topics: Abortion; Addictions; Adolescent Rebellion; Anger; Anxiety/Worry/Fear; Backsliding; Belief/Salvation; Christ, Who He Is; Citizenship; Communication; Death & Dying; Depression; Divorce; Forgive/Forgiveness; Grief; Judgmental; Love; Marriage; Money/Riches; Parenting; Persecution; Prayer; Pride; Self-Esteem, Low; Sexual Sin; Sin; Suffering; Temptation; Thinking, Healthy; Trouble/Hardship; Truth; Unemployment; Weak/Tired

Win the Battle with Power Thoughts by Joyce Meyer

I believe one of the most important things I can teach you is that your thoughts are powerful and they will actually determine your future. Have you heard the saying, "It's all in your mind"? Well, that's exactly where our successes and victories begin. You can think yourself into a mess or you can think yourself into a place of victory.

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The Mind Is the Battlefield

 Video: 

Christlike, Walking the Walk by Dr. Brian Campbell

Christlike, Walking the Walk

Authored by Dr. Brian Campbell, Assisted by Rev. Jim Angelakos, Forward by Rev. Dwight Bain

What does a mentally healthy Christian look like? How does s/he think, react emotionally, and behave? Christian psychologist, Dr. Brian Campbell, delves deeply into the scriptures to give you a unique insight into the mind of a mentally healthy Christian, while at the same time showing you how the truths contained in God's word can help set you free from the tyrrany of false beliefs and lies prevalent in our culture.

Six Ways to Find Unforgiveness and Remove It by Joyce Meyer

Most all of us like getting promoted, and there's nothing wrong with that. But sometimes we fail tests in certain areas that keep us from getting promoted.

Areas like forgiveness.

If someone has hurt you, don't spend the next 10 years of your life hurting yourself by hanging on to that offense. Most likely, that other person isn't even thinking about you, while you dwell on the incident for years. That only hurts one person—you.

You see, when you forgive someone, you are helping yourself.
 
To help you understand the importance of forgiveness, here are six ways to detect unforgiveness in your own heart. Once exposed, you'll be one step closer to your personal promotion from God.

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Disciples Resource!

Godly Counsel: Scriptures For Today's World 

By Dr. Brian Campbell - Assisted by Rev. Jim Angelakos

The Bible is best mental health text book ever written! And God's Word is the best counselor. "Godly Counsel: Scriptures For Today's World" focuses on 33 topics relevant to psychological problems encountered by Christians. It is designed for people who are hurting and the counselors who help them.

Whatever your problem or concern may be, there is no greater authority for living than God's Holy Word. "Godly Counsel" contains over 1400 scriptures for counsel and guidance.

Topics: Abortion; Addictions; Adolescent Rebellion; Anger; Anxiety/Worry/Fear; Backsliding; Belief/Salvation; Christ, Who He Is; Citizenship; Communication; Death & Dying; Depression; Divorce; Forgive/Forgiveness; Grief; Judgmental; Love; Marriage; Money/Riches; Parenting; Persecution; Prayer; Pride; Self-Esteem, Low; Sexual Sin; Sin; Suffering; Temptation; Thinking, Healthy; Trouble/Hardship; Truth; Unemployment; Weak/Tired

FULL OF HOPE by David Wilkerson

Joshua and Caleb were among the twelve spies sent to spy out the Promised Land. They didn't shed tears, bemoaning the conditions they had found. Rather, they rejoiced after searching out the land and came back full of hope, faith and vision.

Do you know Christians like this? They are always rejoicing. You know they are enduring awful trials, yet they seem to know how to get hold of God in the midst of their situation.

What about you? Are you always down, always complaining? Perhaps your personal problems or family situations have possessed you and eaten up your soul. Beloved, no matter what you are going through, you are precious to God. If you come to Him with a repentant heart and a hungry soul, He will give you His vision and hope. 

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Christlike, Walking the Walk by Dr. Brian Campbell

Christlike, Walking the Walk

Authored by Dr. Brian Campbell, Assisted by Rev. Jim Angelakos, Forward by Rev. Dwight Bain

What does a mentally healthy Christian look like? How does s/he think, react emotionally, and behave? Christian psychologist, Dr. Brian Campbell, delves deeply into the scriptures to give you a unique insight into the mind of a mentally healthy Christian, while at the same time showing you how the truths contained in God's word can help set you free from the tyrrany of false beliefs and lies prevalent in our culture.

The Reality of Being More Than a Conqueror in Life by Joyce Meyer

Romans 8:37 says that Christians are “more than conquerors” in this world. But do we really know what it means to be more than a conqueror? I know it took many years for me to learn what it means and how to live the victorious life Jesus died to give us as believers.

Learning to Conquer...

Mentors Resource!

Godly Counsel: Scriptures For Today's World 

By Dr. Brian Campbell - Assisted by Rev. Jim Angelakos

The Bible is best mental health text book ever written! And God's Word is the best counselor. "Godly Counsel: Scriptures For Today's World" focuses on 33 topics relevant to psychological problems encountered by Christians. It is designed for people who are hurting and the counselors who help them.

Whatever your problem or concern may be, there is no greater authority for living than God's Holy Word. "Godly Counsel" contains over 1400 scriptures for counsel and guidance.

Topics: Abortion; Addictions; Adolescent Rebellion; Anger; Anxiety/Worry/Fear; Backsliding; Belief/Salvation; Christ, Who He Is; Citizenship; Communication; Death & Dying; Depression; Divorce; Forgive/Forgiveness; Grief; Judgmental; Love; Marriage; Money/Riches; Parenting; Persecution; Prayer; Pride; Self-Esteem, Low; Sexual Sin; Sin; Suffering; Temptation; Thinking, Healthy; Trouble/Hardship; Truth; Unemployment; Weak/Tired

The Reach 3 Challenge

The Reach 3 Challenge works for men across the continuum. It encourages men early in their walk to develop intentional relationships with non-Christians. For guys farther along, it helps them create opportunities to share the gospel.
Give out Reach 3 Challenge cards with the following instructions:

1. Prayerfully identify three men not known to be Christians from your work, neighborhood or recreational activities.
2. Pray everyday for their salvation, as well as their marriages, relationships, jobs, and other areas of their lives.
3. Invite each of them to lunch. This is a "no agenda" lunch. You're not trying to sell them something. You just want to get to know them.
4. Be their friend. Talk to them about their life, their struggles and their triumphs. Allow your relationship with them to develop naturally. Ask how you can pray for them. Check back to see how they are doing.
5. As appropriate, invite them to a men's activity or church event.
6. (For more spiritually mature men) Be prepared to show them how the gospel has changed your life. Be ready to share your testimony and a simple overview of what it means to accept and follow Him.

Prepare your men for the Reach 3 Challenge:

• Encourage a man you meet with regularly to take the Reach 3 Challenge with you. This could be especially powerful for a younger man you are mentoring. The goal is not "converting someone," but to develop a relationship and trust with a non-Christian.
• In a regular men's Bible Study group, take a meeting to talk about sharing your faith. The story of Phillip and the Ethiopian eunuch is a good passage to use (Acts 8). Distribute the cards along with a testimony prep sheet.
• Make evangelism a focus of a series of talks in a men's Sunday School class or small group. Use Personalizing the Great Commission or another evangelism training curriculum.

1. Begin with an attention-getting sentence.
   Example: One day I realized that my life was completely empty and without purpose.
2. Before I received Christ I lived and thought this way:
   Example: I was living only for myself; my wife and kids were more of a burden than a benefit in my life; success was not bringing fulfillment.
3. How I received Christ:
   Example: A friend of mine was there for me during a tough time. Over time, he explained his faith in Jesus Christ. The more I learned, the more I realized the truth. I decided to commit myself to following Jesus too.
4. After I received Christ these changes took place in my life:
   Example: I feel like I have a purpose; I see my family as a great blessing; people tell me they can see a difference in my attitude and priorities.

Adapted from Personalizing the Great Commission: Your Action Plan from Man in the Mirror

 

© 2012. Patrick Morley. (Man in the Mirror) All rights reserved. This article may be reproduced for non-commercial ministry purposes with proper attribution.·

Christlike, Walking the Walk by Dr. Brian Cambell

Christlike, Walking the Walk

Authored by Dr. Brian Campbell, Assisted by Rev. Jim Angelakos, Forward by Rev. Dwight Bain

What does a mentally healthy Christian look like? How does s/he think, react emotionally, and behave? Christian psychologist, Dr. Brian Campbell, delves deeply into the scriptures to give you a unique insight into the mind of a mentally healthy Christian, while at the same time showing you how the truths contained in God's word can help set you free from the tyrrany of false beliefs and lies prevalent in our culture.

ACCEPT HIS LOVE by David Wilkerson

It does not matter what you do to try to clean yourself up. If you don't trust Jesus to save you through His grace, all your righteousness is as filthy rags in God's sight. Your flesh isn't accepted before God; it can't even be reformed. All flesh was done away with at the cross and now a new Man has come forth—the Christ-man—and true faith is having confidence in what He did for you.

You may say, "I find it hard to believe that a troubled, failing Christian like me could be precious to God. He has to be disgusted with me, because my life is so up-and-down. I have problems I can't seem to get through. Oh, I believe He still loves me but surely He is disappointed in me because I have failed Him so often!"

Please understand: Isaiah's wonderful prophecy of grace (see Isaiah 43:1-5) was spoken to a people who had been robbed, snared in holes and cast into prison—all because of their own foolishness and unbelief. It was at such a point that God said to them, "Now, after all your failures, I come to you with this message of hope—and it is all because you are Mine."

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The Power of a Right Choice: It's a Matter of Life or Death by Joyce Meyer

I wonder how many decisions we make every day. I believe it’s probably hundreds. We decide whether or not to get out of bed, what we’ll eat, what we’ll do, what we’ll think about, what we’ll say…and on and on.

While it may seem like many of our daily choices are not that significant, it’s important to understand that they do matter.

In Deuteronomy 30:19 (AMP), God says, “…I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live.” Every choice is a seed you sow, and those seeds produce fruit in your life – either for life or for death. And if we want to have the life Jesus died to give us – an abundant life full of real peace and joy – we need to make wise choices.

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Counselors Resource!

Godly Counsel: Scriptures For Today's World 

By Dr. Brian Campbell - Assisted by Rev. Jim Angelakos

The Bible is best mental health text book ever written! And God's Word is the best counselor. "Godly Counsel: Scriptures For Today's World" focuses on 33 topics relevant to psychological problems encountered by Christians. It is designed for people who are hurting and the counselors who help them.

Whatever your problem or concern may be, there is no greater authority for living than God's Holy Word. "Godly Counsel" contains over 1400 scriptures for counsel and guidance.

Topics: Abortion; Addictions; Adolescent Rebellion; Anger; Anxiety/Worry/Fear; Backsliding; Belief/Salvation; Christ, Who He Is; Citizenship; Communication; Death & Dying; Depression; Divorce; Forgive/Forgiveness; Grief; Judgmental; Love; Marriage; Money/Riches; Parenting; Persecution; Prayer; Pride; Self-Esteem, Low; Sexual Sin; Sin; Suffering; Temptation; Thinking, Healthy; Trouble/Hardship; Truth; Unemployment; Weak/Tired

Christlike, Walking the Walk by Dr. Brian Campbell

Christlike, Walking the Walk

Authored by Dr. Brian Campbell, Assisted by Rev. Jim Angelakos, Forward by Rev. Dwight Bain

What does a mentally healthy Christian look like? How does s/he think, react emotionally, and behave? Christian psychologist, Dr. Brian Campbell, delves deeply into the scriptures to give you a unique insight into the mind of a mentally healthy Christian, while at the same time showing you how the truths contained in God's word can help set you free from the tyrrany of false beliefs and lies prevalent in our culture.

REMEMBER WHAT GOD HAS DONE by David Wilkerson

We have a tendency to forget every good thing God has done for us. When we face new challenges we often do not remember our deliverance from old ones.

When David stood before Goliath, he rehearsed his past victories in order to build up his faith. He recounted, "And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God” (1 Samuel 17:34-36). 

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Putting God First in Your Priorities by Joyce Meyer

There are so many things that clamor for our attention and devotion: our jobs, our kids, our spouses, our hobbies—the demands and distractions of life. And we have to be careful not to let them become more important or more of a priority than our relationship with God.

he first of the Ten Commandments states we will have no other gods before Him (see Exodus 20:3). And Deuteronomy 5:8-9 (NLT) says, “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind, or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea.  You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods.”
Yet how many of the things that occupy our time, money, thoughts and attention have taken the place where God is supposed to be? 

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Small Group Leaders Resource!

Godly Counsel: Scriptures For Today's World 

By Dr. Brian Campbell - Assisted by Rev. Jim Angelakos

The Bible is best mental health text book ever written! And God's Word is the best counselor. "Godly Counsel: Scriptures For Today's World" focuses on 33 topics relevant to psychological problems encountered by Christians. It is designed for people who are hurting and the counselors who help them.

Whatever your problem or concern may be, there is no greater authority for living than God's Holy Word. "Godly Counsel" contains over 1400 scriptures for counsel and guidance.

Topics: Abortion; Addictions; Adolescent Rebellion; Anger; Anxiety/Worry/Fear; Backsliding; Belief/Salvation; Christ, Who He Is; Citizenship; Communication; Death & Dying; Depression; Divorce; Forgive/Forgiveness; Grief; Judgmental; Love; Marriage; Money/Riches; Parenting; Persecution; Prayer; Pride; Self-Esteem, Low; Sexual Sin; Sin; Suffering; Temptation; Thinking, Healthy; Trouble/Hardship; Truth; Unemployment; Weak/Tired

Acceptability vs. Accountability

A Look in the Mirror #461 - Acceptability vs. Accountability

"Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." --Matthew 5:37

Help your men move from acceptability to accountability. Many groups have men set goals, fail to meet them, come up with an excuse, and then receive reaffirming pats on the back and assurances that "you'll do better next time."

Instead, inject some consequences into the process. Here's how it works:

1. Set concrete goals. Instead of saying, "Read my Bible more," say, "Read the Bible five days each week by following the XYZ Bible Reading Plan."
2. Set goals that are achievable. If you don't exercise at all, don't set a goal of going to the gym 5 days a week for 90 minutes each time.
3. A goal may also be something you want to stop doing. For instance, working too many hours or losing your temper with your kids. But it still needs to be concrete and measurable.
4. Put a definitive deadline on the goal - when must it be accomplished by?
5. What is the value of the goal? If your goal is to watch less TV, and you decide to cancel your cable, what is the value of that? And here's the key to making it "real"...
6. Set a penalty for not achieving the goal. Make it painful and meaningful. It could be washing your accountability partner's car or giving $100 to charity.

For accountability partners, it is essential that you don't let your brother off the hook if he does not achieve his goals. He's a big boy. He made his own goals. He set the deadline and penalty. He can handle the consequences!
Below is a sample page from a Christian Roundtable Group to give you an idea of how to record your goals, deadlines, values and penalties.  as well as spark conversations on the key areas of a man's life. (You can download a properly formatted version here.)





Weekly Briefing #461 © 2012. Patrick Morley. All rights reserved. This article may be reproduced for non-commercial ministry purposes with proper attribution.

The Truth About Judging by Carl Stephens

Faith Assembly of God Sermon Series

Speaker: Sr. Pastor Carl Stephens

Christlike, Walking the Walk by Dr. Brian Campbell

Christlike, Walking the Walk

Authored by Dr. Brian Campbell, Assisted by Rev. Jim Angelakos, Forward by Rev. Dwight Bain

What does a mentally healthy Christian look like? How does s/he think, react emotionally, and behave? Christian psychologist, Dr. Brian Campbell, delves deeply into the scriptures to give you a unique insight into the mind of a mentally healthy Christian, while at the same time showing you how the truths contained in God's word can help set you free from the tyrrany of false beliefs and lies prevalent in our culture.

Seek a Moment of Humility Every Day

There is one thing every true believer longs for each day. That's to be so overwhelmed by the real presence of Almighty God that we feel His life pulsating within us. Begin each day by telling God how much you need Him, how much you love Him, how much you long for His touch. Invite the Holy Spirit to fill you. Ask Him to speak to your heart, then pensively read His Word. Keep seeking until you experience "a moment of humility" in which you are suddenly overwhelmed by His power & presence. It may come as joy that slowly swells, a deep conviction of sin that hurls you to the floor, a holy passion to serve Him with all your might, or feeling transported into the spiritual realms. You may tingle. Your breathing may be labored. You may feel moisture in your eyes. It is a moment of transcendence, awe, & communion. To not experience God is our choice, not His. God keeps an open door policy.

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Understanding the Fruit of the Spirit by Joyce Meyer

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives:
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! –Galatians 5:22-23 NLT 

You may not know it, but when you gave your life to Jesus, all the fruit of the Spirit were planted inside you in seed form. Through the Spirit you can experience joy and peace in every circumstance, no matter how difficult or painful.

Video link: http://bcove.me/gly8qmul

Godly Counsel: Scriptures For Today's World By Dr. Brian Campbell

Godly Counsel: Scriptures For Today's World 

By Dr. Brian Campbell - Assisted by Rev. Jim Angelakos

The Bible is best mental health text book ever written! And God's Word is the best counselor. "Godly Counsel: Scriptures For Today's World" focuses on 33 topics relevant to psychological problems encountered by Christians. It is designed for people who are hurting and the counselors who help them.

Whatever your problem or concern may be, there is no greater authority for living than God's Holy Word. "Godly Counsel" contains over 1400 scriptures for counsel and guidance.

Topics: Abortion; Addictions; Adolescent Rebellion; Anger; Anxiety/Worry/Fear; Backsliding; Belief/Salvation; Christ, Who He Is; Citizenship; Communication; Death & Dying; Depression; Divorce; Forgive/Forgiveness; Grief; Judgmental; Love; Marriage; Money/Riches; Parenting; Persecution; Prayer; Pride; Self-Esteem, Low; Sexual Sin; Sin; Suffering; Temptation; Thinking, Healthy; Trouble/Hardship; Truth; Unemployment; Weak/Tired

The Power To Live As You Wish

Living as a disciple of Jesus is simple. 

 

First, take in & believe how deeply God loves you. Dwell on it. Second, respond to His great love that makes us alive with Christ by humbling ourselves in faith & repentance. Third, lead a fully surrendered life of obedience that includes abiding in Jesus (John 8:31-32), neighbor love (John 13:34-35), and bearing much fruit (John 15:8). Simple, right? But if it's so simple why is it so hard? 

 

The problem is that our discipleship is fiercely contested. "Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a lion looking for someone to devour!" Here's a conspiracy theory that's actually true: The world, the flesh, & the devil want "to steal & kill & destroy" you. 

 

The solution? It's easy. Every day renew yourself in the gospel. Every day review these three steps. Like a recharged battery, you will have fresh power to live as you wish.

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Hang In There…Help Is on the Way! by Joyce Meyer

The Bible repeatedly tells us that God is our helper. So can we really trust God to help us? Yes, we really can!

It’s easy to agree with that right away, and there are a lot of things we mentally ascent to―but when it comes to practically applying them in our everyday life, we can’t seem to find a way to do it.

The truth is if we really believe God is our helper and that He’s willing to help us no matter what situation we’re in, then we have no reason to worry or get overwhelmed.  

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Christlike, Walking the Walk by Dr. Brian Campbell

Christlike, Walking the Walk

Authored by Dr. Brian Campbell, Assisted by Rev. Jim Angelakos, Forward by Rev. Dwight Bain

What does a mentally healthy Christian look like? How does s/he think, react emotionally, and behave? Christian psychologist, Dr. Brian Campbell, delves deeply into the scriptures to give you a unique insight into the mind of a mentally healthy Christian, while at the same time showing you how the truths contained in God's word can help set you free from the tyrrany of false beliefs and lies prevalent in our culture.

HOLY GHOST RAIN by David Wilkerson

No matter what kind of manifestations you see in a so-called revival, it is not a true move of God unless it is focused on the harvest! Holy Ghost rain always falls to produce an ingathering of souls.

God poured out His Spirit at Pentecost to prepare the ground and soften it for the gospel seed to be sown. Spirit-filled believers were sent out from the Upper Room into all the world to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

The church has seen almost 2,000 years of sowing and growing and it is now harvest time! All who have died in Christ up to now represent the first fruits or the early harvest. Jesus has not yet come because He has been waiting patiently for His final, mighty harvest!

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A New Time, A New Place by Randy Ruiz

Faith Assembly of God Sermon Series

Guest Speaker: Randy Ruiz

Altar Workers Resource!

Godly Counsel: Scriptures For Today's World 

By Dr. Brian Campbell - Assisted by Rev. Jim Angelakos

The Bible is best mental health text book ever written! And God's Word is the best counselor. "Godly Counsel: Scriptures For Today's World" focuses on 33 topics relevant to psychological problems encountered by Christians. It is designed for people who are hurting and the counselors who help them.

Whatever your problem or concern may be, there is no greater authority for living than God's Holy Word. "Godly Counsel" contains over 1400 scriptures for counsel and guidance.

Topics: Abortion; Addictions; Adolescent Rebellion; Anger; Anxiety/Worry/Fear; Backsliding; Belief/Salvation; Christ, Who He Is; Citizenship; Communication; Death & Dying; Depression; Divorce; Forgive/Forgiveness; Grief; Judgmental; Love; Marriage; Money/Riches; Parenting; Persecution; Prayer; Pride; Self-Esteem, Low; Sexual Sin; Sin; Suffering; Temptation; Thinking, Healthy; Trouble/Hardship; Truth; Unemployment; Weak/Tired

The Marriage Prayer Challenge

The Marriage Prayer Challenge

Weekly Briefing #463 by Patrick Morley

Get the couples in your church to pray for each other every day

1. Begin praying The Marriage Prayer for your spouse every day.
2. Show the prayer to the leaders of your couples' or adult ministries. Paint a picture for them of what it would be like if every married person in your church prayed for their spouse every day. Pray together that God would do something great in the lives of your people.
3. Download and print or purchase pre-printed cards here for every couple in your church. Give them out on a Sunday morning or host a Marriage Prayer Adventure evening for your couples with one of our faculty members from Man in the Mirror.
4. You can also find posters, bulletin inserts, email headers, flyers, PowerPoint backgrounds, and message outlines to support your emphasis on the website.
5. If desired, use The Marriage Prayer book with couples' groups or an adult class at the church.
6. After introducing the concept to your church, ask couples to commit to pray The Marriage Prayer every day for 21 days.
7. Send an email each week during the three-week adventure reminding couples to pray for their spouse.
8. Watch God begin to work in the lives of your people. Get testimonies of changed lives. Be sure to share them through stories in the bulletin, short video testimonies in the worship service, or follow-up couples' events.

Weekly Briefing #463·© 2012. Patrick Morley. All rights reserved. This article may be reproduced for non-commercial ministry purposes with proper attribution.·

Do You Know Who You Are?

by Joyce Meyer
 
My friend Penny and her husband have been serving in the ministry for more than 20 years, and both of them have been pastors. Penny has also worked for me, assisting me with various personal needs. She's ironed my clothes, cleaned up my messes, made coffee for me, prayed for me, and basically, done whatever I needed her to do at the time.
In many people's eyes, she would be considered important in her pastoral role. People know who she is and they go to her for help. But Penny doesn't have a problem with doing menial tasks for me. She knows who she is, and she doesn't have to have a title of pastor or leader to be secure.
Penny is free from the need to impress people and free to do whatever she does for the Lord. This is one of the greatest freedoms we can have.

You Have Nothing to Prove

Everyone struggles with the need to impress people at some level. And much of the pressure, fear and stress we experience in our lives is caused by our need to impress others.

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The Key to Overcoming Every Fear You Face

by Joyce Meyer
 
Everyone experiences fear in their life. There are big fears we are very aware of and little ones we may not even realize we have.
I've learned that it's very important to understand what fear is and how it works against us because if we don't, it can keep us from becoming what God created us to be, which means we won't fulfill our purpose in life.

Fear's Evil Scheme

“ God wants us to walk by faith, and Satan wants us to walk by fear. ”

Fear is a tool the devil uses against us to make us miserable and destroy our lives. It begins as a thought and then creates emotions that can rule us. It often becomes a strong, intense feeling that tries to move us to make a foolish action or tries to prevent us from doing something that would be good for us. Because it's such a common way that Satan attacks people's lives, I think of it as the master spirit he uses to manipulate people and keep them out of God's will.
Simply put, fear is the opposite of faith. God wants us to walk by faith, and Satan wants us to walk by fear. When we learn to live by faith and not let fear rule our life, we can live a fulfilling, satisfying, peaceful and joyful life in Christ.
Like I said before, fear begins with a thought. Proverbs 23:7 tells us that "as [a man] thinks in his heart, so is he" (NKJV). I like to say it like this: Where the mind goes, the man follows.

Finding Freedom

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How to Become a Focused Thinker

By John C Maxwell
 
In his book Focus: The Future of Your Company Depends on It, marketing consultant Al Ries gives a tremendous illustration:

The sun is a powerful source of energy.  Every hour the sun washes the earth with billions of kilowatts of energy.  Yet with a hat and some sun-screen, you can bathe in the light of the sun for hours at a time with few ill effects.

 A laser is a weak source of energy.  A laser takes a few watts of energy and focuses them in a coherent stream of light.  But with a laser you can drill a hole in a diamond or wipe out a cancer.

Focus can bring energy and power to almost anything, whether it’s physical or mental.  If you’re learning how to pitch a baseball and you want to develop a good curve ball, then focused thinking while practicing will improve your technique. If you need to refine the manufacturing process of your product, focused thinking will help you develop the best method.  If you want to solve a difficult mathematics problem, sustaining focused thinking helps you break through to the solution.  That’s why philosopher Bertrand Russell asserted, “To be able to concentrate for a considerable time is essential to difficult achievement.”  The greater the difficulty of a problem or issue, the more focused thinking time will be necessary to solve it.

Does every area of your life deserve dedicated, focused thinking time? Of course, the answer is no. Be selective, not exhaustive, in your focused thinking. And once you have a handle on what you should think about, you must decide how to better focus on it. Here are five suggestions to help you with the process:

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The Best Advice I Ever Got!

Priorities! God first, then my wife, then my children and then everyone else. Love God and love people. The relationship is the task.

Do you have a people strategy? by Seth Godin

Hard to imagine a consultant or investor asking the CMO, "so, what's your telephone strategy?"

We don't have a telephone strategy. The telephone is a tool, a simple medium, and it's only purpose is to connect us to interested human beings.

And then the internet comes along and it's mysterious and suddenly we need an email strategy and a social media strategy and a web strategy and a mobile strategy.

No, we don't.

It's still people. We still have one and only one thing that matters, and it's people.

All of these media are conduits, they are tools that human beings use to waste time or communicate or calculate or engage or learn. Behind each of the tools is a person. Do you have a story to tell that person? An engagement or a benefit to offer them?

Figure out the people part and the technology gets a whole lot simpler.

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Strength!

Trials come to prove and improve us. - Augustine

If you fall to pieces in a crisis, there wasn't much to you in the first place. (Proverbs 24:10 MSG)

Exercise Your Authority

by Joyce Meyer  

And He has put all things under His feet and has appointed Him the universal and supreme Head of the church [a headship exercised throughout the church]. —Ephesians 1:22

From the beginning of time, God has had good plans for our lives, but the devil disrupted His original plan when he tempted Adam and Eve to sin and they listened to him instead of obeying God. God had given Adam and Eve dominion over everything in the Garden, but when they disobeyed Him, they lost their authority and suddenly, Satan had the upper hand.

Know Your Enemy

We must never forget that Satan is a thief and a liar. He wants us to believe his lies because that will cause us to be deceived and not to live in truth. He will tell us God doesn’t love us or want the best for us.

From the beginning of time he has sought to divert the good things that are ours, and he will continue to do so if we allow him to. In other words, he will stay on our property if we don’t run him off!

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Walking the Walk by Dr. Brian Campbell

Walking the Walk

Authored by Dr. Brian Campbell, Assisted by Rev. Jim Angelakos, Forward by Rev. Dwight Bain

What does a mentally healthy Christian look like? How does s/he think, react emotionally, and behave? Christian psychologist, Dr. Brian Campbell, delves deeply into the scriptures to give you a unique insight into the mind of a mentally healthy Christian, while at the same time showing you how the truths contained in God's word can help set you free from the tyrrany of false beliefs and lies prevalent in our culture.

Countdown to Valentine's Day

The "Chocolate Eating Holiday" is a week away. 

That's right, my official title for Valentine's Day. 

Any holiday that promotes chocolate without guilt is a day to look forward to. That and Sweethearts candy. I have no idea what ingredients form together making the chalky sweet treat, but after reading the messages printed on each teeny heart lives are forever changed. Let's be honest, doesn't Text Me or Sweet Pea just send chills down your spine? Forget the fact that they have no taste. These candies change lives with their message of hope and love. Last year, Tweet Me was even added to the mix. How can one not fall in love after reading that?

"Christian" Sweethearts candy messages might even go a step further. 

Love is patient.

Love is kind. 

Pray about it. 

Until eternity

Jesus first, you second. 

Side hug.

If they existed, I'm sure they would rock the world.

Regardless of what sweets we actually eat on Valentine's Day, my heart's prayer is that love will be in the air year-round. A love like God's. Love that never gives up. That cares more for others than for self. Love that doesn't want what it doesn't have. Doesn't strut. Doesn't have a swelled head. Isn't always "me first". Doesn't fly off the handle. Doesn't keep score of the sins of others. I want a love that protects and hopes. Love that puts up with anything. Trusts God always. Always looks for the best. Never looks back but keeps going forward.

1 Corinthians 14:1a

Let love be your highest goal! [NLT]

Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it-because it does. [MSG]

God, show us who to love today. Show us how to love like You. Let us look for ways to love throughout the day. Let us be alert to your prompting. May we be deliberate and sincere in every word spoken to each other. May only encouraging and uplifting words come from our mouths. Words that bring life, love, healing and inspiration. Words that build each other up. Let love flow from our hearts in all we do. Amen. 

Loving God, Yourself & Others

by Joyce Meyers

Love requires action. It's not a thing we try to get for ourselves, but instead is an action we express to others through sharing and serving.

Because love is an action, I believe there are three different forms of love God has instructed us to demonstrate, or "live out." Each one needs to be in balance so they can work together. As you read on, consider whether each one is well-balanced in your life or needs some adjustments.

#1 Loving God

Deuteronomy 6:5 says, And you shall love the Lord your God with all your [mind and] heart and with your entire being and with all your might. In the New Testament, Jesus repeats this command and even points it out as the most important commandment of all (as well as loving your neighbor as yourself).

So, how do you express love for God? By telling God, "I love You"? Singing praises to Him? These are good things, but they only scratch the surface.

We show God we love Him through obedience because actions definitely speak louder than words. I believe our level of obedience grows as we get to know and experience His love, goodness and faithfulness in our lives. Our desire to follow and obey the Lord's commandments increases as we increase our love of God.

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