Abortion is all over the news. It’s fodder for political debates and can spark emotions on every side of the issue. As we move closer to the end of this age and the rise of anti-Christ, we shouldn’t be surprised that this continues to be a bigger and bigger issue.
But abortion is also a deeply moral, personal issue. If you’ve ever had an abortion, you probably know that. Or, perhaps, you know someone else who has? It’s possible you’re contemplating an abortion now.
What do you believe God says about your possible choice? What are your reasons for contemplating that choice? Are you simply scared and don’t know what else to do?
Are forgiveness and peace possible after an abortion or are there some sins for which we never find redemption?
Whether we’ve been there, are contemplating these things personally, or just live in this fallen world with other sinners like us, we need to know how to answer these questions.
We all sin every day, but there are some sins that God names as those He hates. One is “hands that shed innocent blood.” With the Supreme Court decision on Roe v. Wade concerning abortion, we have reason to hope that laws can be passed to, at least, limit it. But laws don’t change hearts. There is only one real source of hope. We need to be sure we put our trust there.
Also … do you have someone in your life who is difficult? Maybe it’s your boss, your co-worker, your mother-in-law, or a child you dearly love. Whoever it is (and most of us have someone), how do you think about that relationship and how well do you deal with it?
We’ve all heard the phrase “a marriage made in heaven.” But depending on your life situation, the word marriage may bring to mind different thoughts and images. Perhaps it’s of your parents’ marriage and whether it was a good one or a contentious one. Or maybe it’s your own marriage and the thoughts, dreams, commitments, and even preconceptions, you had when you married. Or perhaps, marriage is something you are still looking forward to.
Wherever you are … married, divorced, widowed, or single, I pray you’ll take away truths from this series that will help you in your own or any future marriage or help you minister to others who are married.
Emotions are real and part of being human. In fact, God created us as emotional beings. But problems result when we allow our emotions to control our thoughts, words, and actions. When that happens, we can quickly end up in a ditch, spiritually and relationally.
This is first in a series on “Handling Emotions Biblically.” In this series, we’ll look at emotions, how they affect us and how we can handle them God’s way.
I published this series three years ago but because so much of my counseling this year has had to do with worry, anxiety, depression and other emotions, I am editing and republishing it. I know you will find it helpful, not because of my writing, but because it’s based on God’s eternal truth.
Suffering … we don’t like to think about the possibility that we might suffer. Yet, tests, trials, tragedies, suffering, and persecutions come to us all. We will probably never be completely prepared for tragedies and intense suffering. Those things often knock the wind out of us at least for a while. But is it possible to have the kind of spiritual foundation that will keep us from being completely knocked down by suffering? If so, what can we do to prepare?
Do you have a question about how the Bible applies to your life or why it’s even relevant today? Or would you like to know more about biblical counseling and how you can get personal help?
Last week I shared about something that happened almost 20 years ago that rocked my walk with God and my husband’s, as well. The change that God did through it eventually rippled out into every part of our lives. Today I’m going to talk about a principle that will not only rock our lives personally but will lay the foundation for understanding and obeying the other principles we find in God’s Word.
It’s been said that either you have just come out of a trial, are presently in a trial, or are about to go through one. Trials expose our hearts. They remove the dross from our lives–those things which keep us from bringing glory to God as we should. But there are things we need to understand about trials and our responses.
It’s been said that either you have just come out of a trial, are presently in a trial, or are about to go through a trial. That thought can stop us in our tracks because we don’t like trials. At least I don’t and I don’t think I’m alone. But God uses tests, trials, and suffering in our lives as a divine squeeze to let us and others see what’s in our hearts. J.C. Ryle said, “What you are in the day of trial, that you are and nothing more.” Trials show us what we are really made of!
